Du-Par's @Golden Gate Spring 2016

It’s basically a coffee shop & old-timey diner.  How good could it be?  Well, it’s been at the Golden Gate on Fremont St since 1959 and was kind of the first California based concept restaurant to come to Vegas.  It brought the famous shrimp cocktail to downtown and blew people’s minds with how good it was, the price and the presentation.  But more than anything, Du-Par’s is known for it’s pancakes, often referred to as the “Best Pancakes in America”.  With such a dubious claim in a city known for having the best of the best when it comes to food…challenge accepted.

Rating

Mark & Keren – 4/5

Alastair – 4.5/5

Correction per listener Chris Hall (Thanks)

Du-Par's has only been at Golden Gate since spring of 2010.  Prior to that, it was called Bay City Diner.  The shrimp cocktail used to come from a deli counter in the casino.  Right at the end of the bar there was a live piano player (mostly played Sinatra/Gershwin/etc..) and right past the piano was the deli.  Once the Stevens brothers bought in and started making changes, they brought in Du-Par's, got rid of the deli, and moved the shrimp cocktail over there.

Lemongrass @Aria Spring 2014

Thai food has a reputation for being some of the hottest cuisine on the planet, Asian food with a kick.  The concept has always intrigued but as with most new foods, the vast collection of things featured in their dishes intimidated.

Enter Keren, Vegas, Aria and Lemongrass, the perfect storm to inspire food experimentation.  It’s also the only Thai restaurant on the Vegas strip so clearly the options are limited.  Prepare to have your senses stimulated as Thai food is an art form.  It’s dishes feature at least 3 of the 5 of taste senses; sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy, in each dish with a grand plan to visit them all making a harmonious finish.

Rating

Mark and Keren - 1/5