Cheer Up With Food

After driving pass by  Herbs & Rye  for many years I finally went in to see what all the hype was about this place.  They serve classic cocktails that were popular during the Prohibition Era and before that time like the Gothic Age (unknown-1865) and Golden Age (1865-1900): Here's an example of of some of the drinks: I loved all the drinks they made, wasn't disappointed with any of them: Herbs & Rye also serves Italian food like  flatbreads , pasta, and  they're known for the steaks they cook, I'll try some next time!  I only had the appetite to drink: I really enjoyed my time here especially the atmosphere of a " speakeasy feel".  They get busy during the weekends so if you plan to dine in, make a reservation !

If you're craving for some authentic Mexican food, I recommend eating at Tacos El Gordo (they have a few locations in town): Just half of the menu.  Red meat and organs are mainly served here! I remember getting Sopes  (on the top middle and right). Eating sopes are quite messy, but so worth it! Also everyone is given a side of cooked green onions and pepper (top left)   Since my non-eating meat husband was with us, his classmate asked a cook  if he could remove the carne from the Carne Asada Fries .  All this sour cream, guacamole, and cheese was already filling without the carne!  Another great thing about Tacos El Gordo (the one on The Strip) is that it's open 24/7!

My fiancé and I were craving to try a cuisine that we've never ate before and later agreed to eat Ethiopian food!  We've read great reviews about  Merkato  Ethiopian Cafe and decided to check it out ourselves.   The staff was very kind to us and shared interesting info about  Ethiopian  cuisine.  On the top left of this photo are rolled pieces of sourdough/crepe like bread called injera .  Ethiopians eat this bread with everything.  Injera's flour is made of teff , a grain thats only grown in Ethiopia.  Even though injera's taste is similar to sourdough bread, the teff gave quite a uniqueness to it.  We shared this huge platter (tip- one entrée can feed two).  Neither of us asked what the items were on here called, but I recognized some lentils, salad, collards, and split peas: Vegetarian Combo - Amazing After we ate we saw one of the workers prepare for a traditional coffee ceremony .  We were so intrigued that we ...

Blue Martini  @ Town Square is my favorite place for martinis, hence their name!  There's an assortment of martinis to choose from their menu so you're bound to find a specialty martini that suites to your own liking!  As for me, I like Mango Madness -  Van Gogh Mango Vodka, Roses Mango, and a splash of pineapple juice... I'm a tropical gal ;] If you plan to get a table there with table service and want to order vodka, I recommend the  Van Gogh  Blue Triple Wheat Vodka.  It's really smooth and has no slight sour after taste!

If you're a burger lover, I definitely recommend  Bachi Burger .  They're not like other specialty burger places in Las Vegas because their burgers have an Asian/Hawaiian twist to it!   Nice condiment set! Since it was my first time there, I asked my friends what I should get. They all said to try the  Ronin Burger because it's very juicy.  That description grossed me out because juicy to me = fatty goodness, but they didn't mean it as in fat they meant as in flavor.  So I ordered it and ate the fastest out of everyone...It was wonderful!  It comes   in a sweet bread bun, topped with caramelized onions, Japanese cole slaw, miso goma dressing, fried egg, katsu BBQ, and yuzu citrus aioli on the side.   I noticed on the bottom of the menu a note that said all the burgers come from cows that were only grass fed (its what's they're only supposed to eat, not corn!).  That made my day, I haven't had that kind of beef in a loon...

On our night out, we first went to Ichiza.  Every time I come here it takes a while for me to decide what to eat because their menu is huge! Its on a piece of paper of course and all over the walls... These are some of the foods we shared:                                                                           Agedashi Tofu   Spider Roll Okra with  nattō  -  its soybeans fermented in Bacillus subtilis (good bacteria).  After I told the waitress I wanted to try this, she insisted me to not try it because other customers who have ordered it cannot stand the smell and don't even eat it.  I told her that it was alright and was willing to try it.  She said, "Ok..." reluctantly and left.  When the okra with nattō came it didn't smell odd to me. ...