Dona Maria Tamales

Location: 910 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Website: http://www.donamariatamales.com/
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What I loved:
1. Jumbo Lime Margarita
2. Churizo Burrito

What could be better:
Too heavy.. too much beans and rice. The tamale was not as great as advertised to be honest.

Interesting Bit:
Down the road from Pawn Stars...yes 2 minute walking distance.

Complimentary: the salsa was hot and yummy!

Jumbo Lime Margaritas

One Large Chimichanga

(From left to right) Tamal, Churizo Burrito, Enchilada

Serendipity

Location: Ceasefire's Palace, Las Vegas
Website: http://www.serendipity3.com/
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What I loved:
Ahi Tuna was cooked well and the salad was very fresh.
What could be better:
1. Spaghetti and meatballs were disappointing, it was very dry and the meatballs were on teh salty side.
2. Timing!!!!!! The drink came out fast, the spaghetti came out soon after... then we sat for ages for the ahi tuna when the server orginally had told us we would have to wait for our pasta.
3. When service was present, the servers were all friendly and always smiling. HOWEVER... they all seem to disappear at the same time.. and appear at the same time....

Interesting Bit:
Famous for their Frozen Hot Chocolate (below)

 Frozen Hot White Chocolate

 Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ahi Tuna

Picasso

Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas
Website: http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/picasso.aspx
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What I loved:
1. The scallop was cooked to perfection! The juices were sealed in yet the crusty seared top and bottom provided a nice texture.
2. For fois gras lovers... this was done very well, the juice just burst in your mouth!
3.Wine pairing was worth every drop! It accentuated the flavours of each course!

Interesting Bit:
 All paintings hanging in the restaurant are original Picasso Paintings. The restaurant is also behind the Bellagio fountains so if you sit by the window you get a fountain show during your dinner as well!

NOTE: They have a few set menus you can choose from the link below will send you to the menu we chose which was $128 per person:
http://www.bellagio.com/files/restaurants/picasso-degustation-menu.pdf

Wine Pairing was for an additional price of $68 per person, if you have a passion for wine or an aspiring wine connoisseur their sommeliers are knowledgable, friendly and very eager to give you interesting  information of the windery of each pairing which augments the whole dining expierience.

 Complimentary: Potatoe leek soup (left), smoked salmon with caviar and quail egg with minced green onion (right)

 Talk about branding...this is your butter for your bread

 First Course: Maine Lobster Salad

 Second Course: Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat Scallop

Third Course: Sautéed Steak of "A" Foie Gras

Main Course: Sautéed Filet of Halibut

Main Course: Kobe Filet Mignon

Note: If you order this there is a surcharge of $40.00

Side vegtables with the Kobe Filet Mignon

Peanut Butter Mousse Timbale

 Trio of Meyer Lemon, Vanilla and Raspberry

 

Complimentary dish of sweets

 And when you thought you could not possibly eat anything else...

on your way out you get a gift box with mini banana muffins in it (per person)

In and out Burger

Location: 4888 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas
Website: http://www.in-n-out.com/
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What I loved:
1. Simple menu!
2. Animal Fries!

What could be better:
Caloric count....something this greasy goodness cannot possibly have a low caloric count....

Interesting Bit:
They have a Not-So-Secret Menu which includes a burger order called protein style...*hint* you do not get bread.

 Animal Fries

 Cheeseburger, animal fries and sweet tea

Cheese Cake Factory

Location:1 Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga, NY
Website:http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/Cheesecake/
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What I loved:
1. PORTIONS ARE HUGE
2. The Ritz Martini (now off the menu but I was able to still order)

What could be better:
Waiting time... I've gone to three different locations (Las Vegas, Anahiem, Buffalo) all have ridiculdious wait times.

Interesting Bit:
First store opened in Detriot, USA.

Crispy Taquitos

Pasta Carbonara (you can add chicken)

Spicy Meat Pizza

 

Ultimate Red Velvet Cake...Cheesecake (it`s with white chocolate cheesecake)

Jolibee

Location: 3890 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Website: http://www.jollibeeusa.com/
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What I loved:
1. Part of my heritage
2. I have gone to Jolibee in three different countries and I will be honest the taste and portions are exactly the same. (1. Ong Pin, Phillippines 2. Central District, Hong Kong 3. Las Vegas, USA)

What could be better:
Bigger portions!

Interesting Bit:
Jolibee is actually a bigger deal than McDonald's in the Philippines...statistically not quite sure..but in my heart it is!! You need to have grown up with it to apprecaite it.

 Fiesta Noodles and Chicken Joy, pineapple juice (above)

 Burger Steak with egg (left), Milkfish belly with garlic rice (right)

Earl's Kitchen & Bar

Location: 40 Colossus Drive, Woodbridge
Website: http://www.earls.ca/
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What I loved:
1. The wine, clam chowder, peanutbutter chocolate cup
2. While you wait for your table they do offer adults sparkling wine in flute glasses on the house. Nice and unexpected which is always appreciated by customers.

What could be better:
1. Steak was cooked well done - asked for medium

Interesting Bit: Known for their Burgers.

**Wine Recommendation**

According to the menu...this is exclusive to Earl`s

(Yes I have taken upon myself to search for this bottle at LCBO)

Clam Chowder Soup ($7)

Feature soup - pepper with avocado ($7)

Bourbon Mushroom 7 oz Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin ($24.50)

Dungeness crab and Asparagus Pasta ($$ )

Peanutbutter Chocolate Cup ($$)

180 Panorama

Location: 51st Floor, 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto, M4W 1A5 (Manulife Centre)
Website: http://www.panoramalounge.com/
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What I loved:
1. The view definitely is amazing!
2. Food

What could be better:
The quality of the seats are not that comfortable... We started off on the dinner setting tables (these chairs were uncomfortable) we ended up choosing a lounge like table - two love seats and a coffee table (you literally sank, so comfort level when eating was minimal)

Interesting Bit: The hot entrees below can be ordered as a tappas portion size. You must also indicate at the time of making reservations if you would like to be there for dinner or drinks, it will make a big difference in your seating arrangements. As well there is a cover charge if you go later into the evening as the place is considered a lounge.

Note: We ordered the whole hot menu and I believe 1-2 cold menu. I don`t believe we got to the dessert menu as you can see, we ordered a ridiculous amount of food for a party of five. What you see is the second round of plates already (I forgot to take a picture of the first round)

`

Entrees (top to bottom)

Baked  Halibut in a Herbed Panko Crust ($29)

Pan Roasted Chicken Supreme ($29)

Seared Beef Tenderloin Medallion ($34)

Moto Sushi

Location: 4901 Yonge St, Toronto, M2N 5N4 (North of Sheppard Ave)

Website: http://www.sushimoto.ca/

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What I loved:

1. Tempura Moriwase, Beef Enoki Roll ($9.95), boats

2. Worksmanship on the sashimi cuts and sushi

3. Free noodle appetizer each person gets, such a simple soup and noodle app but soooo good!

What could be better:

1. Pricing could be better as you can see the pricing is on the expensive side however the value is definitely there!

Interesting Bit:

This place is just north of Le Grande movie theatre, if the streets are full you can always swing into the parking garage under Le Grande.

        Small combination ($39.95)

     16 pcs sashimi, 12 pcs nigiri sushi, 12 pcs maki sushi  

Small Sashimi 25 pcs ( $25.95)

                                                            Tempura Moriwase ($24.95)
                                         Crispy lobster, soft shell crab, shrimp, vegetables

4 Rolls

Note: Unfortunately I do not remember exactly these rolls were, however they generally have really good rolls and as you can see presentation is a must.

 one of their Sake Martinis

 

 Beef Enoki Roll ($6.95)

 Hea Dup Pap Dinner ($15.95)

Chicken Teriyaki Dinner ($16.95)

Bier Markt

Location: 7 O`Neill Rd, Toronto, M3C 0H2 (Shops on Don Mills)
Website: http://www.thebiermarkt.com/
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What I loved:
1. Chef`s Cut, Schnitzel, Veal Francese, Oyster Tower ...
2. Endless list of beer choices
3. The live music is always great!

What could be better:
1. Steak Frites was good but Chef`s Cut steak was alot better.
2. The fondue on the menu is not as good as the fondue festival menu particularly the Lobster & Brie Fondue is amazing.

Interesting Bit: Thursdays evenings they have beer sampler and an appetizer sampler...every week.

 Friday`s Special: Chef`s Cut

 Sea Scallops & King Prawns ($32)

 

Side Order: Bacon Mac & Cheese  ($9)

 Belgium Jupiler (Exclusive to Bier Markt)

 They call it the Hobbit Beer..but it is called Urthel

 Wednesday's Special: Veal Francese ($23)

 Scallops & Asparagus ($17)

 Steak Frites ($35)

 Oyster Towel (1/2 Dozen - $18)

 Schnitzel ($24)

Roasted Beet ($19)