MrsCris's Profile
Looking for interesting cheeses to try
I would like to recommend my favourite piave vecchio. It's a hard, aged Italian with lots of crystallization and a rich taste. Excellent with dried strawberries and green grapes and a nice shiraz.
Those weird things you eat when you are in your kitchen
Ohhhh... I've only had fried pickles in restaurants where they've been served with some kind of ranch dip. Next time I'll demand blue cheese!
My creamy Italian dressing is OK, but could be better....
I too like buttermilk in mine. I don't have exact measurements, but I blend up mayo, buttermilk, fresh basil, fresh parsley, oregano, shallot, salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon and a dash of worcesstershire in my mini chopper. You could add some sugar if you wish.
Those weird things you eat when you are in your kitchen
My favourite blue cheese dressing dipper: dill pickle spears.
I'm looking forward to trying melon!
A Sour Cream Glut
YES! oh that's my favourite use of sour cream. Creamy, tart, sweet all together.
Craft Cocktails or Mixology Cocktails
Just noticed your post - Rhumbar has heaters outside. But I'm Canadian, so the weather in mid-March to me feels like summer. Still, I think it's very comfortable with the heaters, and I just really enjoy the vibe there. I've had great service too.
Five days business trip in Las Vegas... healthy eating essential!
I agree with other posters that most restaurants (except perhaps high-end or specialty) have excellent options. I had breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris, and would recommend it to your husband. It's right next door from Ballys. They have lovely options such as muesli, ruby grapefruit, fresh melon, thick cut oatmeal, etc. One of the ladies at my table ordered the melon and muesli, and the melon was your choice of honeydew or cantaloupe. She opted for honeydew and said it was perfectly ripe and one of the best she'd ever had. The yogurt parfait was also very good.
I understand he may be tempted by the other items on the menu, but there's not much a person can do about that, and I would be concerned that the so-called healthy frozen options may not be that healthy anyways.
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Mon Ami Gabi
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Good places for lunch around Jasper and 104 Street , Edmontoin
Yes, Wild Tangerine in Manulife has been closed for some time now.
I quite like Sushi Ya for maki rolls. I've had too many bad meals from Sankyu now that I won't go back.
I've enjoyed Mucho Burrito, in the HSBC building on 101 street north of Jasper Ave, attached to Edmonton Centre. It's All Greek To Me in Rice Howard Way is also pretty reliable - I really like their spanakopita.
Another lunch time favourite for me is The Free Press Bistro for paninis and their delicious roasted tomato soup.
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Wild Tangerine
10383 112th Street, Edmonton, AB T5K1M9, CA
Mucho Burrito
11658 Sarcee Trail NW #104, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1, CA
SOUP, SOUP, SOUP
Dill Pickle Soup is a favourite of mine - although admittedly anything made with pickles will likely be a favourite with me. Dill Pickle Soup seems to be Polish in origin, at least that's what most recipes that I have seen state. There's a local restaurant in my city that serves an excellent Dill Pickle Soup, and the staff there tell me the secret is to use good full-sour kosher pickles.
I have made a version with Strubs Full Sours and I thought it was delicious. I don't have a full recipe, but basically I sauteed onions in butter, added flour to make a roux, then chicken stock and cream. Added pickle brine from the jar (a lot) and finely chopped pickles. Seasoned with fresh dill and white pepper. Some recipes I see also use white wine.
Handmade noodles in Edmonton
You could try NoodleMaker, located off 97 Street at 102 Ave. Not sure if the noodles are made in-house, but according to various reviews they are the owner's recipe and made in Edmonton. I've not been but they have been getting some good reviews.
Best Steakhouse for business/fun dinner with a large party of 9?
I've only been to SW on your list, but I can say that the food was excellent and the service impeccable. One plus is also that there is a very fun show that happens on the Lake of Dreams, which the restaurant overlooks, about every 20 minutes. It's a cool light show with music that definitely adds to the dining experience. Not conducive to conducting business perhaps, but very entertaining. I would recommend SW to anyone. They can definitely accommodate a group yor size, as we saw several large tables when we were there.
Oyster bar on the strip?
SeaBlue (in the MGM at the back towards the pool) has a great Happy Hour special in the lounge with $1 oysters - lovely fresh oysters with great condiments. Had them twice, delicious both times. They are house choice, once they were Fanny Bay and I have forgotten what they were the second time. Not exactly an oyster bar, but a great deal with good service and good beer and sangria specials too.
Cooking For Our Four Legged Friends...
I get confused as to which one is a yam and which one is a sweet potato - I use the orange coloured flesh roots, whatever you want to call them. I slice them not too thin, maybe a bit thicker than 1/4 inch. I dip them in water and sprinkle them with 'Liver Sprinkles' that I purchased at a pet food store. The ingredients list is simply: 'baked beef liver'. It looks like freeze dried liver that's been coarsely ground. The water makes the sprinkles adhere. Then roast them on racks in very low heat for about an hour and a half or so.
This started when we purchased a bag of sweet potato liver treats for her - she LOVED them but at $8 - $9 per bag we decided we could make them for way cheaper. The ones we make are very similar but need to be kept in the fridge, unless you make them in a dehydrator which I think would work well.
Cooking For Our Four Legged Friends...
I make cookies every couple of months (whole wheat with garlic and a bit of cheddar cheese) but my dog's favourite thing ever is the slow roasted yams with liver sprinkles - they have a consistency like leather, and are easy to make though the smell of the liver sprinkles in the oven makes me gag. But my dog goes crazy for them, so of course I put up with the nauseating smell.
Best recipe for coffee cake?
Made this yesterday for my father-in-law. Very nice! I added more vanilla ( my preference ) and a sprinkle of chocolate chips in the middle. Nice, tender cake. Thanks, TorontoJo!
Craft Cocktails or Mixology Cocktails
We enjoyed the excellent cocktails at Rhumbar at the Mirage - they have a very nice outdoor patio, well shaded, with super comfy seating, good house music and well screened from the traffic on LVBlvd. There is a smaller indoor space all done in cool white, but I highly recommend the outdoor patio.
I enjoyed the chipotle pineapple maragarita very much, as well as another drink made with fresh raspberries and blueberries. They used fresh fruit and herbs in all the drinks that we ordered.
The drinks menu is online at http://www.rhumbarlv.com/
Prairie Food Trucks - A Possibility?
The Fat Franks in Commerce Place Food Court shut down last year - they couldn't make it work indoors (my guess is the terrible customer service couldn't overcome the delicious dogs and fries).
On another note though, we enjoyed the 'Eva Sweet' Belgian waffle truck parked downtown all last summer, so yes we've seen new and increasingly more options. Hopefully this will continue.
cupcakes & donuts
Hi! In December I had a fantastic salted caramel cupcake at Jean Phillipe Patisserie in Aria, and my friend had a delicious and huge apple fritter. They had a good selection of pastries, and I wanted to go back and try the Napolean and the eclairs but never got the chance. They also had beautiful bon bons and candies in lovely packaging that make great gifts.
Best Desserts in Vegas?
I've read a lot about DuPars lately - a friend told me they make the best pancakes, and her husband added that the pies are also outstanding.
I also would mention the crepe take-away kiosk in the back of Paris. Those are a favourite of ours. Also in Paris, we did go for dessert only at the Eiffel Tower restaurant - we called and asked if we could reserve for dessert and drinks only and they couldn't have been more accomodating. Really good service and good dessert. Nice view.
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Eiffel Tower Restaurant
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Need a recipe for sharp cheddar
Cheese Souffle.
I too had a similar problem - due to an overenthusiastic cheese shopping experience we ended up with a huge amount of cheese. I made the 'Classi Cheese Souffle' recipe off Epicurious using a mix of sharp smoked cheddar and gruyere. My husband took one bite and demanded to know why I had never made this heavenly concoction before. It was delicious served with lamb and salad. And the leftovers were even pretty darn good for breakfast too.
Purees/Smoothies for a sick friend
I made cauliflower puree as a side dish for dinner tonight, and it was the star of the plate. Steamed cauliflower simply pureed with some butter and salt - delicious. My husband shaved some goat gouda on his and loved it. Also good with parmesan, or sour cream, or some fresh thyme. I will next try it with some roasted garlic.
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in Edmonton
I would have sent him to the Motoraunt (now demised) for a Monster Burger.
last-minute help needed
We ate at Wolfgang Puck's twice when last we stayed at MGM and enjoyed it - and I see they have a nice-looking 'Spring Tasting Menu' for just $45. More casual setting than say Bouchon. Lots of pastas on the menu.
Also at Mirage, we enjoyed eating in the lounge at Japonais - nice setting in the atrium area, kind of hip, really nice cocktails and delicious small plates (and full meals) of Japanese fare.
I'm sure there are lots of other options but thought I'd offer these in the hotels in question.
Searching for Bob's Red Mill Products in Edmonton
Andy's IGA on 142 Street carries a pretty large selection of Bob's Mill products. I've noticed quite a few items in the flour/grains section at that store, though I'm not too sure about the cereals, as I'm not often in that aisle.
Anyone else watching "America's Next Great Restaurant"? * Spoilers *
What I thought was interesting is that the wok idea that you mention already exists in at least two forms in my neck of the woods (Edmonton, Canada), with two different franchises in my city. One of the franchises (called 'Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen') has 12 locations in my city alone, plus others across Canada. The other, called 'Oodle Noodles' has a few in my city too - maybe 3 or 4, so apparently this concept is working. Both offer quick stir frys which are customizable with what kind of noodle you want plus protein choice, and a bunch of different sauces.
corso32 (Edmonton)
We too finally made it to Corso32 - I never did hear back from them after I left a message, but husband was able to reach someone and made a reservation.
I like the feel of this restaurant. Simple but not spartan, comfortable chairs, lively music and enough background noise bouncing around so that you don't feel like you're eavesdropping on all the conversations around you, as the tables are very close together.
We too enjoyed the 'breakfast' offering Dan G mentions - a lovely perfect egg on delicious crunchy crostini with enough salty fatty pork to make it rich, but cut by the bitterness of the raddichio. We also loved the house-made goat ricotta with crostini - so often things like crostini are poorly made (a throw-away dish for the chef) but these were perfectly toasted and drizzled with a really good olive oil. I would order that creamy, tangy ricotta again anytime.
Mr. Cris enjoyed his yukon gold ravioli, though he would have liked something else on the plate for a texture contrast, but the pasta was perfectly made. I loved the 48 hour steak, which was served with an anchovy sauce, roasted parsnips and sauteed brussels sprout leaves. The steak was fork tender and I loved the salty anchovy sauce, though some might find it overpowering.
Hazelnut torta was everything everyone says it is: decadent, rich, luscious, and with crunchy salted hazelnuts offering just the right contrast. Also loved the olive oil cake with blood oranges. It was simple but perfect, the cake subtle and tender and not too sweet.
To echo what DanG said, we too were so pleased to have this restaurant in Edmonton - hubby said how it gave him hope for the dining scene in this chain-heavy city. The dishes were all made perfectly, paired with excellent service, and an eclectic and interesting menu. My new favourite.
Vegetarian Husband willing to start eating meat if I make him BBQ Beans. Please help.
I've made the recipe below and loved it. I've been know to add diced garlic sausage, which is a great addition but you could leave it out if it's just too much for your husband. The key is the diced slab bacon in this recipe. I'm sure you could halve it, as it makes a big pot.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Barbecued-Baked-Beans-5105
Looking for sushi maki filling ideas
Really thinly sliced lemon. So refreshing in maki, especially with smoked salmon.
Also: finely sliced spring onions. Bean sprouts add a nice crunch - for some reason I think they would hold up to freezing, but maybe not. I would think omelette would work great.
corso32 (Edmonton)
Well, that's good to know. Unfortunately they don't say anything about that on their website - are they open for lunch? what days are they closed? etc.
I tried to make a reserveration last week, and I had the same problem as DanG did - no answer, machine full.
I had a great time at the soft opening party, and loved the food, but I guess I'll wait until they have a few of these issues ironed out.
strategy needed for $39.99 all day meal pass at HARRAH'S properties !! Sis & I are love our PRIME RIB, don't care for seafood much !
Not of help to you when using the buffet pass, but I thought I would mention the Prime Rib Special at the Victorian Room at Bills (formerly Barbary Coast).
Mr and I have ended up eating there on a few occasions over the years when we need a meal late at night, which can be hard to find in that area. They offer a $15.99 special, 24 hours/day, for a huge slab of good meat, a side salad and a baked potato. When we ate there over Christmas, this $15.99 special (advertised on posters etc) was on specialf for $10.99 - an even better deal. And they have excellent horseradish. All this in one of those throw-back settings with the naugahyde booths and the waitresses in their bibbed uniforms and running shoes who call you sweetie.
