Cherry Cheesecake To Die For

.....
The Carnegie Deli inside the Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, never fails for dinner. This night, after the trade show, I found myselt at the Mirage. I wondered toward the deli and ordered up a Turkey, Bacon, and American cheese sandwich on a kaiser roll. And.... for dessert, I ordered a piece of cherry cheesecake.

The sandwich as usual was very good. And plentiful. The picture does not do it justice. This sandwich was huge. The turkey was fresh, tasted great, the bacon crisp and plenty of it, and the chesse, just enough to make it pop. The kaiser roll was fresh and good.

But this is about the dessert.
The slice was tall, and long, with plenty of cherries and sauce topping. The taste, well, it was of course excellent. I was sad when I was finished. It was that good.

The total cost was around $40 without take out service tip.

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Harrahs Las Vegas Fulton Street Pizza

Friday night, Vegas time, 9:30pm, my time from Ohio, 12:30am, tired, hungry, and hot. After checking in and unpacking my suitcase, I ventured down to the casino area looking for a bite to eat. I found the Fulton Street Food Hall, located inside Harrahs of Las Vegas.

I spied the pizza area and got in line and ordered two slices. I was given a piece of paper and told the pizza would be heated up for me and to go around the corner and pay for my purchase.

Around the corner was another line I had to wait in. After paying for my pizza, $15.00 for two slices of pizza. Not big slices, but regular sized pieces.

I then proceeeded back to where I ordered the pizza and of course, there were several people in front of me waiting for their slices to be warmed.

Anyway, after waiting in line again, my pzza slices were in my hand. I found a table and had at it.

The taste: None really, just bulk type food. I won't say I didn't like the slices, and i certainly won't state I liked them, they were just there, in front of me, I was hungry, there they were, and I ate them.

That would be the last time I would eat there.

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Bonannos MGM Food Court Chicken Parm

The MGM Hotel in Las Vegas is grand for sure, and vast, with a thousand choices for entertainment and dining. But sometimes, after a very long day working at the convention center, you want something simple and easy.

Stepping off the monorail I wound my way toward the food court. I spotted Bonanno's New York Pizzeria. I bellied up to the counter and ordered the Chicken ParmigiAana with Baked ziti. The cost was just under $15

The server piled on the ziti and sauce and loaded a big piece of chicken on the plate. He topped it off with a roll.

I found a table easily and dug right in. Holy cow, the chicken was tender, juicy, the breading perfect, the cheese good, and the sauce, it just topped it off right. This did not taste like a $15 meal. More like a $40-50 meal.

The ziti was lathered with cheese and sauce and was fantastic. A perfect compliment. Again, for $15 in Vegas, this was the dinner bargain of my trip.

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Japonais Restaurant - Mirage Hotel Las Vegas

Japonais Filet

The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has several outstanding restaurants and Japonais ranks as one of the best. As most of you are aware, I am not a friend of oriental cuisine so when I walked into Japonais, I had the feeling that I may not enjoy the evening. I was wrong!

The seating was not traditional, simply small tables low to the floor with bench seats and low lighting. As expected, the restaurant had a Japanese theme. (Hence the name) But that isn't what's important.
As you can see, I ordered filet mignon with creamy potatoes. It was served on a square low brim hot clay plate. The filet was around $40.00 without tip. A coke was added to complete my meal.

Surprisingly, the fillet was very flavorful, tender, juicy, and excellent. I was a little skeptical about the potatoes as well but they were very good. Instead of mashed, they were puree style with grilled asparagus.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4 shots out of 5 and recommends Japonais restaurant for dinner. Minor deductions for a minor mishap with our waitress and the cost being just a tad to pricey.

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Francesco’s Italian Restaurant – Las Vegas

Francesco's

Francesco's restaurant, nestled inside the Treasure Island casino was hard to find. It blended right into the casino atmosphere. Luckily, we found it and wandered in for dinner.

Appetizers

There were a few of dining that evening so table table appetizers were ordered. Above is a fine selection  of seafood dishes from the menu.

Chicken Parm

I ordered the chicken parmigiana. Before I did, I saw an order delivered to a table next to us and it looked fabulous. It would not disappoint.

The chicken was very lightly breaded, well cooked, juicy, smothered in cheese, with a tangy tomato sauce covering a tender chicken breast. The taste was very good. The sauce was tangy, the cheese good, and the chicken well cooked and good tasting. The meal was cooked to perfection and the service very efficient. And the cost, surprisingly low at around $25.00 without tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 3.75 shots out of 5 to Francesco's Italian Restaurant and recommends them for dinner.

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California Pizza - Bacon Pizza

California Dreaming - On Such A Winters Day

While the Mirage Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas has fabulous restaurants for fine dining, it also has the California Pizza restaurant. Don't get me wrong, California Pizza is a fine establishment, with a great menu including some top shelf pizza's, but instead of having the ambiance of Stack Restaurant, it has the feel of a quaint little pizza shop where you can order your favorite pizza and toppings.

We waited in line for roughly 10 minutes, which really isn't bad at all, and were seated and greeted by a friendly waitress. Water and plates were brought to the table in minutes. The waitress took our order and said she would be right back with our drinks.

I ordered the personal 10 inch size pizza with bacon as a topping. Twenty minutes later, it was brought to the table.

The pizza was cooked very well, all the slices were completely cut, (I so hate when pizza shops cannot cut the pizza correctly, missing parts of the crust or not cutting all the way through causing a mess) and the bacon topping was adequate, not generous, but adequate. BTW, the bacon topping was cooked well, not fatty like other pizza shops do.

The pizza tasted good, was of course hot, just came from the oven, and the price was adequate, $15 dollars not including tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 3 shots out of 5 and recommends California Pizza at the Mirage Hotel for lunch and or dinner.

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Aintgotno said

1. June 9, 2008 at 8:54 pm e
   i want one NOW
   Reply
2. 

Ben said

1. June 10, 2008 at 1:03 am e
   I want to open a pizza place that does NOT skimp on toppings for a change. I want thin crust and thick toppings and that is so hard to find.
   15$ for a personal pizza seems a little steep, is that standard or Vegas pricing?
   Reply
2. 

LOTGK said

1. June 10, 2008 at 8:23 am e
   Ben, at the Mirage, it’s pretty standard. A little pricey, as are all the hotel restaurants there.
   There was a time in Las Vegas, (And I’m showing my age now) that food was cheap there. I remember steak and eggs for $1.99 at the San Remo hotel (Now Hooters Casino and Restaurant) and the steak was good, not some cheap grade C left overs.
   Alas, I also remember the Tropicana Hotel as being nice.
   Reply
2. 

Gumby said

1. June 10, 2008 at 1:25 pm e
   Looks sparse. Not nearly enough for the price. But when in Rome.
   Reply
2. 

NegativePlus1 said

1. June 11, 2008 at 12:18 pm e
   That pizza looks small. 15 bucks is too much for that size pizza. You got ripped off man.
   Reply
2. 

Valdunagan said

1. June 11, 2008 at 11:33 pm e
   What Pat didn’t tell you is that with the cost of the pizza, three showgirls from the Love Theater were there to entertain him and his party until dinner was finished.
   Not including tips. LMFAO
   Reply
2. 

DataKing said

1. June 14, 2008 at 12:00 am e
   Tips, or tits? Certainly predicates the size of the gratuity.
   Reply
2. 

LOTGK said

1. June 14, 2008 at 11:25 pm e
   Ixnay on the showgirlsnay.
   Very good points DKing.
   Reply
2. 

Max Jackl said

1. June 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm e
   Vegas has to pay for the silicone some how.
   Reply
2. 
   

Stack Restaurant - Filet Mignon

How Did They Arrive At This Name

At least I know where this restaurant got it's name from. The waitresses and hostesses were all gorgeous women and of course, all were stacked in the breast department. Pamela Anderson size stacked. Hence the name. Stack!

Tomato Soup And Grilled Cheese

We had reservations and we were seated right on time. Menu's were brought out and drinks were ordered. (Lemon water for me)
I started out with tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. I love tomato soup and it did not disappoint. The soup was hot and thick and very tasty. So was the grilled cheese sandwich. Crunchy but not burnt.

A perfect Filet Mignon

The main course was of course filet Mignon and a twice baked potato. The filet was cooked perfectly, medium well done. The portion was generous, the taste, very good. Not a sliver of fat. All grade A choice filet.

The twice baked potato was a huge portion. In fact, it was two large potatoes. I only ate one but it was very good.

The cost was pricey, coming in at around $60 plus tip. (Apparently the price of breast implants has risen)

The total experience was pleasant, service and food excellent allowing the Grassy Knoll Diner to award 4 out of 5 shots to Stack and recommends Stack for dinner while in Las Vegas.

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1. 
   

   Gumby said

   May 19, 2008 at 9:45 am e
   So where are the pictures of the stacked blonde waitresses?
   Reply
2. 
   

   Aintgotno said

   May 19, 2008 at 4:16 pm e
   only in america … 
   Reply
3. 
   

   LOTGK said

   May 19, 2008 at 5:55 pm e
   God bless America.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Chica said

   May 19, 2008 at 11:35 pm e
   Haha I could spend 60 bucks feeding my family for two weeks. The waitresses must have been worth it.
   Reply
5. 
   

   LOTGK said

   May 19, 2008 at 11:53 pm e
   Gumby, I have a few snaps of the waitresses. Seriously, they looked like Pam Anderson clones.
   Blue, Las Vegas should be a country all it’s own.
   Chica, they were.
   Reply
6. 
   

   Fish-On-A-Wall said

   May 20, 2008 at 10:57 pm e
   Should be called Stacked.
   Reply
7. 
   

   Ben said

   May 21, 2008 at 11:08 pm e
   First Hooters now Stack, I am waiting for a restaurant called “Hung”…I wonder if they’d serve vietnamese cuisine.
   Reply
8. 
   

   Dexterp said

   May 24, 2008 at 8:02 pm e
   sound like fun
   Reply
9. 
   

Carnegie Deli - Turkey Sandwich

Carnegie Deli

The hamburger at the Carnegie Deli was so good that we returned for a second visit on our last trip. This time I ordered the turkey breast and American cheese sandwich on a Kaiser roll.

Turkey And Cheese On kaiser Roll

As was the last time, the service was quick and courteous and the order correct. The turkey was piled high, (Not as high or as much as the Stage Deli in NY, but who's is?) and the cheese fresh and plentiful. The roll was fresh and not hard.

Although this sandwich does not compare to the Stage Deli turkey sandwich, it was good tasting and priced right. (About $14.00 without tip)

The Grassy Knoll Deli awards 3.5 shots out of 5 and recommends the turkey sandwich at the Carnegie Deli inside the Mirage Hotel.

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Harrah's Cafe - Breakfast Platter

Harrash' Casino Big Breakfast

Harrah's Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas has plenty of gaming area but when you are hungry, where are you going to eat? One option is Harrah's Cafe. Our flight arrived late and we checked in late and I was very hungry. (They don't feed you on the plane) After we checked in and settled into our room, we went down to the Cafe. The cafe was busy but not packed. We waited a few minutes in line and then were seated.

Being that it was late, I asked if breakfast was available. It was. Breakfast is always available in the Cafe. Delighted in this knowledge, I ordered the sausage, egg, and home fries platter. Toast and jam came with the order.

The eggs were cooked OK, not runny, not burnt, the sausage links were well cooked, and the home fries were well cooked. All in all, a good breakfast. Throw in the toast and jam and it was a great dinner, err, breakfast.

The service was good, the food good, and the price was nice, under $15 dollars not including orange juice and tip. 

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.75 out of 5 shots and recommends Harrah's Cafe for breakfast and dinner.

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BLT Burger – Mirage Hotel

BLT Burger - Vegas

The Mirage hotel is full of many gambling games. Many fine eating establishments as well. BLT Burger is tucked away down one of the many hallways at the Mirage. On a whim, I decided to try it. Since this was a small restaurant, the seating was cramped. The hostess squeezed us in the middle of the floor. A few minutes later our waitress happened by and asked us what we wanted. I hope I wasn't interfering with her busy day. (She acted like I was)

I think It Was Fried Cheese

For my appetizer, I ordered fried cheese sticks and marinara sauce. Dammit, I thought I was in Mel's Diner and Flo was my waitress. After about ten minutes, she sort of tossed my plate on the table and moved on. Flo can "Kiss my grits!"

To top it off, half of the fried cheese sticks were hollow, I mean empty baby. Pretty much fried batter. Three sticks were like this. The others were adequate tasting, a little to greasy.

This Is Famous???

The way the night was progressing, I wasn't holding out for the entree. Being in BLT Burger, I thought it safe ordering a bacon cheeseburger and waffle fries. I would be wrong. Flo returned with my entree, but alas, it was not a cheeseburger, but some sort of chicken. I think it was chicken anyway. I sent it back to the disgust of Flo.

Ten minutes later my cheeseburger arrived along with burnt waffle fries. As you can see, the fries came in a fancy cup, and the bacon cheeseburger was nothing to write about. (Except in a bad way)

The price for this 7 ounce burger was $14 bucks. The waffle fries were $5 dollars.  The hollow cheese sticks were 8 bucks, and the Coke was $4 dollars. That's right folks, $31 dollars for this meal. Top off the shitty ass service from Flo the waitress tops off the evening.

Let's compare. A McDonalds double cheeseburger is $1 dollar. A large fry is $1.49. A Coke is $1 dollar. That's $3.49 for the same at BLT Burger. And you get curtesy at McDonalds as they ask you to please pull around to the second window.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 1 out of 5 shots and DOES NOT recommend BLT Burger in the Mirage for dinner.

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1. 
   

   No Way said

   December 6, 2009 at 6:05 pm e
   I was there last year and what do you expect, its a burger place. Did you expect filet mignon or something? Geez, its burgers.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 7, 2009 at 8:50 am e
     If you read my critique, you would understand i wasn’t looking for Filet Mignon. However, I was expecting courtesy and the correct order brought to my table. I don’t think that is asking to much.
     Reply
2. 
   

   Gumby said

   December 7, 2009 at 9:27 am e
   Welcome to good burger, home of the good burger, may I take your order!
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:14 pm e
     Pull around to the second window please….
     Reply
3. 
   

   Moominboy said

   December 7, 2009 at 4:26 pm e
   Meh, that’s a shame.
   Oh! I’m gonna post a picture of those swedish MAX burgers I was blabbering about. It’s a swedish burger chain that makes delicious stuff and they are actually buying out McD’s in Sweden.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:14 pm e
     Patiently waiting Luke, patiently waiting.
     Reply
     • 
       

       Moominboy said

       December 15, 2009 at 5:19 pm e
       Alright! Here it is!
       http://yfrog.com/1fphoto2ijj
       This is not a regular MAX burger and fries. I went for something called Hot Meal, which is a burger with jalapenos and fries with bacon, melted cheese and jalapenos. The size is smaller than in U.S. but normal for Europe. What separates MAX from other chains is that they serve free coffee with a menu. The cost was 78 SEK which is $10.80 but this is meaningless because of the dollar exchange rate. Instead we can compare it to a Big Mac menu that costs 68 SEK or a can of Coke that costs 10 SEK. But it was delicious  The burger was smaller than their regular ones but very tasty.
       Reply
       • 
         

         LOTGK said

         December 15, 2009 at 9:43 pm e
         I have had french fries, french fries with cheese, french fries with cheese and bacon, but not with jalapenos on them. Were they sliced or whole peppers?
         The burger looks standard fare and size for McDonalds and Burger King type food places. Not a bad price for the meal.
         Example, a Whopper burger king is $4 dollars, large fry is $2 dollars, large drink $2 dollars. I would guess it was $1 dollar for the add ons, the cheese and bacon for a total of $9 dollars.
         Thanks for posting the picture and critique.
         Reply
4. 
   

   Valdunagan said

   December 8, 2009 at 2:09 pm e
   Doesn’t look appealing. In N Out burger looks better.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:16 pm e
     Never been to In N out, so I’ll take your word for it.
     Reply
5. 
   

   Hawaii Flooring Leonard said

   December 8, 2009 at 10:08 pm e
   Hello I discovered your webpage by accident, I was browsing Yahoo when I came upon your site, I must say your webpage is very cool I just love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have the time at the moment to entirely browse your site but I have bookmarked it and also subscribed for your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. Thanks for a great webpage.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:12 pm e
     Oh Hawaii, somehow I thought SPAM was out of season on the islands. Looks like I was wrong.
     Reply
6. 
   

   Steve said

   December 12, 2009 at 10:09 am e
   This is a problem in so many places nowadays, whatever happend to the polite service and striving for a decent product of the burger establishments of my youth – I’ve paid similiar in a few places for what I thought was going to be a decent burger eating experience and got bad food, over salted/burned fries and shitty attitudes from the serving drones, If i wanted that I’d stay at home lol
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 15, 2009 at 9:13 am e
     That was my thought. I know I was in a burger joint, but a little niceness goes a long way. I can accept that the food was bad, but when the service is also lousy, well….
     Reply
7. 
   

   Russ Mcglasson said

   January 3, 2010 at 4:14 am e
   I like blogs like this one, I am sure you put an effort on it to keep it up.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     January 5, 2010 at 8:24 am e
     No, not really.
     Reply