'USA Today' Spotlights StripSteak

IN THE NEWS: USA Today features the new movement of top-flight, celebrity chef-driven steakhouses, including Chicago's Tramonto's Steak & Seafood (Westin Chicago North Shore hotel, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling), Las Vegas' StripSteak (Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S.), Los Angeles' Cut (Beverly Wilshire hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd.), Kansas City's Plaza III Steakhouse (4749 Pennsylvania Ave.), and New York City's Craftsteak (85 10th Ave.). usatoday.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives an A to Dragonfly (3900 Paradise Road) and a B to Red Square (Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South), while Ken White visits Dick's Last Resort ( Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South). reviewjournal.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews new seafood spot Sweet Water Prime Seafood (9460 S. Eastern Ave.). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini visits Firehouse Subs (9555 S. Eastern Ave.). lasvegascitylife.com ... The Los Angeles Times' S. Irene Virbila awards three stars to Mario Batali's new B&B Ristorante (Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas; www.mariobatali.com/restaurants_bb.html). latimes.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Tao Las Vegas Takes Top Indy Revenue Spot

IN THE NEWS: The New York Times' Joe Drape reports on Tao Las Vegas, the highest grossing independent restaurant in the United States, according to Restaurants & Institutions magazine, which for 24 years has been ranking the top 100. In 2006, its first full year open, Tao did $55.2 million in business, or $16 million more than its closest competitor, Tavern on the Green in New York. nytimes.com ... LasVegasLogue.com notes the opening of Stripburger at Fashion Show Mall. ... The Review Journal's Heidi Rinella gives a B to Red Square (Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South). reviewjournal.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant (6115 S. Fort Apache Road). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini weighs in on Frank & Fina's Cocina (4175 S. Grand Canyon Drive). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

J. Gumbo's Cajun Eatery Views Vegas

IN THE NEWS: Business First of Louisville reports, "The name might no longer be "Gumbo A Go-Go," but the rechristened restaurant company is ready to go-go across the nation with what a new group of franchising executives believe will be the next hot Louisville-based franchise concept. The owners of the J. Gumbo's Down-Home Cajun Cookin' chain plan to add stores during the next few months in such markets as Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans, said Don Larose, president of the parent company, Gumbo Development LLC." ... The Review Journal's Heidi Rinella gives a B+ to Manila Garden (3740 E. Flamingo Road). reviewjournal.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Damon Hodge visits T.C.’s Rib Crib (8470 W. Desert Inn Road, Suite H3). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Hikari Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (4175 S. Buffalo Drive), while Lissa Rodgers looks at the remaining 70s-styled lounges, including The Dispensary Lounge (2451 E. Tropicana Ave.) lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Critics Review La Burger, Sushiwa

IN THE NEWS: Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews La Burger Brasserie and visits Viareggio (7121 W. Craig Road), Dong Ting Spring (3950 Schiff Drive), and Nove (inside the Palms). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Hot N Juicy Crawfish (4810 Spring Mountain Road). lasvegascitylife.com ... The Review Journal's Heidi Rinella reviews Sushiwa (790 Coronado Center Drive, Henderson). reviewjournal.com ... San Francisco-based bloggers Becks and Posh becksposhnosh.blogspot.com review Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Bella Luna, Viareggio, B&B Reviewed

IN THE NEWS: City Life's Al Mancini reviews Bella Luna (7905 W. Sahara Ave.). lasvegascitylife.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Viareggio (7121 W. Craig Road). las vegasweekly.com ... Jacobson reviews B&B Ristorante (Inside the Venetian) for Las Vegas Life magazine. lvlife.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B+ in her review of Canal Street at The Orleans (4500 W. Tropicana Ave.) reviewjournal.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com