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Puesto – San Diego, CA

Being in California, I wanted to make sure I had fresh, authentic Mexican food. I found Puesto not far from the hotel I was staying at, pretty close to the bay. When I glanced over their menu I saw they use all natural meats, the make fresh tortillas, and homemade salsa so I knew this was the authentic food I was seeking.

I sat by the kitchen so I could watch them make the homemade tortillas on their grill. They make corn and flours versions. They make it look so easy.

I started off with a sangria that used all fresh juices.

I also made sure to order their salsa and guacamole since they are made fresh. The salsa was fire roasted which gave it a unique flavor compared to the typical salsa I find at Mexican restaurants. When salsa is roasted it adds an extra layer of smokiness to the tomatoes. I love fresh made guacamole too because there are always nice chunks of creamy avocado in it. They added a nice amount of cilantro to the mixture which gave it a kick of added flavor.

Puesto offers a unique selection of tacos that can be ordered individually or mix and matched. I could not decided on just one so I tried three:

Carnitas
Zucchini and Cactus
Tuna Asada

The carnitas was my favorite. The pork was juicy and pulled part easily with a fork. The flavor is what made this taco stand out the most. The tuna asada had nice large pieces but was cooked well done so there was no pink left. The larger pieces of tuna made it a little more difficult to eat as a taco but as pieces fell out I just picked up a fork. I certainly did not want to waste any tuna. I went for the zucchini and cactus taco because it was an ingredient combination I have never seen before. The cactus had a similar texture as the zucchini. The flavor was not anything unusual and it paired well with the cheese they added to the taco. If you like veggies, this would be a great taco for you.

I would definitely want to go back to Puesto so that I could try their other taco options. Whether you need a quick bite or want to sit back for a while, Puesto is a good spot – especially with seating options both inside or outside. You can see their menu at www.eatpuesto.com

Enjoy!

Stripsteak – Las Vegas, NV

One of the newest steakhouses in Las Vegas is Stripsteak located at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. This is the first steakhouse for award winning chef Michael Mina. The restaurant is warm and inviting and it is extremely important that you have a reservation, otherwise the wait will be long.

My table started off with a few appetizers while we waited for the rest of the group to join us. The Maine lobster tacos are a must try. They were mixed with grilled pineapple chunks, avocado cream, and cilantro.

They also offered French fries with different seasonings: sea salt, garlic, and truffle. These fries were addicting.

I got the 10 ounce filet mignon. They wood fire their steaks. The meat had a great smoky taste and the little drizzle of melted butter on top added a slight salty flavor. The steak came with a small bite of a homemade cornbread like bread that was sweet and a nice surprise to the plate.

The sides were designed to be shared. It was not hard for the table to agree on what to order. The creamed spinach topped with bacon was a must because what doesn’t taste better with bacon.

The other choice was the black truffle mac and cheese. It was extremely rich because of the cheese but it was delicious. The truffles added an earthy taste to each bite.

The meal was totally filling so I skipped dessert this time. I would definitely go back to try one of their other steak varieties. Check out their menu at www.mandalaybay.com

Enjoy!

Greystone – San Diego, CA

When looking for the hot spots in San Diego, the Gas Lamp District is where all the action takes place. There are so many bars and restaurants to choose from. If you are hungry for steak and seafood the Greystone will be a great option.

One of the great things about being in San Diego is all the fresh seafood at your fingertips. Starting off with a chilled seafood platter sounded like an excellent idea. The platter consisted of crab legs & claws, shrimp cocktail, small lobster tails, and fresh raw oysters. I love chilled crab claws. The meat is tender and sweet. It is such a treat to get to have them. Fresh shrimp with a spicy cocktail sauce is also a great way to start a meal.

Since I do not care for raw oysters, I tried the Oyster Rockefeller with sautéed spinach, bacon, and a dill sauce on top. Greystone makes an amazing Oyster Rockefeller, probably the best I have ever had. The flavor of their dill sauce paired well with the spinach and the crunchy, salty bacon added extra texture to the oyster. It was just an appetizer but it could easily be a whole meal.

It was recommended that I try the filet mignon and the lobster tail for dinner. It sounded like a lot of food but the filet was only 6 ounces so it would be just the right portion size. It also came with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.

The filet was extremely tender and had a nice salty flavor. The temperature of the steak was cooked exactly how I like it – medium, allowing for each bite was juicy. While I enjoyed my filet the star of the dish was the lobster tail. The meat was supple and sweet. With just a drizzle of butter on top, the lobster melted in my mouth. I was so glad I decided to order lobster!

They had a lovely assortment of desserts on the menu but I had eaten way too much to try anything. I highly recommend visiting Greystone. Check out their menu at http://www.greystonesteakhouse.com/

Enjoy!

Jackson’s – Homewood, AL

There is an area of Birmingham called SoHo and this is where I found Jackson’s. I got there in between the lunch and dinner crowds, so it was easy to get a seat.

I was not that hungry for a full meal but I did have munchies. They had a spinach dip on the menu that they called Verde Dip. It was loaded with garlic and the spinach was chopped up very fine, which made it much easier to eat. My server did mention that this dip was one of the more popular items on the menu.

They had a seasonal side dish on the menu that currently was brussel sprouts. These also were recommended because of how they are prepared. They are roasted in the wood fire oven in a cast iron skillet. They are chopped up in smaller pieces as compared to just cut in half. This preparation allowed for more crispy edges.

To top off these great appetizers, I ordered the Sangria, made with fresh juices. It was the perfect thirst quencher for a hot summer afternoon.

The wait staff was very welcoming at Jackson’s and they told me all about their Sunday brunch menu. I will definitely be adding them to my list to head back to. If you’re in the mood for great drinks and good food, check out Jackson’s. Make sure you ask them about their pigeon mascot Ralph!

www.jacksonsbarandbistro.com

Enjoy!

Sage – Las Vegas, NV

Located inside the Aria Hotel is Sage. They have an eclectic menu that changes based on what ingredients are available. The restaurant has a very intimate feel with low lights and candles.

They have an extensive wine assortment which is evident by the bottles in wine racks on the walls. They also have several fun creative cocktails on a separate menu. I ordered the cotton candy martini as did a few other friends I was dining with. The presentation was extremely fun. The beautiful etched wine glass came filled with cotton candy. Then the waiter poured the drink over it, melting the cotton candy right away. The drink was for sure sweet.

Another creative drink was a cucumber cooler – which was made with tequila and had salt on the rim. It was basically a cucumber margarita on the rocks. If you like tequila then this drink would be for you.

The dinner menu was broken down into courses. For smaller portions you could order a starter and then a main dish. If you were really hungry you could order 2-3 starters and a main dish. I went smaller because I wanted to save room for dessert.

I started with the artichoke salad. It was unique and certainly not something I see very many menus. It came with Mandarin oranges and feta cheese crumbles topped with a creamy dressing. I thought the flavor pairing was great but it may be too salty for some people.

For my main dish I got jumbo sea scallops. They were sautéed perfectly with a great brown auju type sauce that added extra flavor to each bite of scallop.

For dessert I got homemade bread pudding and a scoop of their homemade ice cream. The presentation was beautiful on the plate. The size was perfect, no need to share. The ice cream was so creamy and when it melted over the warm bread pudding it created a delicious sauce.

There are a plethora of restaurants to choose from in Las Vegas, so if you need help narrowing it down, I recommend Sage. Make sure you call ahead and make reservations because they will fill up quickly.

www.aria/com/en/restaurants/sage

Enjoy!

MB Post – Manhattan Beach, CA

A delicious restaurant I visited while in Manhattan Beach was MB Post. It’s a very happening place. You can sit at your table and watch the hustle and bustle in the kitchen. All the dishes here were small portions that made sharing easy.

They have a long list of hand crafted cocktails to choose from. I started with a Moscow Mule; it wasn’t on the menu but I had confidence that the bartender could make it. I also did this because I needed more time to determine what other creation to try.

The waitress informed me that MB Post is famous for their Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits. Naturally I knew I had to try these. They came with a maple butter on the side; I just tasted a little of it on the biscuit because I thought they were perfect on their own. They were salty from the cheese and bacon and the biscuit itself was light and fluffy. These would be perfect in the morning for breakfast. My suggestion is to get a few to go so that you can warm them up in the morning.

A great appetizer that was ordered was the Mycella Blue cheese plate. It paired nicely with cocktails. The cheese also came with a side of locally made honey. I’ve never combined the two before but I am glad I tried it. The sweetness of the honey took away some of the bite of the blue cheese.

It was now time to work on some main dishes and sides to share with the table. The Grilled Skirt Steak tempted the table and it came on a bed of grilled broccolini. The steak was very tender and had a spicy red chimichurri sauce on top. This sauce gave each bite a huge kick. The heat definitely lingered in my mouth for a while. If you do not like spice but love steak, just tell them to leave off the sauce.

Being in California I wanted to make sure I had fish. The Albacore Tuna Tataki was a great choice. The tuna was cooked medium – where it was pink on the inside but not rare. It was light and flakey. It paired really well with the grilled asparagus that came with it.

For the sides I knew I could not pass up Roasted Brussel Sprouts and fresh green beans. The Brussel Sprouts had a nice char on them that added smoky flavor. The green beans were cooked with large chunks of bacon and topped with peanuts for added crunch. Both of these veggies went well with steak and tuna.

While dessert was tempting, I decided to try another cocktail. Based on the ingredients it sounded like it would be sweet like a dessert. They called this drink, “Gift of the Gods”. In addition to the whiskey, it contained cinnamon, Asian pear, and vanilla foam. It was so refreshing. It was the perfect ending to a satisfying meal.

If you are headed to Manhattan Beach check out MB Post. You can check out their menu at www.eatmbpost.com because it seems to change daily based on ingredients the chef has available.

Enjoy!

Savage’s Bakery – Homewood, AL

This cute, old fashioned family bakery is in the downtown area of Homewood. They were founded in 1939 but they have made Homewood their home since the 1950s.

As soon as you walk in through the door you are greeted with the smell of sweetness in the air. You know right away each item is made from scratch right there in the back. It was all the desserts that caught my attention. They had everything from cookies, cakes, pies, and pastries.

I saw petit fours in the case so I was naturally inclined to order those but right when I was about to order I saw their chocolate éclairs. They was calling to me and I knew I had to have one. The pastry dough was light and airy. There was so much cream in the middle that as I took a bite it squeezed out the sides in all directions. I have never had an éclair with that generous amount of filling. The chocolate on top was soft and creamy. I could tell it was fresh because of just how soft it was.

Since I only stopped in to satisfy my sweet tooth, I did not get to sample any of their fresh breads and biscuits. The biscuit sandwiches looked great and a different take on a ham and cheese or roast beef sandwich. Their fresh breads must also make the best grilled cheese sandwiches or even a peanut butter and jelly. I am making sure that I come back for lunch and pick up another dessert.

Check out what they excel at on their website www.savagesbakery.com. Don’t plan on going on Sunday’s because they are closed.

Enjoy!

Grille 29 – Birmingham, AL

I have really started enjoying brunch on Sunday afternoons. This time I wanted to try Grille 29.

One of the reasons this place made the list was their $3 mimosas. You can’t have brunch without a mimosa. If you are interested in something a little more salty and spicy they do offer a gourmet Bloody Mary. There was so much going on with this drink (including the Cajun shrimp) there was no need for a second one.

They had fresh made deviled eggs that were perfect for sharing. They had a dill taste along with hints of truffle oil. They were topped with a crispy piece of prosciutto. That little crunch added a nice touch.

They had many different options to choose from on the brunch menu. I had to try the Grand Marnier French toast. The bread was cooked perfectly – two large pieces of Texas toast that were crispy around the edges and soft in the center. The Grand Marnier anglaise came on the side so I could dip each piece of toast as I took a bite. I knew this dish was going to be sweet so I made sure my side item was the red roasted potatoes. This added a necessary flavor balance to my meal.

If you are in the mood for brunch then Grille 29 is the place for you. Visit their website at: http://www.grille29.com/

Enjoy!

Carbone – Las Vegas, NV

If you have been to New York City then you have probably heard of Carbone – an Italian restaurant serving up delicious pasta. Well Carbone has a restaurant inside the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas.

Their menu is large but each dish is meant to be shared family style. While looking over the menu, the server will bring the table an assortment of breads (everything from garlic bread to pizza bread), fresh sliced pepperoni, chopped cauliflower marinated in a vinegar sauce, and fresh-cut parmesan cheese. The options are enough to fill you up if you are not careful.

Their homemade minestrone soup sounded good, even though it was almost 115 degrees outside. When the soup was presented, a bowl with all the pasta and vegetables was placed in front of me; then my server poured the broth into the bowl. It was a great way to keep the broth hot before getting to the table.

The table shared two pasta dishes. The first was a vodka sauce penne. According to our server, this was one of their most popular pasta dishes. The sauce was very cream and had a generous helping of grated parmesan cheese on top. What I wasn’t expecting was the heat. There were a few crushed red chili flakes in the sauce that gave each bite a kick.

The second dish was the lobster mac and cheese, because who doesn’t love mac and cheese; throw in lobster and you have a party going on in your mouth. The cheese sauce was extremely rich and creamy. The added texture from the large chunks of lobster helped break up the cheese overload.

The table decided just to stick with two pastas because the dessert cart was calling our names. Each dessert was a beautiful presentation of editable art.

The carrot cake had a spiral design on the outside and the cream cheese icing was layered between each slice.

The chocolate cake topped with ice cream was heavenly. If you are a chocolate lover then this dessert is a must.

No Italian meal would be complete without cheesecake. They made a lemon cheesecake that was sweet and tart with a refreshing after-taste. The desserts were large enough to share and allows for everyone to get a taste of everything.

If you are hungry for Italian while in Sin City, make reservations for Carbone. Check out their menu at www.aria.com/restaurants

Enjoy!

Rock’N Fish – Manhattan Beach, CA

A picture perfect visit to California has to include watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a wonderful meal. That is exactly the experience I received when I visited Rock’N Fish in Manhattan Beach.

This place was clearly a hot spot because as soon as I walked in I saw lines of people at the bar and every table was full. I was so glad to have a reservation. My table was upstairs, away from the big crowds; there was a cool balcony that let me look down at the restaurant below.

It was recommended that I try the coconut crusted Mahi sliders. These sliders were so good. The Mahi was light and flaky and it paired well with the crunchy sweet breading. There was only a hint of coconut so it was not over-powering. The mango slaw that was on top of the fish was perfect. I could have eaten that just by itself. It also added an additional sweet taste to each bite.

For my main dish I went for the seared wild Ahi tuna. It came with Jasmine rice and Szechuan green beans. The combination of flavors had those Asian influences that I enjoyed tremendously. The tuna was cooked to perfection keeping the inside pink but a grilled outer layer. It was served with a red wine sauce that was great to dip the tuna in.

I made sure that I saved enough room for dessert. I was told that their sticky toffee pudding was a must have. It came out nice and warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It was the perfect ending to the meal. It was also the perfect size for sharing.

If you are in Manhattan Beach and you want some awesome seafood, check them out. www.rocknfishrestaurants.com

Enjoy!

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Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

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