Las Vegas Restaurant Blog

IN THE NEWS: In its October 2007 issue, the 10th Annual Bon Appetit Awards include David Chang (New York City's Momofuku Noodle Bar and Momofuku Ssam Bar) as Chef of the Year, Dan Barber (New York's Blue Hill) as Chef of Merit, Kamel Guechida (Joel Robuchon's restaurants at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas) as Pastry Chef, Audrey Saunders (New Yorks' Pegu Club) as Wine & Spirits Professional, Father Gregory J. Boyle (Los Angeles' Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe) as Humanitarian, Laurent Tourandel (New York's BLT Steak, BLT Prime, BLT Burger, and BLT Fish) as Restaurateur, and Ari Weinszweig and Paul Saginaw (Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Mich.) as Lifetime Achievement. ... The magazine also rounds up Vegas steakhouses, including Stripsteak (Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, mandalaybay.com), Craftsteak Las Vegas (MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, craftrestaurant.com), Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, stripohouse.net), BOA Steakhouse (Caesars Palace, The Forum Shops, boasteak.com), and SW Steakhouse (Wuynn Las Vegas, wynnlasvegas.com). bonappetit.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Geri Jeter reviews Aroma Garden Café (5875 S. Rainbow Blvd., 221-4893). lasvegasweekly.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a C to Tahiti Joe's (Tahiti Village, 7200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 440-6950). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Himalayan Cuisine (730 E. Flamingo Road, 894-9334). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

'NY Times' Spotlights Upscale Burgers

2007-09-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: The New York Times' travel section features Vegas' all-ages appeal, mentioning upscale sandwich and burger joints the new Burger Brassserie at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (702-946-4346), chef Tom Colicchio's' Wichcraft in the MGM Grand (702-891-111) and Burger Bar from chef Hubert Keller at Mandalay Bay (702-632-9364). nytimes.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella reviews Que Pasa Mexican Cafe (4090 S. Eastern Ave., aslo at 1435 W. Craig Road, 795-7272). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Planet Dailies (Planet Hollywood, 736-7114). lasvegascitylife.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson rates BJ’s Cocktail Lounge West (6670 S. Tenaya Way. 257-7378). lasvegasweekly.com ... Vegas Pop looks at "Five Places to Eat Like a Million Bucks,", including Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, Sterling Brunch at Bally's, Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, and Alex at the Wynn. vegaspopular.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Critics Rate Little Macau, Mirage's Samba

2007-09-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Little Macau (3939 Spring Mountain Road. 222-3196). lasvegasweekly.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B- to Samba (The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 791-7111). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Angkor Wat (5693 S. Jones Blvd., 257-1163). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Strip House Opens at Planet Hollywood

2007-09-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: Zagat Buzz notes the Aug. 27 opening of the steakhouse chain Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-737-5200), with chef John Schenk (NYC's Monkey Bar). zagat.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Dick’s Last Resort (Inside the Excalibur. 597-7777). lasvegasweekly.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives an A grade to Potato Valley Cafe (801 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 363-7821). lvrj.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Tahiti Joe's (7200 Las Vegas Blvd., S., 440-6950). lasvegascitylife.com ... In the September 2007 issue, Las Vegas Life magazine's Max Jacobson looks at gourmet burgers, including Stripburger (At Fashion Show Mall, 73-STRIP), Le Burger Brasserie (Inside Paris Las Vegas. 946-7000) and Burger Bar (Inside Mandalay Place. 632-9364). lvlife.com ... USA Today examines non-Japanese sushi chefs, including those at the new Hachi restaurant at Red Rock Restort in Las Vegas. usatoday.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Critics Rate Tahiti Joe's, Shish Kabob House

2007-08-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Tahiti Joe’s (7200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 440-6950). lasvegasweekly.com ... The Review Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives an A- to Shish Kabob House (6680 W. Flamingo Road). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews The Grill on Charleston (241 W. Charleston Blvd., 362-8200). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

'Hell's Kitchen' Winner Gets Terra Verde

2007-08-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: Zagat Buzz reports, "On [Aug. 13] Fox wrapped up the third season of its hit kitchen reality show from chef Gordon Ramsay, Hell's Kitchen. This year the top prize went to Pennsylvanian Rock Harper, 30, who now will have "the coveted title of Head Chef of a new fine Italian restaurant at the Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa in Las Vegas." Specifically Rock, whose food has a generally Southern sensibility, will be the head chef at the new Henderson, NV, Italian eatery Terra Verde. The new restaurant builds on the success of its sibling, Terra Rossa (where Hell's Kitchen 2 winner Heather West runs the show), presenting itself as a slightly more casual spot in Green Valley Ranch." zagat.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Scott Dickensheets reviews The Pizza Caffe (7435 Eastern Ave.). lasvegasweekly.com ... USA Today spotlights Las Vegas restaurants, including B&B Ristorante (The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S), Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.), Rao's (Caesars Palace), and Joel Robuchon at The Mansion (MGM Grand Hotel, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.). usatoday.com ... The Review Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives an A grade to Kobe Sushi Bistro (6375 S. Rainbow Blvd., also at 9340 W. Flamingo Road). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Aroma Garden Café (5875 S. Rainbow Blvd.). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Restaurant Charlie Set for New Palazzo

2007-08-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: Chicago's much-lauded chef Charlie Trotter is preparing to return to Vegas, Zagat Buzz reports. A representative from Las Vegas Sands has confirmed the "worst-kept secret in Vegas", namely that Trotter is preparing to open a 100-seat restaurant in the new Palazzo hotel currently being built next door to the Venetian. The new restaurant, which has the working title Restaurant Charlie, will have a full bar and a seafood focus and is scheduled to open in November. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, John Shields will be running the kitchen. This is Trotter's second go at running a restaurant in Vegas. In 1995 he opened a restaurant at the MGM Grand, but left within a year over disagreements with new hotel management. zagat.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Cabo (Inside Palace Station). lasvegasweekly.com ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Rinella gives an A- to Pho Kim Long II (4023 Spring Mountain Road). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Giorgio Ristorante E Caffe (Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay). lasvegascitylife.com ... LasVegasLogue.com reports the Sept. 1 closing of Tangerine nightclub.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Travel Mag Features Vegas Restaurants

2007-08-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: National Geographic Traveler magazine's July/August 2007 edition features Las Vegas and mentions restaurants Peppermill (2985 Las Vegas Blvd. S, usmenuguide.com/peppermill), Golden Gate Casino (1 Fremont St.), Circus Circus (2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S.), Artem Elizeevsky (4825 W. Flamingo Road), Archi's Thai Kitchen (6360 W. Flamingo Road), Sam Woo's BBQ (4215 Spring Mountain Road), Joel Robuchon's L'atelier (3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S. at the MGM Grand), Prime (3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S) and chef Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak (3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.). nationalgeograpic.com/traveler ... Louis Osteen, chef-owner of Louis's at Pawleys and The Fish Camp Bar at Pawleys Island, S.C., is slated to open a $5-million-plus restaurant and bar in Las Vegas in November. Osteen, voted 2004 Best Chef in the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation, plans to offer his specialty: "The food is what will separate us from what is out there already," he told the (Myrtle Beach) Sun News. "We will have good Lowcountry fare, like we have here." ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Porchlight Grille (8416 W. Desert Inn Road). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Rosemary's Restaurant (8125 W. Sahara Ave.). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

'USA Today' Spotlights StripSteak

2007-07-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

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

Where For Art Thou, Tiki Bar?

2007-06-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: City Life's lasvegascitylife.com Lissa Townsend Rodgers bemoans the dwindling number of tiki bars in Vegas, but does offer several remaining options, among them Tahiti Joe's (7200 Las Vegas Blvd.), and notes that Planet Hollywood is opening its own outpost of legendary tiki hut and inventor of the Mai Tai, Trader Vic's. ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Sweet Water Prime Seafood (9460 S. Eastern Ave.) ... Las Vegas Weekly's lasvegasweekly.com Max Jacobson reviews Nove (inside the Palms). ... The Review Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella awards an A- to The Bistro (1312 Nevada Highway, Boulder City).

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

'Food & Wine' Taps Guy Savoy's Wine List

2007-06-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: In its July 2007 issue, Food & Wine magazine foodandwine.com features the Best New Wine Lists of 2007, including: San Diego's Addison, San Francisco's Perbacco, New York's Craftsteak, Wheeling, Ill.'s Osteria Di Tramonto, Las Vegas' Restaurant Guy Savoy and Boston's Bin 26 Enoteca. ... A Florida-based restaurant chain is putting out feelers that it wants to greatly expand its reach, the Denver Business Journal reports. Earl of Sandwich, founded in 2004 and based in Orlando, says it's looking for franchisees around the United States, including Denver. Other cities on the company's radar screen include Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco (including Oakland and San Jose), Dallas/Ft. Worth, Seattle, Columbus, Nashville, San Diego, Cleveland, St. Louis and Sacramento. The company's president, Michael Grodi, said the goal is to add more than 100 locations a year. A former executive at Denver-based Quiznos, Grodi was named president and CEO of the sandwich chain in January. Quiznos sued Grodi and Earl of Sandwich in federal court in Denver in April, alleging Grodi would hurt Quiznos by disclosing their trade secrets about selling sandwiches to his new employer. Grodi left Quiznos in May 2006. He has denied Quiznos' allegations. ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews the Hunan eatery Dong Ting Spring. lasvegasweekly.com ... LasVegasLogue.com reports, "Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is getting into the spirit of the upcoming 7/7/07 calendar date by creating a signature cocktail that will be served in his Vegas restaurants. It’s called the “Strawberry Hardway,” named after the blackjack hand known as The Hardway, in which 21 is achieved by a hand of three 7 cards, or 7-7-7. The cocktail is made with Chinaco Silver tequila, lemon juice, fresh strawberries, and balsamic creme, all served on the rocks. Can you say “Yum!”? The “Strawberry Hardway” will be available from now until August at Spago and Chinois (Forum Shops at Caesars), Trattoria del Lupo (Mandalay Bay), Postrio (Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian) and the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (MGM Grand)." ... blog.joonbug.com notes the June 12 opening of The Park Restaurant & Bar. ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B to Isla (Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South). reviewjournal.com ... While cursing Paris Hilton, City Life's Al Mancini writes his review of Café Moda (3400 S. Jones Blvd.). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

City's Largest Non-Gaming Hotel Set

2007-06-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: LosVegasLogue.com reports, "Miami-based real estate firm The Peebles Corp. announced June 7 it has purchased a 13-acre parcel of land on Paradise Road to use for their upcoming luxury resort and condo development. Set to become the city’s largest non-gaming luxury hotel, the Las Palmas Hotel & Residences will be erected across the street from the Wynn Golf Course, just south of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The project will consist of four 55-story high-rise towers, and will feature an 800-room “5-star” hotel and 1000 condos. Each tower will be build on top of a 9-10 story parking garage with a base dedicated to retail, dining, entertainment and a spa/exercise/pool area. The first of the towers to be built will be the hotel. It will be topped by several floors of condos and is expected to open in 2009. The remaining three condo towers have not had any dates attached to them. The architectural firm of Arquitectonica is responsible for the design." ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella awards a B+ in her review of Nina (6125 S. Fort Apache Road). reviewjournal.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews sushi joint The Ka (2269 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson). lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Voodoo Steak (Rio hotel-casino), while Dave Surratt's Crawl column drops by Putters Bar & Grill (5025 S. Eastern Ave.). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Craftsteak Gets Top Steakhouse Mention

2007-06-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Saveur magazine's saveur.com July 2007 issue includes the piece "Our 7 Favorite Steak Houses"," which include:

1. Bern's Steak House, Tampa
2. Craftsteak, Las Vegas and New York
3. Five O'Clock Steakhouse, Milwaukee
4. Gene and Georgetti, Chicago
5. Gorat's Steak House, Omaha
6. Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles
7. Peter Luger, Brooklyn, New York

The mag also garners steak-grilling tips from Mario Navarro, a Mexico native who has been chef at Chicago's Gene and Georgetti's for more than 30 years.

The Wynn Among 'Forbes Traveler' Hotel Dining Picks
Forbes Traveler forbestraveler.com recently asked asking a panel of food and travel experts for their take on the top hotel dining in the country. The top 15 chosen include: The Peabody Memphis and its upscale restaurant, Chez Philippe; Four Seasons Hotel and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant in New York City; Jean Georges, Trump International Hotel and Tower, New York; Gordon Ramsay, The London hotel in New York; The Carlyle Restaurant, The Carlyle Hotel in New York; Cathe St. Regis Hotel and Ame restaurant in San Francisco; Michael Mina, Westin St. Francis in San Francisco; Cortez in the Hotel Adagio, San Francisco; Studio Restaurant, Montage, Laguna Beach; the Beverly Wilshire and Cut restaurant in Los Angeles; The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Va.; The Wynn Las Vegas; Citronelle, Latham Hotel in Washington, DC.; Azul at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Miami.

IN THE NEWS: The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B to Rao's (Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Mickie Finnz Fish House & Bar (425 Fremont St.). lasvegascitylife.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson stops by Carnegie Deli (inside the Mirage). lasvegasweekly.com ... Jacobson reviews Vintner Grill (10100 W. Charleston Blvd.) for Las Vegas Life magazine. ... The Detroit Free Press freep.com fires questions at Sean Griffin, the 34-year old chef at Neros steak house in Las Vegas. He's coming to Windsor, Canada at the beginning of June to help set a tone for the new Neros opening June 14 inside Casino Windsor and to train the staff. ... The San Jose Mercury News' Carolyn Jung blogs about good and not so good Vegas restaurants.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Starbucks Launching McCartney's Latest

2007-05-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS: If you can't stand Paul McCartney music, you don't want to go into any of the many Vegas Starbucks on June 5. That's the day the Seattle coffee giant will launch McCartney's first album recorded on Starbucks' Hear Music label, called "Memory Almost Full," the Pugent Sound Business Journal reports. The album will be played in all Starbucks stores, all day, all over the world, Starbucks officials said. "Customers from Taipei to Topeka have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary album all within a span of 24 hours," said Ken Lombard, who is president of Starbucks Entertainment and runs Hear Music, in a statement. In March, Starbucks Corp. announced that former Beatle McCartney would be the first musician signed for Los Angeles-based Hear Music. ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella awards a B+ in her review of Vintner Grill (10100 W. Charleston Blvd.). lvrj.com ... Las Vegas Weekly's Max Jacobson reviews Café Martorano (inside the Rio) and Change Alley Old London Coffee House (3350 Novat St., Suite 105) and stops by Roadrunner Bistro. lasvegasweekly.com ... Las Vegas City Life's Al Mancini reviews Middle Eastern eatery Almaza (9890 S. Maryland Parkway), while Jarret Keene considers the decadent $18 signature drink The Scorpion at Peppermill (2985 Las Vegas Blvd. S.). lasvegascitylife.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Esquire Lists Double Down, Petrossian

2007-05-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Esquire magazine's second annual Best Bars of America list is out in the June 2007 issue. They include:

Lou's Pub & Package, Birmingham, Ala.; J Lounge, Golden Gopher, The Edison, The Broadway Bar, La Cita, Bordello, Redwood, and Bar 107, Los Angeles; Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood, Calif.; The Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills; Beach Ball, Newport Beach, Calif.; Brennan's Pub, Marina Del Ray, Calif.; Bourbon & Branch, The Owl Tree, Vesuvio, and Zeitgeist, San Francisco; The Sportsman, Sonora, Calif.; Cruise Room, and El Chapultepec, Denver; Jimbo's, and Churchill's Pub, Miami; The Clermont Lounge, Atlanta; Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani Hotel, and La Mariana Sailing Club, Honolulu; The California Clipper, The Red Lion Pub, Bungalow, The Matchbox, Hideout, and Chipp Inn, Chicago; The Red Key, and Nicky Blaine's, Indianapolis; The Old Seelbach Bar, Louisville; The Chart Room, The Bar at Tujague's, Fritzel's European Jazz Pub, and Napoleon House, New Orleans; The Brewer's Art, and Shamrock Inn, Baltimore; B-Side Lounge, Cambridge, Mass.; No. 9 Park, Boston; Doyle's Cafe, Jamaica Plain, Mass.; The Bar at Seldom Blues, Detroit; Miller's Bar, Dearborn, Mich.; Bulldog NE, and Nye's Polonaise Room, Minneapolis; Half Time Rec, St. Paul; John D. McGurk's, St. Louis; Any bar on the Strip, Double Down Saloon, and Petrossian Bar, Las Vegas; Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel, Little Branch, The Bar at Keens Steakhouse, Minetta Tavern, Jimmy's Corner, The Angel's Share, The Brooklyn Inn, The Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, Flatiron Lounge, The Saloon, San Domenico Restaurant, Spuyten Duyvil, 21 Club, Grassroots Tavern, Bill's Gay 90s, Julius', and Pegu Club, New York City; Freddy's Bar & Backroom, Brooklyn; Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, Queens; Thomas Street Tavern, Charlotte, NC; Andyman's Treehouse, Columbus, Ohio; The Library Bar & Grill, Norman, Okla.; Friendly Lounge, The Grey Lodge, and Southwark, Philadelphia; Dee's Cafe, Pittsburgh; Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, and Robert's Western World, Nashville; La Tuna, San Antonio; Donn's Depot, Austin; The Inwood Lounge, Dallas; Shooting Star Saloon, Huntsville, Utah; Sambar, Zig Zag Cafe, and Fu Kun Wu, Seattle; Hawk 'n' Dove, and The Tune Inn, Washington, DC; Holler House, Milwaukee.

IN THE NEWS: The New York Times profiles David Chang of Momofuku Ssam Bar, winner of this year’s James Beard Foundation rising star award for best new chef, who's thinking about opening an offshoot eatery in Vegas. ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B grade in her review of Rising Sun Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar (9410 W. Sahara Ave.). reviewjournal.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews the Chinese cuisine at The Monterey Room at the Gold Coast. lasvegascitylife.com ... Las Vegas Weekly offers a guide to the best outdoor dining, including Grape Street Café (7501 Lake Mead Blvd). lasvegasweekly.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Vegas No. 10 on Best Restaurant Cities List

2007-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

"Today ... most major cities in the U.S. have the kind of gastronomic diversity and regionality that is rich in every department, and even if you’ve visited recently, you can be sure that next time you go, there’ll be more new and enticing restaurants than you could possibly visit," writes Donald Burnam in a recent ForbesTraveler.com piece, "America's Best Restaurant Cities." "It’s getting hard not to have a great meal anywhere in the U.S.." Burnam continues.

Forbes' Top 10 Restaurant Cities:
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. Los Angeles
5. New Orleans
6. Houston
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Atlanta
9. Boston
10. Las Vegas

Rankings were based on: Overall number of restaurants above the fast food level; Number of fine dining restaurants with national and international standing; Solid representation of regional American food; A wide segment of second-tier restaurants that would include seafood, steakhouses, and independently chef-owned restaurants; Breadth and depth of ethnic restaurants, especially if the city has neighborhood such as a Chinatown; A significant number of neigborhood restaurants where the locals tend to eat out regularly; A well-traveled clientele that regards eating out in that city one of the real pleasures of going there.

Valentino's Among Top Ice Creams
Just in time for summer, Mark DeCarlo, host of Travel Channel's Taste of America, lists his favorite 10 ice cream and frozen confections joints in USA Today usatoday.com: Pinkberry, Los Angeles pinkberry.com; Angelo Brocato's, New Orleans, angelobrocatoicecream.com; Graeter's, Cincinnati (with other locations in Dayton, Columbus, Louisville and Lexington, Ky.), graeters.com; Leon's Frozen Custard, Milwaukee, foodspot.com/leons; Ghirardelli, San Francisco (for the hot fudge sundaes), ghirardelli.com; Otto, New York ottopizzeria.com/menu_gelato.html; Ted Drewes, St. Louis, teddrewes.com; Bobtail Ice Cream Co., Chicago, bobtailicecream.com; Valentino's, Las Vegas, venetian.com; Waiola Shave Ice, Honolulu.

IN THE NEWS: Las Vegas Weekly lasvegasweekly.com visits Bamboo Bistro, Change Alley Old London Coffee House, Hummus Mediterranean Grill, and King Kabob.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

James Beard Awards Announced

2007-05-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Chicago's Frontera Grill won Outstanding Restaurant of the Year and Michel Richard of Michel Richard Citronelle in Washington, D.C. was named Outstanding Chef at the 2007 James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony. Hosted by CBS Early Show anchor Hannah Storm, the Beard Awards were held May 7 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center. More than 60 awards were presented by the country's pre-eminent nonprofit culinary organization, in its 20th anniversary celebration, and more than 1,600 industry leaders attended the ceremony. Other top awards went to: New York's L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, named Best New Restaurant; Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Yountville, Ca.) received the award for Outstanding Restaurateur; and David Chang (Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York) received the Rising Star Chef of the Year award. Celebrity and culinary superstar attendees included Stephanie March, Ted Allen, Katie Lee Joel, Martha Stewart, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Thomas Keller, Jose Andres, Tom Colicchio, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Padma Lakshmi, and Marcus Samuelsson. The Foundation's Media Awards took place at a separate event at the Hudson Theatre at Millennium Broadway Hotel on May 6. All Award winners received a bronze medallion etched with the image of the late James Beard, the esteemed chef, cookbook author, and food journalist. There are no cash awards. Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognizes outstanding achievement within the fine food and beverage industry in North America. For full awards results, please visit http://www.jamesbeard.org.

Beard Award highlights are:

AMERICA'S CLASSICS: Primanti Brothers, Demetrios Patrinos, Pittsburgh, Pa.; The Pickwick, Christopher Wisocki, Duluth, Minn.; Doe's Eat Place, The Signa Family, Greenville, Miss.; Aunt Carrie's, Elsie Foy, Narragansett, R.I.; I

Brookville Hotel, Mark and Connie Martin, Abilene, Kan.; Weaver D's, Dexter Weaver, Athens, Ga.

BEST CHEF, GREAT LAKES: Grant Achatz, Alinea, Chicago

BEST CHEF, MID-ATLANTIC: R.J. Cooper, III, Vidalia, Washington, DC

BEST CHEF, MIDWEST: Celina Tio, The American Restaurant, Kansas City, Mo.

BEST CHEF, NEW YORK CITY: David Waltuck, Chanterelle, New York, NY

BEST CHEF, NORTHEAST: Frank McClelland, L'Espalier, Boston

BEST CHEF, NORTHWEST: John Sundstrom, Lark, Seattle

BEST CHEF, PACIFIC: Traci Des Jardins, Jardinière, San Francisco

BEST CHEF, SOUTH: Donald Link, Herbsaint, New Orleans

BEST CHEF, SOUTHEAST: Scott Peacock, Watershed, Decatur, Ga.

BEST CHEF, SOUTHWEST: Nobuo Fukuda, Sea Saw, Scottsdale, Ariz.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Chef-Owner: Joël Robuchon, New York, NY

OUTSTANDING CHEF: Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF: Michael Laskonis, Le Bernardin, New York, NY

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT: Frontera Grill, chef-owner: Rick and Deann Bayless, Chicago

OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR: Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE: Rick Tramonto, Gale Gand, and Richard Melman, Tru, Chicago

OUTSTANDING WINE AND SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL: Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards, Cupertino, Calif.

OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE: Mark Slater, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR: David Chang, Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York, NY

Guy Savoy, Others on Conde Nast Hot List
Conde Nast Traveler magazine just published its Hot List of the world's best restaurants. Here are the hottest of the hot in the U.S.:
Brix, Flagstaff, Ariz.; Cut, Beverly Hills; Hatfield's, Los Angeles; Katsuya, Los Angeles; Social Hollywood, Los Angeles; West, Los Angeles; Coi,
San Francisco; NOPA, San Francisco; Perbacco, San Francisco; Salt House, San Francisco; Ad Hoc, Yountville, Ca.; Dressing Room, Westport, Conn.; Michy's,
Miami; David Bouley Evolution, Miami Beach; Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Miami Beach; Trois, Atlanta; David Burke's Primehouse, Chicago; De La Costa, Chicago; Riche, New Orleans; Sorellina, Boston; Guy Savoy, Las Vegas; Nove Italiano, Las Vegas; Rao's, Las Vegas; A Voce, New York City; Boqueria, New York City; Gordon Ramsay at The London, New York City; L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, New York City; Little Owl, New York City; Momofuku Ssäm, New York City; Varietal, New York City; Waverly Inn, New York City; New York City; Herons, Cary, N.C.; Piedmont, Durham, N.C.; XIX, Philadelphia; Bess Bistro on Pecan, Austin; Craft, Dallas; Blue Duck Tavern, Washington, D.C.

IN THE NEWS: From zagatbuzz.com: "The powerhouse team of Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich finally land in Las Vegas, opening two new restaurants in the Venetian Hotel (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.). A Vegas version of NYC's Babbo, B&B Ristorante serves Batali classics such as barbecued skirt steak with endive "alla piastra" and salsa verde (pictured) and mint love letters with spicy lamb sausage in a setting "that captures the soul of an Italian grandmother dancing the tango with pop rock hipsters" (702-266-9977; www.venetian.com). Meanwhile, the more casual Enoteca San Marco resembles NYC's Otto and its menu of homemade salami, gelato and Italian wines by the quartino (702-677-3390; www.enotecasanmarco.com)." NYC-based blogger offthebroiler.wordpress.com looks at Lotus of Siam, 953 E Sahara Ave. ... The Review-Journal's Heidi Knapp Rinella gives an A grade in her review of Carmel Room, Rampart Casino, 221 N. Rampart Blvd. And Ken White looks at Hummus Mediterranean Grill, 2980 S. Durango Drive. ... Las Vegas Weekly's Geri Jeter reviews Change Alley Old London Coffee House, 3350 Novat St., Suite 105 ... CityLife's Al Mancini reviews Los Cabos Mexican Seafood, 4161 S. Eastern Ave. ... Las Vegas Life magazine profiles Saul Garcia, executive chef at Z'Tejas, 9560 W. Sahara Ave. ... Steve Kieva's Everything Las Vegas newsletter notes that the seasonal Imperial Hawaiian Luau began its 16th consecutive year on May 5 at Imperial Palace.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

James Beard Awards Await

2007-04-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Roughly the dining out equivalent of The Academy Awards, The James Beard Foundation annual awards ceremony takes place Monday, May 7, at the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. Go to www.jamesbeard.org for the complete list, but here's a partial list of national nominees:

-- Outstanding Restaurant: Boulevard, San Francisco; Frontera Grill, Chicago; Magnolia Grill, Durham, N.C., Picholine, New York; Spiaggia, Chicago.
-- Best New Restaurant: A Voce, New York City; Chochon, New Orleans; Cut, Beverly Hills, Calif; L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, New York City; Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York City; Restaurant Guy Savoy, Las Vegas.
-- Outstanding Restaurateur: Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif; Keith McNally, Balthazar, New York City; Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (R.J. Grunts, Wildfire, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!), Chicago; Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group (Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Rubicon), New York City; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean Georges restaurant, New York City.
-- Outstanding Chef: Tom Colicchio, Craft, New York City; Lee Hefter, Spago, Beverly Hills, Calif.; Jean Joho, Everest, Chicago; Paul Kahan, Blackbird, Chicago; Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, D.C.
-- Rising Star Chef: Nate Appleman, A16, San Francisco; Graham Elliot Bowles, Avenues at The Peninsula Hotel, Philadelphia; David Chang, Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York; Patrick Connelly, Radius, Boston; Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park, New York City.

Restaurant magazine just released its list of the world's top 100 restaurants. (http://www.theworlds50best.com/2007_list.html) Here are the U.S. entries:

The French Laundry, Yountville, Ca. (No. 4)
Per Se, New York City (No. 9)
Jean Georges, New York City (No. 18)
Le Bernardin, New York City (No. 26)
Charlie Trotter's, Chicago (No. 30)
Daniel, New York City (No. 32)
Alinea, Chicago (No. 36)
Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Ca. (No. 40)
Masa, New York City (No. 56)
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons, New York City (No. 64)
Peter Lugar, Brooklyn, NY (No. 69)
Nobu New York, New York City (No. 89)
Gramercy Tavern, New York City (No. 90)
WD-50, New York City (No. 91)
Zuni Café, San Francisco (No. 98)
Alex at Wynn, Las Vegas (No. 100)

Playboy magazine's May issue includes its list of America's 10 Best Steakhouses. (Hey, now you can say you really DO read the articles!) Those deemed bunny worthy include:

Bone's in Atlanta.
Keefer's in Chicago
Cresecent City Steaks in New Orleans
Cut in Los Angeles
Bern's in Tampa
Craftsteak in Las Vegas
Grill 23 & Bar in Boston
El Raigon in San Francisco
Red in Cleveland
Sparks in New York City

Read more at www.playboy.com/style/a-list/steakhouses

IN THE NEWS: The Review-Journal's critic Heidi Knapp Rinella gives a B to downtown Mexican joint Casa Don Juan, 1204 S. Main St. From her notes column, The San Gennaro Feast is set for May 4-6 at 4245 Grand Canyon Drive, near Flamingo Road and the Las Vegas Beltway, with food, rides and entertainment. www.sangennarofeast.com for more info. (www.lvrj.com) ... Las Vegas Weekly reviews Hummus Mediterranean Grill, 2980 S. Durango Blvd., and King Kabob, 9400 S. Eastern Ave. www.lasvegasweekly.com ... City Life's Al Mancini reviews Italian restaurant Trevi in the Forum Shops. wwwlasvegascitylife.com ... Las Vegas Life magazine reviews Michael Mina's StripSteak inside Mandalay Bay. www.lvlife.com ... The travel guide LasVegasLogue.com reports that plans for the new Planet Hollywood resort, which has taken over the Aladdin, will offer everything from an upscale steakhouse to a 24-hour coffee shop. That includes: the Strip House, an offshoot of one of New York’s City's top steakhouses, which opens this summer; the Italian Alfredo of Rome; and contemporary KOI, an L.A. import. More casual offerings: Mexican food at Yolos; and gourmet sandwiches and salads from Earl of Sandwich, already at Walt Disney World; and Asian chain P.F. Chang’s. The Aladdin’s acclaimed Spice Market Buffet will remain. Quick bites include Planet Dailies upscale coffee shop and cafe, open 24 hours daily. And an offshoot of L.A.'s famed Pink’s hot dog stand is set to open this summer in the Race & Sports Book area ... The website also takes a look at Paris Las Vegas' newest eatery, Le Burger Brasserie ...