Nobu, inside the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mexican food has been my initial plan for dinner my final night in Las Vegas. I had the place all picked out. It had astounding ratings on Trip Adviser. It was the best-of-the-best when it came to Mexican food in Las Vegas. And I was psyched to go and try it. Why? Because I love Mexican food with a passion. It’s everything I love. Spicy, filling, salty, and full of textures and flavors. Not to mention, being a vegetarian with a few food allergies, the food at a Mexican restaurant is pretty easy to navigate through and manage a safe meal.
But my first night in Vegas I ate at Nobu, a Japanese restaurant nestled inside the Hard Rock Hotel, and I was blown away by the cuisine and the entire dining experience. Not only did the waiter advise me of anything that wouldn’t be vegetarian, he let me know they did have a gluten-free soy sauce available and that he would advise the chefs of my food allergies. The food was more than I anticipated and everything I craved when it came to Japanese cuisine.
Sushi is my love. And Nobu offers up some of the finest vegetarian sushi I have ever had. I craved more of it and this would be my last chance I had before leaving Vegas and continuing on to California for the rest of my vacation. Hence, the change in dinner plans.
I eagerly returned to Nobu and my friend and I were seated at the table we were at our first night. It was like returning to an old haunt. Sushi was still on my mind, so I knew what I was going to order. Instead of soup as my appetizer this time, however, I opted for the Edamame Salad. My friend, having been blown away by the flavors of the Miso Soup on the previous visit, stuck with what she knew was good and had it again.
Nobu's Edamame Salad
The Edamame Salad was brought out in a bowl, with a second bowl to discard the outer shells in. It was like nothing I had ever had or done in a restaurant. Eating with my hands was the only option and it was a fun way to enjoy my food in a fancy restaurant. I shared some with my friend, who I was surprised enjoyed it as much as I did.
When the appetizers were gone, I put in my order for my sushi rolls. I ordered the same kinds I did the previous visit – the Vegetable and Oshinko rolls, this time done as hand rolls instead of cut. I mean, I had to add a little variety, right? And my friend totally stepped out of her food comfort zone and ordered the Squid “Pasta” with Light Garlic Sauce, with an order of Broccoli Tempura and Shitake Tempura.
Oh, we never even thought twice about that Mexican place once our meals were placed in front of us. I must admit, I was delighted with my sushi, once again. And after eating each hand roll, I had to get the Oshinko in a cut roll to savor even more. Yeah…it was hard to make myself stop. It always is when it comes to sushi. Once again, just amazing flavors all paired beautifully. The vegetables and rice, rolled up to perfection. The pickled vegetables were the right hint of sour tartness that I craved and blended perfectly with the wrap and rice. It was the perfect marriage of Japanese flavors. Best sushi…anywhere.
And my friend was blown away by every bite of her squid “pasta”…but even more by the dipping sauce she received with her tempura order. It was another amazing dining experience at a place we opted to go to twice instead of branching out. This isn’t something I make a habit of, but when a restaurant wow’s me like Nobu did…I knew I needed one more fix there before departing.
Nobu's green tea - proceeds from the sale of their tea went to help with Japan's earthquake relief
I will never, ever regret that decision.
I once again finished off the evening with their green tea and declined on the dessert this time because I had other plans for that. But that’s saved for my next blog.
I’ve said it once…and I will gladly say it again. Japanese food doesn’t get much better than what is served up at Nobu. If you happen to be in one of the cities that is the home to one of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurants…go. Go often. And enjoy. Because with food like what Nobu serves, you will honestly keep going back for more…and even cancel other plans for another taste of something so good!
The Venetian has become one of my favorite casinos to visit on the Las Vegas strip. It just seems like it has the best-of-the-best when it comes to shops, restaurants, and ambiance. One afternoon, I needed something cold to soothe my palate. What I found was Cocolini, an Italian gelato counter in the heart of the Grand Canal Shoppes in St. Mark’s Square in The Venetian casino.
I admit, the price for the small cup threw me for a loop. EXPENSIVE! I could have bought a pint of Ben & Jerry’s at the CVS near my resort for what I paid for the scoop of sorbet I ended up ordering. But I was craving and this was what I wanted. And Cocolini had quite the selection of flavors in both gelatos and sorbets to choose from. I had my work cut out for me.
It took awhile to finally get someone to wait on me. There was really no order to how people walked up to the counter, and the staff just picked who they felt like serving next. But when I finally voiced that I was next, I ordered the sugar-free strawberry sorbet. Not only is sorbet lactose free, but it’s fat free as well. WIN!
I paid the exhorbent price and went to take a seat on the steps looking out at St. Mark’s Square. I admit, the sorbet was good. It was creamier than a sorbet should be, however, but still…the flavor was what caught my attention. Rich, despite being sugar-free, and exploding with a fruity burst in each taste. That’s not always easy to do when something is sugar-free. I give Cocolini major props for that.
Since then, however, I have had a real Italian sorbet, and in comparison, Cocolini doesn’t even come close to the correct texture for this sweet treat. Yet, going into this blind, I enjoyed my sorbet, letting each scoop I took of it melt down on my tongue and allowed the flavor to linger as long as it could. It was one of the best sugar-free strawberry treats I have ever eaten, to be honest. Full of flavor and packing a WOW-factor punch to the untrained Italian palate.
The cost of the small cup I received, however, was definitely a minus. While I found the product they offered to be up-to-par taste-wise, I didn’t like the wallet-busting cost it came with. Definitely worth a try if you are seeking a cool, tasty treat while in Vegas…but know that it does come with a price. Next time, I think I’ll go to a more authentic gelato/sorbet shoppe and put my money into a more genuine experience.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, inside The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada
Normally, all chain-type restaurants are immediately negated from my blogosphere. However, as I had never sampled anything from this more Western-based coffee chain, I decided that this is one chain worth blogging about.
After my epic coffee fail with the French patisserie in the Paris Las Vegas, I was in search of something to cleanse my palate and give me renewed hope for a good coffee experience in Las Vegas. What I found while wandering around The Venetian was The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. This chain is a Los Angeles-based coffee chain that began in 1963 and has built up its realm in 750 locations in 22 different countries. That kind of longevity should speak volumes of the product they offer as it is, but I needed to see for myself.
I had my reservations, I admit. The prices are a bit high, but we are out West in a tourist-driven city. It is to be expected. But after the Latte of Disgust the previous day, I was a bit reluctant to plunk down the cash on a whim. But I needed a caffeine rush, so I decided to take a chance.
This was a much better experience. Sometimes being a part of a chain isn’t such a bad thing. I stepped up to the counter and placed an order for a small hot mocha latte with dark chocolate and a shot of peppermint for my friend. She loathes all things coffee and has to have something with a flavor, preferably mint, to stomach it. For myself, I went for a dark chocolate ice-blended mocha latte with non-lactose milk (finally, somewhere that doesn’t just give the option of soy milk for those who are lactose intolerant).
The moment of truth arrived when I was handed my drinks. I delivered one to my friend, who savored hers with a chocolate croissant from Bouchon Bakery. She let hers cool down to the temperature she likes, then took her first sip. And I think she actually died and went to caffeinated heaven. She loved the texture, flavor, and taste of the mocha I created for her. WIN!
As for me…I’ve had dark chocolate ice-blended drinks before at another coffee chain I adore that is based out of Minneapolis (Caribou Coffee, anyone?). What The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gave me was a different style, a different texture, a different flavor. And I was so happy that I couldn’t compare the two of them, because both are distinct and wonderful in their own way. The non-lactose milk was a much-needed break from soy milk (as someone who has a gluten allergy, not all soy milks are safe!), and added a completely different spin on what I normally would have had soy milk with. I loved it. And I drank it down with such zeal. I couldn’t stop raving about the deep chocolate flavor, the hint of espresso that kicked in after each sip. It was iced coffee done right, done well, and up-to-par. My faith in Las Vegas coffee had been restored.
And who would have thought a coffee chain would be the one to do it? If you happen to be out West and spot one of these coffee shops…go in and buy one of their many drinks. Make one of your own. Do with it what you will. Because you are guaranteed to have a delicious drink at the other end.
Well done coffee. I applaud The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf chain for their commitment to excellence when it comes to their product. I will most certainly be back next time I venture out West.
Dark Chocolate Ice-Blended Mocha Latte from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Café Belle Madeleine, inside Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
I am always in search of the best coffee experience anywhere I travel. I used to work for Starbucks, and I used to hate coffee. But, that changed. And now, I make it a point to have a cappuccino or latte or something everywhere I visit. Why? Because the greatest things in life, the best moments, the best conversations happen over a hot cup of coffee.
I have yet to make my way over to France to get the ultimate café experience. Until I make that journey, I thought to try out a café while in Las Vegas. What better place to get coffee than in Paris Las Vegas? I mean, the french know espresso better than anyone. And this resort as close to Paris as I can get for now. Why not go all out?
Decision made. Now it was a matter of choosing the place. My friend and I settled on Café Belle Madeleine. I’ve noticed since my trip high praise from those who sampled their pastries and their gelatos. But I have a gluten allergy so pastries are out of the question. And I was not in the market for gelato that day. Espresso was what I craved so when I stepped up to the counter, I ordered a small sugar-free white chocolate soy latte. My friend opted for her first cappuccino…ever.
Orders placed, we paid for our drinks and eagerly awaited our anticipated caffeine rush. We were able to watch the drinks being made and soon after we were handed our order and we went to seat ourselves at one of the round tables and just take in Paris Las Vegas as we would on the street of Paris, France.
I blew across the lid of my to-go cup and took my first sip. Every anticipation of latte greatness disappeared immediately. The flavor was awful. The soy milk tasted like they burned it by heating it above the standard temperature for espresso drinks. I thought it was just a shot that ran too long, so the bitter flavor was overpowering everything else. I managed a few more sips before I gave up on it. Nothing improved it. It was just overdone and lacking the punch of a real latte. I ended up throwing it away and sulking back to the table to watch my friend finish off her cappuccino, which she ended up having to add cold milk to in order to truly enjoy it.
Needless to say, I was beyond disappointed. I understand I should have returned it to the counter and inquired if something else could be made instead, but I was so unimpressed with the drink that I didn’t even want to give Café Belle Madeleine another try. Unfair, perhaps, but I just couldn’t stomach anything else at that point. It turned my stomach and it took the rest of the day to settle it.
While Café Belle Madeleine may be known for their pastries, I highly recommend trying out somewhere else if you are searching for good coffee or espresso. My experience left me unimpressed.
I think I’ll leave my high expectations for espresso drinks in the hands of a real French café next time, and not at the whim of a patisserie in a Las Vegas casino. Lesson learned.
Epic coffee fail.
Sugar-free White Chocolate Soy Latte from Café Belle Madeleine, inside Paris Las Vegas
Mr. Lucky's 24-7, inside the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas has amazing food strewn throughout the city. So, what was it about the quaint diner tucked away inside the Hard Rock Hotel that brought me back for another filling breakfast? Well, my first experience there had been so mind-blowing, that I had to see if a subsequent one could exceed all expectations. I should have known with Mr. Lucky’s 24-7, I would not leave disappointed.
On a previous visit, I was treated to the VIP dining experience at Mr. Lucky’s 24-7. By VIP I mean I alerted my server to a food allergy and he went to inquire with the chef about how something was cooked…and the chef sent him back with the list of ingredients of the butter the hash browns were cooked in so I could be certain my dining experience was going to be safe. No other restaurant I have eaten in has taken that level of precaution or attempted to ensure that level of security in what I was going to order. Leave it to a dive-y diner inside a resort casino to bring that level of comfort to a simple customer so early in the morning.
But, it was what made me want to go back. Why take chances with any other place when I knew the quality of food at Mr. Lucky’s…as well as the care in which it would be prepared for me? A safe bet, perhaps. Not stepping outside of my foodie-comfort zone…perhaps. But, once again I was not led astray by my decision to eat somewhere I already had been.
When you find a good thing, don’t mess around with it.
I did, however, opt for something else on the breakfast menu, forgoing my usual safety net of the omelet. I was on my last day in Vegas before heading out to California and seeing two of my best girls who I hadn’t seen in four years. So, paying homage to one of them, my fashionista Mexican mamacita from the Fresno area, I went out on a limb at breakfast and in her honor…ordered the Huevos Rancheros, which were two fried eggs served over corn tortillas with black beans, monterey jack cheese, ranchero sauce, pico de gallo, and guacamole (no sour cream for this girl!) with a side of hash browns.
Judging from the size of the omelet the morning prior, I knew I would be in for a treat. What I didn’t realize was how these were not just Huevos Rancheros. When the food reached the table, I realized I had been given desayuno épica…EPIC BREAKFAST!!
This was my first time ever having Huevos Rancheros and what a way to start out. The flavors meshed so well. The texture of the beans with the corn tortillas and the over-easy eggs blended well with the spice of the sauce, the sweetness of the pico, and the coolness of the guacamole. I topped it all off with a healthy drizzle of Cholula hot sauce (aka: the best hot sauce EVER!). When I say epic…I’m not kidding. I was in a food coma after eating the entire plate of food, including my hash browns, but every bite gave me a new blast of flavor. It might have been full, but it was so pleasing to my palate I had to keep eating. I only wish I had ordered that on my prior visit so I could have eaten it twice. Yes. I think Huevos Rancheros need to be added to my ‘need to order whenever it is on the menu and served with corn tortillas’ list. I savored every bite.
Vegas does have a lot to offer. Buffets, fast food, little dives, celeb chefs. But when it comes to breakfast done well and breakfast done right, get over to the Hard Rock Hotel and pull up a booth inside Mr. Lucky’s 24-7. Order something that you normally wouldn’t and be amazed and enticed by the food you get presented with. Savor it. Or gobble it down. Either way, it’s a filling meal for a good price. Better still…it’s guaranteed to be good!
Bouchon, located inside The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada
Bouchon. Very French, oui? That’s the brilliant thing about Las Vegas…it literally has a little of everything. And thanks to the extraordinary culinary mind of Thomas Keller, one of the most renowned chef’s in the world, Vegas has a touch of French class with delicious bistro food.
I knew little about French food coming into this restaurant. What captured my attention was the name attached. Thomas Keller. Foodie nerd…that’s me. Pair that with an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” where he visited Las Vegas and ate at Bouchon, raving about the frites (fries)…and I knew…next time I was in Sin City, I had to try this place out.
Bouchon's homemade bread and toasted pistachios
My friend and I were seated immediately upon our arrival for our reservation. Our table was beautiful. Simple. Understated. But illuminated by the natural light of summer in Las Vegas. Nothing was overdone. And that was part of the beauty of it. Our server came over and poured us water. As he did so, he inquired if we would be interested in any wine. Neither of us are wine drinkers, and while the experience would have been amazing, we passed. He unfolded our menus for us (they are paper and guests are allowed to take them with them upon leaving) and told us of the specials that night. It was then that we alerted him of my food allergies and dietary restrictions, and he assured me that I would have no problem finding something. That being said, he pointed out that the soupe du jour that night was vegan – roasted potato leek soup with a black truffle oil. The very description of the soup was enough to win me over, so both my friend and I unexpectedly ordered the soup as a starter.
The rest of our order was taken and we eagerly anticipated our first taste of food from one of Thomas Keller’s restaurants. The food nerd inside me was squeeing with delight. As we waited, we were brought homemade bread and a small bowl of roasted pistachios to wet our appetites while we waited. My friend threw herself on the bread, and I enjoyed the nuts.
Bouchon's Soupe du Jour: Potato & Leek Soup with Black Truffle Oil
And then…the soup arrived. It look fantastic. Most soups with any sort of potato base are heavy, but not this one. It was light and the swirl of truffle oil added just the right about of flavor without overpowering the essence of the root vegetables in the soup itself. In fact, the truffle oil made the soup the perfect trifecta of seasoning and taste. One spoonful and Thomas Keller and his restaurant won my heart. Each ingredient melted on my palate and I soon polished off the bowl. My friend used the bread to mop up every last drop. Yeah…it was that amazing. And that was just our starter!
Since I am a vegetarian, there was only a few items that I could order on the menu. Pair that with a gluten-intolerance, and quite a bit more got knocked out of the running. Never fear though. Restaurants normally have a salad that will work and that held true for Bouchon. My entree of choice that night was the Salade Maraîchère au Chèvre Chaud, which consisted mixed greens with red wine vinaigrette, warm goat cheese and herbes de Provence. I ordered it with a side of the much raved about Pommes Frites…because whenever Anthony Bourdain says the fries are better than the ones from his restaurant, Les Halles, you know they have to be amazing. I certainly wasn’t going to miss out on trying them. My friend, following Bourdain’s lead, ordered the Steak Frites, which she has henceforth deemed one of the best medium-well steaks ever made for her (it was still juicy, while being cooked to an actual medium-well) and topped with a shallot-butter that she wants to baptize her children in. Apparently, it was mind-blowing.
Bouchon's Salade Maraîchère au Chèvre Chaud
When the entree was brought out, I already knew that, despite being a salad, it was going to be a good one. The thing with salad is, they don’t always have to taste alike. Salads can be a mishmash of amazing flavors that tantalize and tease taste buds. Or they can be bland. While this salad was minimal as far as ingredients go, the flavors were WOW! The goat cheese practically melted in my mouth. The herbes de Provence provided a bit of flair to what would have otherwise been a rather bland pile of mixed greens. And the red wine vinaigrette was the right hint of tart to marry the flavors together. Salads can be boring, or they can take “rabbit food” to the next level. Bouchon takes it to the next tier.
Bouchon's Pommes Frites
As for those much-raved about frites, Anthony Bourdain was right on the money. Thomas Keller trained his chefs at Bouchon right. Because fries are fries…in most cases. They can either be really good…or really bad. Most of the time it has to do with the cut and the how they are cooked, or how long for that matter. I do not like mushy fries. Steak fries are not my favorite cut. Neither are curly, nor crinkle-cut. Shoestring fries are generally my favorite because they come out with a crisp crust on them that lends bite to the potato. At Bouchon, the Pommes Frites were above and beyond any other fries I have ever eaten in my life. And I LOVE my fries. Bourdain is one of my culinary heroes for a reason. He has good tastes in deep-fried potato-y goodness. Bouchon doesn’t just serve up a sizable portion of frites on the side, they do a damn good job of cooking them to perfection. The waiter thought there was way too many frites on the table between my friend and I, but we polished them all off. Not one went to waste. Normally, I don’t finish my fries because there are so many of them…but that wasn’t the case here. I almost wished I had more. You think you’ve had fries…then you eat at Bouchon and you realize they set the bar for french fry standards and those waffle fries from Chick-Fil-A will never equal what you just consumed. Considering the paragraph on the Pommes Frites is now longer than that on the soup and the salad…just believe me. Try it for yourself and no other restaurant fries will ever compare. Nowhere. No way. No how! It isn’t a pompous French thing to call them Pommes Frites and serve up average fries. No…these have every right to be pompous and French. They earned it.
Bouchon's Marquise au Chocolat
Despite being full, dessert was a must. The dessert menu was presented to us and after a bit of discussion, my friend and I decided that we would split Marquise au Chocolat, a dark chocolate mousse with burnt orange cream. The dessert won my heart with dark chocolate. The orange cream was an added bonus. And when it arrived, we couldn’t have been happier with our decision. It looked like a slice of cake, laid out and surrounded by dollops of edible-orange goodness. Picture-perfect. And the taste…manna from heaven. Everything paired perfectly. The citric bitterness of the orange cream paired with the smooth dark chocolate and the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the mousse. It was fantastic. Down to the last bite, which was smeared through the last of the burnt orange cream so that nothing went to waste. I finished off the evening with an after-dinner cup of tea that just polished off the perfect meal.
Bouchon's hot tea
There is French bistro food and then there is Bouchon. Thomas Keller set out to do something amazing in Vegas, and he succeeded. Bouchon, tucked away in the Venezia Tower of The Venetian in Las Vegas, is one of those must-go places. When I return to Vegas, I will be making another reservation for a dinner there. Despite all of the culinary treats that are hidden away in Vegas, I can’t help but think of what new treats might be served up on the menu here. And I can’t wait to sink my teeth into those Pommes Frites once again. Make a reservation. Dress up. Dine. It’s a feast so pleasing to the any palate that there is literally something for everyone. Even this gluten-free vegetarian. Amazing food outweighs the celebrity name and the Michelin stars any day. From the moment you step into Bouchon, you feast upon great ambiance, great service, and great food. How can it get better than that?
Mr. Lucky's 24-7, inside the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
While on vacation, I always like to fortify myself for a busy day with a hearty breakfast. Sometimes a lunch isn’t guaranteed so something filling and delicious is what I seek out. Not wanting to wander all the way down to the strip before eating, I took the elevator from my hotel room in the Hard Rock Hotel down to Mr. Lucky’s 24-7, a 24-hour diner-style restaurant that has been recognized as one of Vegas’ “Best Late Night Snack Stops” since 2003 in the Las Vegas Weekly Reader’s Choice Poll.
Okay…so it’s good enough for the drunk…but so is Taco Bell. But, how does Mr. Lucky’s 24-7 measure up for the most sober person in Vegas…bright and early (6 a.m. early – I was still on Eastern Time Zone time, I swear!) on a Wednesday?
We were seated immediately, beside a huge mural of Jim Morrison. Already the ambiance was to my taste. The menu was classic diner-style with a little of everything. Breakfast foods ranging from egg dishes to pancakes to baked goods (muffins, bagels, toast). They also have salads, soups, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, fajitas, nachos, a variety of appetizers and even some desserts. The menu had a little of everything and a little of something…for anyone…or a group to share. Whatever you preferred.
With my food allergies, eggs are usually a safe gamble for me. So I stuck with that plan and ordered off the breakfast menu. I opted for Veggie Omelet done with egg whites. Since I couldn’t have the toast or English muffin that came with it, the server gladly substituted watermelon for me. I was thrilled because I LOVE my fruit. And…since my roommate is my acting food deputy, she inquired as to whether the hash browns that come with it were gluten-free. Since the server was unsure, he hurried back to the chef to inquire. He returned shortly after with the ingredients to the butter the hash browns were cooked in…the one ingredient in question when it came to the hash browns. Both my roommate and I inspected them and it passed. So, I was totally getting my hash browns! And this made me stupidly happy because I love my breakfast potatoes like no one else!
The food arrived in short order and I wasted no time diving into it. Even after the delicious food the night before, I was ready for some food. The melon was absolutely ripe and delicious! So happy to have a server suggest that as a substitute without me even having to inquire. I can’t do that around where I live. No one understands a gluten intolerance. Out West…they get it and they work with you! The omelet was AWESOME!! The vegetables were perfectly done. Nothing too wilty. Nothing runny. Delicious…especially when topped off with some hot sauce. Nothing goes better with eggs than hot sauce. I swear…it’s one of my favorite things! And the hashbrowns were perfect. Brown and crispy…yet still soft inside. The perfect hash brown.
The portions were HUGE…and not over-priced. So you really get a good deal here. And yes…I ate it all. Like I said, lunch wasn’t guaranteed…and in fact, we didn’t actually have lunch that day. So the big breakfast was just what we needed to get us going and energized for another full day on the Vegas strip.
Not only was this restaurant very careful with my food and mindful of my allergies…they worked with me and even took the extra precaution of sending out the ingredients in something so I could make sure it was safe. That’s not just awesome, that’s rockstar! And once again, after eating here…we decided the following morning we’d return to try something else off the menu.
When it demands a return, then it’s gotta be good. This diner-style restaurant did everything right with its food and service. Yeah…there is a reason it continues to receive accolades in Reader’s polls. It really is that delicious. Even when sober…even when eating breakfast…the food was dine-in delicious!
Mr. Lucky's 24-7 Veggie Omelet (made with egg whites), hash browns and watermelon
I just returned from an amazing culinary excursion of the West. If there was good food to eat, I was going to find it. And this trip proved my instincts to be right on par.
My culinary vacation began with a dinner at the world-renowned Nobu restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Located in the Hard Rock Hotel, this beautiful restaurant is tucked away in a quiet section and you immediately feel the difference upon entering. My roommate and I had reservations for 7:00 pm. We showed up about 15 minutes early, and were immediately seated. The first thing the waiter did, after unsheathing our chopsticks was to ask what we knew about the restaurant. Since we were Nobu-newbies, he went through the history of the restaurant briefly, then offered suggestions from the menu, including Nobu’s signature dish: Black Cod Miso. We alerted him to my food allergies and he assured me the kitchen had gluten-free soy sauce should I need it, as well as any sushi dish could be done vegetable style. He left us alone as he went to fill our drink order and we pondered the menu for a moment.
Nobu's Mushroom Soup
Upon his return, we placed our orders. My roommate went with one of the recommended dishes: the Miso Soup followed by the Rock Shrimp Tempura with a Creamy Spicy Sauce. I was craving vegetarian sushi. So I put in for the Mushroom Soup and a cut roll of the Vegetable Sushi and a cut roll of the Oshinko Sushi.
The soup arrived first. And this was going to be it. Our first taste of the much-raved over Nobu food. I picked up my spoon, eyeing the floating bits of mushroom in the broth before taking my first sip. And it was good. Beyond good. While most vegetable-based soups can run bland, this exploded with flavor, without being overpoweringly earthy. It was fantastic. My roommate gave it a try as well, although her favorite soup is still the Miso. We finished our soups and had time to let it digest before our dinners arrived.
Nobu's green tea - proceeds from the sale of their tea went to help with Japan's earthquake relief
The cut rolls were absolutely stunning. The Vegetable Sushi roll was cut in circular slices, stuffed with rice and a variety of vegetables. The Oshinko Sushi roll (pickled vegetables) exploded with flavor. This one was cut into smaller, square pieces and all displayed against a dark green banana leaf with ginger and wasabi on the side. Their ginger, by the way, was awesome. And I normally don’t like ginger. I opted to try the vegetable one first and took one bite and immediately fell in love with it. It was the best vegetarian sushi I had ever tasted. Packed with flavor…not bland or dull. But the real treat was the Oshinko. The pickled vegetables packed a powerful punch that played well against the rice. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever let cross my palate. It alternated between the two throughout the meal and polished off each roll, savoring every bite.
Nobu's Bento Box dessert
With the appetizer and main course down, we decided that since we were on vacation we’d treat ourselves to dessert. With my gluten intolerance, this can sometimes be a challenge. But, not at Nobu. We ordered the Bento Box, a flourless chocolate cake with a white chocolate sauce, shiso syrup and green tea ice cream. Was that ever worth the splurge. I have never, ever had a cake melt in my mouth before, but this did. Like butter. It was soft, creamy, dreamy, chocolate goodness paired with a green tea ice cream that paired so well with the gooey chocolate cake that it was an unbelievable party in my mouth. My roommate commented upon finishing that if it wouldn’t go against all dining etiquette, that she would lick the box it was served in. I also tried their green tea with my dessert and it was warm and delicious. All proceeds from the tea sold went toward helping Japan. A worthy cause…delicious tea.
Nobu was more than a splurge. It was a dining experience. No one should visit any city one of these restaurants are in without going. The tastes, the food, the ambiance…it all plays into one of the most amazing dining experiences. And the food…well, that’s a culinary vacation all its own. And one so good, that my roommate and I cancelled our Thursday night dinner reservation to return. But that is another blog…
Nobu's Cut Roll Sushi: Vegetable (round) and Oshinko (square)
It’s not every day that you run across a company that really, really cares about its clientele. Seriously. I’ve written letters to restaurants regarding their menus (lack of options for a vegetarian with a gluten intolerance…trust me!) and have received defensive letters in return or a form letter.
That was not the case with Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado. I visited the plant back in April when I ventured away from a convention I was attending in Denver to go see the plant. I am a tea fiend and Celestial Seasonings is my go-to tea…because it’s available EVERYWHERE! Before taking the tour, I had dropped into the café for a small breakfast and fell in love with some gluten-free breads that they had for sale.
As mentioned in my previous blog about my visit to Celestial Seasonings, I had e-mailed them about possibly receiving the recipes for the bread, as buying anything gluten-free out in Indiana is not only expensive, it’s practically impossible. (Seriously, grocery store sections are usually very small and most don’t even carry Udi’s bread!).
I received a message back from their Consumer Relations saying that they stumbled upon my blog and have been trying to locate the recipe for me, but currently haven’t been able to track it down. And they apologized for the time it took to get back to me. Needless to say, I was already impressed. One weeks later, I received another e-mail back from a different person in Consumer Relations, this time telling me that the gluten-free breads are actually brought into the café and not made on site, so recipes are not available to them. The fact that they spent all that time trying to track this down for me spoke volumes of the dedication they have to their customers. If I was impressed before, I was now gobsmacked.
But here is the epitome of customer appreciation. Upon returning home from work yesterday, I went to get the mail from my box and noticed an envelope in there from Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado. Upon opening it, I found a nice letter from a Jessica, a Consumer Relations Representative. This was no form letter either. It was typed out addressing not only their delay in getting back to me, but voicing their appreciation of my patience. But here is the kicker, folks…also inside were not only coupons for Celestial Seasonings tea and Arrowhead Mills gluten-free baking mixes…they also put in some recipes for a variety of gluten-free breads, muffins, cakes, pancakes, waffles, cookies, etc. This goes beyond customer service. This is ensuring customer satisfaction!
I said it to our tour guide on the tour of Celestial Seasonings, I said it to everyone back at the convention center where I was in Denver, and I’ve said it to people here where I live. I would work for this company!! I would love to work for Celestial Seasonings…even more so now because I have now been given ultimate customer service. When contacting companies these days over things, normally you don’t even know if you’re going to get a person on the other end. Celestial Seasonings is definitely run by real people. Real people who care and who take time to not only find an answer for you, but contact you back and make sure you are satisfied with the response they give.
I’m impressed. I’m beyond impressed. Boulder, Colorado is such a healthy area. The fact that gluten-free products are so readily available make me want to pack up and head out west. Maybe one day. But for now, I’ll remain in Indiana…and give these kindly provided recipes a whirl.
Thank you, Hain Celestial Group, for making me a bigger believer, not just in your company, but in your dedication to your customers. I raise a mug of Sleepytime Tea in your honor. Cheers.
Back in February, I was told that I have a gluten intolerance. This was…heartbreaking. I’m a girl in love with her carbs. Bread, pasta, pancakes, pizza, pretzels, muffins, bagels, donuts…all delicious and, sadly, all very glutenous. It has been a challenge taking on a gluten-free lifestyle. Expensive too. Sometimes I just can’t justify spending money to try out a product that I might not like. Granted, gluten-free products have come a long way over the years, but sometimes the trial-and-error method doesn’t work into my budget. And, not surprisingly, there are times all I crave are things that I can no longer easily have. One such thing was cookies.
That was until I was entered into an online contest during May’s Celiac Awareness Month on Gluten Free Networks. Just for being a member of the site, you were entered into drawings for gluten-free prizes all month. It just so happened that I won.
My prize was a box of gluten-free cookies from Enjoy Life. They had just rolled out their new line of crunchy cookies. I was going to receive one of four flavors: chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, crisp sugar, or vanilla honey graham.
My box arrived in the mail not long after and I received a box of their crunchy chocolate chip cookies.
I knew what dessert was going to be that night so after eating dinner, I broke into my prize and pulled out the cookies. On the box, despite being listed as crunchy, they still look very raised and soft. The cookies are pretty flat when you see them. But…sometimes cookies baked at home are like that. Let’s let the taste buds do the talking.
Now, my roommate does not have to be gluten-free, but she does eat that way sometimes because I’m the chef in this apartment and I refuse to cook things two different ways. So, I handed her a cookie and got my own. I was nervous about the first bite, but after taking it, feeling the crisp cookie break away and dance across my tastebuds…I was sold.
Not only did these taste like homemade cookies, they were really delicious! The crunch was just the right kind that I like with cookies (despite that I much prefer soft-bake…but Enjoy Life makes those too and might be worth a try). The chocolate chips were perfectly sweet and paired with the sweetness of the cookie base. I admit that I even reverted back to being five years old at one point and dunked the cookie into my glass of almond milk. A pre-packaged product that tastes like a homemade cookie isn’t an easy find, but I found it in this box. The rest were devoured throughout the week and I savored every bite.
If a grocery store out this way ever starts carrying these delicious treats from Enjoy Life…I’ll buy them up. I’m now dying to try the other flavors. Gluten-free tastes oh, so good again!
The Celiathlete 