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I just came back from Las Vegas, a city that truly has two different personalities.
One night, I had an extraordinary dinner at one of the restaurants in the Wynn Hotel -- Bartollata Ristorante di Mare where chef, Paul Bartolatta, pays tribute to Italian cuisine. He does amazing things with seafood, which he has flown in daily from European fish markets and serves in the most simple way. Amazingly fresh seafood was the last thing I expected to eat in the Nevada desert, so it was a great surprise.
Just as surprising was the meal that I had another night at the complete opposite end of the dining spectrum. Whenever I go to a new city I seek out little mom and pop ethnic restaurants, because when you are tired of the glitz and hype of a big city it's a great way to seek out something real. Mamacita's Mexican & Cuban Restaurant (611 East Fremont Street) didn't disappoint. It's one of those funny little places that has Christmas lights up all year, but I had the best tacos there -- 4-inch tortillas with pulled pork, raw chopped onion, jalapenos, and chopped tomatoes. They didn't even roll them for you -- they came on a tray with a pile of napkins. On the table there were two super spicy salsas and lemon. That was it, but it was incredible. Just as appealing was the real conversation about food that I had with the people who worked there.
Have you discovered any unexpected off-the-beaten-track eateries you love to tell people about? If so, share your stories here at "The Continental Chef."
One night, I had an extraordinary dinner at one of the restaurants in the Wynn Hotel -- Bartollata Ristorante di Mare where chef, Paul Bartolatta, pays tribute to Italian cuisine. He does amazing things with seafood, which he has flown in daily from European fish markets and serves in the most simple way. Amazingly fresh seafood was the last thing I expected to eat in the Nevada desert, so it was a great surprise.
Just as surprising was the meal that I had another night at the complete opposite end of the dining spectrum. Whenever I go to a new city I seek out little mom and pop ethnic restaurants, because when you are tired of the glitz and hype of a big city it's a great way to seek out something real. Mamacita's Mexican & Cuban Restaurant (611 East Fremont Street) didn't disappoint. It's one of those funny little places that has Christmas lights up all year, but I had the best tacos there -- 4-inch tortillas with pulled pork, raw chopped onion, jalapenos, and chopped tomatoes. They didn't even roll them for you -- they came on a tray with a pile of napkins. On the table there were two super spicy salsas and lemon. That was it, but it was incredible. Just as appealing was the real conversation about food that I had with the people who worked there.
Have you discovered any unexpected off-the-beaten-track eateries you love to tell people about? If so, share your stories here at "The Continental Chef."
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