We’ve been to A LOT of steakhouses not only in Chicago, but also in Las Vegas. Jean Georges at the Aria resort was a new one for us, and has a lot of hype about the quality and the experience. Overall, I would say that this restaurant was pretty average, especially for the price. We arrived here to have dinner before the Lady Gaga concert at the Dolby Theater at the Park MGM right next door. We were a bit…
We recently saw U2 perform at the Sphere in Las Vegas. You’ll definitely want to click here to read my article about our experience and snag some tips for when it’s your turn to go! Before any show, though, you need a good place to eat, and I chose Matteo’s at the Venetian Resort, which is located in “Restaurant Row,” one of the closest places to the Sphere that you can eat at the Venetian. Keep in mind that if…
July 31, 2023 I was excited to try Boqueria Restaurant, which opened relatively recently in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. I’ve been trying to find a superb Spanish Tapas restaurant since my favorite – Salero – closed in 2018. While I found the food at Boqueria fine, there was nothing really too stand-out here. I think my favorite thing about this restaurant is the vibe here. The bar and all of the walls are decorated with canned Spanish food…
Las Vegas, July 14, 2023 We ate at Jasmine Restaurant at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas on our last night of vacation with the kiddos. Staying on the north end of the strip, I really wanted the kids to be able to experience the free fountain show, which, to me, is mesmerizing. I can watch those fountains all night! The vibe at Jasmine is that of a fancy asian tea room, with victorian-type furnishings, and gorgeous details like embroidered…
The Palazzo Resort, Las Vegas, USA July 12, 2023 Wakuda was the restaurant I chose for our fanciest night out in Las Vegas on this trip. We are all nuts for Japanese food, and this restaurant comes from Chef Tetsuya Wakuda, a two-star Michelin Chef who has collected gobs of accolades from many worldwide publications and reviewers. I knew our experience here would be top notch. The atmosphere here is super cool. It’s meant to look like Tokyo’s Golden Gai,…
July 11, 2023 Brera Osteria was the first restaurant we dined at in the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas upon arrival. We were pretty exhausted after a long day of rope-dropping the San Diego Zoo, and then a five-hour drive to Las Vegas after that, so we were looking for something, close, easy, delicious, and not too expensive. This restaurant was actually recommended to me by the social media folks at Venetian Resort after I had commented on one of…
Chicago, USA, August 10, 2023 Brian chose the new-ish restaurant Porto for my birthday extravaganza this year. Porto boasts one Michelin star, and it’s super well deserved. I always feel like one-star Michelin places can be really hit or miss, but Porto is a massive hit. The Vibe Immediately upon arrival, you can’t help but notice how incredibly designed this restaurant is. Extraordinary care went into every tiny detail of this place, from the cool wallpaper, to the massive stretch…
San Diego, California July 10, 2023 I was really excited to try this well-reviewed steak house in the Gas Lamp Quarter of San Diego. In fact, I eschewed all Las Vegas steak houses on the second leg of our trip in favor of coming here. That was, unfortunately, a big mistake. The Gas Lamp Quarter is a charming area of downtown San Diego, and there are a ton of restaurants and bars here to check out. The cobblestone streets and…
Coronado, California, USA July 9, 2023 I was excited to try Peohe’s mainly because of the good reviews of the seafood online, as well as the amazing views that being right on the water, right across from San Diego, promised. The views most definitely delivered, but the food was pretty average, at best. There is a free shuttle bus that drives the entire length of Orange Boulevard – the main drag of Coronado, about every 15 minutes during the summer….
July 9, 2023 What’s a weekend on vacation without eating brunch at two different places? On Saturday, after we arrived, we had a delicious lunch at The Henry, which you can read about here. On Sunday, we met my parents for brunch in the Little Italy area of San Diego at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar. I actually found Wolfie’s on a “best of” list on Instagram, and I just had to check this kooky little place out. The space is actually…