Category Archives: Forking Restaurant Reviews

Honest unbiased reviews based on actual experiences

Ton Shou Katsu & Izakaya Las Vegas NV – GREAT KATSU – The Katsu is Worth a Fork!

Ton Shou is a Japanese Tapas and Izakaya Restaurant located in Las Vegas Chinatown in Nevada not far from the Las Vegas Strip. The specialties of the house are the Katsu…particularly the pork katsu. They offer a wide variety of all kinds of plates to please most appetites. A few of the other offerings are sashimi, sushi rolls, seafood, beef, chicken, pork, salads, rice bowls, curry, noodles, sando (sandwiches), bar drinks and more! BUT the whole menu is only available 5pm and latter. During the day only the first two pages of menu are offered. During the day they offer some appetizers, a whole page of katsu, sando (sandwiches), udon, and a few other things.

Near the entrance they have a small lobby.

The dining area is mostly half booths with some counter seating.

We started out by sharing the Chicken Karaage.

I don’t know if what I received was typical or not but if it is I do NOT recommend The Chicken Karaage. It’s a mystery to me….The exterior is shattering crisp and fried to perfection. Inside is chicken that is cooked (also is somewhat flavorless) but also inside is rubbery chicken skin that is unappetizing to me and my husband. I took this home for my dogs.

The Good News is both Katsu dishes we tried were spectacular!

They start katsu service with a small bowl of sesame seeds that you mash up.

Then they add the katsu sauce to your mashed sesame seeds.

Now you are ready for your katsu platter.

I tried the salmon katsu minus the pork soup.

There is a lot here. I got breaded, plump meaty, moist, medium/rare-ish salmon…That is really great!!!!! There is also cabbage salad that you adjust to your taste with 5 condiments and a generous pot of steamed sticky rice.

My husband the Rosu (pork loin) Katsu.

He said it all was really great and also enjoyed the pork soup.

Ton Shou Katsu and Izakaya is Work a Fork (If you get the Katsu)

Worth a Fork!

Ton Shou Katsu and Izakaya

4049 Spring Mountain Rd Las Vegas NV

702-202-2182

www.TonShouVegas.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

My Trip to China Mama at Palace Station Las Vegas NV

China Mama is well known in Las Vegas for offering authentic and fusion Chinese Foods. They have around a half dozen locations in Las Vegas. Each location has their own separate website and some of the locations differ a bit.

The Palace Station Location is located in the Palace Station Hotel/Casino that is very close to the Las Vegas Strip.

The Palace Station location has a bar and does offer high end wines.

$820.00 bottle of wine

There is an open kitchen.

The tables are set with fancy plates and chop sticks.

I was going to order Iced Tea but my server said that the only iced tea they have is raspberry flavored so I went with water.

Our server talked us out of getting several plates that we were going to try. He told us that some were too spicy for him so we wouldn’t be able to eat them and he also said that some dishes were better than other dishes. The dishes he talked us out of getting were – Chilled Assorted Vegetables, Stir Fried Wood Ear Mushrooms with Chinese Yams, and Asparagus, The Poached Sliced Beef with Chili Sauce, and the Mongolian Beef.

After we ordered two of the three plates arrive in about 20 minutes.

We ordered one of the Signature Dishes called Sliced Fish (sole) Filet with Picked Mustard, bean sprouts and glass noodles.

It’s much larger than I was expecting and can feed two people. It is also pretty spicy. I wasn’t expecting that. They didn’t give us spoons or bowls so I’m not sure if you are suppose to eat the broth. Many people including management checked on us but nobody offered spoons or bowls to us. The fish is mild tasting but also has a grainy texture and not a silky smooth texture like I was expecting.

We also were talked into the stir fried green beans. They were very good but don’t pair well with the spicy pickled mustard laced dish.

We ate till we were full and our third plate the Sizzling Beef with Black Pepper Sauce hasn’t arrived. (this was at least 40 minutes after we ordered) My husband Flagged someone down to tell them to cancel The Sizzling Beef. Then a minute latter it arrives. We get apologies from the manager. He offers to take it off our bill and packs it up for us to bring home. I said, Thank You.

We got a generous amount of beef but it taste like soy sauce. Doesn’t taste like Black Pepper….Not sure what it is? Or maybe the black pepper sauce is just missing?

That was my trip to China Mama Palace Station

2411 W Sahara Ave Las Vegas NV

702-600-9702

www.ChinaMamaPS.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Seventy Six Taverns by Station Casinos – North Las Vegas NV Mostly Great Food – Worth a Try!

Seventy Six Taverns by Station Casinos is a soon to be group of American Taverns with American Food, Drinks, and Gaming. The first Seventy Six Tavern is located in North Las Vegas Nevada. It looks similar to most of the other gaming bars with food.

They all have a big bar in the center with lots of big screen TVs and tables to the side.

We tried the poblano rings.

Now these are different and tasty. I’m not a big fan of the creamy ranch with a slight bit of chipotle but the rings are tasty enough without the dressing.

My husband really enjoyed the filet tips.

The beef was tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were also very good and the broccoli was a generous portion that was steamed and plain.

He also said that the burger (He tried the All American burger MR) was really EXCEPTIONAL. It had a great beefy taste like a really great steakhouse burger and was juicy and medium-rare as requested.

The Fish and Chips are also very good. They were fried perfect and seemed free of oil. The fries were hot and fresh and seasoned just so. Cole Slaw was kinda plain but also was fresh and crisp.

It also was a large portion that I couldn’t finish.

The only dud was the salmon…….

I tried the salmon entree.

It’s painfully average. Slightly over cooked salmon topped with a compound butter with too much dried dill. It also came with steamed plain rice and a whole stalk of PLAIN unseasoned steamed broccoli.

I’ll be nice and not judge this place on the salmon entree because a lot of places don’t do salmon plates well.

So far very good if you skip the salmon.

Worth a Try!

Seventy Six Tavern by Station Casinos N Lamb Blvd North Las Vegas NV

702-631-7000

www.SeventySixTaverns.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

A Taste of OhLaLa French Bistro Las Vegas NV – Worth a Fork!

OhLaLa French Bistro is a full service French Restaurant and Bar located in the Summerlin Part of Las Vegas Nevada.

It’s comfortable and rich looking inside.

The tables are set with wine glasses.

They are open for lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner, and are closed on Mondays.

They start you off with baguette bread and butter.

For lunch you might want to order something like a salmon croissant.

Or maybe a Hachis Parmentiere? (French Shepard’s pie)

They offer appetizers like-

A beet salad

escargot

their amazing goat cheese with onion confit jam, pistachios, and honey

and of course French Onion Soup (delicious vegetable and onion based).

A few of the entries they offer are-

Duck Breast

Duck Leg Confit with Mustard Sauce

Sole Meunière

And some of the wonderful desserts they offer are –

Chocolate Liegeois

Sorbet with Macaron

Chocolate Mousse

Lemon Meringue Pie

OhLaLa French Bistro is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

OhLaLa French Bistro

2120 N Rampart Blvd Las Vegas Nevada

702-222-4522

www.OhLaLaFrenchBistro.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Hummus Republic – Fast Food – Worth a Try!

Hummus Republic is a Fast Food and Halal Mediterranean Style fast casual “Build-Your-Own” Bowl, Wrap, Pita and more type of place with many locations.

You go down the line and build your meal “Chipotle Style.”

Then you pay and seat yourself.

We both tried bowls.

Between we tried a lot of what they had to offer. The varieties of chicken were reasonably good and moist (lemon chicken, breaded chicken, and shawarma chicken). We also tried a variety of hummus all were reasonably good (traditional, olive, feta, harissa). Sauces we tried were tasty (harissa tahini sauce, green hot sauce, hot Moroccan Sriracha Sauce. Mostly reasonably good…but least favorite bite was the falafels. They were a bit dense, not herby or crunchy but not terrible for a fast food place……

Hummus Republic is Worth a Try!

Hummus Republic

2546 E Craig Rd North Las Vegas NV

818-293-5269

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Skye Thai Las Vegas NV – Take Out Thai that is a little different – Worth a Try!

Skye Thai is a small Thai Restaurant that is mostly just for take out because they only have four tables inside. This restaurant is located in the Centennial area of Las Vegas Nevada. They offer a few dishes that you wouldn’t normally find at most Thai restaurants like Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Pho, a Pumpkin/Zucchini and egg dish. Soft beverages are offered here and they have coconut ice cream with roti or banana fritter.

It’s very casual. You order and pay at the counter. All the food comes out in take out containers. Food is ordered with either no heat or up to number ten.

We started out with the Brussels Sprouts in Garlic Sauce Appetizer.

Ummm they are different and very tasty. Never had Brussels Sprouts in a Thai Restaurant before.

I try the Stir Fried Pumpkin/Zucchini and Egg under Thai Classic Dishes (#7 for heat).

#7 heat is almost too hot for me…….All the heat was absorbed by the pumpkin. Then you cool off with the zucchini in this dish. It’s tasty but really different. Never had anything like this in any Thai Restaurant. It also came with steamed Jasmin rice that was very fresh and nice and sticky.

Below is the Pad Kra Pao.

Here the protein (chicken) is hand chopped for more surface and that means more flavor. It is also nicely infused with basil. The Pad Kra Pao is very good here.

On another visit I tried the Pla Rad Prik (crispy fish in a slightly sweet chili sauce with green beans #4 heat).

Wow! This is different and delicious! The #4 heat is also kinda hot but just right here. The fish is crispy, and the basil is also crispy. The green beans are well fried but also crispy and really great. This is a really tasty dish too.

My husband tried the Pad See Eiw (crispy pork with noodles #7 Heat).

This he said was just ok…not bad but not something he’d get again. He said that he thought my #4 dish was hotter than is #7….The woman working there brought him out extra hot pepper seasoning.

Skye Thai is a little different but also Worth a Try!

9650 W Skye Canyon Park Drive Las Vegas NV

702-998-6647

I have not found a website for Skye Thai.

Every THING is subject to change

The Forking Truth

Bazaar Mar – Las Vegas NV – Seafood Tapas by Jose Andres & Team – Sometimes Spectacular – Sometimes Not Perfect

Bazaar Mar is a Seafood, Tapas, Restaurant, and Bar laced with Spanish Embellishments by Multi Award Winning, Michelin Stared Chef, and Restauranteur Jose Andres and Team. The Las Vegas Location is in the Shops At Crystals on the Las Vegas Strip.

On the way to the tables you walk by the bar area.

You might walk by the open kitchen and see the fresh catches.

Inside is open and airy with colorful Picasso Type Portraits.

Small Bite River Trout Cones from my fist visit were good.

My husband enjoyed the small bite Jose’s Taco made with the finest ham.

From my first visit the small sandwich called bagel and lox was amazing and was one of the best bites of the year. It was so layered with textures and flavors it was incredible.

From my second visit it looks the same but tastes totally different. The air bread has a hard shattering texture this time and crumbles when you bite into it. The capers and onions aren’t flavorful like before. Even the lox tastes different to me. Bummer.

My husband’s favorite plate from our first visit was the Blue Fin Tuna with Fried Egg.

On our second visit it tastes completely different too.

This time it has too much soy dashi broth that over powers the dish. Bah

Heard great things about the liquid Olives so we gave it a try.

The stuffed olives are good. For my taste the liquid olives are too strong. They taste like 10X a olive taste.

Both grilled fish we tried were very good.

Durrad

Branzino

Japanese Baby Peaches from Bazaar Mar

Both times the Japanese Baby Peaches were amazing.

The Pina Colada Dessert was good.

The Citrus Meringue was better.

Service was spectacular from my first visit and the service was very average on my second visit. (Things weren’t explained, One plate was forgotten, entree was slammed down same time with small tapas plate, last tapas came after entree)

Bazaar Mar sometimes Spectacular and sometimes Not Perfect.

Bazaar Mar

3720 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV

702-803-1100

www.TheBazaar.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill Centennial Hills Las Vegas NV – Casual Eats – Worth a Try!

Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill has four locations in Las Vegas Nevada. They are located in Henderson, Green Valley, Spring Valley, and Centennial Hills. This is a casual-fast Healthy Style Mexican Restaurant. They offer mostly “build-your-own” bowls and burritos, They also serve some other things like tacos, appetizers, soft beverages, and Mexican soft beverages at the Centennial Location.

My husband and I both tried the Clasico Zaba Bowls and we shared an order of fried Zalapeño Balls (potato with jalapeño).

Our bowls came out very different.

My husband tried his bowl with beef and shrimp. He said that the proteins were both flavorful and cooked nicely.

I tried mine with chicken that also was moist, tender, and flavorful. Everything was tasty and seemed very fresh. I thought the Clasico sized bowl was very large and could possibly be two meals.

We both liked the flavor of the Zalapeño Balls (note one got eaten before I photoed and was three balls)

The texture was odd to us and might have been over mixed and seemed very gluey.

We’ll go back for more bowls and maybe try a taco next time!

Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill – Centennial Hills – Casual Eats and Worth a Try!

6630 N Durango Dr Las Vegas NV

702-836-9222

www.Zabas.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Yama Sushi & Korean BBQ N. Las Vegas NV – Worth a Try!

Yama Sushi (at the time of this posting) has four locations in the Las Vegas Nevada Area. The North Las Vegas Location besides the All-You-Can-Eat sushi they also offer hot pots and Korean BBQ. They also offer bar drinks and K-Pop on a wide screen TV fills the air.

Below is part of the seating.

They have two choices for the All-You-Can-Eat. They differ by about $5. and the difference is very little (30.95 &35.95 subject to change). My husband is a big eater so we were able to try 13 dishes.

Everyone like tempura vegetables (onion rings, sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli)

The chicken karaage is delicious and tasty here.

Above is seared salmon (recommended by my server) and was the best of the bunch. Belly salmon, Yuzu yellowtail, mackerel. Not the best sushi…..but not terrible either.

Salmon Kama (salmon collar …the collar is usually the best part of the fish) was ever so slightly over cooked today.

1/2 TNT Sushi Roll (spicy salmon and spicy tuna) my least favorite of the bunch because it was very over seasoned with a spice mix.

Beef Brisket

Beef Brisket – a bit too fatty for me but other people will like.

The Bulgogi was tender and flavorful.

I enjoyed the beef bulgogi in radish slices from the food bar ( little food bar with kimchi, radish slices, cucumber salad, and a few more vegetable choices)

Spicy Chicken – very tender and spicy but the chicken itself had little flavor.

Kurobuta sausage

Pork Gyoza – My husband said that these were very good.

Korean Popsicle – we tried pistachio & melon. Both were pretty good tasting!

Yama Sushi & Korean BBQ is Worth a Try!

2235 E Cheyenne Ave N. Las Vegas NV

702-630-1400

www.YamaSushiLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

New York Bagel N Bakery – Las Vegas NV – Worth a Try! – Different

New York Bagel N Bakery is located not too far from downtown Las Vegas (NV). It’s a small bagel and bakery shop. They offer breakfast bagels, bagel sandwiches, salads, fresh squeezed orange juice and more.

It’s different from other bagel shops that I’ve been to.

Anyways they do have bagels and I spotted a flagel.

Here are other cases of baked goods.

They also whip up their own cream cheeses.

It’s small and casual. You order and pay at the counter. They call your name when your order is ready.

We shared some fresh squeezed orange juice.

A pastrami in a salted bagel.

The pastrami is lean but good. Potato salad and a pickle were the sides here. The potato salad could use a tad bit of seasoning…..

Here’s a whitefish salad stuffed everything bagel.

Cole slaw is the non-drippy type. The bagel is really different. I think it’s good but not like any other bagel out there…….To me it’s more like a cross between an Italian Roll and a bagel…….I’m not a fan of the whitefish salad. For my taste it is too salty and has the texture of hummus. But maybe other people like it this way?

New York Bagel N Bakery is different and Worth a Try!

New York Bagel N Bakery

840 S Rancho Dr Las Vegas NV

702-258-7400

I haven’t found a website for New York Bagel N Bakery but have found their menu on Grubhub and Seamless.

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth