Kabuto Edomae Sushi… Nigiri, Yoroi or Kabuto course?

Kabuto Edomae Sushi

5040 W. Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV

(702) 676-1044

Kabutolv.com

Even with no sign, Las Vegas sushi restaurant prospers
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/restaurants/even-no-sign-las-vegas-sushi-restaurant-prospers

Kabuto is a minimalists dream... From the decor to the sushi.  And the sushi being minimal doesn't mean it lacks on taste.  This place is truly amazing and will be appreciated by any sushi lover!

There are no signs outside and just a sliver of a window which makes it so interesting that you just need to know what's inside.

A small glimpse of the small dining room inside.

This restaurant is really unique in that they serve aperitif sake which they make in-house.  I've never had this before and it was literally the best sake I've ever had in my life!!  They also serve 3-year-old imported artisan shoyu (soy sauce)... I hardly used any, but from the little I used the flavor was amazing!!
I literally felt like I was taken to Japan to the most authentic sushi dinners that I've ever had a chance to experience.
Kabuto servces 3 pre set courses; 1 nigiri, 1 yoroi and 1 kabuto.  We all went with the nigiri, but I kind of wish that I would've went for yoroi since they had some cooked dishes I would have liked to try as well!
Also we went with a group of 4 and sat at a table… I really wish we would have sat at the sushi bar just for the experience alone!

Aperitif Sake (lime flavor), we also ordered another one later and they served us Fiji Apple
YUM YUM YUM!!

Octopus Sashimi

Tuna, Cornet, Spotted Knifejaw

Hon-maguro Chu-Toro, Red Rock cod, Black Sea Perch, Young Yellowtail, Sweet Omlet

Kamashita Fatty Tuna, Hon-Maguro Triangle

Sweet Shrimp (live), Striped Pig, Cherry Stone Clam

Oysters

Scallop (live), Coastal Trevally and I don't remember the rest :(

Homemade Green Tea Ice Cream

This has literally GOT to be one of the best sushi experiences I have EVER had!!!  Do not miss a chance to go to this place when you're in Vegas!  They are also planning on opening in California and I really hope it happens soon!  Blogging about this place is making me REALLY miss their sushi!

XO Drea

The Roger Room… My favorite bar in LA!

The Roger Room
370 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90048
(310) 854-1300
http://www.therogerroom.com

The intersection of Dive and Swank
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/fashion/10Boite.html?_r=0

So this is the first libations only blog post… I'm not huge on going to bars, but when I do decide to go this has got to be my all time favorite place to go to in LA.  I think I'm going to have to make it a point to visit a new bar at least once a month.  What do you think?

When going out for drinks I love my bars small, dark, sexy and with a good drink selection!  I love fancy cocktails and lately anything with egg!!  The Roger Room is everything that I'm looking for!
It's pretty hidden with no sign outside.  It can get really busy on the weekends, so my favorite time to go is during the week when you can sit at the bar talk to the bartenders and enjoy one of their amazing cocktails!  If you love speak easy's this is most definitely the place for you!
If you guys haven't tried a drink with egg white, please try it!!  I promise you won't be disapponited!! 

 

This is the view when you walk into the bar… Like I said small, dark and sexy!!

I love love love the bartender's outfits!!  

Tijuana Brass (Tres Reyes Blanco, Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Cucumber Foam) and we had them add Jalapeno for a little kick / D. F. 68 (Milagro Reposado, Cold Pressed Apple Juice, Lemon Juice, Jalapeno)
This was pretty funny cause my girlfriend ordered the drink on the left and I ordered the drink on the right.  She HATES eggs and when I mean HATES she hates anything even knowing there may be an egg in it!  We ended up trading which I was totally happy about cause I've never tried that drink before and it was amazing!!!

 

The Roger Room

YES!!  I love you!

 

So it seems as though I'm going to be on a hunt for more places like this in LA and the other cities I'm in!  Please please please let me know of some of your favorite bars or lounges so that I can go and check them out!!!

XO Drea 

DW… Best carrot cake of my life!!!

DW Bistro
6115 S. Fort Apache Rd., #112, Las Vegas, NV  89148
(702) 529-5200

http://dwbistro.com/

DW Bisto - First bites
http://www.eatinglv.com/2010/11/dw-bistro-first-bites/

More eats from Vegas…
So I was trying to jam pack all this food into my Vegas trip and I really wanted to try DW Bistro since I'd heard so many good things about it… The only thing is, I really wanted to do brunch but didn't think I had time so I opted for a bday lunch on Friday.  We got a group of 6 people together so we definitely ordered a bunch and shared everything!
DW Bistro is not on or near the strip… It's actually in Summerlin which is where I normally stay so a lot of the restaurants I go to are out here.
One thing I really love about Vegas is it has some fantastic food options on or off the strip!

Raspberry Ginger Fizz (grey goose vodka mixed w/ fresh Farmers Market raspberries muddled with fresh mint and ginger syrup topped with Jamaican ginger beer)
It was my bday so I had to drink, right??  This was good, but a little sweet for my taste so I decided to try one more drink :)

Delicioso (Barsol Pisco and Orchid Guava Liqeuer mixed with agave nectar and fresh squeezed lime juice)
This was yummy and at this point I was pretty tipsy... Do you see the size of these drinks?!

Chicken Flautas w/ fresh lime infused sour cream, queso fresco, and pico de gallo, served atop avacado tamatillo sauce
This was super yummy!

DW spanish chorizo w/ shrimp - sauteed chorizo and roasted garlic, fresh tomato, shimp and basil in lemon beurre blanc, served w/ lavash
WOW this flavor!!  I litereally wanted a spoon and we asked for extra bread!  This was my favorite app!!! 

Pan-seared salmon w/ sauteed seasonal veggies, finished with beurrec blanc over rice
I'm a sucker for salmon and this was one thing I kept going back to for more bites!

This was the special for the day... Trout with couscous

Jamaican chicken curry, seasonal sauteed veggies served over couscous
This was pretty dang good too!

Classic braised short rib sandwich served on ciabatta w/ jalapeno bacon and horseradish cream

Couscous salad w/ jerk seared ahi, fresh pesto, goat cheese and baby heirloom tomatoes

New Mexian-style slow-cooked pork simmered in New Mexican red chile with 2 over easy eggs served over rice
I have to say I was super excited about this dish, my friends have raved about it before... So I don't know if it was the day or what it was but I wasn't super impressed :(

Jamaican style carrot cake
THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST CARROT CAKE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!!  I litterally have been craving it since I had it... Oh and not to mention I went back for brunch the next day and had it again!!!

So I found more time over the weekend and I found myself back here just to try the brunch.  I was glad I did, cause I thought brunch was SOOO much better!  Not saying that lunch was bad, I just loved loved loved the brunch menu!  I guess I'm kind of a sucker for brunch in general.

Bottomless mimosas
What brunch is complete without mimosas!!

Chilaquiles - white corn tortilla w/ chicken, Chilaquiles sauce, cheddar cheese; served with 2 eggs any style w/ pico de gallo, lime infused sour cream avacado tamatillo sauce and queso fresco
IN LOVE!!!!  I think I want to go back everytime and just have this!!!  I LOVE chilaquiles anyway, but this is probably one of my favorites that I've ever had!!

DW Turkey burger served on brioche bun w/ a dash of jerk seasoning and mango pear apple chutney
UMMMM this was pretty much amazing!  Spicy and sweet, just how I like things!!

All in all I really loved this restaurant, but I do prefer brunch over lunch all the way.

Really can't wait to head back to Vegas to have some more Chilaquiles!!!

Las Vegas, Nevada 89148 

XO Drea  8

Sen... Simply Amazing!

Sen of Japan
8480 W Desert Inn Rd F1, Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 871-7781
http://www.senofjapan.com/Pages/default.aspx

SEN OF JAPAN simply amazing
http://www.eatinglv.com/2010/06/sen-of-japan-is-simply-sensational/

Sen is absolutely my favorite sushi restaurant to come to in Vegas.  Every single time I visit I try to make it out to eat here at least once!  For a lot of you visiting Vegas this will be out of the way, but if you have a car I highly recommend making the drive and trying this place out.  Sit at the sushi bar and let them surprise you!
I came out to Vegas for my bday weekend and have literally set up a full weekend of eating eating eating!  First stop Sen!!
My girlfriend Barb usually goes with us, Barb has a memorized list of all our favorite things to eat and she always takes charge with the ordering.  She couldn't make it this time, so we left it in the chef's hands and as usual everything was awesome!
What I love so much about this place is that you don't use soy sauce!  Everything is flavored so well you don't need it!!
Here is a list of some of the stuff I like to order:
Scallop w/ spicy lime, Black Snapper w/ capers and cilantro, Japanese Snapper 2 ways (lemon and salt and red wine sauce), Shima Aji, Yellowtail belly, Kanpachi, Flying Fish, Isaki, Sea Bream, Tuna w/ Tako wasabi sauce, Spicy Salmon, Baby Japanese Snapper w/ wasabi olive oil, Fluke w/ daikon radish w/ Japanese hot oil and green onion.  Some non sushi items that are great to order is Kanpachi / Hamachi collar, Filet Tataki plate, Albacore spring roll and always love Shishito peppers.

Saki Flight
Okunomatsu, Dewasansan Junmai-Ginjo and Kasumi Tsuru "Kimoto Junmal
This was a fun way to try a few different sake's, I'm not very familiar with sake but these were ALL very good!

Omakase Sashimi Salad

Kanpachi "Garlic Style" (cilantro, serrano pepper, garlic chip, yuzu soy sauce),  Black Snapper w/ Garlic Olive Oil (capers, onions, garlic olive oil dressing) and Tuna w/ Sake Wasabi Sauce (micro wasabi, fresh wasabi creme fraiche, wasabi soy sauce)

Isaki with sesame yuzu oil, Itoyori with wasabi olive oil, Scallop w/ Spicy Lime Dressing (red onions, micro cilantro, spicy lime dressing)

Micro Fluke w/ Shiso Vinaigrette (miso mizuna, green onions, shiso vinaigrette), Micro Sea Bream w/ Kiwi Vinaigrette (micro cilantro, red pepper, chives, onions, apple vinaigrette) and Micro Tuna w/ Apple Vinaigrette (micro wasabi, wakame, chives, onions, apple vinaigrette)

Shima Aji with yuzu soy and kelp, New Zealand Snapper with spicy tuna, micro greens, capers and garlic olive oil,  Japanese Snapper with red wine reduction

Salmon Carpacchio

Gyoza

Almond Yuzu Franjipan with Pineapple Sorbet

If you go, enjoy and tell me what you think below!

XO Drea

Hinoki & The Bird… Sooo dark and soooo sexy!!!

Hinoki & The Bird
10 Century Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90067
310-552-1200
http://hinokiandthebird.com/

Hinoki & the Bird is Truly Extraordinary
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-weston/hinoki-and-the-bird_b_2821080.html

Table Talk
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/table-talk-hinoki-the-bird-in-los-angeles/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

I feel like arriving to Hinoki & The Bird is like discovering a little secret treasure… You drive up to a dark and small valet driveway with a hidden entry door to this incredible restaurant inside.  When entering you literally have a birds-eye view of the beautiful bar and indoor dining room.  Everything is very dark and very sexy!!!  The outdoor dining room was incredibly large with that indoor outdoor feel.  I fell in love with this place immediately!  It reminded me of a swanky restaurant you would go to in New York.  The ambiance the music, everything was just perfect!!!
So tonight I went with a girlfriend who doesn't eat any meat (boo-hoo) so I decided I would stick to the pescatarian diet as well so that we could share… Cause what's the fun in only trying a couple things on the menu when you could share everything that was ordered?
Sounds like I'm going to have to call one of my carnivorous friends and go back really really soon!
I need to start taking pics of my cocktails which I keep forgetting about… Tonight I had the Hinoki Swizzle (Amontillado Sherry, St Germaine, fresh green apple & Champagne), this one was my absolute favorite!!  Always love St Germaine and Champagne!  I also tried the Gordon's Cup (Gin, muddled lime, cucumber, Szechuan pepper and salt), this was good… But after the first drink it couldn't compare for me.

This is the view that you have as soon as you walk into the front door… Beyond beautiful!

Like always I had to get the oysters, again I was in the mood for trying something new so I opted for my go-to and also a recommendation from our server.  Again I was happy that I ventured out… Might have to stop being scared and just start trying them all!
1/2 dozen oysters, with pear mignonette

I'm always a huge fan of raw fish so this was a no brainer and I knew I  would enjoy it.
Snapper, grapefruit and lime leaf

WOW, I wish I had more room in my stomach for more of this!  Sooo yummy!!!
Chili crab toast, spicy cucumber, coriander

The presentation of this dish was really cool!  It's literally still smoking as it get's to your table!  And it's super yummy!  I went with a friend who is pescatarian so you won't see any meat this time around… Guess I'm going to have to go back REALLY soon and check out the carnivorous side of the menu.
Hinoki scented black cod, sweet potato, pistachio

This dish was incredible!!  I was told by a good friend of mine to get this and boy was she spot on!  It was spicy and the dipping sauce brought the flavors to a whole other level!
Sambal skate wing

YUM YUM YUM!  I wasn't sure about getting a yam as our veggie, but it was really really good!  It wasn't too sweet which I was a little worried about and it was a really good balance with the fish.
Roasted yam, creme fraiche, lardon

So this was really good…Just really hmmm simple I guess.  I kinda wish I would have listened to Steph and tried something a little more adventurous.  
Miso donuts, honey caramel

I literally can't wait to go back here… Even if it's just for one of thier fabulous drinks and an appetizer at the bar!
I really love LA and all the amazing restaurants it has to offer!  I feel like I have an endless list of new places I want to try, and no matter how many I end up marking off, the amount just never gets smaller.
If any of you have any restaurant recommendations please let me know down on the comments below!  I love good recommendations and would love to check out anything that you guys also love!

XO Drea