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Monday, April 27, 2026

SIDE STREET INN

SIDE STREET INN
1225 HOPAKA STREET
HONOLULU, HI  96814
808-591-0253

Side Street Inn is always on the menu when friends and family arrive from the mainland.  This is one of my favorite restaurants ever and it seems to just get better and better with every visit.  Love pretty much everything on the menu and always leave full, satisfied and happy.  Eating family style is the ONLY way to go at Side Street.  Bring as many people as possible and order as many dishes as you can and then share.  So many different levels of flavor that will satisfy anyone that likes to eat.  Always save room for the Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch for dessert!
Click links below to view previous posts on Side Street Inn;
SIDE STREET INN

FARMERS SALAD

GARLIC EDAMAME

WORLD'S BEST FRIED RICE

PORK CHOPS

GARLIC CHICKEN

WHOLE STEAMED FISH

BONELESS KALBI

BREAD PUDDING WITH ICE CREAM

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH IS A MUST!

LOVING SIDE STREET INN WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

Sunday, April 26, 2026

CARBONE RIVIERA - LAS VEGAS

CARBONE RIVIERA
BELLAGIO
3600 S LAS VEGAS BLVD
LAS VEGAS, NV
702-693-8105

Maybe it was the wine, or maybe the great weather, or the great food, or the magnificent view, or the incredible service that made this one of the best dinners of my life.  Everything came together on this evening  including the tables around wanting to chat and celebrate a birthday together.  So happy that I requested an outdoor table for our early 5:00PM reservation.  Originally the only table available was inside but I requested to sit outside in writing prior and was granted my wish upon checking in.  I was informed that there was a minimum spend of $175 per person for patio dining.  With the Bellagio fountains exploding into the warm Las Vegas air in front of us, the wine flowed  along with laughter.  The Carbone Riviera staff laughed along with us and added to this incredible experience.  The waiters and their team were engaging, professional and at times quite funny and amusing.  They were a big part of why we had such a great time. The Sesame Bread Sticks, Pickled Vegetables and White Bean and Basil Puree came to the table along with a Focaccia bread topped with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Olive Oil and Herbs.  Soft in the middle and lightly crispy on the outside.  This assortment along with a glass of wine was the perfect way to start the evening.  The Lobster Meatballs arrived and looked amazing.  I really did not get a lot of the lobster flavor but the sauce was good.  The Caesar Salad prepared table side by a great waiter was pure perfection.  Crisp, chilled, flavorful and topped with some of the best Croutons ever.  For me, the Caesar on the terrace is a must.  The Whole Fish served and prepared at the table with Cherry Tomatoes, Capers, Herbs, Lemon and Olive Oil was super light delicious.  The two pound Lobster Fettuccine was the star of the show and I noticed that every table around us also ordered this dish.  Huge portion that is definitely enough for 3 or four people.  It was pasta heaven but then came the world famous Carbone Spicy Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce which I have enjoyed at the original Carbone at the Aria Resort many times.  One bite and I felt like this was my favorite dish of the night.  Perfectly prepared pasta with an incredible sauce.  I think coming here and having a Caesar Salad and the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka would be one of my favorite meals ever.  We ate and drank until we were way over our two hour limit to dine on the terrace.  The Manager was kind and let us know we could be moved to another table if we wanted to stay.  He allowed us a lot of time and for this I am grateful.  This was one of the best dining experience of my life and I pray I can replicate it with my wife and daughter some day.  Mahalo to the entire Carbone Riviera team for making this night very special!

CARBONE RIVIERA

GO DOWN THE STAIRS TO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

VIEW WHILE CHECKING IN FOR OUR TABLE

THE SHOW STARTED BEFORE WE WERE EVER SEATED



THROUGH THE DINING ROOM INTO THE OUTDOOR TERRACE

ONE OF THE BEST SEATS IN LAS VEGAS



THERE IS NO BETTER DINNER VIEW IN LAS VEGAS



CARBONE RIVIERA MENU



A LITTLE VINO AT CARBONE RIVIERA





LOBSTER MEATBALLS


CAESAR SALAD IS A MUST ORDER 


LOVED THE CAESAR SALAD

FEASTING AT CARBONE RIVIERA

WHOLE FISH SERVED TABLESIDE




2 POUND LOBSTER FETTUCCINE


SPICY RIGATONI VODKA

DOES NOT GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS FOR FOOD AND WINE



A LITTLE MORE VINO FOR THE BOYS

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER AT CARBONE RIVIERA


 

Saturday, April 25, 2026

LOTUS OF SIAM THAI RESTAURANT - LAS VEGAS

LOTUS OF SIAM THAI RESTAURANT
620 E FLAMINGO ROAD
LAS VEGAS, NV 89119
702-735-3033

Visiting Las Vegas and we had one soldier down from partying too much the night before.  Asked my buddy what he wanted for lunch and he said "Thai Food".  I knew just the spot so we jumped an Uber and got to Lotus of Siam right as they were opening.  We were greated with smiles and had a great waitress.  She made recommendations so we went with them.  The Garlic Prawns were on point, delicious and a must order here.  The Garlic Ribs surprised me because they were fried. Should have read the menu after the waitress recommended.  Good but I would not order again.  The Soft Shell Crab missed the mark and I would not recommend it.  The Panang Curry was great but I would never order it again with Duck.  Just didn't seem to go together.  Nice lunch with a glass of vino and great conversation with a goof friend.  Would love to come back again with a large party so we can try a dozen different dishes.
Click link below to view previous post on Lotus of Siam;

LOTUS OF SIAM 

A SHORT UBER RIDE AWAY FROM THE STRIP IN LAS VEGAS







LOTUS OF SIAM MENU







GARLIC PRAWNS

GARLIC RIBS

HOUSE SPECIAL SOFT SHELL CRAB

PANANG CURRY WITH DUCK