Smith and Wollensky - Las Vegas, NV

If you have seen "The Devil Wears Prada" you might recognize this place. Smith and Wollensky was also featured on Food Network's "Best Thing I ever Ate." Although it was not the best thing I ever ate it certainly is up there.

I went to the one in Las Vegas while I was in town with the boys for CES (Consumer Electronics Show). It was a great trip with great food. Smith & Wollensky lived up to every ounce of hype it gets. I had the cajun steak and although I cant say it was the best steak it was memorable. The steak was cooked the way I like it...great crust on the outside and juicy on the inside. The asparagus and potatoes were just as good.

I think the great service and the being in Las Vegas played a part in my liking for Smith and Wollensky but I would certainly go back. They have several joints across the country with the original being in NY but I would not hesitate to choose this restaurant for dinner.


My Rating for Smith and Wollensky
Taste - 4.5 out of 5
Service - 5 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 4 out of 5

www.smithandwollensky.com

Bellagio Buffet - Las Vegas, NV

Vegas is one of my favorite places to visit and one of my favorite Hotels is the Bellagio. I can't really explain why but it could be the energy in the casino, the fountain show, or the fact that it was in Ocean's Eleven. Although the food doesn't really factor in my opinion of the Hotel The Buffet at the Bellagio has made a name for itself.

Featured on Travel Channel's Chowdown countdown for it's high end, never ending food you definitely don't leave there hungry. One thing that impressed me about The Buffet was that the choices were infinite, almost a hard chore if you weren't craving anything at the time. I did enjoy lunch there with my boys but I can't promise that I would go back. (Especially when there is an In-n-Out down the street and around the corner.)

If you are into delicacies like high end seafood this place is right down your alley. But it does have anything else you can possibly imagine. For me, I would rather grab something quick to get back to the tables or sit down for a steak at Craftsteak and/or Smith and Wollensky's.

My Rating for The Buffet at the Bellagio
Taste - 4 out of 5
Service - 4 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 2 out of 5

www.bellagio.com/restaurants/the-buffet

Serendipity 3 - New York City, NY

I don't usually watch chick flicks but there are a few that I really like. One of them is Serendipity, with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. Watching the movie made me curious how that chocolate drink tasted. So on one of my trips to NY I just had to taste it...

I hate to say it but my experience with Serendipity 3 was not the most enjoyable. The service was bad the food as a whole was not great (I think I had a chicken sandwich). The actual establishment was also really cramped. I think it was made for kids and petite women. As for the "Frrrozen Hot Chocolate" it was good...but not exceptional. I might go there again for the chocolate but only that. The wait alone(almost 2 hrs) makes me think twice about the previous statement.

If you are a fan of the movie or want to experience Serendipity 3 with your significant other feel free, you might like it. A TIP: get there early. But there are so many other places I would choose to stop and eat at when in NYC.


My Rating for Serendipity 3
Taste - 2.5 out of 5
Service - 2 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 2

www.serendipity3.com

Junior's Cheesecake - Brooklyn, NY

On a business trip to Brooklyn NY I accidentally stumbled upon one of my favorite places, Junior's Cheesecake. I had the night off and wanted to grab some dinner and with the misconception of Brooklyn being unsafe I thought I would walk till the streets were no longer lit. As I came upon the neon sign I remembered the episode of Making the Band where Diddy made the crew walk to Junior's for cheesecake so I gave it a shot.

I believe I had a few wings and a burger which were nothing to write home about but when I got to the cheesecake I was floored. It was the Apple Crumb cheesecake and it was the best I have ever had! I just remember the creaminess and tang that made it stand out from other cheesecake in the past.

I wasn's sure if it was just me or if others also thought highly of this cheesecake until I saw it featured on Throwdown w/ Bobby Flay and Chowdown Countdown on the Travel Channel. I actually ended up going back to Junior's the next morning for breakfast and try to grab a slice every time I am in the city. I highly recommend trying this stuff out!

My Rating for Junior's Cheesecake
Taste - 5 out of 5
Service - 5 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 4 of 5

www.juniorscheesecake.com

Quaker Steak and Lube - Westerville, OH

If you try anything at Quaker Steak and Lube you have to try the wings. You might have seen QS&L featured on Man vs. Food when he did the Atomic Wing Challenge. Although I have not had the courage to try the Atomic wings the others versions have hit the spot.

I first tried QS&L at a football party in Westerville, OH. I try to eat there every time I visit ever since. Many places serve wings but QS&L wings are the closest you can get to perfection. The wings are crispy, meaty, and full of flavor.

Other aspects about QS&L I like are the atmosphere and the full menu. If you are not feeling poultry you can get a burger and fries or ribs and onion rings. They have variety and I love options. The great food along with the sports filled atmosphere makes it a great place to grab a bite and watch the game.

My Rating for Quaker Steak and Lube
Taste - 4 out of 5
Service - 4 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 5 out of 5

www.thelube.com

Hello Deli - New York City, NY

The popularity of the Hello Deli has a little different path than most of the other places I have gone to eat. Rupert Jee gained popularity from being the neighbor of the Ed Sullivan Theater and the Late Show with David Letterman. As a fan of Letterman I wanted to check it out.

I got a chance to see Rupert when I was in NY for an engagement party. We left the Plaza Hotel that morning to do some sightseeing and happened to end up at the Hello Deli around lunchtime. I was not expecting much but I was actually impressed with my sandwich the "Regis Philban." I also liked that it didn't break the bank like some other Delis in NY.

Rupert was there the day my friends and I stopped by and turned out to be a really cool guy. He was wearing an Oklahoma Sooners shirt which made him even cooler. I would certainly go back and eat at the Hello Deli if I was in NY, hungry, and was at 53rd and Broadway.

My Rating for the Hello Deli
Taste - 4 out of 5
Service - 3 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 1 out of 5

www.hello-deli.com

Graeter's Ice Cream - KY & OH

Ice cream is something every lactose-tolerant people love. Who doesn't love hearing that ice cream truck music coming down the street or going to get ice cream at your local parlor with the family. It is such a great treat when the sun is blazing. So every summer (and every other season) I crave Graeter's Ice Cream.

Graeter's was featured on Food Network's Unwrapped and is worth every second of press. I was first introduced by a friend when I did my internship in Louisville, KY. I have not had any other ice cream that is better. My favorite is Toffee Chip but many of the other flavors are also good. They also make seasonal flavors that are a good way to mix it up if you eat there often.

What separates it from other ice cream joints is that the ice cream itself is good. Graeter's ice cream can stand alone and doesn't need any extra toppings to make it good. The big chunks of chocolate, extra butter fat, and french pot making process is enough. Not many ice creams can compete with Graeter's.

My Rating for Graeter's Ice Cream
Taste - 5 out of 5
Service - 5 out of 5
Establishment Aura - 5 out of 5

www.graeters.com