Hugo's Cellar @Four Queens Spring 2016

The Four Queens isn't exactly where you would think of when you think of an evening of fine dining on Fremont St. Never heard of Hugo's Cellar? Don’t be surprised. It’s literally in the basement of the property.  It’s probably the best place to eat at 4 Queens but the fact that I had to use the word says something but that isn’t saying much in a place with only 3 places to eat and one is a coffee shop.

It’s described as one of those places that capture the “old school ambiance” of high end dining in Vegas.  Each woman receives a rose, the sommelier visits each table to help find the perfect wine to pair with your meal and even the salad is prepared table side, a la cart.  Charm, wit and customer service served in small portions are all apart of the dining experience at Hugo’s Cellar.  In a word, romantic.

Rating

Mark & Keren - 3/5 

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.

The LINQ Promenade Summer 2014

Las Vegas’ continuing success is its ability to reinvent itself when the market needs it to.  Unlike urban developments in established cities, Vegas doesn’t venerate the old, the past or history in general.  Nothing is so sacred that it can’t be imploded to make way for the next thing. While it can be sad to lose that history, it is unarguable that for Vegas, it works. 

As much as I’ve fallen in love with the cities history, it was it’s current incarnation that drew me to it for the first time.  Properties like Luxor, Excalibur, NYNY and Paris are what caught my attention and cultivated the desire to experience Las Vegas.  In a very short period of time, I’ve learned about her history and enjoyed her evolution.

That brings us to now and Vegas’ current incarnation, retail.  It started with shopping malls and have transformed into outdoor dining and shopping experiences.  The Linq promenade was a brand new experience to the market and has already been mimicked by Bally’s Grand Bazaar and MGM’s The Park.  Vegas properties are finally understanding that the guests of today aren’t trying to get out of the desert heat; they want to spend lots of time in it. 

Rating - (Scale of 1-5)

Mark - 4/5

Keren & Alistair - 3/5

Jean Georges Steakhouse @Aria Summer 2014

Is there anything more rewarding that a great steak dinner?  Of course I can't speak for the whole world but there is something very American about steak. It seems to embody what it feels like to be successful.  Like a beer at the end of hard days work, steak is how you cap off a special occasion and steak makes an occasion special.

So you agree, steak is great; but have you ever had a steak in Vegas?  Vegas steaks make the exceptional ordinary and boring, actually disappointing.  We’ve actually described a steak as “good I wasn’t eating it in Vegas”.  Vegas offers steaks like you didn’t know it could taste in dining environments that actually somehow compliment the dining and elevate the experience.  If you can only do it once in your life, do your homework, pick wisely and treat yourself.

Rating (1-5)

Keren - 2.5/5

Mark - 2/5