Vegas and Food

Feb 29, 2008

Nobhill - MGM Grand

mgm

I never thought we could get comped food here, but our host gave us RFB. Inside, the decor, service, and food, everything was excellent. Our table was so private, our seat was like a sofa. It was so comfortable. So far, all the Michael Mina restaurants we've tried were just great.We ordered Nobhill's signature dishes, "lobster pot pie" and "cioppino". New style of pot pie and cioppino, like I've never seen before. It was very interesting. All I can say is EVERYTHING we ate here was DELICIOUS! Since we have more offers from MGM for RFB, I'll be sure that we'll be back.

They also have a tasting menu, which costs between $50 - $100 per person.
Our food was total $208 + $16 tax + tip.
Bread

Butters

Amuse bouche

Aren't they pretty? The red ones are pomegranates.

"Ratatouille" stuffed Monterey squid, $19 appetizer, cold plate.
Serrano ham, caper berries, saffron-olive oil emulsion

Hors d'oeuvres sampler, $21.
Shrimp tempura, grilled beef skewers, Dungeness crab truffles

Shrimp tempura

Dungeness crab truffles

Beef skewers

"Solari's Grill" Dungeness Crab Louie, $22.Butter lettuce cup, avocado, spicy Louie dressing

North Beach Cioppino, $38.
Clams, mussels, dungeness crab, shrimp, tomato broth
It was kinda small portion, but with big pieces of delicious fresh seafood.

Mashed potatoes.5 different kinds, regular, horseradish, garlic, and I don't remember other ones. It was fun to try 5 different mashed potatoes. And they were so creamy and delicious.

Waiter preparing lobster pot pie. He nicely accepted when we asked him if we can take pictures of it. He cut off the top crust and put it on a plate, then scooped out seafood and vegetables onto the crust.

Michael's lobster pot pie, $85 (market price).
Two-pound Maine lobster, fingering potatoes, brandy cream

Cable Car Creme Brulee, $10.I actually wanted to eat banana tarte tatin or souffle, but I had banana cream pie the same day for lunch, and I had souffle the day before, so I got creme brulee. But next time, I'm gonna get tarte tatin and souffle for sure (if it's still on the menu).

Decaffeinated Frisch's Blend coffee, $5.
"A flavorful blend of Central American beans, with slight tones of chocolate, nut and brown sugar."

Nobhill menu

Sunday - Thursday, 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Friday - Saturday, 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Reservations (702) 891-7337www.mgmgrand.com

Feb 28, 2008

vegas offers

Mirage: Spring Bling $120,000 slot tournament, April 24-26 (1st place $30,000 in jewelry)
Includes 3 complimentary nights

Green Valley Ranch: $10,000 slot tournament, April 12-15
Includes 3 complimentary nights

Stratosphere: $75,000 Play 4 Reel Slot Tournament, April 24-26 (1st place $20,000 in free play)
Includes 3 complimentary nights, continental breakfast, gift, awards party

Caesars:
Includes 2 complimentary nights, one complimentary service at Qua Baths & Spa or Color, A Salon by Michael Boychuck

Feb 26, 2008

Korean Spicy Rice Snack

store bought

I just bought this Korean spicy rice snack. It was a little less than $1. One package (50g) 290kcal.
And of course, it was spicy, and also crunchy, tastes good, you can't stop. I used to eat a very similar Japanese rice snack.

No, I haven't start eating yet, this is what it looks like when you just opened it.

http://www.kirin.co.kr/new_home/index.asp

http://www.kirin.co.kr/new_home/english/index.asp

Feb 25, 2008

Vegs offers - 2.25.08

vegas offers

Here's the offers we received yesterday.

Stratosphere:
Includes 3 complimentary nights, $250 gift card

Caesars Palace:
Early Mother's Day Shopping Extravaganza.
Includes 3 complimentary nights, $300 gift certificate for the Forum Shops (participating stores)

Treasure Island:
Cinco De Mayo $80,000 Giveaway, April 28-May 5 (receive one drawing ticket for every 200 points earned).
Includes 3 complimentary nights

Four Queens:
Includes 3 complimentary nights, a spirited wine lover's gift basket, food at Magnolia's Veranda, Chicago Brewing Company, Queens Coffee & Deli, room service, and one dinner for two at Hugo's Cellar

Feb 24, 2008

St. Marc's Cafe - Topanga Mall, Canoga Park (CLOSED)

canoga park

St. Marc's Cafe located inside Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, CA. Their pastries tasted good, but I was kinda shocked when I saw this place, it was like a tiny fast food place. I was expecting more like a cafe. Also they actually make everything here, but the pastries didn't look so good. I saw pictures of the ones in Japan, and they look so good. But again, even though they didn't look delicious, the taste was good. So go for it, try them.

I thought these pastries were a little expensive. Choco cro was very small.

Choco Cro $1.90

Maple danish $2.85

www.stmarccafe.com

Vegas offers

vegas offers

Here's the offers we just received.

Sahara:
3 complimentary nights, $50 dining credit, $100 in free play

Hooters:
coupons for daily free gifts

Stratosphere:
3 complimentary nights in a spa king, $100 food credit, $200 free play, 2 free all-day ride passes

Feb 22, 2008

Mama Mia N.Y. style pizza and pasta - Stevenson Ranch

Santa Clarita

Mama Mia in Stevenson Ranch, CA. This 16-inch pizza was $20.56. We did this unusual order again, half with cheese, bell pepper, pepperoni and sausage, and other half with no cheese, eggplant, mushroom, and bacon. Taste was very good. One interesting thing was their eggplant. It was coated with batter and fried. It's like thinly sliced eggplant Parmesan. And this place did everything correct, some places get it wrong when we order a complicated thing like this.

They also have pizza by the slice, which starts at $1.95, pastas are $9.99, sandwiches $6.99, salads $2.50 - $7.99, appetizers $4.99 - $6.99, specials $5.99 - $10.99, and combo meals $4.99.

Mama Mia
25708 The Old Rd.
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 286-9183

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mama-mia-pizza-stevenson-ranch-2

Feb 21, 2008

Balconi Tiramisu

store bought

Balconi Tiramisu. Bought at local drug store and it was very tasty. It's kinda like Baumkuchen with tiramisu flavor.

Balconi Tiramisu

Feb 20, 2008

Vegas offers

vegas offers

Here's the offers we just received.

MGM:
The Sweet Life $350,000 slot tournament (1st place $25,000, based on 200 entrants)
Includes 3 complimentary nights, complimentary dining in select restaurants
$1,000 entry fee

Four Queens:
3 complimentary nights, complimentary meals, $80 in free slot play

Club Grazie:
$50,000 Modern Marvels slot tournament, May 9-11
Includes 3 complimentary nights at The Palazzo

Luxor:
3 free nights in a spa suite, $225 free slot play, 2 tickets to Fantasy, Carrot Top or 3 Redneck Tenors, complimentary health club admission, $300 in discount shopping certificates to Mandalay Place

Feb 18, 2008

Chick-Fil-A (2)

fast food

At this Chick-Fil-A, they put so much butter on the buns, you can see bun is kind of shining.

8 pieces nuggets, $2.85

Medium waffle potato fries, $1.45

Chicken sandwich, $2.85

www.chickfila.com

Feb 17, 2008

Vegas offers

vegas offers

Here's what we just received.

Planet Hollywood:
Includes 2 complimentary weekday nights, $50 in promotional gaming chips or slot credits, $50 in dining credits to select restaurants, 2 complimentary passes to Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara

Bellagio:
License to Drive Giveaway Weekend
Includes 3 complimentary nights, including food and beverage in select restaurants, Horsepower welcome gift, Overdrive cocktail reception where we'll rev your engines with $200,000 in cars, Free Play and Holiday Gift Shoppe prizes

Club Grazie:
Includes 3 complimentary nights, $50 in promotional slot credits or table match play, 2 for 1 Canyon Spa Club one-day passport

Club Grazie:
Golden Jaguar Video Poker Tournament, 5/4 - 5/5
Includes 2 complimentary nights

Treasure Island:
TI's Shopping Sprees at Saks 5th Ave or Macy's
Includes free nights and $200 gift card for Saks or Macy's

HOOTERS:
Cinco De Mayo $5,000 Blackjack Tournament, May 4-7
Includes 3 complimentary nights

Feb 15, 2008

MGM - Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, Nov. 2007

mgm

Emeril's at MGM. This was actually our second time here, our first time at Emeril's was about 2 years ago, and it was a really bad experience. We sat down, we got menus, but no water or waiter for 30 minutes, so we just left. This time, we finally got food. That's a good thing. But the bad thing, the food was awful, everything we ate was terrible EXCEPT banana cream pie. The pie was one of the best banana cream pies I ever had (I don't know how many times I had banana cream pie in my life, probably less than 10 times).

3 appetizers, 1 entree, 1 dessert, 1 bottled water, 2 cappuccino, our total was $100 (comped). It's an expensive lunch.

One is corn bread, other one is focaccia? Anyway, both were hard, dry, and no taste even though they were fresh.

Soup of the day, $8
I think it was sweet potato soup.

Avocado & blue crab cakes, $15
With a mango, papaya and macadamia nut salad tossed in a spicy cilantro dressing

It was burned, overcooked on the outside.

Kurobuta pork po' boy (daily special), $22
Slow roasted pork and pickles with mustard and swiss cheese on a rustic roll served with creole potato salad

Simply no flavor, the worst daily special ever.

Fish house seafood gumbo (appetizer size), $9

It was big enough even though it's appetizer size. It had a very fishy smell, and it was really bad. Very disappointing, they should know how to cook gumbo, especially if I'm eating at Emeril's restaurant.

Banana cream pie, $9
With chocolate shavings and caramel sauce

Signature dessert. It's pretty big, a perfect ending. Make sure you have enough room for this. A must try.