Restaurants reviewed week of 11/06
west...@hotmail.com
Venetian
http://tinyurl.com/yhguv8t
Carmel Room
Rampart Casino
http://tinyurl.com/yh9lcrt
Discounted gift certificates available at restaurant.com.
China Mama
3420 S. Jones Boulevard
http://tinyurl.com/yggdfsr
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
Paris Hotel and Casino
http://tinyurl.com/yabolq7
Firefly
Plaza
http://tinyurl.com/y8r9u9x
KJ's Kitchen
5960 W. Spring Mountain Road
http://tinyurl.com/yhemkus
Lola's Louisiana Kitchen
241 W Charleston Boulevard
http://tinyurl.com/yfynoc8
Namaste
Commercial Center
953 E. Sahara Avenue
http://tinyurl.com/y9ujle6
Discounted gift certificates available at restaurant.com
Printable coupon for 20% off: http://tinyurl.com/ydbhw28
Paymon's
4147 S Maryland Parkway
http://vegasmusings.com/?p=4102
Discounted gift certificates availale:
http://cbsvegasdining.mediawebconnect.com/
Postrio
Grand Canal Shoppes @ Venetian
http://tinyurl.com/yzhvxkt
Double Down Now!
> Bouchon Bistro
> Venetianhttp://tinyurl.com/yhguv8t
>
> Carmel Room
> Rampart Casinohttp://tinyurl.com/yh9lcrt> 3420 S. Jones Boulevardhttp://tinyurl.com/yggdfsr> Plazahttp://tinyurl.com/y8r9u9x
>
> KJ's Kitchen
> 5960 W. Spring Mountain Roadhttp://tinyurl.com/yhemkus
>
> Lola's Louisiana Kitchen
> 241 W Charleston Boulevardhttp://tinyurl.com/yfynoc8
>
> Namaste
> Commercial Center
> 953 E. Sahara Avenuehttp://tinyurl.com/y9ujle6
> Discounted gift certificates available at restaurant.com
> Printable coupon for 20% off:http://tinyurl.com/ydbhw28
>
> Paymon's
> Discounted gift certificates availale:http://cbsvegasdining.mediawebconnect.com/
>
> Postrio
> Grand Canal Shoppes @ Venetianhttp://tinyurl.com/yzhvxkt
Thanks for these reviews!
(For what it's worth, I was talkin' to a foodie during Restaurant
Week and he claimed that Keller's French Laundry restaurant in San
Fran was in his opinion the BEST restaurant in America! I don't know
if that's true or not but I was impressed with the grub at Bouchon at
the Venetian)
Donkeydode
> Firefly
> Plaza
> http://tinyurl.com/y8r9u9x
>
Glad to hear this place is doing well downtown.
JRogow
French Laundry, like most of the "celeb chef" places, is over priced,
over done, pretentious, precious, and a waste of time and money.
We ate there once, never again.
I prefer my waiters civil, my food properly hot (or chilled) and the
feeling that my patronage is appreciated.
EVIL ELVIS
> French Laundry, like most of the "celeb chef" places, is over priced,
> over done, pretentious, precious, and a waste of time and money.
>
> We ate there once, never again.
>
> I prefer my waiters civil, my food properly hot (or chilled) and the
> feeling that my patronage is appreciated.
As someone who once worked in the restaurant biz, I am always
disheartened to read such reviews of great restaurants. When I worked
for Wolfgang Puck, I never acted all snootybuckets with anyone. I
never understood this attitude for several reasons:
1.) You're just a waiter / cook / chef. Nothing more, nothing less.
You prepare and serve food. You do not keep the world spinning. Get
over yourselves.
2.) Bad service equals 10 times bad reviews. If one person is
dissatisfied with their experience at a restaurant, I am pretty sure
they will tell 10 of their friends, and those 10 will tell 10 more,
and so on.
3.) It's just food! For crying out loud, it's just a restaurant. You
sit down, a waiter takes your order, your chef cooks the food, you
eat, you pay, you leave. Why this has to be a soap opera has always
been a mystery to me.
--EE--
JRogow
Have you ever been to the Tour D'Argent? It began the food as theatre
trend, another once is enough place.
Big Mikey
For most men, a hamburger and French fries will do. Most high priced
expensive restaurants are there for status. When I first got out of college
and got my first good paying job in Southern CA, I felt I had to be in the
trendy world and eat in the "now" places, dress and shop at the "right'
places and live in the accepted neighborhood.
All it turned out to be was bullshit--and expensive. I also grew up most of
my life in the restaurant business so I knew quality versus just high price
and most of the "high ticket" LA restaurants (which are no longer in
business) were able to fool you once---but not again.
Indeed some restaurants are truly unique and a wonder of food and art, but
these are very few. For me, give me good old simple foods at fair prices.
My GF is even more simple and turns up her nose at most trendy food. For
example, I will take her anyplace she wants to eat for her birthday on 12/3
and she still wants to go to Carmines Little Italy on Durango for the
exellelent Veal. I would easily take her other places more expensive and
trendy but she asked me "Why? Besides, if there is a hockey game on we can
watch it." I will get out of Carmines for about $50 and possibly even less
if I find another discount.
I do realize a vacation here in Las Vegas is different and some of the
places to eat are marvelous, but as a world traveler my first tour of Europe
was in high school and my tour guide was our Guidance Counselor who became
one of my two mentors in life. He prided himself on going to places
(especially food) "off the beaten path" throughout Europe, especially France
and Italy. We ate at some fantastic places that the tourists never knew! I
am the same way today, especially in America and like to be like Guy Fieri
and look for great Diners and Dives. In Europe, I like to mingle with the
locals (with my bad French or even worse Italian, but many speak English.).
Enjoying what locals do and eat always fascinates me. It brings our world
closer and it also makes the "ugly American' a little less ugly.
Bon appetit!
M
.
"EVIL ELVIS" <hehate...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9e1487d6-16eb-46ae...@u16g2000pru.googlegroups.com...
tom ronson
> prices. My GF is even more simple and turns up her nose at most trendy
> food.
but never a cock stuffed in her face --- those she'll take all day long.
--
"to dream is to be disappointed." -- Bob Hewson
--tr
Big Mikey
I was glad to see Max reviewed K.J.'s Kitchen.
I have only eaten there twice and both times is because one of my friend's
is Vietnamese and he turned me on to this place.
The menu is a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and some Thai dishes. The is VERY
authentic Asian food, (not NY Cantonese) so if you are more into the
"Americanized" of these cuisines, I would not recommend going here. Since
I frequented "Little Saigon" in Orange County for many years and got to
enjoy this kind of food, I was ready for anything. Can you handle chicken
feet or duck feet in your soup? Simply delicious!
Portions are fair and prices are vey reasonable, but the place is always
crowded (mostly Asians who seem to know the food) , so do not expect service
to be quick. In fact it is downright awful sometimes. All that being said,
we still took food home.
Firefly
I have still not eaten at Firefly downtown, but if it matches it original
location, then it has to be a winner! Trying to describe Firefly and the
food, is like trying to describe the music of Blue Man Group. It is food,
but that as far as it goes. But Firefly is a must do in Las Vegas!. When
people ask me where to often see a celebrity, I tell them Firefly!
Everyone loves to eat there! Not only is the food unique-the food is FUN!
Go with a good size group and order about $50 worth of food. Nibble, bite,
swallow, share, gulp. This is God's wonderful creation called TAPAS-sort of
a finger food, sort of an appetizer, sort of fantastic!
M
<west...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:02d494ba-8941-480a...@c3g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
> Bouchon Bistro
> Venetian
> http://tinyurl.com/yhguv8t
>
> Carmel Room
> Rampart Casino
> http://tinyurl.com/yh9lcrt
> Discounted gift certificates available at restaurant.com.
>
> China Mama
> 3420 S. Jones Boulevard
> http://tinyurl.com/yggdfsr
>
>
> Eiffel Tower Restaurant
> Paris Hotel and Casino
> http://tinyurl.com/yabolq7
>
> Firefly
> Plaza
> http://tinyurl.com/y8r9u9x
>
> KJ's Kitchen
> 5960 W. Spring Mountain Road
>
>
west...@hotmail.com
>
> My GF is even more simple and turns up her nose at most trendy food. For
> example, I will take her anyplace she wants to eat for her birthday on 12/3
> and she still wants to go to Carmines Little Italy on Durango for the
> exellelent Veal. I would easily take her other places more expensive and
> trendy but she asked me "Why? Besides, if there is a hockey game on we can
> watch it." I will get out of Carmines for about $50 and possibly even less
> if I find another discount.
>
certificates through restaurant.com. A 70% off sale is in progress
through Nov. 9th - use code DINE.
I have one question - are the various
locations of Carmine's Little Italy pretty much all the same?
- westie -
Gary
Big Mikey,
Mike. Please keep these gems of your imaginary past coming. Especially
the little revealing tidbits like your close relationship with the high
school guidance counselor.
Gary
--
"Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own
father can make you live forever if you telepathically tell him you
accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul
that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a
talking snake to eat from a magical tree..... yeah, makes perfect sense."
Gary
> Firefly
>
> I have still not eaten at Firefly downtown, but if it matches it
> original location, then it has to be a winner! Trying to describe
> Firefly and the food, is like trying to describe the music of Blue Man
> Group. It is food, but that as far as it goes. But Firefly is a must do
> in Las Vegas!. When people ask me where to often see a celebrity, I
> tell them Firefly! Everyone loves to eat there! Not only is the food
> unique-the food is FUN! Go with a good size group and order about $50
> worth of food. Nibble, bite, swallow, share, gulp. This is God's
> wonderful creation called TAPAS-sort of a finger food, sort of an
> appetizer, sort of fantastic!
>
>
> M
Big Mikey,
It's nice to see that after only 55 years and with all your world
gourmet travel, you've finally discovered tapas dining. It's also nice
to see you again make a fool of yourself by telling people about a
restaurant you say you've never eaten at.
I'd call that a typical Big Mikey review.
EVIL ELVIS
> For once we concur.
<snip long, boring, imaginary rant about self and mentoring 'guidance
counselors'>
> Enjoying what locals do and eat always fascinates me. It brings our world
> closer and it also makes the "ugly American' a little less ugly.
In your case, that would be impossible.
--EE--
Big Mikey
are owned by Frank and Carmine. The one on Durango was sold to a very nice
guy from Brooklyn (named Benny).almost 2 years ago and he started a lot of
great specials including the 50% off MONDAY NIGHT of the entire menu. Get
there early as the place is packed.
Frank and Carmine also sold the other Henderson location and then decided to
go "franchise" somewhat planning to open up several in Las Vegas. I have
not tried any of the newer locations.
Minnie loves the Veal and it is quite good and very reasonable in price.
Even though it also caters to a sports crowd, it is always very quiet there.
I always have the cook prepare things a special way for me and they are only
too happy to do so. Actually, Benny had done a great job and has not
changed too many things.
I took my father there a few years ago, and you would have thought Carmine
and my Dad were relatives. My father and Carmine talked about the "old
neighborhood" and things I didn't know even existed. Both of them knew the
same "Gonzos", "Micks" and "Yids". Some of the names of these guys they
knew really cracked me up. Here was two old farts who couldn't get up from
their chairs without assistance talking about running numbers in Bronx and
Queens as kids.
I miss ya, Dad...
M
<west...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0b59acb4-7e6a-4ed9...@a21g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
Big Mikey
Why not look him up? You may be very surprised about what you learn about
this man.
Then get back to me---and apologize.
M
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:LumJm.148643$uO.9...@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com...
Gary
> Hal Arthur. Grant High School, Van Nuys, CA
>
> Why not look him up? You may be very surprised about what you learn
> about this man.
>
> Then get back to me---and apologize.
>
> M
>
>
>
Big Mikey,
OK. Did a Google search for Hal Arthur, Grant High school. Google came
back with an LA Times article that shows he was shot to death in Sherman
Oaks. But it also brought up this interesting fact.
A popular high school teacher was killed today by a gunman with a
semiautomatic weapon who shot him three times in the back as he left for
school, police said.
Harold (Hal) Arthur, 60, a social studies teacher and senior class
adviser at Grant High School for 20 years, was shot as he put some
papers in the back seat of his car about 6 a.m., police Lt. Warren
Knowles said.
Detectives seek a student recently expelled from the school in suburban
Van Nuys but do not consider the student a suspect and are not sure
whether Arthur played a role in his expulsion, Knowles said.
Now then. Let us do some math here.
Mr Arthur was shot in 2006. He was a senior class adviser for "20
years". That puts him starting as an adviser in 1986. You are 55 years
old. That means you were a senior in high school in 1971.
Mikey. You got some 'splainin to do.
We should also go into your attendance in high school, since you also
have made many claims on avlv of attending high school in Las Vegas.
More 'splainin to do.
Big Mikey
I got there. He taught US History and Government and later became Senior
Advisor for many years until his death.
His wife is a dear friend and lived for a short time here in Las Vegas after
his death. A beautiful memorial is at the Grant High School campus
dedicated to Hal. He was just an exceptional human being and my first
mentor. His love of life, kindness, and wisdom is greatly missed. Almost
500 people attended his funeral.
I did indeed go to Grant from 69-72. I also recently attended the 50th
Birthday of the school in last month. And yes I did go one semester to high
school here in Las Vegas and lived with my Uncle. My parents were in the
process of getting a divorce, my mother was quite ill and life was very
difficult at home. In order to keep me focused on high grades, my Uncle
invited me to stay with him here in Las Vegas. He actually lived on Sierra
Vista Drive in 1971 when it was a nice neighborhood. We had a unobstructed
view of the International (later LV Hilton) back then. My Uncle worked for
the Sands and I have written a lot about him as well.
Quite frankly, Valley High school sucked-big time. I was glad to return to
Grant and my parents got back together only to finally divorce a few years
later.
M
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b%LJm.149774$uO.1...@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com...
Big Mikey
M
"EVIL ELVIS" <hehate...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c2b7d96a-f6cf-4458...@z3g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
Big Mikey
Been eating at the original Firefly for a long time, Dick.
I have written reviews about it as well and it even won a Big Mikey Award.
I am sure the one downtown is just as good. At least that is what John
Curtis and Steve Friess tell me. (Yes, I know them too!)
M
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:avmJm.148644$uO.7...@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com...
Gary
> Ah horseshit....
>
> Been eating at the original Firefly for a long time, Dick.
>
> I have written reviews about it as well and it even won a Big Mikey Award.
>
> I am sure the one downtown is just as good. At least that is what John
> Curtis and Steve Friess tell me. (Yes, I know them too!)
>
> M
Big Mikey,
Where are these reviews you say you have written published? Is a *Big
Mikey Award* an actual object, or yet another of your self delusional
creations?
I've sent off an e-mail to Mr. Curtis and Mr. Friess to verify that they
do or don't know you. It will be interesting to see and post the
replies, which I will do as soon as they respond.
Finally, no one on avlv believes anything you say. We do enjoy poking
fun at the tales you make up.
dnrapp
Gary,
As much as I like it when you call out BM for some of his wild
stories. I think you got this one wrong. Reread the story. Yes it is a
2006 storty but it references the Hal Arthur murder that occured in
1989. So if you subtract the 20 years from 1989 you get 1969. So if in
fact BM did go to Grant during that time Mr Arthur could have been his
teacher. They are talking about the Jewish mob in the story and from
some of the stories that BM has told about his family, they could be
part of the Jewish mob. Maybe one of his "little" brothers had a hand
in the killing?
Gary
> Gary,
>
> As much as I like it when you call out BM for some of his wild
> stories. I think you got this one wrong. Reread the story. Yes it is a
> 2006 storty but it references the Hal Arthur murder that occured in
> 1989. So if you subtract the 20 years from 1989 you get 1969. So if in
> fact BM did go to Grant during that time Mr Arthur could have been his
> teacher. They are talking about the Jewish mob in the story and from
> some of the stories that BM has told about his family, they could be
> part of the Jewish mob. Maybe one of his "little" brothers had a hand
> in the killing?
dnrapp,
You're right. Me bad. I looked at the story and went by the date of 2006.
That said, I still don't believe Big Mikey, but enjoyed your twist that
his family was with the Jewish mob. I'm sure that gives him room to
embellish his self created history even more.
Big Mikey
been associated with a Russian mobster.
Needless to say it was a horrible tragedy and left a mystery that has lasted
for a long time. While his wife Virginia (Ginny) has moved on, many of his
former students, friends and coworkers remain saddened.
We just wish we could find closure in all this. We never knew Hal to have a
single enemy and in fact he was quite loved and quite popular as both
teacher and advisor.
His case has been reported on many tv shows.
M
.
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:D%6Km.150508$uO....@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com...
Big Mikey
You are not serious are you?
M
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Zv_Jm.188411$ua.3...@en-nntp-05.dc1.easynews.com...
Big Mikey
MAYBE A DICK.
M
"Gary" <Gar...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Zv_Jm.188411$ua.3...@en-nntp-05.dc1.easynews.com...
Gary
> Published?
>
> You are not serious are you?
>
> M
Big Mikey,
Yes. Published. As in written in print.
Where are these tomes of yours published? In a journal? Online at a
website? Or are they scribbled in crayon on the back of a box of
ToastiO's? You are the one making a big deal out of reviewing Firefly
but Google doesn't have any such review of yours listed, so I just
assumed that you had published it somewhere other than online.
Steve Friess has responded to your claim of knowing him. I'll quote him
here so there isn't any dilution of his words.
-----------------
"It is entirely possible he's written me at some point about something
related to the podcast, blog or one of my stories or perhaps I've met
the fellow at an event. I can't rule that out and I do have the world's
worst memory. But I'm fairly certain that this fellow is not a "personal
friend" as I define it, which would be someone who I converse with
regularly.
I'm struggling because I don't want to be unkind to someone who may feel
a connection and I may easily have forgotten a conversation or a series
of conversations. I am curious, though, to see this poster to which you
refer".
Best
Steve"
-------------
Big Mikey. Steve doesn't remember you. He doesn't recall telling you
anything. It appears he's grouped in with that larger crowd of 5 U.S.
Presidents and hundreds of celebrities you've claimed to know personally
who couldn't pick you out of a box of rocks if you were drowning in
rocks. As a name dropper, you're a miserable failure. But that's nothing
compared your failure at life in general.
If Mr. Curtis responds, I'll be sure to put up what he says as well. It
might be good for a laugh or two, like Mr Friess' was.