Something New

Kobold has been asking for us to try something new; Indian food. I'm not well-acquainted with such things and despite being fairly adventurous, I'm not the type of girl who will eat anything (ie: Kobold is excited about the prospect of trying some Norwegian/Icelandic rotting shark something-or-other.. aka: Hákarl ). Indian food is one of those things that I was sort of on the fence about. I say "was" because he convinced me to go to India Palace (menu/info here for you lovely readers)

It's once more Zagat rated and wonderful. At this point, I really ought to stop questioning him. We went with Ghryc on a Saturday evening and were pleasantly surprised, the place was quasi-busy but seated us right away. The service was impeccable and the prices are reasonable.

They do offer many appetizers, including a staggering assortment of Naan - but we skipped this in order to save room for the meal. They did bring us some complimentary naan (kind of like whole-grain water crackers.. funny-shaped) along with 3 different 'standard' sauces.... red, green and poo-colored. I can't tell you what they were, but the poo-colored was my favorite. It was sweet-ish, the green was more mild and the red was hot-sweet.

Kobold had the KEEMA Lamb, which doesn't necessarily LOOK super-appetizing but I assure you, as I did take a taste, it is amazing. A bit of a kick but not enough spice to deter my Midwestern tastebuds. Kobold decimated this meal in under 15 minutes but stated that he was happily full. The portions look small but added in with the Naan they bring at beginning, plus rice, it was a goodly amount of food.

Ghryc had the goat curry and, per usual, ordered it in "kill me please" hot. Even the waiter asked at least twice to make sure he wasn't just being boastful. He wasn't, and he was pleased with the outcome. It too looked a little...interesting in presentation, but also came in a portion that filled him up and he said it had good flavor and wasn't just "American hot" (ie: hot without any kind of good taste). Special note: the Goat does not come de-boned, so be careful.

I had the chicken Kabab, which comes on a chili's-esque cast iron skillet-dealie, in cahoots with onions, peppers, lemon wedges and an orange slice. It was very good -tasty like.. spicy (but not too spicy) chicken... "molded" FYI, means "squished around the stick so it looks like a sausage." Again, not something I had known about the presentation, but it was quite yum-tastic.

We were intrepid enough to try dessert, too. I initially wanted GAJJAR HALWA, but the waiter said they were out. Sad panda. I settled for KHEER, as I am a gigantic fan of saffron (ok, maybe an addict - it's hard to get saffron anywhere). It was very good, huge portion and came in a banana split boat. Hooray! Kobold had the RAS MALAI and I have to admit, it was good too, though I am generally not a fan of cheese in my deserts.

Pasta Nommy!

It wasn't too terribly long ago that Kobold and I ventured to our newest favorite Italian food place. It's called Pasta Mia and it's on Flamingo and Arville, just west of the strip. I have to say it, OMG it's delicious. It's Zagat rated/approved and though it's in a sort of weird looking strip mall-ish location (right next to the Loose Caboose, if you're interested), it's absolutely lovely inside. It's definitely a good place to take a date. It's the sort of place that has real (oh no, not that!) table clothes and napkins.

Moving on, while we were there we happened to be one of very few customers, but we did hit it off-hours, so we'll go ahead and assume they have healthy traffic flow, despite strange location.

I chose the Lasagna - as I'm told that the true measure of an Italian place is, of course, the lasagna (and I'm more than slightly partial to such things) and Kobold had the Penne Arrabbiata (15.99 and 12.99 respectively). While we waited for our meals, we were treated to Richard Cheese Christmas music (OMG amazing) as well as garlic bread that I would have killed babies to get again. Seriously. Babies.

Also, our waiter was very courteous and had an excellent sense of humor. This rates highly in my book, as I spent many (many... many...) years as a server and I know how restaurants and servers/chefs should behave. Beware, I tip well if you do well and if not, I feel no pity whatsoever leaving no tip at all.

Moving on, my lasagna can best be described as a "food-gasm." The portions here are absolutely humongous and despite the slightly-higher-than-I-was-initially-willing-to-pay prices, let me tell you.. you will stuff yourself and still have leftovers. Let's not forget - Kobold and I are fatties, we can pack away some food if we want to, and believe me we were trying.

It was some of the best Italian food I've ever (yes ever) had... the sort of food that you eat until you're full and then-some. I could not stop eating, it was so good, I ate past the point of full and almost made myself sick.

I don't suppose that sounds terribly appetizing, but that's the way it is.

Here be a link to their website: Pasta Mia!

Please be advised. If you go here, you will eat too many.

We Eat Too Many, on the third try, that is.

So most of Ms. Rabbit and my adventures happen in the wonder that is Las Vegas. We drive around looking for food and randomly stop to, as she would happily say, "Nom, nom, nom." Our latest adventure took us down Boulder Highway at 9:00 pm on a Sunday, looking for the afore mentioned "Noms." We started with Sam's Town. We figured they should have a 24 hour Cafe, and we fail. Continue down the road a bit and we get to the East Side Cannery. Their little hole in the wall Cafe ("Snaps") is a bit busy, we wait in line for 10 minutes like good little fatties. We get inside, order our drinks, and begin to wait. And wait. 15 minutes pass, we've gotten a refill, and no Server. We watch as tables around us begin sending cold orders back. I'm guessing they were just understaffed and having a bad night, at least that's what I hope was happening.

We made like a tree, and got the F out. Across the street we go, to the Long Horn, where it's not a palace and it's not a town, and some other lyrics to the radio song. We get in, get seated, and get to order. Their menu is a bit small, but it's decently priced and worth it. I got the Finger Food Basic. Mini Burritios, some cheesy taquitos, wings, fingers, and onion rings. Everything tasted great, for the price. The wings and fingers were medium, but had a great flavor for medium. And I seriously got a plate full of ranch, sour cream, salsa, and ketchup. Rabbit got a decent Patty Melt. This is all besides the fact.

The joy of our night and the orgasm of our hungry coupling was the Strawberry Shortcake. It's $3.99. It's huge. Seriously it had to be 6"x6"x6". Covered in strawberries, whipped cream, strawberry goo. It was wonderful. I do believe Ms. Rabbti "Squeed in her Pants." Even us, two professional fatties couldn't finish it, it was that freaking large.

So, for all of you with a sweet tooth in the middle of a Sunday Night, hit up Longhorn on Boulder Highway. It'll make your noms come true.