The belly rules the mind: 3 days in Las Vegas

Saturday, August 13

Lunch at 12pm
Sushi Mon (4.5 of 5 stars)
Location: Off the strips

This place is deliciously amazing. Everything is made to order. There are prices listed for those who want to order dishes individually. We opted for the lunch buffet which includes everything on the menu. I appreciate that you can order rolls in halves because we would definitely not have been able to try the many other dishes. The down part is, if you don't finish everything you have to pay for it. Thus, half orders are a great way to prevent waste. The lunch buffet is about $24.99 and the dinner buffet (with the same options) is $26.99.

2 orders of Baked Mussels

WOW WOW. I don't even like mussels but these were so amazing! Make sure you are careful though, I grabbed the shell right when the waiter brought it out (because I'm an impatient pig) and boy did I burn my thumb, it was red for the rest of the day.

White Tuna and Uni (sea urchin) Sashimi

Expensive sashimi, unlimited? WHAT A DEAL! The only negative part is that every slice of sashimi is over rice. And you have to eat all the rice or else you will get charged.

Edamame

Baked Volcano

One of the tables favorite sushi rolls.

Spider Roll

Spider Roll up CLOSE

Monster Roll

They make it sound like it was a ginormous roll. The size and taste definitely did not meet my expectations. Definitely a PASS. Don't even bother or think that this is a challenge. It is full of rice and does not taste good.

Lychee, Red Bean, Green Tea, and Tempera Ice Cream

The lychee ice cream was a bit sweet for me. The red bean ice cream was delicious. It was also my first time trying fried tempera- it was good.

The menu

Caked (5 of 5 stars)
Location: Next door to Sushi Mon

The owner Carolyn Portuondo was so nice and welcoming. You might recognize her if you've seen Fabulous Cakes on TLC. She was the one who replicated the 4 feet sushi boat, it was quite amazing.

As seen on TLC

Mini cupcakes

She was so generous and gave us a dozen mini cupcakes as a welcoming to Las Vegas. Thank you so much!

Beautiful and delicious

Cutie with Passion-fruit Cupcake

Dang has a sweet tooth and just couldn't help but buy a cupcake.

late night snacking

Ellis Island (4 of 5 stars)
Location: Ellis Hotel and Casino

The perfect place to go to after a club or late at night because it is 24 hours. It's tacky looking and definitely doesn't look nice. The service wasn't amazing, but they did pay attention to us. However, where else can you get decent steak in the middle of the night?
One star for being open late, one star for being cheap, one star for quick service, and one star for decent food. You seriously get what you paid for. The food that we ordered were not on the menu, but they definitely do serve it.

At Ellis hotel- the dining room

Decisions, decisions

$3.99- Scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast with butter, and medium well steak

I didn't want to eat too much so I opted for the steak and egg. It was definitely not of best quality. Next time, I will definitely pay $2 more for the better version.

$7.99- Mash potatoes, string beans, much better medium steak

This was the best deal! You get the mash potatoes, string beans, steak, a beer (or root beer), and a side salad (or soup). What a fantastic deal! The steak is definitely better than the $3.99 steak. I was literally in love with the steamed string beans (from frozen packages). It was just so juicy (but we all know that it is just the melted ice).

you know it is good when Dang makes this face

Sunday, August 14

Lunch

Earl's Sandwich (5 of 5 stars)

Location: Planet Hollywood

So many raving reviews that we just had to check it out. We arrived at around lunch time (12:30 pm) and the line was super long. We waited about 15 minutes in line to place our orders. They had a decent size menu with a variety of choices. The price was very affordable at $5.99 for a hot sandwich or wrap. Their service can be improved because the cashier was definitely not helpful. But at least the food came out fast and fresh.

Earl's at work

Cute little bag with our sandwiches

Hawaiian BBQ

Grilled chicken, roasted ham, Swiss cheese, fresh pineapple, and Hawaiian BBQ sauce

Hawaiian BBQ

mmm Hawaiian BBQ

If you like ham and pineapple this is definitely a top choice. The bread was perfectly toasted like a panini and the BBQ flavor was sweet and flavorful.

The Full Montagu

Roasted beef, turkey, Swiss and cheddar cheese, lettuce, Roma tomato, and Earl's mustard

The Full Montagu

mmmm The Full Montagu

I wish I tried this sandwich first before the Hawaiian BBQ. This one tasted like a classic sandwich. It was hot, fresh, and of great quality. It wasn't greasy, but delicious. However, it doesn't have the unique flavors of the Hawaiian BBQ.

All done with lunch, POOL TIME!

Snacks

Serendipity 3 (1 of 5 stars)

Location: Caesar's Palace

We wanted to go the restaurant, but the wait was 30 minutes and all we wanted to do was to try the infamous Frozen Hot Chocolate. So I appreciate that they had a "Fun on the run menu" which is basically a way to grab something quick. The service was definitely faster, our drink was ready right after we paid!

Half star because the place was pink and cute. Half star because it tasted good. Minus four stars because the price was ridiculous and this place is seriously over-rated!

Would you pay $12 (after tax) for a regular size (16 oz. maybe) of iced hot chocolate topped with whipped cream? Why do you call it Frozen hot chocolate when it wasn't even frozen or icy?

Cute ambiance

On the run menu

$10- Frozen Hot Chocolate

For taste, I thought this was chocolate goodness. However, Phil says it tasted like his protein powder mixture.

$11- Mochacino Coffee Frozen Hot Chocolate

This was pretty tasty. The mocha was rich in flavor and blended well with the chocolate. I liked the espresso chocolate on top. Although it was delicious, the Costco's version of Mocha Latte comes pretty close.

waiting for our drinks under the scorching heat

Mr. Sweet Tooth ended up finishing both drinks

cute!

Bacardi Lemonade Bar (4 of 5 stars)

Location: Caesar's Palace

I'm not sure if this is what it is called (I can't find it on Yelp), but it is a stand located outside of Caesar's Palace. Too much chocolate prevented Dang and I to try this one out. Thank you Phil for letting us try your yummy drink.

Phil and Lois ordered the "Black Dragon" mojito. It was made with Bicardi Dragon Berry Rum and fresh blackberries. There was a long line, but that is because the bartender makes the drink right in front of you when you order. We watched as he crushed fresh mint leaves and blackberries at the bottom of the cup. Then pour mixtures to create this fancy drink.

This lovely mojito cocktail was $9. It was a bargain compared to the Frozen Hot Chocolate we had minutes earlier.

Mojito Menu

Lois modeling the drink

Ice Pan (5 of 5 stars)

Location: Harrah's Casino

This is a must MUST see when you are in Vegas. Some fancy new technology magically turns liquid into frozen/creamy ice cream in less than 1 minute. Unfortunately, being located at Harrah's does not give it justice. The modern/stylish look and unique idea definitely belongs somewhere else.

It is Korean own and the ice cream makers are so cute and funny.

Ice Pan

Watch as liquid becomes ice cream

tahdah! delicious.

Dinner

Burger Bar (4 of 5 stars)

Location: Mandalay Bay Shops

The burgers are beautifully made and full of flavor. Phil, Lois, and Dang all enjoyed their burgers too much. The waitress was helpful and the orders came out promptly. The price was a little high, but its Vegas! I'm still thinking about the juicy hamburger in my hands. Delicious.

There's a Chef Special burger called "Wagyu". One day, when I think $60 for a hamburger is super affordable, I will indulge. (Too bad I didn't get a picture of it)

Welcome to Burger Bar

$8.99- Black Angus Burger (with grilled onions)

$14.99- American Burger

$13.99- Blackjack Burger

$17.99- Wagyu Burger

Wagyu meat is a high quality beef used in burgers. It is comparable to Kobe beef in that Kobe Beef is from a Wagyu cattle but it is raised in special conditions. My google-ling taught me that Wagyu cattle "produces a higher percentage of oleaginous, unsaturated fat than any other breed of cattle known in the world". Anyways, I got a Medium Wagyu Burger and it was juicy, tender, flavorful, and simply delicious. Maybe I should have added some grilled onions or avocado to intensify the flavors, but I like plain.

Must try Beer Floats next time!

Loving it!

Late night

Pho Kim Long (3 of 5 stars)

Location: Off the strip, Asian Town

Another perfect 24 hour restaurant for late night munchies. I love pho at any time of the day! We were so thrilled to have found this place. The price is a little high compared to other pho places. The menu was full of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai dishes. The bowl was pretty good size, very tasty, VERY FULL OF MSG. I was thirsty for days. They definitely need to cut back on MSG.

Pho Kim Long

$9.99- Shrimp Fried Rice

$7.99- Pho Ga (Chicken)

$6.99- Pho with Rare Steak

Monday, August 15

Brunch

Wicked Spoon Buffet (4 of 5 stars)

Location: Cosmopolitan Hotel

Weekday lunch buffet for $22? WHAT A DEAL! One star for being in an amazing hotel, one star for great service, one star for excellent quality in food, one star for just a very enjoyable meal.

Unfortunately, I did not feel the amazing variety that people have been raving about. Next time, I definitely need to go on a weekend and for dinner. I am super upset that I didn't get to try their praised macaroons. I definitely need to come back and see what the hype is all about. I need my crab legs and prime rib too!