Well, my week here in Vegas is over and I'll be driving back home tomorrow morning. While here, I dined at a variety of places.
Unfortunately the majority of the places I ate at fell short and disappointed my taste buds.
The heat this week was brutal, most days it was at least 112 degree, a couple days it got to 114.
Here are the grades;
TAO at the Venetian. Grade: C
Crispy Orange Chicken - No picture, lighting was extremely dim.
Very disappointed in this dish. I've been to TAO before, back in 2007 and i was fantastic, excellent portion sizes tasty food. Unfortunately this time, it was a small portion, and the oil they fried the chicken in definitely needs changed. Including drink and tip price was $36.00 and I left still hungry. The only thing that saved this grade from going lower was the atmosphere. This place is geared for large groups, and sharing food. If you had a group of four and $200.00 I think you'd have great food, and leave fulfilled. Hopefully they change the oils they fry with, cause they need it.
T & T - Tacos and Tequila at the Luxor. Grade: C-
Extremely disappointed here. Description on their website was; Mexican food with a Rock N Roll attitude.
Don't know what they considered Rock N Roll, but this was not it. The food was bland at best. The Guacamole needed salt, and spice. Waitress asked how spicy I'd like my Guac, mild, medium or hot. I said hot. It wasn't. Even adding the "hot" sauce they had on the table didn't spice it up. The side of beans was very dry as was the rice. The Baja Tacos, were small fish fingers in a petite corn tortilla. The only thing that saved this place from getting lower than a C- was the name and the waitress was great. Extremely disappointed. Price including drink and tip was $37.00. Had I not had an appetizer, I would have left hungry.
Four Kegs - Off the Strip in a bad part of town. Grade: B
This place was featured on Drive-ins, Diners and Dives. It was a dive, big time.
The booth I was sitting in had no padding what so ever. Dining area was dark and small. The neighborhood it was located in requires you to buzz the door bell to unlock the door after dark. However the food was good. I definitely left filled up. I had the Original Stromboli, small sized. I knew from seeing the show,
I wasn't going to be able to finish a original size. I felt my arteries hardening with every bite, but the flavors were amazing, and the sauce was fantastic. I wish I hadn't gotten an appetizer, but I decided to, because of the previous two experiences of the week.
Cajun Style Onion Rings. I wouldn't call them Cajun, but they were tasty. Fried Onions tossed with Hot Wing sauce. Price including Appetizer, Drink and Tip $22.00. So far best place this week. I couldn't go higher than a B because of the atmosphere and comfort of the dining area.
Definitely recommend going here while you are in Vegas.
Cozumel's Mexican Cantina - Off strip.
Grade: C++
Ate here for lunch. Sauces were very tasty, and the chips were fresh made. Had a shredded chicken tamale with "spicy" verde sauce, and a shredded pork enchilada with "spicy" verde sauce. Sauce wasn't spicy at all, but it was very tasty with a lot of flavor. Beans and Rice were dry, and the rice had corn and carrots in it...very odd combo. Service was okay. Price, $19.00 after tip. The lack of spicy, when food is claimed spicy is very frustrating this week. When it says spicy, I expect my mouth to burn. Service and lack of spicy gave the grade. Not quite a B-, but very close. The flavor on the sauce prevented a solid C.
The Cheese Cake Factory - at the Forum Shops, Caesar's Palace. Grade: B-
I got what I expected to get from the chain restaurant. This was a settle for dinner place as I intended to dine at Wolfgang Puck's Shin Wa. To much disappointment, I discovered Shin Wa closed down.
I had the Beer Battered Fish n Chips which were fantastic. The Cole Slaw, not so much. They put capers and other veggies in the slaw that don't belong. Cole Slaw is Green and Red Cabbage, Carrots, Sauce and Pepper, don't screw with it!
Waiter convinced me to try the new appetizer, Crab and Artichoke Heart Dip, with roasted Garlic Focaccia bread. I have to say this is one of the best appetizers I've had in a LONG time.
I didn't get desert because my wife makes the best damn cheese cake anywhere, and I didn't want to disappoint myself by ordering a cheese cake that I knew wasn't going to be as good as my wife's.
B- grade was due to their experimentation with the Cole Slaw and French Fries need their oil changed.
Price was $34.00 after tip.
Normally I post more photos, but nothing was really photo worthy this time around and/or the lighting was so horrible, it wouldn't have done justice to the food.
That's it for now, thanks for reading.
Heat it does not have, so for that I give it a D-.
As you can tell it's not that big and it's not that filling. If you get this, you will need to order at least 2 other items to leave satisfied.
Heat it does not have, so for that I give it a D-.
