TODD ENGLISH PUB - LAS VEGAS

TODD ENGLISH PUB

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

The Todd English Pub is located right next to the Aria Hotel.  This makes it very easy to drop in for a cocktail, appetizer or good meal.  I visited this place on my last trip to Las Vegas and liked it.  This trip was even better because of great service by the bartender and staff.  Once again I went for the fresh Oysters and Clams.  They are shucked at the bar and served chilled.  Yummy.  This time we tried the "Dirty Chips".  This is a huge pile of house made potato chips topped bacon, scallions, tomato and bleu cheese and served with fried chicken livers.  The chips are great, but this is a big heavy and filling dish.  We did not even put a dent in the pile.  My hat is off to the crew here.  Great young people who understand customer service.
Click links below for more posts on Todd English Pub;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2015/09/todd-english-pub.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/02/todd-english-pub.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/10/todd-english-pub-las-vegas.html

TODD ENGLISH PUB DIRTY CHIPS

THE RAW BAR - EVERYTHING SHUCKED FRESH

A LOOK AT THE MENU WITH "DIRTY CHIPS"

FRESH OYSTERS AND CLAMS 

SUPER GOOD BLOODY MARY

KAI MARKET - SHERATON WAIKIKI

KAI MARKET

SHERATON WAIKIKI 

We ventured down into Waikiki to watch the sunset and have dinner.  It has been awhile since we dined in Waikiki.  Place was jumping with tourists and very busy.  We decided to try the Kai Market in the Sheraton because they have a Seafood Buffet on Friday and Saturday nights.  Price is $58 per person.  Locals get 25% off which saved us $29 total for two.  Our lovely daughter was free.  Very surprised to see the big local discount and that kids eat free here.  Probably explains why the place was packed on this visit.  We had a great table on the outside lanai overlooking the ocean and pool bar.  There was a live Hawaiian band, hula dancer and a fire dancer to keep us entertained.  While this is a serve yourself buffet, the service was excellent.  Our waiter kept coming by to pick up plates and make sure our drinks were filled.  There are some good things on the menu here, but the lines are long and several of the dishes were empty or cold.  There is a very small salad bar that also contained Ahi Poke, Sashimi, Tako Poke, Shrimp and a few other dishes.  We all loved the Sashimi and Poke.  The Seafood Chowder was excellent.  Probably one of the best on the Island.  I enjoyed a few crab legs and really liked the Braised Short Ribs.  Did not try the Prime Rib but my daughter said it was good.  The Oysters were really warm and tasteless.  The Clams were large and plump, but way over covered in a black bean sauce.  The Chicken dish was kind of bland.  I think this is a very good buffet.  They pride themselves on using local, sustainable fresh products.

KAI MARKET

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING 

WALL OF FRESH HERBS GROWING

FIRE DANCER SHOW AT SUNSET

REALLY GOOD SEAFOOD CHOWDER

SLOWING DOWN AT THIS POINT

PRIME RIB

CHOCOLATE DESSERT WAS JUST O.K.

SAND SCULPTURE IN LOBBY OF HOTEL

BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE - SANTA MONICA

BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

We were looking for Blue Plate Oysterette when we stumbled upon Lobster Restaurant while walking the Santa Monica Pier.  We ate at Lobster but something told me to go back and find Blue Plate.  We ventured out on Ocean Avenue on a cold and rainy evening.  Our GPS took us to Blue Plate and we were happy to see they had valet parking directly in front of this very small restaurant.  We were greeted by a smiling lady wearing a nice hat.  She offered us a table on the outside patio and asked if we would like to sit at the bar inside.  I said the outside table was fine and she seated us with more smiles.  A waitress arrived quickly with even more smiles and great attitude.  As the rain began to fall, the hostess requested that we move inside because she saw that my daughter was very cold.  She offered us a nice spot in the back of the restaurant along a side bar.  It was warm and perfect for a light dinner.  I did not know it but my girls were setting me up.  They were saying they just wanted oysters and were full.  Their real mission was to let me be happy with my oysters and then go to In N' Out for a burger.  We started with the Raw Bar Combo for Two ($38).  This is a tower of seafood that included a variety of fresh oysters and a huge bowl of squid and shrimp ceviche served with tortilla chips plus a few large grilled shrimp.  Whats not to like about any of this.  The oysters were great, the ceviche was delicious with the tortilla chips and the shrimp were grilled to perfection.  We liked the oysters so much that we ordered another dozen.  The waitress took the time to go over each variety of oyster with us.  There were Malpeque, Kusshi, Hama Hama, Fisher Isand and Fanny Bay.  Keli went for a bowl of Clam Chowder ($7).  It was thick, creamy and delicious.  Time and time again the staff here went out of the way to make sure we had everything we wanted, were happy and liked the food.  I have rarely seen a staff of employees this happy and caring.  Even the owner or manager came to the tables to greet each patron.  I actually turned to one of our waitresses and commented on the great service and attitude here.  She said they were like family and enjoyed making people feel good.  I was so impressed with the service that I left a really good tip.  As we were waiting for our car outside, the waitress walked outside and thanked me sincerely for the tip.  Said it made her day.  Well, they made my day too.  I absolutely love Blue Plate Oysterette.  It is A TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE and in the top 10 of all restaurants for service.  I will visit this place every time in am in Los Angeles if time permits.

BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE

BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE IN SANTA MONICA IS A WINNER

BLUE PLATE IS SMALL BUT BIG ON SERVICE

RAW BAR TOWER FOR TWO

CALAMARI AND SHRIMP CEVICHE 

DOZEN OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL

CLAM CHOWDER