Before I said good-bye to Las Vegas, I had to make sure I had one last go at the restaurants I love best and could not get in Denver. Being a simple grease-hound, and considering that Corporate America ensures I have the same chains in every town, the list is short. One, many of you know. The other I am pleased to say is less well known.
Cafe Rio - This is a throwback to my college days that made its wa
y down to Las Vegas (officially) in 2008. For most patrons, there is only one menu item. The chicken salad. A flour tortilla, beans, rice, chicken, romaine, pico, guac, parmesan, and a hint of cilantro. But what makes this salad amazing? The cilantro ranch sauce. As Ferris Buller would say: "I love eating it. If you have the means - I highly recommend picking one up." I am so distraught over missing this one-of-a-kind sauce that I've looked up the recipe from some disaffected Utahn that probably stole it after a fight with management. This is definitely one food I would like to be buried with (topic for a whole other post).
BTW - When you are stuck in the Sheridan WY municipal airport, you are treated to "exfoliating" toilet paper and Johny Cash playing on the audio system. Needless to say, I have that "rough and ready" feeling that only Sheridan's fine facilities could inspire.
Cafe Rio - This is a throwback to my college days that made its wa
y down to Las Vegas (officially) in 2008. For most patrons, there is only one menu item. The chicken salad. A flour tortilla, beans, rice, chicken, romaine, pico, guac, parmesan, and a hint of cilantro. But what makes this salad amazing? The cilantro ranch sauce. As Ferris Buller would say: "I love eating it. If you have the means - I highly recommend picking one up." I am so distraught over missing this one-of-a-kind sauce that I've looked up the recipe from some disaffected Utahn that probably stole it after a fight with management. This is definitely one food I would like to be buried with (topic for a whole other post).BTW - When you are stuck in the Sheridan WY municipal airport, you are treated to "exfoliating" toilet paper and Johny Cash playing on the audio system. Needless to say, I have that "rough and ready" feeling that only Sheridan's fine facilities could inspire.
Cappriotti's - This is a lesser know sandwich shop that has its roots in North East grinders; the true hot sandwich capital of the known Universe. To prove my point, they offer Tasty Cakes, a local favorite of Philladelphians. Their signature sub is basically hot thanksgiving with cranberry sauce on nearly perfect east coast bread. Yes, its all about the bread [I hate you Subway]. But what I love best is the Capistrami. This is your typical hot pastrami, but the twist is that they pile on COLESLAW??? Yes....and it is sooooo goood. This provides a satisfying crunch to the grinder that makes for a variety of textures and flavors creating a unique-tasty and filthy-greasy experience. If you are in Vegas, leave the crap table and go get real with these guys. CAPITAL CITY CUISINE
Garbanzo - My first unique culinary experience was at Garbanzo, a Mediterranean version of Chipotle. I hooked up with pita the size of Egypt, filled, with hummus, lamb, chicken, veggies, some sort of slaw, cilantro sauce and some other sauce. May sound weird, but it was FANTASTIC. I highly recommend this joint.
Pho Fusion - Pronounced "Fuh." For those of you that wish to escape the chain gang of P.F. Chang's, Pei Wei, Pick up sticks and Panda, I
have a great mile-high option. This place serves a massive bowl of pure Asian goodness. The signature dish is Pho, a Vietnamese staple, which is a large bowl of soup, with rice noodles and chicken. It comes out in about 3 minutes, with a side of fresh cilantro, mint, basil, limes, bean sprouts and peppers. Mix what you want in, add in some Hoisen sauce, death-spice red sauce and soy. Makes one eye-watering bowl. (literally, I hit way too much of the red chili pepper sauce and it was a punishing meal). Julie scored the Vietnamese noodle bowl, which essential has the same stuff, but has peanuts and a fish broth. Yes, the fish broth is quite tasty. Once again, if you have the means - do it. Just do it. Is it in you?
have a great mile-high option. This place serves a massive bowl of pure Asian goodness. The signature dish is Pho, a Vietnamese staple, which is a large bowl of soup, with rice noodles and chicken. It comes out in about 3 minutes, with a side of fresh cilantro, mint, basil, limes, bean sprouts and peppers. Mix what you want in, add in some Hoisen sauce, death-spice red sauce and soy. Makes one eye-watering bowl. (literally, I hit way too much of the red chili pepper sauce and it was a punishing meal). Julie scored the Vietnamese noodle bowl, which essential has the same stuff, but has peanuts and a fish broth. Yes, the fish broth is quite tasty. Once again, if you have the means - do it. Just do it. Is it in you? P.S. - I'd like to give a give my bro. Ryan a big congratulatory shout-out on passing his state certification exam. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Way to go Russ, you are a champion.
3 comments:
Fletch, do not be distressed. There's a knock off close by. Have you heard of Costa Vida? Hopefully you're not too much of a Cafe Rio purist, but I think Costa Vida is every bit as good. I think they have the same sauces, but I'm not sure. Let's do lunch some time so I can see your reaction in person!
I'm shocked. If I had known that, I could have spared myself a Friday night in the kitchen. Oh well. Yes, let's do lunch.
I can't believe it. I never thought my family would be betting Pho without supreme resistance. I hope you're getting the good mix with tendon, tripe, cartilage, etc. Otherwise you might as well just Phoget it. Okay, that was so corny.
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