Burger Bar

It was an old favorite in need of a return visit. I just had to stop at Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay last weekend with a friend and catch up on some old favorites.

I still remember the first time I was there and I first tried their veggie burger. Wow... Something that wasn't taken from a freezer and formed in some factory many moons ago? It was truly love at first bite. ;-)

And amazingly enough, I'm still in love. Who knew pumpkin, potatoes, caramelized onions, green peas, lentils, and brown rice could all come together so beautifully in a meatless burger patty?











The sweet potato fries were also quite enjoyable. They were soft inside, but not soggy or overly greasy outside. And they had a subtle sweetness that kept me on edge... In a good way.

So it was most definitely a happy return to Burger Bar last week. I'll just have to remember to return more often for my other fave burger on The Strip.

Style: Beach Casual Cal-Ital
Price: $
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

The Rating
---

Food: 4.8 (out of 5)
Service: 3.0 (out of 3)
Ambiance: 1.9 (out of 2)
Overall: 9.7 (out of 10)
Very Burger-licious! :-D

Quick Bite: Papa Joe's Pizza in "Surf City USA"

Huntington Beach doesn't just claim to be "Surf City USA"... The city sued to win that title! So when it comes to the casual, laid back, California coastal lifestyle, Huntington Beach takes its place as the center of it all (ironically enough) very seriously.

Funny enough, I experienced some of this in action last week when I was in OC. My dad and I were at the beach, and all of a sudden he got hungry. And since he didn't want to walk too far for dinner, we settled for a quick bite at Papa Joe's Pizza, just across PCH from The Pier. It's had a long and storied history in Surf City (how often do you hear THAT in Las Vegas??!!), at one point even facing possible extinction, but it's survived and still stands at its prime location near The Pier.

OK, so this place has plenty of history. How about the food, dammit?! Well, don't expect Settebello.

The top layer of mozzarella did taste a bit too "industrial processed" for my liking. However, the cheese layer underneath was OK and the sauce was actually nice. Oh, and I actually liked the crust. Perhaps I've been spoiled by so many fine, artisan Vegas "pizzazz" to enjoy some old OC flavor. Whatever. I'm a proud picky eater! ;-)

But even considering my proud picky eater sensibilities, I just can't diss this OC classic. At the very least, go and enjoy the "old school surf city" experience while you can.

Quick Bite: Gypsy Den & Another Side of Orange County

When my dad and I needed a pick-me-up last weekend, Gypsy Den in Downtown Santa Ana was there for us.

They do light meals, coffee, pastries, and more in a very hippie-dippie way an "outsider" wouldn't expect "Behind The Orange Curtain".

Below is a glimpse of what we experienced...











Perhaps you'll find even more interesting sights, sounds, and tastes when you stop here and experience what Santa Ana's Artist Village has to offer.

What I Missed @ Home

Sigh...

The hugely successful, four-day Vegas Uncork’d food and wine festivities wrapped yesterday after everything from a beachside barbecue to a late-night star chef DJ session to elegant and exotic Mother’s Day brunches. All were the topping on the cakes served by a cadre of celebrity chefs during the 96-hour, fifth annual, nonstop dining extravaganza.

Bon Appetit and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored the festival, which proved not only that Las Vegas is Star Chef Dining Capital of the World, but also that this ultimate, top level of star power could only happen on the Strip.

There were more than 24 food-related events during the marathon of meals, and they sadly ended yesterday with first-time Uncork’d brunches at Chef Guy Savoy’s self-named restaurant at Caesars Palace and at current Top Chef Masters contestant Mary Sue Milliken’s Border Grill at Mandalay Bay. The barbecue at Mandalay Bay Beach on Saturday night feature Chefs Charlie Palmer, Alain Ducasse and Rick Moonen serving behind the grills and Megan Romano presiding over an amazing array of desserts, and Hubert Keller spinned the wheels of steel at his nearly Fleur.

Sounds like so much fun... And sadly, I had to miss it!

And wow! Who would have thought this could happen?!

But the one event that stood out was the debut vegan experience co-hosted by hotel mogul Steve Wynn and Tal Ronnen, a vegan culinary pioneer and bestselling author of The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes That Will Change the Way You Eat, along with the award-winning chefs of the Wynn and Encore.

Finally, people are waking up and realizing meat isn't necessary for a great meal. When one gets creative, the possibilities really can be endless for great vegetarian and vegan cuisine. I hope this starts a trend for more daring vegan dishes at more Vegas restaurants. Or at least, it would be nice not to be mocked for going meatless. ;-)

Hopefully, I'll be able to stay in town next May so I don't have to miss this kind of fun again!

Amore at Mezzaluna?

Ah! There's nothing like a sunny, hot day at the beach to start one's Orange County odyssey. And when in Orange County, do as the Orange Countians do... Which is to "lunch" in style on PCH!

And that I did at Cafe Mezzaluna in Dana Point. It's right off Pacific Coast Highway in Monarch Beach, just across the street from The Ritz-Carlton and Salt Creek Beach. But for such a tony 'hood, the prices were pretty low.

However, the quality of the food wasn't. I ordered ravioli alla vodka, and I got house made pasta stuffed with ricotta and herbs, then topped with tomato sauce spiked with vodka and a touch of cream. The dish had a good balance of tang, spice, and creaminess. It felt like just the right dish to order on a hot, sunny beach day.

And along with the ravioli came a basket of garlic bread. It was like the garlic bread that comes with delivery pizza, only done with real garlic and parmesan, and baked fresh on site. I'm usually not crazy for this kind of "garlic bread", but this was good stuff and I couldn't stop dipping it into the excess tomato vodka sauce. So far, so good.

Since I had worked up an appetite with all my morning beach excursions, and I was about to do more at Salt Creek, I treated myself to dessert. Their New York Cheesecake tasted as authentic as one from an Orange County Cal-Ital ("California style Italian", that is) joint can get away with serving. It was rich and sweet, but still had that nice cream cheese tang, and it was more than light enough to keep me from getting an upset tummy.

All in all, I had a lovely lunch at this pleasant Monarch Beach hideaway. It reminded me of the many things I miss about Orange County, such as the pristine beaches, relaxing sea breezes, and quaint holes in the wall serving good grub that won't bankrupt me. It's not that often I get to enjoy any of that back home in Vegas.





















Style: Beach Casual Cal-Ital
Price: $
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

The Rating
---

Food: 4.6 (out of 5)
Service: 3.0 (out of 3)
Ambiance: 1.9 (out of 2)
Overall: 9.5 (out of 10)
Very Satisfying Good Grub

Z'Tejas Es Z'Bueno!

While I was saddened to have to leave town just as Vegas Uncork'd was arriving, I at least had a few Orange County culinary delights to comfort me. Z'Tejas was one of them.

It's always been one of my favorite restaurants here, and it's been a favorite because it serves great food. It's an interesting Tex-Mex joint from Austin that marries together plenty of Mexican spice with Southern soul... And it actually isn't hokey!

This time, I was in the mood for something sinful (maybe I was homesick for "Sin City" already?), so I ordered their new mac & cheese dish. And much to my delight, it arrived hot, rich, creamy, and cheesy! I was certainly feeling better.

What also helped was the irresistible cornbread served beforehand. It was baked fresh and served piping hot. I could still taste the sweet corn kernels, and it tasted even better with the butter served alongside.

And for dessert? Since I wasn't missing this, I just had to try the key lime cheesecake! It had a lovely, citrusy, tartness balanced by a nice, delicate sweetness. It definitely ranks among the better cheesecakes I've eaten.

Don't believe me? See below!











I know it doesn't make up for missing the most fabulous foodie weekend in Las Vegas. But for Orange County, I could do far worse. I really can't complain. ;-)

Style: Casually Elegant Southwestern
Price: $$
Open: Lunch & Dinner

The Rating
---

Food: 4.8 (out of 5)
Service: 3.0 (out of 3)
Ambiance: 1.9 (out of 2)
Overall: 9.7 (out of 10)
Outstanding, Destination Eating!

La Cave Revisited

Remember my fabulous time at La Cave in December, right after it first opened? Well, I hadn't had a chance to visit in a while... But I finally returned a few days before I left town. And much to my delight, the food still delighted me. And to make my evening even better, I discovered its pool view terrace!

Where should I begin? How about drinks! I ordered a mojito, and I got a good wallop of good rum! It was sweet and refreshing, but not sickly sweet and showing off enough lime tartness to keep it interesting and fun.

I had another flatbread/pizza, but I still wanted to switch it up, so this time I ordered one with prosciutto, caramelized onions, arugula, and a light cream sauce. It all came together beautifully. The salty prosciutto, sweet onions, and pepper arugula made for a great contrast of flavors. And the bread still tasted as fresh and soft as ever.

What also put a smile on my face is perhaps my new favorite dessert, the American Chocolate Cake at La Cave! I know I'm a sucker for nearly anything chocolate, but I have a hard time seeing anyone turn away all that rich chocolate ganache covered in rich chocolate fondant. It's just so sinfully delicious!

And now that summer pool season is raging in Las Vegas, do try to snatch a table outside if dining around sunset. The views of Wynn's breathtaking pool are captivating. For a moment, one might forget about the sweating hoi polloi gorging on footlong margaritas and nasty buffets when noshing here. ;-)


Style: Elegant Casual

Price: $$$

Open: Lunch & Dinner


The Rating

---

Food: 4.9 (out of 5)

Service: 2.9 (out of 3)

Ambiance: 2.0 (out of 2)

Overall: 9.8 (out of 10)

Outstanding, Destination Eating!

While Vegas Uncork'd Kicks Off...

I'm actually out of town. Jeez, just my luck!

Yes, kids, I'm back. It's been a busy month, but I do have a backlog of restaurant reviews to post here.

Also, I do have a special treat for you. You'll have to wait to see what the surprise is!

And at some point, I'll have to figure out how to rejigger my schedule to post more often and regularly here. ;-)