Here’s a Gonzo-ish take on one of my first full immersions into the world of spirits marketing: the annual Nightclub & Bar Show… click to enlarge:
I’ve been a fan of François Payard’s Patisserie and Bistro since the day the acclaimed French pattissier and chef came to town three years ago. Producing fine European pastries, gelatos, crepes and chocolates in large quantities is enough of an achievement, but Payard–who has strong competition in town in that regard–ambitiously added an intimate jewelbox [...]
In honor of the Grand Opening of Max Brenner in Las Vegas today (Forum Shops at Caesars Palace), I thought I’d post some pics from the preview party a few nights ago (I took all the crummy ones), as well as link to my lengthy profile piece on Max in the July issue of DAVID [...]
Click the pic to read my Las Vegas Weekly story on the amazing Atomic 7!
Like many other “counter foods,” pastrami has been getting a lot of attention lately from foodie circles, and nowhere more than Los Angeles, home of Langer’s–which many claim to have the best pastrami in the country (Katz’s fans…hold on, hold on). These past few weeks I had the chance to return there, and try a [...]
I want to tell you about an incredible weekend I had…last June. I know, I know, this “blog thing” is supposed to be a little more current than that. But after I missed the chance to report about the Aureole Wine Weekend at the time, I got distracted by other things. Until now. Because Kevin [...]
As some might know, gourmet/creative food trucks are the biggest trend in Los Angeles right now, bringing creativity to street food, and to LA, that hasn’t been seen in some time. It’s a hit-and-miss experience of course, as the trend gets exploited, but at it’s best, it is not only a great alternative to the [...]
You know things are changing when French wines have to fight for shelf space in the US. Click here for my Escape Hatch report on a recent Los Angeles tasting.
Food festivals touting Star Chef appearances are nothing uncommon these days—they take place seemingly everywhere from Aspen to the Bahamas—but in Vegas, they like to do things a little bigger. Which is why Bon Appetit’s fourth “Vegas Uncork’d” fest (up and down the Strip May 6-9, 2010) not only featured healthy quotients of local and [...]
My definition of a great present is something that you absolutely would love to have but would never get yourself. So when a close friend marked my birthday with a number of wrapped mint chocolate bars from Whole Foods (as well as a pint of Baskin-Robbins’ perfect Mint Chip ice cream), I couldn’t have been [...]
I can’t say covering the 2010 Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association convention is the toughest assignment I’ve ever had, but drinking almost non-stop for 48 hours is…well…click on the cocktail contest photo above for the full blog in EscapeHatchDallas. I can’t remember the details anymore.
I’m not normally a fan of being preached to, but last week (3/23/10) a mutual friend invited me to go see Moby (Electronica “legend” & DJ) talk about the new book GRISTLE: from Factory Farms to Food Safety (thinking twice about the meat we eat) he’d co-edited with Miyun Park, at the Skirball Cultural Center, [...]
It’s a rite of nearly every publication to do both “Best of”s and Readers’ Polls, but few seem as equally anticipated and dreaded as the Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas,” a readers/staff/celebrities selection, that never fails to engage yet enervate the community. Of course, as long as it’s talked about, it’s a success for the [...]
Some favorite Las Vegas residents and visitors–Wolfgang Puck, Holly Madison, Sugar Shane Mosley, and Ivanka Trump–share their Vegas loves (click above to download full PDF)
Click to download the full PDF:
Click to download full PDF:
Click here to download the full review:
Chefs
Mark Andelbradt, Paul Bartolotta, Geno Bernardo, Osamu Fujita, Martin Heierling, Jean Joho, Emeril Lagasse, Scott Linquist, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina, Rick Moonen, Bradley Ogden, François Payard, Luciano Pellegrini, Guy Savoy, Kerry Simon, Alex Stratta, Masa Takayama, Charlie Trotter, Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Actors, Directors and Personalities
Ben Affleck, Jessica Alba, Alison Anders, Greg Araki, Samaire Armstrong (Entourage, Dirty Sexy Money), [...]
Emeril Lagasse’s fifth annual Carnivale du Vin brought the charity celebration of food and wine (benefiting his post-Katrina New Orleans-based Foundation for Children) back to Las Vegas, where it was first held, and fittingly so. With four outlets here, Vegas has been a second home of sorts for Emeril, and arguably no city better supports [...]
The timing couldn’t have been better/worse. Just as I was finishing my odyssean quest to find the Best Burgers In Las Vegas three different friends enjoined me to check out the new burger joint in LA–well, new-ish–Los Feliz’s Umami Burger. Of course I couldn’t say no. I was curious, at the very least, to see [...]
No two spaces are alike for hot LA-based interior designer Dodd Mitchell (click here to download PDF) who continues to top himself with one impressive restaurant or nightclub design after another. I was lucky enough to be able to print one of the more rare lengthy interviews with him.
Other intriguing designers I’ve interviewed include Thomas [...]
Exploring the broad and unpredictable world of fine cheeses can often feel like a bottomless mystery, butMorel’s Bistro, where cheesemongers offer over 60 selections, offers an elegantly guided tour.
I met Chad Carns a few months ago at a wine tasting event and was immediately impressed by his genuine enthusiasm, curiosity, and humility—qualities that aren’t common enough in food writing. He sent me a copy of his book for my reaction. Here it is.
The Gourmet Bachelor
By Chad Carns
(Carns Concepts, thegourmetbachelor.com)
At first glance, The Gourmet [...]
Las Vegas has no shortage of Star Chef restaurants: Here are three that deserve their high marks, Bellagio’s
Michael Mina, Tom Collicchio’s Craftsteak, and Rick Moonen’s RM Seafoood
(click each to download PDFs).
Here’s a cute Q&A with Wolfgang Puck,
and a more serious interview with Eiffel Tower/Everest Chef Jean Joho
The Top Ten Restaurants in City Center
The TOP CHEF [...]
Here’s my take on the hot Sunday Pajama Brunch at Kerry Simon’s spot in Palms Place.
For most of 2009, I have been reviewing some of the best and most beloved restaurants on the Strip for Las Vegas Magazine, a high-end tourist guide that is distributed exclusively to hotel rooms.
Two of my favorite reviews are for the fine dining at Nove Italiano in Palms and Valentino in the Venetian.
And here’s a [...]
In late 2007 I spent three months researching and reporting on the previously unpublicized young sommelier community in Las Vegas. The story ended up influencing many imitators.
Download the entire article
And here is an updated look at Vegas’ best wine destinations
Although Las Vegas has long had a healthy Latino population, it hasn’t necessarily had much authentic, quality Mexican food (at least, for visitors) until Border Grill came along ten years ago and shook things up. Here are some notes on my favorite Mexican spots on the Strip, edited from my Orbitz blog:
• MGM’s Diego has one [...]
Even while it caters to tourists from Boise, Beijing and Bavaria, Las Vegas has become a legitimate foodie destination…if you know where to go. Here’s a primer on All The Star Chefs of Vegas… And click here for my ratings on:
• Top Ten Strip Steakhouses
• Top Ten Italian Restaurants
• Top Ten Gourmet Burgers
• Top Ten [...]