Monthly Archives: January 2025

The $62. Chefs Table Sharing Menu from Monzu Italian Oven Is Worth a Fork!

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Monzu Italian Oven is Located not to far from the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. The Chef recently has been awarded Chef of the Year from the Nevada Restaurant Association. They offer a traditional Italian Menu, bar drinks, and wines. They also offer a variety of Sharing Menus. We always go for the $62. (subject to change) Chefs Table Sharing Menu.

It always differs some but they always start you off with their amazing five day crafted natural bread made with a 300 year old family apricot starter. It comes embellished with house made ricotta cheese and olive oil.

Next was a board filled with meats, cheeses, sage wrapped anchovies and other goodies.

Then come a variety of salads.

You always get some of their amazing pizza with embellishments of mascarpone cream and Calabrian Chiles.

Two pasta courses- Tonight it was pillowy gnocchi in gorgonzola sauce with walnuts

and Crepe Bolognese Lasagna

Next it is two main courses.

Tonight it was Crispy Skin Sea bream with leek potatoes

and Hanger Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Salsa Verde

The Sweet Ending was Cannoli and an Italian Doughnut with Citrus Cream

Monzu Italian Oven’s $62. Chefs Table Sharing Menu is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

Monzu Italian Oven & Bar

6020 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas NV

702-749-5959

wwwMonzuLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Food News – Best Salads I’ve tasted so far in Las Vegas NV

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I recently read a local article stating the authors favorite salads in Las Vegas. I don’t think they’ve tasted what I’ve tasted and here is my take on best salads from what I’ve tried so far.

A really great salad that is really near the top is the Smoked Salmon Salad from Yoshiya Kitchen.

House smoked salmon, greens, edamame, onion, seaweed, tomato, rice, yuzu sesame dressing

The Caesar salad from Ferraro’s Ristorante

Romaine, REAL anchovy dressing, parmesan, toasted crumbs, black pepper (I once worked in a fine dining restaurant and made Caesar Salads Table-side so I really do know how a Caesar should taste) This Caesar I have to rate as #1 for Caesar.

For another traditional Caesar. The one from Rang’s Cocina Moderne is also one of the best.

This salad is very good and very close to Ferraro’s Ristorante’s Caesar. It’s just slightly a thinner dressing and is slightly light with black pepper for a Caesar Salad but still is very good and up there above nearly all the Caesars I tried..

The other Caesar that needs to be mentioned is the NON-TRADITIONAL Caesar from Soulbelly BBQ.

This one is very unique and DECONSTRUCTED. If you taste a green by its self flavors are missing……..Then there are these SURPRISE and amazing cornbread croutons that contain all the missing flavors from the dressing and the salad POPS! (I added the very good BBQ turkey to make this salad a complete meal)

Below is the cucumber salad from Din Tai Fung.

It’s the best Asian Cucumber Salad that I have ever tasted.

The Insalata Nizzarda from Matteo’s (in the Venetian Hotel/Casino)

Confit Tuna, Greens, Green Beans, Potatoes, Olives, capers, anchovies, sweet tomatoes.

The Salad from Namu Korean Tapas and BBQ was amazing.

It was this scrumptious mix of sweet, cheesy, lettuce, tomatoes, nuts, and their spectacular house made ricotta cheese. It was super delicious!

One of the most exciting salads was the Sandiada Salad from Aroma Latin American Cocina.

Watermelon, soft greens, jicama, cashews, …….just magical…TOMATOES NIXTAMALAS and Chamoy Vin. I’m speechless. Really delicious and I never had anything like this before.

Food News – The BEST Salads I’ve tried in Vegas So Far…….

The Forking Truth

Easy Halvah Fudge Recipe

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By accident I invented Halvah Fudge. I was reading several recipes for halvah……I also read a lot of complaints that most of them didn’t work out as well as people hoped for. This is my first try at it. It came out delicious. Anyone would like it as a confection. I think the cubes would also be FORKING FANTASTIC chocolate coated. I added around a 1/2 cup of pistachios. I added maybe a 1/3 of a 1/2 cup to the batter and some for the top and bottom. Do what you want for yours…a different nut? some chocolate chips? This makes 8-16 servings depending on if you eat one or two squares.

Ingredients for 8-16 servings

3/4 cup tahini

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup water

optional 1/2 cup pistachios

Directions

Spray a small tray (Like a take out container I didn’t measure it but it was something like 5×7 inches) with non stick spray. Add a few nuts if adding nuts and set to the side.

Mix all the ingredients well in a microwavable dish (I used a Corningware bowl) Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 2 minutes (mix in nuts)

Pour mixture into small tray. Top with some nuts if using nuts.

Cover with plastic wrap and let chill over night in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!!!!

Halvah Fudge

Then I chocolate covered them and topped with a few more pistachios.

Enjoy either way!!!

The Forking Truth

Asian Wok – Las Vegas NV – Most similar to East Coast American Chinese so far- Worth a Try!

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Asian Wok is an American/Chinese casual restaurant located in North/West Las Vegas Nevada. They offer most of the usual American/Chinese take out dishes and they also offer some of the popular Thai Dishes and do offer a children’s menu. Soft beverages are served here. It’s casual here. You order and pay at the counter. It’s also not a fancy place but it seems clean.

They started us off with fried crispy noodles and duck sauce.

I tried the Szechuan Chicken with brown rice.

It’s full of a variety of fresh vegetables and some of them are broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers, onion, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, carrots, and zucchini. The white meat chicken is nice and tender…..This sauce is the very first and only sauce so far that taste like something I would get at most east cost American Chinese Restaurants. It is spicy but not too spicy and is not flat or too sweet. It’s full of flavors and taste great…This is the best I’ve tried since I moved to Nevada.

My husband tried the Black Pepper Beef.

The beef was tender and he thought it was very good.

We’ll be back to try more!

Asian Wok is the most similar American/Chinese Food we’ve tried so far in Vegas!

Worth a Try!

Asian Wok

6515 N Buffalo Drive Las Vegas NV

702-432-8886

www.AsianWokLasVegas.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

My Visit to Balla Italian Soul – Las Vegas NV

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Balla Italian Soul has won several awards and is by a James Beard Award Wining Chef. This restaurant is located in the Sahara Hotel/Casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.

It’s beautiful and rich looking inside.

It just feels like you are in a nice place.

We went with the three course special for single orders…..(the three course menu on the menu and website is for parties of four or more)

Not included but we added on focaccia with taralli crackers.

The bread is light and airy and seems freshly made.

First course is Caesar Salad.

The baby romaine is nice, fresh and crisp. I think that the dressing taste more like ranch dressing than Caesar dressing….It was also odd that the food runner didn’t offer black pepper. Our server offered black pepper when we were around halfway finished. After finishing we wait about 20 minutes for our next courses.

Casarecce – tomatoes, garlic, basil, Calabrian Chili

Rigatoni Fra Diavolo – Shrimp, Calamari, Bell Pepper, and Mint

Both were cooked nicely but neither was spicy.

We waited at least another 20 minutes for the next course.

We both had the Sea Bream for our third course.

The Sea Bream was garnished with greens and was served in a lemon butter type sauce and came with mushy broccolini and potato puree with a parmesan crust.

The fish was cooked nicely but was an extra small portion. The broccolini was mushy. The potatoes were tasty.

My husband asked for a refill on his water but never got his refill.

It was also a birthday reservation but nothing happened so we paid and left.

That was my trip to Balla Italian Soul.

Balla Italian Soul

2535 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV

702-761-7619

www.SaharaLaVegas.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Din Tai Fung at The Aria Hotel/Casino Las Vegas NV – Worth a Fork!

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Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese Restaurant that specializes in serving steamed dumplings and noodle dishes. They have at least twenty locations with eleven in California, one coming to Scottsdale Arizona, one in British Columbia and one in New York, two in Oregon, four in Washington, and one in the Aria Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas Nevada.

The Las Vegas location is very large and very busy.

With multiple dining areas on multiple levels. They also have en exhibition kitchen.

This cucumber salad is amazing. This by far is the best cucumber salad I’ve ever tasted.

This next dish is good but was my least favorite because it was very bland and needed condiments. It was the cod dumplings….Again not bad but not exciting at all.

Next was the noodles with diced beef and Szechuan pepper. To my surprise this is NOT too hot spicy…..It’s good.

I thought the chicken and mushroom buns had a nice flavor but the chicken meatball inside was a little hard.

The CRAZY FORKING AMAZING DISH was the spicy chicken wontons….WOW were they delicious and not too spicy.

OMG! The sauce is so great that I would buy it by the gallon.

Din Tai Fung is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

Din Tai Fung at The Aria Hotel/Casino

3730 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV

702-590-8650

www.DTF.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Food News – There is Bagel Fusion in Las Vegas NV

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We do come across lots of Asian Fusion Restaurants everywhere. But here in Las Vegas I noticed at least two Bagel Fusion Restaurant Choices.

One is called New York Bagel N Bakery. Sounds like the right name for a bagel place. This one was different from any other bagel place I ever was in. Inside was a picture of The Pope. I also saw a picture of the Sopranos. I saw a couple of Italian Deli Clocks.

I also saw this …………….(I think it’s the move Casino?)

One of two Italian Deli Clocks

New York Bakery Sign with a MonteSantos Sign.

Cherubs and something that looks like a priest on the wall.

They offered PIZZA Bagels (pictured above), Biscotti, Cannoli, Rainbow Cookies, and those Lobster Rolls.

But they do also offer normal bagels with the normal fillings……

Pastrami on Salt Bagel with Potato Salad
Whitefish Salad on an Everything Bagel with Cole Slaw

They also do an Italian Fusion Sandwich of a Bagel stuffed with Capiccola, Mortadella, Genoa Salami, Provolone, Lettuce, Tomato, Oil, Vinegar. (called the Italian Piled High).

Bagel N Bakery

840 S Rancho Dr Las Vegas NV

702-258-7400

No Website

The other Bagel Fusion is in the Food Court in the Fontainebleau Hotel/Casiono called El Bagel.

I saw Chef Aaron May there eating Matzah Ball Soup there. He got up when I got close enough to photo. (that IS HIM from behind)

El Bagel

They have some unusual bagel fusion here.

They offer a EB Original Bagel Sandwich stuffed with Scallion Cream Cheese, Roasted Jalapeños, and Thick Bacon. They also offer maybe THE MOST UNUSUAL bagel sandwich called King Guava that is filled with a fried egg, cream cheese, GUAVA marmalade, and potato sticks.

They also serve traditional bagel sandwiches.

Pastrami
Lox and Cream Cheese

El Bagel at Fontainebleau

2777 Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV

702-678-7272

www.FontainebleauLasVegas.com

That was Food News – There is Bagel Fusion in Las Vegas

The Forking Truth

The FORKING Weirdest Looking Potato Chip Ever!

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I found the weirdest looking potato chip ever. I found it at Big Lots. The brand is called Long Chips. they are called Mashed Potato Snack. The flavor was honey BBQ.

They are super thin and you can almost see through them. to my surprise they taste ok……..Kinda good actually.

I wasn’t able to find any information on them on the web.

Don’t know if I will ever come across them again.

These Long Chips were the FORKING Weirdest Looking Potato Chips ever!

The Forking Truth

Skye Bar & Grill Las Vegas NV – 24/7 Food, Drinks, Some Gaming – Hit and Miss still – Worth a Try!

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Skye Bar & Grill is a 24/7 Sports Bar in the north/west part of Vegas with All Day Breakfast, A large Varied Menu of Food, Some Gaming, and Happy Hour Foods and Drinks. They have a very large bar with lots of big screen TVs.

Besides bar seating they also have high top tables, some traditional tables, and a few half booths.

We tried some happy hour margaritas. GOSH they are cheap ($5.50) and STRONG!

For dinner I tried the fish of the day (salmon with Boursin Mashed potatoes and vegetable (asparagus)).

To my surprise the salmon is reasonably good. Cooked but still moist and flaky and nicely seasoned. My only complaint is that the potatoes are over mixed and gluey. Also not enough Boursin Cheese to taste any in the potatoes.

I also tried a little of the macaroni and cheese.

It’s under seasoned but actually very good and made with lots of real cheese.

My husband tried the Brazilian Steak Bowl (skirt steak, peppers, onions, rice, chimichurri sauce).

It has a good flavor but the steak is so tough I can’t eat it. I have no idea how my husband ate it.

Skye Bar & Grill – Hit and Miss still worth a try!

9830 West Skye Canyon Park Drive Las Vegas NV

725-217-1881

www.SkyeBarandGrill.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Michoacan Gourmet Mexican Restaurant – Las Vegas NV – Worth a Try!

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Michoacan Gourmet Mexican Restaurant has a location in the Centennial Part of Las Vegas. This location gets very busy and also has a bar.

They start you off with complimentary chips, spicy salsa, and refried beans.

Most of the entrees also include a cup of Fideo Soup (tomato/chicken broth with thin noodles).

For dinner I tried the Pollo Al Mojo De Ajo (chicken with wine, garlic, and guajillo pepper and house made flour tortillas). It normally comes with rice and beans but I special ordered mixed vegetables instead of beans. They also garnished the plates with some guacamole.

My husband tried the Steak Piccado (N.Y. Strip, Espanela (not sure but translates as cheese and also translates to Brazilian Tequila?), tomatillo, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro). This also was served with rice and beans and house made flour tortillas.

Both meals are reasonably good but entrees ran very mild with heat unlike the salsa……

Michoacan Gourmet Mexican Restaurant is Worth a Try!

Michoacan Gourmet Mexican Restaurant

7870 W Tropical Parkway Las Vegas NV

702-385-4636

www.MichoacanLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth