The Sparklings: A Hidden Treasure!!!

"You can't judge a book by it's cover until you know it's story."

I don't know how many times I've driven past this restaurant; probably a thousand times and never thought once of dining there. Now that I've tried it, I am kicking myself from the deprivation of not having it earlier!!! To be honest, I couldn't stand what it looked like from the outside. (I know, I know, I was being a Shallow Hal.) But you're in for a real treat at The Sparklings if you're in the mood for contemporary American Fare.

Let me begin by stating how beautifully decorated it is! I was blown away. Huge open floor plan, elegant and clean with a southern plantation design concept that was lit up with gorgeous crystal chandeliers. You immediately feel as if you're Royalty.

I wasn't hungry enough to order a whole entree to myself so my friend and I just shared several apps. We ordered: Tuna Tartare, Parmesan Truffle Fries and Bacon Wrapped Date Meatballs.

The Tuna Tartare

I absolutely love ordering Tuna Tartare anywhere that offers it on the menu. It's an appetizer with endless possibilities and I was not disappointed with it at The Sparklings. This tuna had such a wonderful personality and had a friend named Mango join. It was so tasty, light and refreshing. I've never had tuna tartare with mango before but for some reason it worked. You must try!

Parmesan Truffle Fries

Oh parm fries are one of my guiltiest of guilty pleasures in life. So warm, fluffy, crispy, salty and garlicky at the same time. Well done Sparklings, well done.



Bacon Wrapped Dates Meatballs

So yeah, I just about died and went to heaven. Just when I thought you couldn't perfect the art of Bacon Wrapped Dates from FireFlys; I spoke too soon, yes you can!! The Sparklings added it to a meatball which magnified and changed the course of bacon wrapped dates history!! I would call this an, "apptree" the in-between of an appetizer and an entree, too hearty to be called an app and too little to be called an entree, it's just right for me. This dish was so delicious and has shocked me so much from the saltiness of the bacon, the sweetness from the date, the crunch of the almond, the tanginess from the marinara and the heartiness from the meatball. Lets just say I teared up a little when I was eating it. You just have to go and try it for yourself!

Cheers!!!

P.S.

The owners of The Sparklings are also the owners of Soyo Korean Barstaurant and Oyshi! These people are amazing!!





Quiche me baby, Quiche me again!!

"Brunch without booze is just a sad late breakfast"

The month of March permits beautiful patio weather and sunshine is what a girl like myself needs after a long night working a graveyard shift. Considering it was a Sunday morning, brunch was a given! A wonderful excuse for my love of day drinking! haha

Mon Ami Gabi was the restaurant of choice. It's a classic French restaurant located in the Paris with outside seating and birds eye view of the beautiful Bellagio fountain water show.

It was a group of us enjoying brunch together and since we are all family I ate every ones food! It was a hit and miss with some of the entrees we ordered. We started off with complimentary loafs of french bread baguettes and butter and ordered an Hor D'oeduvres, Baked Goat Cheese served in a tomato sauce with warm herb garlic bread. Its my cousins favorite thing to order the goat cheese is decedent with its rich, creamy texture and mild salty taste with a garlicky bread to mop it all up, very savory.

We ordered Smoked Salmon with slices of brioche, creme fraiche, red onion and capers. I loved every briny and smokey bite! I also ordered a side of poached eggs, oh yes, it was a delicious pairing!

And whats a brunch without a Benny?! It wouldn't be the same right?! Wrong, I wish we didn't order it here. It was mediocre and hash browns were cold :(

Next course was the Prime Steak Sandwich with au jus, horseradish cream, mustard-mayo on a cheese bun with a side of frites. This was an exciting sandwich to eat! Tender steak, grainy mustard and flavorful au jus!

This Quiche, tasted like a regular Quiche nothing out of the ordinary just a simple Lorraine. So if you're a boring person who likes to play it safe then this is the dish for you. Which was also horribly plated, (scoffs) I mean geez, looks as if they just threw on garnishments to add color. 

My overall experience at this establishment was still enjoyable even though the food was mediocre and the mimosas were over-priced. But you can't beat the view of the Bellagio fountain, the soft alternative poppy music playing and people watching the tourists strolling by. All those factors literally saved this review. And or course the company you choose to dine with. For me it was my cousins, anywhere we go we always have a wonderful time and make the best out of everything, especially if there's day drinking involved.

Cheers!!!!   

Support your local Restaurateurs!

I can't say this enough people, we gotta support our local Vegas restaurant owners!!! Especially the folks at Rise & Shine a Steak & Egg Place in the wonderful neighborhood of Southern Highlands!

Ever since I've started working all these Grave Yard shifts, barhopping at 8 in the morning isn't ideal but breakfast sure is and what better place to have it at than this restaurant?

I couldn't believe my eyes, nose or ears when I walked in! It was sensory over-load! My eyes, wow, I couldn't believe my eyes; the ceiling was decorated with upside down spinning umbrellas and all the employees were dressed in pajamas! My nose, oh my nose was filled with the scent of warm toasty bread and rich coffee and my ears were ringing to the song Hotel California playing ever so gently.

We first ordered coffee and Ry (our server) brought out a French Coffee press, I was quite impressed considering most, if not at all, places don't offer it as well as these lovely Pots of Bread! So cute! They were cinnamon rolls baked in little coffee mugs served with butter and a sugar glaze.

And since the place says Steak & Eggs, of course I ordered it! We chose to order the Eggs Benedict, but hold your horses! It's not what you'd expect, it was a New York Steak Eggs Benedict served on a Everything Bagel! A hearty serving and a amazing price of $13.50!! You can't beat that!

And I ordered the muy delicioso Spice Rubbed Rib Eye Steak Chilaquiles!! Steak, perfectly cooked to order, Chilaquiles, excelente and a little picante with refried beans, cheddar & cotija cheese! #nomz

My overall experience here was so delightful, we requested to be seated outside, they were so quick to put together a table, seat us and take our orders in a matter of minutes. It is so unique, nothing like I have experienced before such as the decor, menu options and oh so adorable pajama outfits!

Our Server Ry was such a doll and I really hope she's reading this and if you are, keep doing what you're doing! You made my day with your beautiful smile and personalized service, thank you so much.

Cheers

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. Especially Korean Food!

배고프지

I have such a wide range of different foods I love to eat and Korean Food is my top 5 fave! Right around the corner from my house is a fabulous joint called, "Soyo Korean Barstaraunt," on Robindale and Rainbow. Once we walked in we were greeted immediately and for a Monday night it was packed! There were no more tables available lol. Our only option was the patio which turned into a positive thing for us because I usually get a little rowdy when Soju is involved hahaha.

Talk about Umami; everything I ordered was out of this world delicious! We started out with the new appetizer, Kalbi Sum-Gyup-Sal aka Grilled Pork Belly with a side of House Salad which by the way ginormous! It could have been an entree all by its self! Also ordered the Spicy Dwe Ji Gaal Bi aka Spicy Pork Ribs with Spicy Korean BBQ Sauce served in a sizzling hot plate,O.M.G finger lickin' good ya'll!! It was so spicy, I loved it. And last but not least a Hot and Spicy Soup, Yook Gae Jaang, loaded with veges, shredded beef and egg. That just hit the spot. 

I could have spent all night there just eating, drinking and chat the night away with our Server Sara (which was such a doll to us all night) but after a big and delicious meal like that I had to go take a nap. hahaha. I hope you readers enjoy it as much as I did. 

Cheers 

Or in Korean, Gun Bae!!

Sexy Pizza Porn

Yes, yes I said it; Pizza Porn. I don't usually eat it but when I do I get down on it lol. And tonight's choice of place of doing the deed was at Grimaldi's Pizzeria located in Henderson at the Eastern location!

It was my very first time dining at this place and it was quite a lovely experience on this rainy day in Las Vegas. Once I walked in a knew I was in for a great time; the music of the great Frank Sinatra subtlety playing in the background, the romantic lighting made of eclectic wine bottles dangling in the air and traditional checkered red and white lined table clothes just time warped me to the 1950's.

Pizza, AMAZING, sauce was loaded with flavor and customized made to order with an endless amount of topping choices! Service was on point! I didn't just have one server I had the whole staff cater to me as if I were family but I would love to give accommodations to Oscar, he took the most care of me. Def ask for him if you're planning on dining at that location.

HungryVegasGirl approved!!

Cheers!