MON AMI GABI 

Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard, (702) 944-4224 Mon - Thurs and Sun 7:00 -11:00, Sat 7:00 - 12:00 

Went to Mon Ami Gabi a couple of times during our stay in Vegas - not just for the ambiance (pure Paris) but also their excellent breakfast.

It is a beautiful space inside - but even more alluring on the great patio on the strip.

We began with a nice cold Mimosa.

 We both ordered the same breakfast, bacon and scrambled eggs.

The bacon pieces were large and on the thick side with a sweetness like brown sugar, they were delicious.  The three scrambled eggs were buttery and had a hint of thyme and were heavenly.  The bread was crisp and light yet thick.  The hashed potatoes were crispy and were a great complement.
Definitely worth a visit if you come to Vegas!



http://www.monamigabi.com/home/?loc=vegas

CANALETTO 
Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas Nevada, (702) 733-0070, Open 11:30 to 11:00pm every day except Friday and Saturday ti 12:00am
We visited Canaletto after a web search of many of the restaurants on the strip.  We found that a lot of restaurants in Vegas were way overpriced and selected a few before leaving home that seemed reasonable, this was one of them.

It is located in the heart of Mark's Square in the Venetian Canal Shoppes in the plaza level.

We had made a reservation and were seated at the edge of the indoor patio with a view of the plaza.  It was quite a glamorous setting.

A nice basket of bread arrived accompanied by olive oil.

We ordered a bottle of Chianti (reasonably priced compared to most Vegas restaurants).  It was smooth and had a nice flavour.

We began with an appetizer of calamari fritti (one of my favourite appetizers).  They where soft and perfectly cooked and were accompanied with a choice of white or red sauce.

My wife ordered the calves liver with polenta and really enjoyed it.

I ordered the chicken with spinach and a hot sauce that turned out to be very hot.  The chicken was enormous and was nicely coated and grilled, but the meat was a little dry.

We ended our meals without dessert since they were so substantial. Instead my wife had a nice cappuccino.

I followed with a double espresso.

Our meals were wonderful and reasonably priced in a location that was lively and pure Vegas.  The service was very spotty but the restaurant was very busy.


http://www.ilfornaio.com/?page=138&restaurant_id=3164

EL FURNITURE WAREHOUSE 

410 Bloor Street, The Annex, Toronto, On., (778) 938-7077, Monday-Sunday  11:00 am to 2:00 am.

My sons and I decided to try a new restaurant in the Annex area of Toronto.  It is one of the newbies in the area and boasts that all dishes are $4.95.  Although a new arrival in the city, it is the tenth version of the original one, hailing from Whistler B.C..  It is based on a simple premise - cheap food that is good in an environment that is very casual and hip!!  It delivers on all fronts.  The workers wear Vans shoes, the walls are decorated in a boarder theme and boarder and extreme biker videos play on the tv screens.  It is not a typical sports bar - it caters to hipsters and has found itself in the perfect location in the Annex.

The menu here is extensive and yet simple - everything IS $4.95.

There is also a good list of drinks at reasonable prices.

Mark and I had the garlic prawns.  They consisted of large tiger prawns sauteed with garlic, onions, tomato, jalapenos, chipotle butter, avocado, grilled bread and fresh lemon.  We both agreed they were delicious.

Thomas tried the maple bacon potato skins with cheddar and mozzarrella cheese, crispy maple bacon, green onion and sour cream.  He found them typical, but worth the price.

Mark and Tom both had the pulled chicken on a bun.  It consisted of pulled chicken, smokey bbq sauce, cheddar, crispy onion strings, macho sauce (like a thousand islands dressing), shredded lettuce on a brioche bun. They both liked this.

I had the braised beef dip au jus with slowly braised beef, horseradish butter, crispy onion strings on a toasted baguette with rosemary au jus to dip.  It was accompanied by a small kale salad with fresh kale leaves, creamy caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan cheese, maple bacon bits and fresh lemon.  It was a little short on beef, but still worth every penny!

We had a Bud draft that was warm and didn't hit the spot so we switched to Mill Street Organic.  It was a much better choice.

All in all the Ferny was worth the wait (no reservations).  We enjoyed the food, the vibe, the service, the prices and will DEFINITELY return.  Well done guys!!

http://warehousewhis.ca/

SPICE ROUTE 

499 King Street West Toronto, On., (416) 849-1808, Open for Dinner and Late Night 7 days a week.

On a Sunday evening (after the World Cup final) we decided to stay away from the downtown festivities and went to a quieter area of King West.  We decided to try Spice Route.  Mark, my son had been here many times but this was our first.  It is a beautiful space that has many different features to capture your attention.

There is an outside patio with lounge seating and a koi pond surrounding it.

A view of one of their renown washrooms.

Sundays are a good time to come here since it is all you can eat for $24.  So Mark, being familiar with the menu ordered a variety of appetizers from the appetizer part of the menu that included; naan bread and dips, wasabi crusted shrimp, crispy tuna dynamite rolls, lemon glazed chicken, Shanghai edamame salad.  

My wife and I ordered from the summerlicious menu.  We all began with a cool and tasty Citrus salad, that included spring mixed greens, asian pear, water chestnut and sesame ginger vinaigrette.  We also had a nice bottle of Italian red wine.

For the main my wife chose the teriyaki beef sirloin, sticky rice and wok fried asian greens.  The beef was tender and nicely prepared, while the vegetables were crisp not mushy.

I chose the lemon chicken with thai citrus sauce and kimchi fried rice.  It was good and filling.

For her desert choice my wife chose the tempura bananas chocolate caramel swirl.

I had the white chocolate coconut creme pie with a piece of strawberry.

The deserts were nothing special but they did finish our meal.
We had a tasty dinner here in a beautiful environment and will certainly return again.

http://www.spiceroute.ca/