Diner's Notebook
Diner's Notebook
Swedish oddities, healthful choices, wine reading and Super Bowl eats
February 2nd, 2012
Longtime local sommelier Patty Beck, who has served me at Caesars Palace restaurants such as Neros and Bradley Ogden, has written a new book, Selling Wine in Las Vegas ($20, Blurb.com). In it, Beck describes service, stemware, varietals of wine and innovative California wineries. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Elbow-rubbing with Portugal’s Michelin stars, and Gordo finally says Go!
January 26th, 2012
Gordon Ramsay Steak will open at the Paris Las Vegas in the spring in the former home to Les Artistes Steakhouse, and will seat 274. The chef will personally direct the restaurant’s beef-aging program and serve British fare as well, such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
New Year treats and predictions, the other Oscar’s, and top Indian
January 19th, 2012
The coming year will bring new trends in the restaurant industry as well, according to no less a sage than John Mariani, Esquire’s scribe and blogger extraordinaire. (Read him at JohnMariani.com). He predicts that there will be several famous chefs closing their restaurants in Las Vegas during 2012—though he’s not naming names, so be warned. He goes on to say that Asian dumplings are going to be among the hottest dishes, and also that the Old Fashioned will achieve its once preeminent place in the cocktail world yet again. Furthermore, he’s banking on the locavore movement, doughnuts and Peruvian cuisine, even if he thinks that there “isn’t all that much to it.” Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Steak Oscar, another New Year and store-bought chicken that’s actually good
January 12th, 2012
Her honor, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, was on hand to bolster her husband’s newest venture, the downtown steak house Oscar’s, housed in the Plaza under its fabled dome. The concept is “Beef, Booze and Broads,” and there will be a stable of scantily clad women on hand to chat up customers. The hope is that it will help revitalize downtown. And if what I ate is an indication, things are off to a reasonable start. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Our man Ogden, a dessert fit for The King, and wine for your burger
January 5th, 2012
Everyone's favorite local pizzeria, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana at the District in Henderson, has opened a sister restaurant in Pasadena, Calif. (625 E. Colorado Blvd., 626-765-9550). If you're in town, stop by for a VPN pizza, an Italian acronym for a "real Neapolitan-style" pizza, cooked in a wood oven. You tear it by hand. Read more »
Diner’s Notebook
The dinners, drinks and guests of the holidays—plus fish... lots of fish
December 22nd, 2011
The holiday season means a wealth of special dinners, including last week’s white truffle dinner at Piero Selvaggio Valentino at the Venetian, always one of the year’s most memorable feasts. I’ll have to cut back on the Christmas cookies. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Brazilian meat on demand, and homegrown businesses on the move
December 15th, 2011
Greetings from one of the world’s truly exciting cities, Rio de Janeiro. The city is undergoing major changes and expansion as it prepares to host the World Cup in 2014, and the Olympic Games in 2016. And for a hungry foodie like your humble reporter, the food scene is about as exciting as it gets. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Winter at Paris, Ogden’s book at Caesars and value at Morels
December 8th, 2011
Jean Joho’s Eiffel Tower Restaurant (948-6937) would probably fill its dining room serving oatmeal, so the fact that they have one of the best kitchens in the city feels like serendipity. Sitting at a window table, looking out at the Bellagio water show, the Paris balloon and the neon lights twinkling below remains one of the city’s great thrills. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
Two major closures, pizza ’n’ burgers, and comfort Malaysian
December 1st, 2011
Two high-profile casino restaurant closures also took place during the past few weeks. The 400-seat Dos Caminos at the Palazzo, a Mexican concept that never seemed to take flight, has finally closed following a “bitter battle” with its landlord, Sheldon Adelson. At Mandalay Bay, the upscale, Tony Chi-designed Shanghai Lilly, which had great Peking duck, is shuttered now. Read more »
Diner's Notebook
The culinary riches of Mexico, Korean hot dogs and a Carnival of Cuisine
November 24th, 2011
L.A., meanwhile, is having a hot-dog renaissance with new places such as Dog Haus and New York’s Gray’s Papaya, and the energy is spilling over to Southern Nevada. Pink’s at Planet Hollywood is one example of a gourmet hot-dog joint, but now comes Buldogi’s, Korean-inspired hot-dog fusion at 2291 S. Fort Apache Road (570-7560). The food, I can attest, is delish. Read more »
