Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Restaurant Review

28 Feb 2012

Le Cirque – Las Vegas (Bellagio)

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An irresistible invite from Bellagio brought The Astronomer and me to Las Vegas for a weekend of dynamite wining and dining. After arriving at the hotel, checking into our room, and dropping off our bags, we strolled over to Sirio Maccioni‘s famed Le Cirque for a late-night supper.

Le Cirque, which opened 38 years ago in New York City, made its Las Vegas debut at the Bellagio in 1998. The restaurant is the recipient of the AAA Five Diamond rating, as well as one Michelin star.

Set under a plush circus tent, Le Cirque’s elegant and lively dining room felt miles away from the din of slot machines. In a city where bigger is generally regarded as better, this intimate space felt like a real treat.

Whereas New York’s Le Cirque is set among skyscrapers, this location is perched lakeside, overlooking the hotel’s famous fountains. Every fifteen minutes, The Astronomer and I were entranced by the dancing water and shimmering lights. It felt quintessentially Vegas, and maybe a little cheesy, but we loved it anyway.

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Restaurant Review

24 Feb 2012

Hama Sushi – Los Angeles (Downtown)

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While the weathered paper sign mounted on Hama’s front door might rub some the wrong way, it only made me hungrier when I read it. For me, there is little better than pristine fishes, served fresh and unadorned.

My cousin Phil and I dropped into Hama for dinner a few weeks ago in celebration of my 30th birthday. We were seated at the horseshoe-shaped bar after a twenty minute wait. The space, like the food, is straightforward and unembellished. I felt right at home at the bar.

I didn’t catch the name of the gentleman making our food this evening (pictured above), but make sure to sit at his station when you visit. He seasons with a deft hand and cuts the fishes perfectly.

While perusing the menu and marking down our order, we were served a light and refreshing dish of pickled cucumbers with sesame seeds and seaweed.

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Restaurant Review

22 Feb 2012

Tar & Roses – Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

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Tar & Roses has been humming and happening ever since it opened just under a month ago. Named after the tasting notes characteristic of wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, Tar & Roses serves up big and small plates in a lively neighborhood setting.

I came in for dinner last week with my friends and fellow food bloggers Darin and Esi. As guests of the restaurant, we were completely spoiled by chef and owner Andrew Kirschner—he sent out way too much food and we in turn ate more than our fill! It was a delightful evening, one that left me waddling out the front door with a smile on my face and doggie bags in hand.

Prior to opening Tar & Roses, Chef Kirschner spent the last decade honing his craft at Joe’s in Venice, Chadwick in Beverly Hills, Table 8 in West Hollywood, and Wilshire in Santa Monica. He was named “Best New Chef in 2008” by Angeleno magazine.

Chef Kirschner’s “modern and rustic” menu is divided into four sections: Snacks, Small, Veggies, and Large. There’s nothing I love more than grazing over half a dozen plates rather than sticking to a single main course. The menu here is just my speed.

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