Bouchon Las Vegas, French Restaurant by Thomas Keller, Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Bouchon Las Vegas
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 10101
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 414-6200

GOOGLE MAP

I have wanted to go to Thomas Keller's the French Laundry since I saw Anthony Bordaine go there on his old Food Network show, A COOK'S TOUR, and started learning that this was the number one restaurant in the US, and when I went to NAPA, I ended up going to the number 3 restaurant the BISTRO JEANTY instead and loved it. And then again it was Anthony Bordaine who showed me about Bouchon Las Vegas, but this time on his travel channel show, NO RESERVATIONS. And on the plane ride to Vegas to go to NAB this year I was reading Anthony Bordain's book THE NASTY BITS, which had the article that he was writing about Bouchon when he did the show, and I knew my girlfriend and I had to go. We called at 3 in the afternoon (they are not open for lunch) and got reservations for 9:30 PM. And I recommend you get there early and ask for directions, because the restaurant is quite well hidden away in the new tower, but it is quite nice inside.

Kelly and I got there a few minutes early, and got a table outside in the courtyard next to a fountain. It was a bit overly windy, but quite warm, and an amazing setting. The place is gorgeous. And when you sit down, the menu is a piece of paper wrapped around your napkin, so you can keep it. The wait staff was very good and helpful, and the food was honestly some of the best I have ever had. And the price was quite reasonable. With 1000Ml of wine, and an order of Oysters the dinner for the 2 of us was just under $150 with tip. Quite reasonable for food of this quality. If you are ever in or near vegas, YOU MUST GO TO THIS RESTAURANT NO MATTER WHAT! IT IS AMAZING!!!! Now I have to try THE FRENCH LAUNDRY!!!!

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Bar and Bar food, Las Vegas Nevada

Margaritaville

3555 Las Vegas Blvd. So.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 733-3302

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Honestly, while I have to admit to actually liking a few songs of Buffett's, but really I dragged Kelly here because I was hoping to get one of those meter long Margaritas, to look like an idiot, and walk around Vegas, but unfortunately they didn't have them. Still they did have quite good margaritas, we got the largest order of Nachos I have ever had, and the floor show was at least entertaining.

Bistro Provence, French Restaurant, Burbank, CA

Bistro Provence

345 N. Pass Avenue,

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 840-9050

GOOGLE MAP

I have been reading about this little French Restaurant for some time in Los Angeles Magazine, and decided I finally had to give it a try. It is strangely located in a strip mall in between a Starbucks and a Dry Cleaners with an Albertsons and a Bank of America, and is only about a block from my girlfriend's house, so where better to go for her birthday celebration? Well, maybe The Hungry Cat just spoiled us, but honestly this place seemed only mediocre. Not bad, but not amazing in any way shape or form.

Topz, Hamburger Restaurant, Toluca Lake, CA

Topz
10119 Riverside Dr.
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818) 766-9066

GOOGLE MAP

I had been looking forward to this place, which bills itself as having the LEANEST BURGERS IN AMERICA for a while, since one of the producers I have been working with mentioned it to me. And I have to say I was very disappointed. I was not too impressed at all, though I did like the syrups and formulas you can add to your soda, though they can't be good for you, and don't make up for the unimpressive and borring hamburgers and fries this place serves.

The Italian Fisherman, Italian and Seafood Restaurant, Toluca Lake, CA

10760 Riverside Drive

Toluca Lake, CA 91602

(818) 487-3777

GOOGLE MAPS

Where my girlfriend wanted to eat was closed, so we kept driving down Riverside and saw this place right next to Baja Fresh, and decided to give it a try. I must say whomever wrote the menu did a fantastic job, because when you read it you will want to try everything. Everything sounds amazing, but the thing it is it is all lies. Especially ones like "WE ARE HOME OF THE GREASELESS PIZZA!" because this is damn greasy pizza, and the crust is just nasty. The food was terrible, and it took quite a long time as well. I was so unimpressed that I will never eat here again and tell anyone not to try this either.

Victor's Liquor & Delicatessen, Delicatessen, Hollywood, CA

1915 N. Bronson Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90068-5601

(3230 464-0275

GOOGLE MAP

This place is at the corner of Franklin and Tamarind Ave, and has a liquor store that makes great (if expensive) sandwiches, and is also a restaurant next door with again delicious sandwiches, though the prices are way too high. You have to experience the food though, it is pretty damn good, and the sandwiches are huge (though they should be from $10 to $15).

2005 Brander Chateau Nuef Du Pink, Santa Ynez, CA Ros

After a bottle of the excellent 2005 Torre Quarto Guappo Rose Puglia, Italy at the Hungry Cat, I tried a glass of this second excellent Ros

2005 Torre Quarto Guappo Rose, Puglia, Italy, Ros

We had a bottle of this excellent Ros

Marlborough Sauvingon Blanc 2002, Oyster Bay New Zealand, Wine

Of late I have become a big fan of Sauvingon Blanc's, for the fruity flavors, and lack of wood flavor. I had read about this wine in FODD AND WINE magazine, so I wanted to give it a try. This is a dry wine, but still with some enjoyable fruity flavors.

Berger 2005 Gr

The second bottle we picked up at our new wine store was an Austrian wine, since Kelly's sister Chelsea is a lover of Austrian wine from her trip to Europe. We were told this was similar to savignon blanc, which is a personal favorite, though I found it nothing of the sort. It seemed to have much more cabernet characteristics. I enjoyed it, but was hoping for more fruit flavor. Interestingly this comes in a 1 liter bottle.

Sofia Blanc de Blancs, California 2005, Francis Coppola

A new wine store opened near my house, and as soon as we saw it open my girlfriend and I decided to check it out, and we were quite happy with it, and will be returning soon, so we got a few bottles. This was the first we tried. I have had the Sofia 2004 while in Napa at the Coppola winery and it was my favorite of his wines, so I thought we should try the 2005, and I was not at all disappointed. This is an excellent sparkling wine, and well worth tasting.

Daphne's Greek Cafe

Daphne's Greek Cafe

7100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 130

West Hollywood, CA 90046

(323) 969-8225

Sun-Thur 11am-9pm fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Certainly can't be considered real greek food with the instant rice, and substandard pita bread, but still not that bad in a rush, if only because of the yogurt sauce. This is an OK fast food place, that is probably at least a little healthier than your local burger joint. And this one is at the new best buy/target mall, so if you are looking for a quick bite it won't kill you.

Gordon Biersch, American Food and Brewery, Burbank, CA

Gordon Biersch

145 S. San Fernando Blvd,

Burbank, CA 91502

Sun-Thurs: 11:30 AAm-Midnight Fri-Sat 11:20 AM-1:00AM

GOOGLE MAP

Right in the heart of downtown Burbank, I have been to this restaurant a few times, and wasn't too impressed the first few times, but I must say I really enjoyed my meal this last time. This place is medium priced, and has a decent bar and beer selection, and the service is pretty decent. Not a bad chain restaurant.

Monsier Marcel Pain Vin et Fromage at Farmers market, French Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA

6333 W. 3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 939-7792

Mon-Thu 11:30am-10PM, Fri-Sat, 11:30am-10:30pm, Sun 11am-8:30PM

GOOGLE MAP

Located at the Farmer's Market, so the parking can be a bit hectic, but you get 2 hours free with a meal, this is an excellent French Cheese, and Wine

South Street, Philadelphia Style Cheese Steaks, Burbank, CA

South Street

117 North Victory Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91502

(8180 563-2211

GOOGLE MAP

A quite large restaurant in what was obviously a strip mall at the North West corner of Victory Blvd and Clark Ave, this place has some great food, and is well worth checking out. In fact I can guarantee I will be going here again. Not only is this the best Philly Cheese Steak that I have had in Los Angeles, but the Pizza is pretty damn good thin crust New York style pizza. My only complaint is they seem to have forgotten my order, and so it took way too long, but I will give them a second chance.