NOODLES 

Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas Nevada, (702) 693-7223, open Monday to Sunday 11:00 am to 2:00 am

Located in the Bellagio Hotel is a classy clean oriental restaurant called noodles.

We began by ordering a wonderful, reasonably priced California wine.

We ordered the calamari (usually our favourite app).  They were tender crispy and were accompanied by a delicious Thai chili sauce.

We also ordered edamame and they were warm and nicely salted and there were plenty of them.

Knowing that the portions here would be large - we decided to split a shrimp pad thai.  It contained very large and tender shrimp that were cooked to perfection.  The noodles were firm not mushy and ratio of sprouts to vegetables to noodles was perfect.  It was one of the best pad thai's we have ever tasted.

We did not have room for dessert so my wife had a cappuccino.

I had a double espresso.  Both coffees came with a plastic spoon coated with sugar to stir the coffees.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meals here and would definitely recommend it if you visit Las Vegas.  The food is outstanding and the prices are very reasonable - especially considering that this restaurant is located in the Bellagio.



http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/noodles.aspx

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/

SCADDABUSH KITCHEN AND BAR 

382 Yonge Street, in the Aura Condo, Toronto, (416) 597-8838, Mon-Wed and Sun. 11:00 am to 1:00 am, Thurs. - Sat. 11:00 am to 2:00 am,  

Having been by the new restaurant Scaddabush a couple of weeks ago we decided to try it on a Sunday evening.  It is a large and complex restaurant with many seating choices.  

We examined their menu - which is quite large and selected some choices.

We decided on a nice Ripasso wine to start.  It was nice and smooth.

Having reviewed the appetizers we decided on sharing a plate of fried calamari.  The coating was good but they were quite chewy.  

For his main Mark decided to try their chicken avocado BLT on freshly baked flatbread, tomato, pickled red onions, romaine, piccante aoli and house fries.  He really liked it but found it was a lot of food.

My wife had the grilled tomato caper salmon with a white wine sauce, parsley butter potatoes and green beans.  It was delicious and nicely cooked.

I decided on the pasta (which is made in house daily).  I decided to try their pasta called Zucca which was a butternut squash ravioli with grated Grana Padano cheese, hazelnut butter cream sauce, roasted squash and fried sage.  They were melt in your mouth delicious and it was quite a large helping.

The service here is efficient and friendly and the atmosphere is upbeat.  Our server was personable and efficient and when I mentioned that the calamari were very chewy he talked to the manager, who then took it off our bill.  This was a nice touch and an indication that they are concerned about their reputation and customer service.  The wine was reasonable and the prices for the food were also in line with the market.  Worth returning to to try other selections on the menu.

http://www.scaddabush.com