Las Vegas Cuisine

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Most folks fuel up at the Vegas buffets….or sit around the tables and slot machines to get drink comps. I like making it through Vegas without pigging out at a buffet (which are getting more expensive, each year). I also like to spend as little time as possible in the casinos to avoid the nicotine stench clinging to my clothes.

Las Vegas is home to some of the most imaginative bars and restaurants. It’s a town that likes to get as close as to your deepest, obscure fantasy. It succeeds most of the time.

I know we were tied up at the Star Trek Convention for most of the weekend – but we got breaks. Inside the ballroom area, all we had was this over-priced Espresso cart…..We ended up spending $5.50 for coffee and a diet pepsi. Shit, Starbuck coffee from a Starbucks Cafe is cheaper than then tar cups they hand out here. On top of that – the dude working at the cart took out his job dissatisfaction on the customers.

My honey and I enjoyed chilling at Quark’s (from DS9) between sessions. During the year, it’s barely full. Granted, the drinks and dishes are pricey, but it’s to be expected from a “themed” establishment. Quark’s get’s high marks on presentation – like this offering for it’s 4 shots special.

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We also ordered a salad, clam chowder and the Borg Sphere. We estimated the Sphere had about 3-5 shots, per person. It tasted like Kool-Aid. I certainly hope somebody from our engagement party this weekend, orders a sphere.

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The Convention kept Quark’s full and busy. We were seated on the “patio” – next to the Promenade stores and crowds. People coming out of the Star Trek Experience kept asking us what drink we had. I felt like a commerical for Quark’s. We should have been comped. Another cool thing about Quark’s – Star Trek characters preyed on the tourists. These actors stayed committed to the characters – no matter what. We were visited by a Borg, Ferengi, Vulcan and a Klignon. The dressed-up fans mixed seamlessly with the actors. I wonder if any of the Star Trek fans made it out to the Strip in costume.

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On our last evening in Vegas, my dad treated us to a yummy Italian dinner at the Flamingo Hilton. Ventuno Ristorante had this yummy Lobster Ravioli dish. The cream sauce was nearly overwhelming in it’s richness. The lobster filling rounded out the meal and complimented the sauce. We also had some fried calamri – with a spicy kick. I had Limonchella for desert – fermented lemon alcohol. Oh so good. I kept ordering these in Italy and I got hooked. Frances May in “Under the Tuscan Sun” had a shot of Limonchella during her beach-side meal in Positano. It’s too sweet for most folks, including my dad and Mark. But I enjoy the citrus sweetness offset by the tang from the sour lemon rinds.