Chicago Bites - Restaurant Reviews & Dining Podcast

Tammy's tasty poached oysters topped with caviar.

In this fourth and final installment of our Las Vegas dining adventure, Tammy and I take on the game-heavy menu at Picasso. And I make a surprising discovery. I like pigeons... roasted!

(7.7 M)

00:00 - 01:33 A grown-up place to eat
01:34 - 03:38 Service--a little too much bending over backwards
03:39 - 05:11 The menu--focused on meat and game with an edge
05:12 - 07:56 Starters--Oysters and mint soup
07:57 - 09:59 Seafood sausage and seasonal veggies with foie gras
10:10 - 12:42 Snapper and pigeon (not your usual rat with wings in the park)
12:43 - 15:42 Architectural desserts--Tammy finds figs to love
15:43 - 20:13 The element of fun and dining scene commentary
20:14 - 21:47 Ratings and sign-off

Picasso
Bellagio Hotel
Las Vegas

Bridget rates Picasso 9/10
Tammy rates Picasso 8/10

Artistic figs to love.

Look at our Picasso Photo Set on Flickr

Posted by Bridget at 6:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The prettiest, tastiest ceviche we've had this year!

Welcome to podcast number 3 about our Las Vegas dining adventure! Bridget and I ducked into Bobby Flay's offering in Caesars Palace, Mesa Grill, for appetizers and margaritas. What we intended to be a quick meal turned into more of an adventure than we anticipated. Listen in as we break it down...

(7.7 M)

00:00 - 02:38 The "Tony tour" of Las Vegas
02:39 - 03:35 Opening the restaurant
03:36 - 05:17 Margaritas
05:18 - 07:50 Mixed muffins, restaurant pride & photography
07:51 - 09:09 Wild Mushroom quesadillas
09:10 - 09:59 Goat Cheese
10:00 - 11:17 Liming ceviche
11:18 - 12:28 Signature appetizers & entree envy
12:29 - 14:01 Making room for dessert
14:02 - 16:47 Final thoughts and sign-off

Mesa Grill
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas

Bridget rates Mesa Grill 10/10
Tammy rates Mesa Grill 10/10

The walnut flan was an excellent dessert choice.

Look at our Mesa Grill Photo Set on Flickr

Anthony Bourdain's Nasty Bits

Posted by Tammy at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Salmon worthy of a love affair.

Tammy and I went to Las Vegas wondering if it was possible to have a fine dining experience there. We discovered that at Bouchon, it is not only possible it’s an absolute certainty. Thomas Keller’s dishes are simple, flavorful, and impeccably prepared. The food speaks for itself. And what does it say? Game on! Dining in Vegas is worth talking about.

(7.8 M)

00:00 - 01:31 Going for the gold standard
01:32 - 02:33 And going back again
02:34 - 03:04 Open Table follow-up (and no, my apartment is not on fire)
03:05 - 04:11 A little bit of France in Italy -- a welcome break from Vegas
04:12 - 05:27 Winning the battle for hearts and minds with pistachios and salads
05:28 - 06:43 The second sip
06:44 - 08:12 Dream worthy food A.K.A. 'what quiche should be'
08:13 - 10:01 Cod and salmon speak for themselves
10:02 - 11:34 Bouchon perfection
11:35 - 14:30 Quiche (again), fries, and French toast
14:31 - 16:59 Wrap-up and sign-off

Bouchon
The Venetian Hotel
Las Vegas

Bridget rates Bouchon 10/10
Tammy rates Bouchon 10/10

The quiche was so good we went back to Bouchon for brunch to have it again.

Look at our Bouchon Photo Set on Flickr

Posted by Bridget at 5:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our little friend made for a delightful dining companion. He certainly wasn't edible.

Welcome to Las Vegas week at Chicago Bites where we try to capture the highs and lows of the Vegas dining scene. In the first of four podcasts, Bridget and I seek to capture the quintessential Las Vegas dining experience -- the buffet -- for the enjoyment of "the folks back home". Listen in as we weave our way past station after station in the quest for something to eat.

(6.7 M)

00:00 - 02:32 Taking on Vegas and associated snobbery
02:33 - 04:00 The VIP buffet line
04:01 - 06:05 Negotiating the shovelfest
06:06 - 07:30 For the folks back home
07:32 - 08:32 Ruining the "buff-et" with straws
08:33 - 10:47 Skimpiness of desserts
10:48 - 12:33 Scenery
12:34 - 14:16 Ratings & sign-off

Le Village Buffet
Paris Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas

Bridget rates Le Village Buffet 2/10
Tammy rates Le Village Buffet 2/10

Bridget demonstrates the proper way to sip wine at a buffet.

Click on our Le Village Buffet Photo Set on Flickr

Posted by Tammy at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)