Travel

Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada When it’s hot outside in Vegas, crank up the heat even more at Hell’s Kitchen with smoky cocktails and iced shrimp cocktail. The world-renowned celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, recreated the infamous studio set from the television show. Prepare to be amazed. The sleek contemporary restaurant also landed a view overlooking the Las Vegas Strip. But forget all that. Come to Hell’s Kitchen for the outstanding food, extraordinary cocktails, and the dining ambiance. Take your time. The Beef Wellington is unsurpassed, which is the reason for the HK Signature Prix Fixe Menu. The final culmination of a fabulous meal would be the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Don’t forget the coffee.

Dirt Dog in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Dirt Dog in Las Vegas, Nevada. You know how it gets really hot outside and you can feel little beads of sweat on your brow? And the sun is beating down on your head because you forgot to wear a hat? And you wish for the umpteenth time you drank a glass of water that morning to keep hydrated, but didn’t? Your body is craving salt or something fried or maybe something dirty. Stop at Dirt Dog for amazing hot dogs, dirty sides, and dirty desserts. Begin with a Dirt Dog like The Mutt Dog topped with chimichurri sauce, guacamole, and spicy tomato chile sauce. Add an order of fries or corn on the cob. The seasonings alone are mind-boggling: garlic, limon and chile, sea salt, or chili powder. Finish it up with a deep-fried Twinkie or Oreos for good measure. That’ll teach you to keep hydrated.

Trevi Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Trevi Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the foot of a Romanesque fountain, so close you can hear the water splashing against the marble, tables for two make dining cozy on an indoor patio at Trevi Italian Restaurant. Feel free to take your time with a signature cocktail and tantalizingly delicious appetizer. Might I suggest the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Grab one by the tail, swirl it in the tangy sauce, and then take a bite of the thick juicy flesh. Repeat. Finally, pinch the top and bottom of the shell until it cracks. The tail meat easily slides out so you can pierce it with a fork and slather it in more cocktail sauce. That’s amore.

Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada. Forget those watered-down margaritas, you won’t find them at Guy Fieri’s Kitchen. And ho-hum nachos? Nada. Trash Can Nachos are so loaded with a mountain of ingredients, they literally get dumped onto a platter at the table. Watch the gooeyness of nacho cheese, black bean purée, chipotle bbq sauce, and Mexican crema practically overflow the edges. Resist taking your finger to swipe a taste. This is worth the wait. Every tortilla chip is loaded with fixings. Sound like a lot of food? No worries. Shareable items are only one section of the menu. Just keep in mind Guy’s famous saying is, “Go Big or Go Home.”

LVB Burger in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: LVB Burger in Las Vegas , Nevada. Where can you go to get a two-handed burger and an adult-friendly milkshake? LVB Burger at The Mirage knows no bounds. Slide into a booth. Every gastronomic burger is stuffed with delicious ingredients between a sesame brioche bun. Go classic with the O.S.B. (Old School Burger) or B.C.B. (Bacon Cheese Burger). If beef is not your thing, go with the W.T.F. (What The Flock) turkey burger. The cheese choices are as gourmet as the condiment list. Finger food sides are the perfect add on. Spiked milkshakes are as yummy as they come: Birthday Cake, Chocolate Caramel, or Churro. But the list goes on. Better add this joint to your Bucket List.

Michael Mina Pub 1842 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Michael Mina Pub 1842 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tucked away in the MGM Grand is a hidden gem inspired by a celebrity chef. Pub 1842, named for the year Pilsner was invented, offers a nice selection of craft beers, but that’s not where it ends. Check out the great selection of unique whiskeys and specialty cocktails. Happy Hour features a pair of Brisket Sliders worth nibbling on. Feast your eyes on the tender black angus beef prepared Kansas City-style, drenched in savory bbq sauce slathered over a bed of kale slaw. Spear a gherkin and it’s ready for that first bite. Add an order of Fries in a Can to balance things out. Chef Mina knows what he’s doing. Try not to drool.

Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  On the edge of nowhere sits the island’s secret for fresh salad meals, ocean fish, Happy Hour specials, ginormous burgers, cold beverages, and televised sports. Stop in for one reason or another. And if you’re hungry, go for the Big Plate Entrees. The Ahi Poke Crunch Salad was an adventure in fusion food: raw Ahi, Asian slaw, crispy tortilla strips, Oriental vinaigrette, and wasabi cream. No matter your craving, Kalapaki Joe’s brings people of the East and West closer.

The Three Amigos in Downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dining Outside the Home: The Three Amigos in Downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! Authentic Mexican food is as festive as Mexican blankets, wide-rimmed sombreros, and multicolored piñatas. The “Daily Special” boasted Fajitas Al Pastor—crispy chunks of marinated pork cooked with onions and green pepper strips served on a sizzling skillet. Homemade corn tortillas accompanied sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. We ordered a side of refried beans to use as a binding agent once the shells were filled. The finishing touch of habanero sauce sealed the deal with a nice kick of spice. An agave nectar margarita cocktail culminated the entire meal. Bueno!

Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant in Champaign, Illinois

Dining Outside the Home: Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant in Champaign, Illinois! When it gets steamy hot in the Midwest , rest assured you can cool things off at a casual spot for classic Mexican cooking and salt-rimmed margaritas that go down smooth and easy. Order a Taco Salad. It’s served in a fried flour tortilla shell, then cradled with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chunky guacamole, and spicy salsa. Saira can add seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken to suit your taste. Either way, you get a healthy dose of veggies that’ll keep you coming back for more…whenever you pass through town.