Posts Tagged ‘restaurants’

Whenever we travel as a family, my husband and I seek out local brewpubs. We gravitate toward microbrewery restaurants not only because we love to try local beers (and usually need one by dinnertime, after a day of sightseeing or adventuring with the kids), but we know all four of us will find something we like to eat at a pub — even if a kids’ menu isn’t available (and I can’t think of one American brewpub we’ve been to recently that doesn’t have offerings specifically for children). The Stateline Brewery in South Lake Tahoe hosted me and my fellow SATW Western Chapter members for lunch last month, and although our group was solely comprised of adults, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring my kids to Stateline Brewery.

It's always 5 p.m. at the Stateline Brewery. The clever logo is a play on the California-Nevada border shape.

The restaurant is in a lower-level (read: basement) location in Heavenly Village, just steps from the Heavenly gondola and the family-friendly Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe. The acoustics don’t allow for intimate conversations, but because the restaurant is generally a noisy spot (TV sports and a cavernous space also contribute to the clatter), boisterous kids fit right in. The steel brewing vats are situated right at the entrance to the restaurant, and not hidden in a back room, which I think is pretty cool; they add to the industrial feel of the underground location.

The lunchtime pub menu is varied; in addition to soups, salads and sandwiches (such as my tasty portobello, red peppers, zucchini & melted mozzarella on rosemary foccacia), items include ribs and fish tacos for entrees, plus hearty pastas and pizzas. After mowing through a plate of beer-battered fries, which were deliciously seasoned and perfectly crisp, I was too full for The Outrageous Mountain Dessert: designed for sharing, it’s a big ol’ brownie sundae with chocolate and caramel sauce. The children’s menu is pretty standard for a family restaurant: spaghetti & meatballs, chicken tenders & fries, chicken & pasta, cheese quesadilla or a one-topping pizza for $6.95.

The Stateline Brewery offers plenty of seating in its large, underground space.

I sampled two beers on the light end of the spectrum (a Pilsner and a wheat) and give them both thumb’s up. Stateline also brews a pale ale and a “Double Time Strong Ale”; selections vary, depending on what’s been freshly brewed. Still more choices include other area microbrews and your common Coors. There’s a wine list, too, but it just feels wrong to be drinking out of a wine glass instead of a pint glass at a brewpub.

Stateline Brewery is open for lunch, dinner & happy hour — but remember it’s always 5 o’clock here. Check out the brewery’s logo: the shape the California-Nevada border makes as it cuts through Lake Tahoe is just like the arms of a clock that reads 5:00! (Clever, clever.)

For more family-friendly dining options in South Lake Tahoe, check out the restaurant listings at the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority website.

About eight years ago, before my son was born and when my daughter was a toddler, my husband and I escaped to Las Vegas for a romantic weekend getaway. With no concrete plans in mind, we did a lot of exploring of the mega-resorts on the Strip and wandering into restaurants we thought looked pretty good. While strolling the indoor, entertaining “streetmosphere” environment of  the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, we happened upon the Mexican restaurant Taqueria Cañonita. My husband, Quent, ordered the Zácatesas Chile Relleno and pronounced it the best chile relleno in Las Vegas. Nope, scratch that. He said it was the best chile relleno he’d ever had.

Chile relleno, jicama salad and roasted vegetables at Taqueria Cañonita.

Now this isn’t your typical chile relleno. Rather, ingredients such as goat cheese, dried fruits and almonds combine for a savory-sweet flavor. I agreed with Quent: the gourmet twist was unexpected and good — however, the accompanying guajillo (chile) sauce was a bit too spicy for my tastes.

But my husband loved it. And couldn’t stop talking about it even weeks after our Vegas trip. We tried to replicate the dish at home with our own grocery-store poblano peppers, dried cherries and goat cheese, to no avail (in fact, it was an epic fail). I even went so far as to email The Venetian to try to get a restaurant recipe, but never got a response back.

I eventually forgot about the chile relleno, but I guess my husband didn’t.

Flash forward to last spring, when we returned to Vegas, again sans kids. With an entire weekend to play, my husband suggested seeking out the Mexican restaurant with the famed chile relleno. Sure! Why not! We scoured the Las Vegas dining guides and could not find one Mexican restaurant in The Venetian. Must be closed, we figured, and settled for a Friday night meal at a Mexican restaurant at Treasure Island (which was good, but not outta this world; and it sure didn’t have the goat-cheese chile relleno on the menu).

No, we're not outside. The ceiling is painted and illuminated in the Grand Canal Shoppes to look like "real sky."

It wasn’t until Sunday late morning, the day we were returning home, when we were walking down the Strip and passing the outdoor “canals” and gondolas in front of The Venetian that it hit me — we were looking up Mexican restaurants in the wrong place! The restaurant wasn’t in the hotel proper, but the adjacent shopping plaza! (It was one of those definite Homer Simpson “d’oh!” moments.) We walked into the building, found the Grand Canal Shoppes, and sure enough, the restaurant was still there — with the dang chile relleno still on the menu. But we were stuffed with sausage and eggs from our morning buffet meal; it made no sense to eat again before our plane took off.

Flash forward again to two weeks ago, New Year’s Day, when we were driving home from my mom’s house in California — through Las Vegas. The kids were hungry as we neared the California-Vegas border, and wanted to stop to eat lunch, but I insisted: “We need to get Daddy his chile relleno.”

Nope, we couldn’t stop at some random eatery just off the interstate. We had to pull off, negotiate ridiculous traffic and crowds of people on the Strip sidewalks to go to Taqueria Cañonita. (Quent was frankly more ambivalent about it — “We don’t have to go,” he said. But I was all about the successful hunt, chase and satisfaction of getting him the yummy meal he’d had eight years prior. Plus, the man was about to drive 10 more hours to our Colorado home. He needed a sated belly.)

Anticipating the first bite of the spicy chile relleno...

So we parked in a crowded hotel parking garage, negotiated plenty of hungover folks in the shopping plaza, and settled into a table next to the faux canals (complete with real gondolas and singing gondoliers) in Taqueria Cañonita. The kids devoured chicken-and-cheese quesadillas, I enjoyed my chicken enchiladas and Quent ordered his beloved chile relleno.

I asked how it was, and he replied, “Good. Really good. But not as good as the first time.”

D’oh!

I suppose I wasn’t surprised. Oftentimes your first taste of anything — the first time you see the Eiffel Tower, the first time you jump out of a plane, the first time you kiss the love of your life — is the best. Still, we sure had fun giggling about the quest for the chile relleno, I liked showing my kids the crazy man-made canals, and we talked about how we’d like to travel as a family to Italy someday.

I suppose the next time we go to Vegas we don’t have to worry about returning to Taqueria Cañonita. But I’d highly recommend to anyone else to try the chile relleno for yourself!

I’ll admit the name threw me off a little. I see the words “supper club,” and I think swanky joint with dancing — you know, a spot for adults only that might require my sporting something other than jeans. But the Wazee Supper Club, on the corner of Wazee and 15th streets in Lower Downtown Denver (“LoDo”) is so appealing to families — from it’s casual atmosphere to the kid-pleasing menu. Here are the highlights:

Historic Location & Laid-Back Vibe: I love that the restaurant is housed in a 1910 building — formerly a plumbing supply house. Opened in 1974, the Wazee Supper Club has a great history — one that is detailed on the back of the menu. In particular, the eclectic and vintage decor comes from a variety of random sources — such as benches from the Denver Elks Club who didn’t need them in their new home and three stained-glass windows purchased from a guy in a pick-up truck. Chrome chairs with red-leather seatcovers, a black-and-white tiled floor and plenty of flat-screen TVs give it a diner-and-sports-bar feel. Plenty of ambient noise allows for little kids’ chatter (read: loud voices) to fit right in.

The Meal: Pizzas are made from scratch, so we had to try at least one pie. I went for the individual, Bianca-style (olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, herbs) with roasted red peppers, feta cheese and pesto (starting at $7.95). Perhaps the pesto was garlic overkill, but the not-too-thin, just-soft-enough crust was perfect. I have to say, however, that I liked my husband’s Philly Cheese Steak ($7.95) even better — and I’m not a big red-meat eater! The sliced sirloin steak grilled with mushrooms, onions and green peppers, all smothered in melted white American cheese and served on a French roll was a great blend of tastes for a cool autumn evening.

The kids gave thumbs’ up to their chicken fingers and cheeseburger, each served with crispy seasoned fries. The servings are plentiful and come with a beverage for $5.95 (there is a healthier item on the kids’ menu: Grilled Chicken Breast with Tropical Fruit Cup). We also sampled the recommended bruschetta plate, which is served with hummus olive tapenade and tomato relish (the tomatoes were my favorite), and a winter salad made with spinach, pecans, cranberries, apple, blue cheese and red onions (which arrived a bit too overdressed with balsamic vinaigrette for my liking — I should have asked for dressing on the side).

The Desserts: In one word — yum! I tried to get the kids to order the giant, warm chocolate chip cookie ($3) or the Peanut Butter Pie ($5.50), but both of them wanted traditional NY Cheesecake ($5.50), whose generous slices turned out to be nearly as big as their heads! My husband and I weren’t going to order a sweet, until two different servers convinced us our meal wouldn’t be complete about the dessert special that week — a slice of pumpkin cream pie ($5.50). If you visit in the fall and this treat is on offer, don’t miss it — creamy, custardy goodness.

Yes, Vail, Colorado, is known for its champagne powder and stellar slopes in the winter months, but I think it’s just divine in the summer — when the blue-sky, temperate climate is ideal for outdoor fun. I’ve actually spent more time in Vail this summer than Aspen, which is three times closer to my mountain home (go figure), and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the resort and its pedestrian-friendly villages. Truly, there are some outstanding opportunities when it comes to hiking and biking, dining and people-watching in Vail in the summer.

Plus, the town is running a Vail All the Love promotion, with more than 50 lodges and 50 local merchants offering discounts on restaurants, lodging and activities. Click on the website for current offers.

Here are my top ten picks for things to do in Vail this summer — and beyond. Take note that a couple options are available all year round; some are ideal for families and some are meant for grown-ups only. Click on the links to get all the details on pricing, dates and times.

Vail Farmer’s Market: More than 10o vendors sell their wares at Colorado’s largest summer market. Truly, it’s the place to be on Sunday mornings — families, couples, visitors, locals and plenty of dogs are out browsing the stalls, which offer everything from produce to fresh-cut flowers, body lotions to jewelry to gourmet chocolate and bratwurst.

Vail International Dance Festival: There are only two more weeks left of this annual event, which brings top-notch dance to the Ford Amphitheatre. Remaining performers include the Miami City Ballet and “Ballroom’s Best” dance champions.

Vail Mountain Eagle Bahn Gondola: The gondola ride itself provides stunning views of the Gore Range (look down the mountain as you go up), and once you’re at the top, bring the kids to Adventure Ridge, with a climbing wall, bouncy trampoline and “Dino Dig”; hike the marked trails; or ride a mountain bike back down the hill. No kids in tow? Hang out at Talon’s Deck from 5 p.m. on Friday evenings with live music and drink specials.

Spa treatments: There’s no dearth of hotel spas in the Vail environs, but I give props to the locals’ favorite Aria spa at the Vail Cascade, where I had a wonderfully relaxing facial earlier this summer, and the beautifully designed RockResorts Spa at the Arrabelle, with a large Roman soaking tub, sauna and steam room in the women’s locker area. At both locations, allow for plenty of time to chill out in the soothing relaxation rooms after your services.

Cocktails at Kelly Liken: Again, restaurants in Vail abound, and it’s hard to choose where to eat on a weekend getaway (so many restaurants, so little time). While you’re making dining decisions, sit at the bar at Restaurant Kelly Liken for her signature cocktails, whose recipes vary depending on seasonal ingredients. In June, friends and I chose from the Fresh Blueberry Sparkler, Strawberry Basil Mojito and Raspberry Refresher (at left). Don’t want to venture from the restaurant? Great choice. Stick around for “Seasonal American Cuisine” that draws heavily from local produce. In fact, on Sunday nights, the prix fixe Harvest Menu changes weekly, depending on what Kelly picked up from the Vail Farmer’s Market that day. Delish!

Browse the shops on Bridge Street: Yes, there’s a large concentration of T-shirt shops in Vail Village, but other highlights include Kemo Sabe cowboy boots and hats (bring your pocketbook for this one) and The Golden Bear, where you can pick up the quintessential symbol of Vail — a traditional bear — in yellow gold or pave-set diamond pendants.

Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum: Exhibits here detail the evolution of skiing since early mining days, and a fabulous display of clothing that U.S. Olympians wore in the opening ceremonies of the winter games, dating back to the 1920s. Exhibits on the history of Vail, as well as the 10th Mountain Division, are thorough and engaging. The gift shop is great place to pick up souvenirs.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: This is a lovely spot to stroll and learn more about the plants that make their home in the high-elevation Rocky Mountains. Check the schedule for youth programs and docent-led tours.

Gelato at Rimini: Next to the Arrabelle in Lionshead, this eatery offers wine, chocolate, espresso and some of the best gelato I’ve ever had. The two-dozen flavors are beautifully presented with fresh fruit and chocolate accents. Totally tasty.

Gore Valley Trail: For folks who prefer road biking over mountain biking, it’s easy to rent a bike and cruise along the paved Gore Valley Trail, which runs along Gore Creek and links each of town’s villages (Cascade Village, Lionshead and Vail Village), and also extends east and west out of town for a longer ride.

This is just a handful of things to see and do in Vail in the summer months. Any other locals or visitors want to chime in with their recommendations? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments section!

Pesto Crusted Beef Tenderloin Medallion paired with parsnip puree and roasted shallot, Triple Cream Brie Beignet served with grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper and flat bread, Lobster and Toasted Corn Risotto Cake with jicama slaw and smoked chile romolade…these are just a few starters on Tucson’s Westward Look Resort GOLD Restaurant menu.

This past week I was invited to GOLD’s launch party to sample dishes created by Westward Look’s new Executive Chef James Wallace (that’s us by the marvelous GOLD ice sculpture). I was not disappointed (I don’t think it was possible to be). Everything tasted so fresh – and it’s no wonder. Many ingredients are picked from the on-site Chef’s Garden – how cool is that? Chef Wallace is not only a talented culinary artist, but the kindest, most down to earth person you can imagine – the Westward Look staff is terrific, too. (They always are.)

The resort’s rustic Southwest ambiance was enhanced thanks to Spanish guitarist Gabriel Francisco.

As you may be able to tell, Westward Look is one of my favorite Tucson resorts. It is located on 80-acres of stark Sonoran Desert and has fantastic city views. My favorite is relaxing on the GOLD Restaurant patio which overlooks a dazzling blanket of Tucson lights. I’m looking forward to my next visit up the hill. In fact, I hear there’s a new GOLD Martini on the menu. It looks like I have yet another golden reason to return to this fantasitc Tucson resort.

Anybody who lives in a popular travel destination can tell you that there are always two sides to the place. People raise children in Los Angeles, people live out their lives in New Orleans and Santa Barbara. Hawaii is no different. And Maui, which has consistently been named the top vacation island in the world (Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure) has its share of wonderful upscale restaurants for luxury vacations. A lot of people who live on Maui can’t often go to Nick’s Fishmarket or Ferraro’s – at the Fairmont Kea Lani and Four Seasons, respectively – but that doesn’t mean they have to settle for McDonalds. And a family vacation on this best island in the world can’t all be four-star restaurants, either. My favorite Hawaii-specific chain restaurant for lunch, hands down, is Maui Tacos.

Now, Maui Taco is no sit down and get served restaurant. It’s the real fast food deal – pick up your food, fill up your own cup with soda, and try to find a seat. But you won’t find at Ferraro’s what you’ll find at Maui Taco: Real Hawaii culture, circa the 21st century. I’ve been to two Maui Tacos, one in Kihei and one in Lahaina, and both were located right off the beach, packed with a lunchtime crowd. There are soups, salads, burritos, enchiladas and more, all with a Hawaiian twist. The fish tacos are what to get here, in my opinion, and all the plastic cutlery is made of recycled and recyclable materials. It’s a quick meal for most, perching on stools with Hawaiians in t-shirt and shorts (sometimes shoes) before returning to the beach or work.

Now, many Hawaiian vacations are spent in resorts like the aforementioned Four Seasons and Kea Lani. You can see a staged luau there, with the Polynesian dancing and the torches and all, but at Maui Taco you can hang out with some really friendly folk and soak up a different side to Hawaii life. The closest I’ve seen movies come to capturing this is in 50 First Dates, an otherwise forgettable move (if you’ve seen it, you’ll get the pun) starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. For me, a passionate lover of the island chain, the real star of the movie is Hawaii. The scenes set in a restaurant with the friendly needling of customers, and the relaxed camaraderie among friends, are spot-on.

Maui Tacos is successful because it is an inexpensive, relatively healthy (trans-fat free) fast food Besides in Kihei and Lahaina, other locations in Maui are Napili and Kahului. There is one in Hilo on the Big Island, and two in Oahu (Mililani and Kailua). There are a few Maui Tacos restaurants scattered through the mainland United States, but they just can’t be nearly as good, and surely lack the atmosphere and authenticity. They say Maui Tacos has “Mexican Food with Mauitude,” and I wholeheartedly agree. Be it a budget or luxury vacation in Hawaii, anyone would have fun making time for lunch at Maui Tacos.

When I was a kid, long before my first trip to Las Vegas, I heard about the cheap buffets and 99-cent shrimp cocktail Vegas offered. But years later my first trip there was a sore disappointment. Not only did I lose a few bucks, but the buffets were pricey and I didn’t see any 99-cent shrimp cocktail. (Hey when you’re in your early twenties a dollar is a dollar.) It ends up, I was just in the wrong areas.

Today, I can’t even guess how many times I’ve been to Las Vegas. Between road trips, vacations, weddings, girlfriend getaways, visits to see family (my husband’s), and of course overnights with the airline I worked for, it’s well over 50.

After a little research on the ‘net recently I did find that the “cheap eats” are still in Vegas, you just have to know where to look.

The Super 8 Motel Ellis Island casino (located on Koval near East Flamingo) has a 10 oz steak, baked potato, vegetable, bread and get this — a microbrew (or an EO rootbeer) of you choice all for $7. It’s served 24 hours a day, but it’s not on the menu, so just ask. Think I’m kidding? I’m not.

Terrible Herbst Hotel and Casino (located on Paradise and Flamingo) has a cheap buffet, last I heard it was $5 for the breakfast buffet and $9 for the dinner buffet and on Sunday evenings the main course is prime rib and shrimp ($15). I stayed here many nights while serving peanuts and Cokes as a flight attendant. The multi-flavored fries (jalapeno, garlic, and cajun) in the bar on the main casino floor are pretty good for a late night fried-treat with a pint and the breakfast crepes were quite tasty.

Sadly, it looks like Chapter 11 for Terrible Herbst. Yikes! So get give ‘em some support and throw a few nickels and quarters in the slots while you’re there.

I know you’re wondering, “what about the shrimp?” The famous 99-cent shrimp cocktail is still in existence at the Golden Gate Casino downtown on Fremont Street or you can go big with the “Big Shrimp” for $2.99.

And yes, free drinks are normally offered to gambling patrons. To keep the cocktail waitress coming your way always tip at least $1-3 a drink if you tip more you are guaranteed to never go empty.

Now, go throw the money you just saved into the slot machines, just don’t let the money you brought to Vegas stay in Vegas.

Each winter and summer season, new restaurants appear on Aspen’s dining scene, and it’s always interesting to see which ones rise above the rest to knock the socks off not only Aspen’s multi-cultural visitors, but also its locals, typically sophisticated diners who appreciate a good wine list.

This ski season, we’ve got a clear winner — Social Restaurant, serving “global tapas” in a hip, modern decor. (Think low ceilings and giant chrome spheres shining light on opaque glass tables. No rough-hewn timber logs or elk antlers in sight!)

Co-owned and operated a longtime Aspen restaurateur Tommy Tollesson, a native Swede who also runs next-door Elevation restaurant, Social has a menu that’s meant to be shared. When two Denver friends came to town last month (that’s me and best-childhood-friend, Jill, happily posing in front of our generous pours), I brought them to Social for a meal that was filled with lots of laughs, lots of “Mmmmmm…. try this!” and plenty of vino.

We shared a whole artichoke, truffled & smoked with traditional aioli; ginger pork pineapple satay with tamarind glaze; pear, prosciutto, brie & pecorinio lavache (we had no clue what lavache was, but thought the rest of the ingredients sounded yummy; turns out it’s like a flatbread); seared tuna with crab risotto & broccolini (one of only two “big plates” on the menu for $30; meant for one, but we all dug into the best risotto I ever tasted); kobe meatballs, boursin cheese mashers & carmelized onion jus; and paella stuffed clams. To finish, we our own little chocolate fondue pot brought to the table.

We dropped about $70 each on a really fun meal with alcohol, which is not bad, considering I’ve had my portions of checks reach $100 when I’ve gone out with friends for sushi in Aspen.

So thumbs up to Tommy and his business partners for bringing to Aspen not only a restaurant with a stellar, varied menu, but an entire dining “experience.”

Social Restaurant is on the street level at 304 East Hopkins Ave. (Elevation is downstairs, and Social’s bar/lounge is upstairs.) Reservations highly recommended for Social’s dining room: 970-925-9700.