TFarnon's Profile
Vegas recs?
I'm simply not "into" the whole Strip atmosphere. I don't gamble, I barely drink, I don't like to get all fancy-dressed-up to eat in restaurants that are invariably absolutely FREEZING (okay, so I think that anything under 80 degrees F is time to get out the Polartec), and I'm only a little bit interested in the shows. The thing that interests me most on the strip is the Bellagio fountains, not because I wanna be amazed by dancing waters, but because my brother worked on them.
I've found that there are plenty of really interesting casual restaurants off the strip, many of them within reasonable walking distance of my apartment and/or the UNLV campus. Okay, so my idea of a reasonable walking distance is anything under about 3 miles, as long as temps are under 97 degrees F. It's not snobbery on my part--it's just preference. Well, that, and I moved to Vegas from Reno, so casinos aren't exactly a big thrill for me.
What have I found? Las Vegas' Chinatown, Ping Pang Pong in the Gold Coast Casino, Metro Pizza, N&N Oriental (Thai), Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe, Bagels 'n' More. None of those are fancy places, and I don't feel uncomfortable dragging in midday or after classes in rumpled scrubs or battered jeans and tees.
Las Vegas Chinatown-- Let's thoroughly review it
It's Diamond Bakery, and the buns are still great.
Las Vegas Chinatown-- Let's thoroughly review it
It's a lot late NOW, and I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard very good things about the Korean restaurant at Spencer and Tropicana (in the strip mall full of Korean businesses across the street from the Liberace Museum).
Las Vegas Chinatown-- Let's thoroughly review it
I've only tried Harbor Palace and Ping Pang Pong (not in Chinatown strictly speaking--in the Gold Coast Casino--, but close enough if it's not 110 degrees outside and you are crazy enough to walk everywhere like I do), and both only for dim sum. Of the two, I liked the dim sum at Ping Pang Pong much better. The jook at Ping Pang Pong was amazing--light and fresh tasting, with shredded pork and preserved egg in it. I have never had fresh-tasting preserved egg before, and even though I liked the "old" tasting stuff, I REALLY liked this fresh preserved egg. The custard buns were an experience--a good experience, with a rich, mildly sweet yellow egg custard filling that felt like butter only better.
I've also shopped 99 Ranch Market and Diho market--I like Diho market better because it's cleaner and calmer, although I found more really unusual stuff at 99 Ranch. The buns at Diamond Bakery are nice--I think the sesame balls with red or green bean filling are to die for. I'm going out tomorrow morning to shop at Diho and on a food "adventure". Chances are, I'll end up eating lunch somewhere on Spring Mountain. I have a list of places I'd like to try, so I'll just go to whichever one is nearest when my stomach demands lunch.
If anyone has any additional recommendations for good, REAL Chinese food (not that Western stuff), please tell me.
As for those of you who want to get from the Strip to Chinatown/Spring Mountain, how about taking the local transit? It's what I use to get around. You can catch the 203 bus at Las Vegas Blvd and Sands (pretty much at the Fashion Show Mall), buy a 24-hour ticket for $2.50--bring exact change--if you don't want to ride up and down the Strip, or $5.00 if you want to include service up and down the strip on the double-decker "Deuce" buses. It's not that much less convenient than a taxi, based on the lame taxi service I've experienced so far in Las Vegas, and it's a whole lot less expensive. But hey--if you want to dump 10 to 15 dollars taking a taxi two miles away, go for it.
