In the fall of 2020 we purchased a home in Las Vegas in a community called Spanish Trail located in Spring Valley, 10 minutes from the strip. At the same time, I started posting reviews and photos of the experiences we have been having in the Las Vegas dining/drinking scene. As they are known for impeccable service, we have rarely been disappointed. So recently I decided to share some of our experiences here on our website.
If you are a fan of Vegas, travel, dining, and drinking – I hope you enjoy it! (For more photos go to my Instagram account.)
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October 2021: Have you see the latest Eve Wine 101 article? Well, if you live in Spanish Trail, Las Vegas check your brand new issue of the 89113, that has wine glasses in the cover and the article “Wine 101 in the 89113” on pages 20-21! I introduce myself, my husband Eddie and share some excerpts from my book, Wine Etiquette for Everyone! Stay tuned to the next issue for more!
October 2021: Have you discovered Din Tai Fung inside the Las Vegas Aria Resort? A pal of Eddie’s had been to the one in Glendale and invited us to join her at this location. And it was incredible! One of their dishes, “Xiao Long Bao means ‘little dumpling in a basket.’ These broth-filled dumplings, from the Jiangnan region of China, are steamed in a bamboo basket.”
October 2021:Been to the Petrossian Bar in Bellagio yet? How inviting does this look? It’s close to the Conservatory and the Hotel Lobby. We have never done the menu, though it does look grand, but we do love people watching over our Martinis and listening to the live piano music!
September 2021: Do you follow a favorite chef when he leaves one place to create his own place? Our friends from @StreetSommVegas do, and lucky us, they took us along to sample an amazing special menu from the new Aromi in Summerlin by Chef German Castellanos. Take a look at the dishes we had, and the wine we brought in, for your taste! Starts with the most amazing fish – including this one on their lunch menu, “Tonno | Citrus Flavored, Lightly Spicy Tuna Tartare with Green Olives Tapenade, Shallots and Agrumato”, then perfectly grilled prawns with squid ink, White Rabbit Ragout Pappardelle, Quail over Risotto, Buffalo filet and then a sampling of amazing desserts!
September 2021: Who here loves Indian food or would like to try it? How about a restaurant that has a new menu, new owners, fresh Halal dietary standards, and only 2.5 miles from the Las Vegas strip so you’re not paying strip prices? If you are unfamiliar with Indian food I will tell you this: it’s NOT spicy but instead incorporates dozens of interesting spices. Check out our photos of their: Mint Lemonade, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Karahi, Biryani rice with a hard boiled egg, butter and garlic Naan breads, Rava Masal Dosa and Mango Lassi! We learned that this particular Dosa is a cream of wheat and lentil crepe filled with potatoes, onions and chilies, served with sambhar and coconut chutney! All so delish! If you want to know more about these dishes just look at their website for the full tasty menu! Al Madini Halal Family Restaurant is on Desert Inn and Decatur. Open for lunch and dinner and they deliver too! Address: 4860 W Desert Inn Rd suite # 9, Las Vegas, NV 89102, Call # 702-268-7425.
September 2021: Ever dined in a country club? A friend with a “social club” membership invited us to the Spanish Trail Country Club for their “Friday Night Flights” where we got to sample some of the red wines from their wine list and a nice cheese and charcuterie board, each only $10. We saw lots of our neighbors and fellow pickleball players also there enjoying the drinks, food and live music. Then, to test the bar a bit we finished off the evening later with Martinis that were absolutely perfect and also well priced! Should we join the social club? Time will tell, maybe by the time our Vegas remodel is done!
September 2021:Would you believe that in all of my adult years I’ve never had a Lemondrop Martini? Something about the simple syrup, Triple Sec, and the sugar rim just sounded too sweet to me. I prefer to taste my booze! LOL! Anyway, one of our new friends in Las Vegas had us over for dinner – remember we have no kitchen right now as ours is being remodeled -and surprised us with these cocktails as soon as we walked in. She had used lots of hand-squeezed fresh lemons, vodka, Triple Sec and some simple syrup. Her sugar rim is orange colored, but rest assured, it was all sugar. So guess what? We liked them! It was a very refreshing aperitif that I just might have to make myself someday! (Note on the food: she also handmade a Parmesan and cream cheese roll with toasted pecans! So good!)
September 2021: Too much for a week night? That was the text I sent one of the friends I was meeting for a wine dinner in Vegas. My thoughts then reminded me – this was Vegas baby, where anything goes! 💃💃 And a couple more: less frump is my new thing and, according to LinkedIn, “When it comes to being overdressed or underdressed, the answer is – always, always overdress!” What say you?
September 2021: How about a Negroni? With a side of Geese! LOL. Once again I find myself in the most surprising circumstances. I had to make cocktails in our wet bar – only “wet” due to a little sink and there is no fridge nearby. The fridge, a temporary rented one for us to use during the construction, is down the hall where we have the most room! So it takes me like 20 minutes to make cocktails, a Martini for him and this Negroni for me. Then when I finally sit down with mine (made with rinsed ice from his shaker because I just wanted to be done) and I’m rewarded with this view! My life is so weird!
August 2021: How about some killer Italian food and a blind wine tasting? That was my night, along with over a dozen other wine friends, and it was incredible. Thanks to the chefs and staff from Milano Restaurant and Bar for taking such good care of us! And to Steve and Vashti Roebuck for including us!
August 2021: Been to any of the Eataly locations lately? The one at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas had many areas re-opened the last time we visited! I saw one of their employees making up multiple cheese and charcuterie plates, that you design yourself, with over 100 different salami (aka salumi) choices!
August 2021: Who orders the Lasagna when it’s the special of the week? We do! But, since we had this at D’Agostino’s you know we had to split the mammoth slice! SO GOOD! Nothing better than treating yourself with a restaurant’s special, right?
August 2021: So much to see, learn and taste at yesterday’s Pizza Expo! From these photo grids you can see some of our favorites that included @Dole.Fruits for pineapple on pizza, @Nutella for dessert, @EauGalleCheese is very savory, @VeroCoffeeGelato for something cool after pizza, @BelGioiosoCheese has always been a favorite of mine, @TomateSanMarzano tastes so fresh I can’t believe it’s canned tomatoes, @TuranoBread is yum-worthy, @KillerBrownie looked amazing, @BillsLemonade really is awesome on the rocks or frozen, @PeroniUSA was a popular booth serving beer, @FireWithinPizza ovens were really cool looking, @MelindasFoods had incredible hot sauces for pizza, and @OoniHQ Pizza Ovens for perfect pizza at home!
August 2021: Have you made Frose yet? It’s a frozen rose wine concoction, quite refreshing, and I just made it for the first time. Watch the video to see the yumminess and go to EveWine101DotCom today for the details and full recipe! Thanks to the original Wine of The Month Club for the recipe and inspiration!
July 2021: Remember my post about the funny Red Solo Cup brand Martini glasses? At the Beer Park in Las Vegas we were surprised when our drinks came in these cups! We made fun of them, and then ended up ordering some for drinks at the pool. Finally had a chance to bring them out and they worked perfectly, insulated just like the red cups everyone uses for parties! What do you think of them?
July 2021: What’s your favorite cocktail to pair with scorching hot weather? This time it was a gin Martini for me with 2 ounces of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice, 1/2 ounce of Lillet Blanc, shaken and drained into a chilled coupe, orange peel garnish. So refreshing and light!
July 2021: Missing Cassandra Brown, fellow wine judge, at the first Las Vegas Global Wine Awards June 2018. Photo: David Glancy, San Francisco Wine School. Judges pictured: Me, David, Stacie Hunt, Roger Bomrich and Cassandra Brown. RIP @thechocolategrape
August 2021: Joined any new groups lately? We joined a new whisky club in Vegas! These are members of the @drammersclub LV chapter, including members of the @lasvegaswhiskeydrinkers = twice the fun! 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃 (Eddie was there too but got cut off in this photo.) Posted @withregram • @lasvegaswhiskeydrinkers Thank you @vegasdrams for the invite to the @drammersclub get together tonight! Had a great time and can’t wait to do it again.
July 2021: When was the last time you enjoyed a perfectly nice red wine outdoors, slightly chilled, paired with a couple of your favorites cheeses? Today’s a good day for it as it’s #NationalWineAndCheeseDay !!! We purchased this 2015 Bordeaux Blend from Derby Wines just before the shut-down, and I’m hoping it wasn’t the last in our cellar!
The cheeses were also a true find as I hadn’t seen them in months: the one with the red and black wax is the Challenger IPA, a creamy aged English Cheddar infused with the hoppy IPA, from Somerdale, which we found at Smith’s. And the speckled one is the New Woman, a savory cheese from Beecher’s made with Caribbean jerk spices, found at Smith’s and Ralph’s. We added in some salami, nuts and fruit and it was just the perfect dinner for a summer night!
July 2021:Do I look happy or what? LOL! Surprised to find that our new fave Las Vegas sushi bar – Sapporo Sushi, Spring Mountain location – also has a full bar, and an experienced bartender that makes a damn fine gin or vodka Martini! So refreshing with sushi! 
July 2021: So what exactly did we have at the new hidden Speakeasy in Resorts World, aka the Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den? Our stunning waitress took great care of us, for one. From “The Cat’s Meow” Menu we ordered an Old Fashioned for Eddie, while I sampled their “Awana Skyway” made with Empress 1908 gin, Italicus (an Italian liqueur made with rose petals), Butterfly Pea Flower (for color I believe), lemon and egg white. The menu called for Beefeater gin but the bartender swapped it out for Empress and it was oh so tasty! Hope to have it again!
July 2021: Who loves Wally’s Wine in Westwood or Beverly Hills? How about a new location…in Las Vegas? Eddie and I took a brief tour of the new Resorts World on the strip, a hotel that boasts dozens of food options and three different hotels in one, and also a Wally’s Wine?!?!?!? We walked past the diners on the promenade-facing patios, the open kitchen, the gourmet cheese and charcuterie shop and took a gander at the amazingly tall shelves filled with wine and spirits! Found our fave @codigo1530 Tequila! Eddie even got into the temperature controlled cellar for a good look at some very nice wines. And Wally’s President Christian Navarro was also there! The lunch menu was reasonably priced and we look forward to coming back!
July 2021: Have you ever taken a sample from a vendor’s table, realized it’s not a sample, put it back and then let the vendor know what you did? Yea, what happens at the Nightclub and Bar Show in Las Vegas doesn’t stay there! It was ME that gave them a big laugh! More importantly, who wouldn’t want everything at this table from the Tipsy Chics? Love the magnetic wine charms, bedazzled tumblers and blingy bracelet flasks! Find their goodies online – that’s what I’m going to do! TipsyChicsDotCom says, “When a Fun Gift Counts – We are Classy, Sassy & a Little Smart Assey!
June 2021: Have you been to the Peppermill on the north end of The Strip? Been getting ideas from social media, pals and even Yelp for places to check out in Las Vegas. Though the restaurant had a long wait we were able to walk right through and into the Fireside Lounge. After looking around we could choose from bar, fireside or booth seating, and two lovely ladies helped to answer questions, and of course, show us the menus. It was a blast from the past indeed, and now have another fun spot to add to our list of places to take visiting pals to! This is how they describe themselves on Instagram, “As Vegas as Vegas gets. Coffee shop and home to the Fireside Lounge since 1972”
June 2021: Can I make your mouth water a bit? We finally had our first dinner in the Spanish Trail Country Club Bar and Grill! It was Executive Chef Anthony Taormina’s last meal – he’s now off to open 3 restaurants in Mandalay Bay – and it was this multi-course wine pairing with Frank Family Vineyards! If you love sparkling, Chard, Zin, Pinot, Cab and/or late harvest Chard from Napa’s family-owned and historic winery Frank Family check out what we had with it all! And special shout out to Brand Ambassador Kelly Kerrigan for hosting a stellar evening!
May 2021: When was the last time you visited a new-to-you bar that happens to be very old? We took a slight side trip on our way into Las Vegas, about ten minutes off the 15, and discovered “Pioneer Saloon Goodsprings NV. Historic 107 year old #Saloon just outside of #lasvegas in #Goodsprings NV! Featured in tv shows, films and in a popular video game! ph. 702 874-9362.” They have a LOT of history plastered all over their walls (including the saloon being the spot Clark Gable drowned his sorrows after confirming the death of Carole Lombard) fresh beers on tap we took advantage of, wildlife (we found a cat) and dozens of barrels filled with Moonshine! We learned that people purchase the barrels and once the Moonshine runs out they can fill with whatever booze they like. Unfortunately for us, no one was there unlocking their barrel for a taste! Maybe next time!
May 2021: When was the last time a restaurant’s social media made you go that very same day to try them out? Watching a video of how Frijoles and Frescas makes a giant Shrimp Cocktail did it for me! The menu doesn’t say what’s in it but there are tons of large shrimp, avocado, cilantro, tomato and maybe some mango or cucumber…then it’s filled with a slightly sweet tomato juice mix that is to die for! Served with chips, saltines and a lime! I couldn’t finish it! And I also got a yum-worthy Watermelon Agua Fresca to go! Both were so refreshing, perfect for a warm day in LA Vegas!
May 2021: Anybody been to the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas, or at least the Speakeasy, aka the “Underground” below? Friends visiting from Florida treated us to tickets for the museum, including two additional “interactive” experiences. It was a lot of information, many via artifacts, not just on mob bosses in Las Vegas but all over the U.S. The interactive experience of interest most to me was time in their working distillery, hearing about bootleggers and then sampling Moonshine straight, flavored with cinnamon and a final one with jalapeño and ginger! What fun! We entered the underground speakeasy just as they were prepping for an event so we will have to return to have a drink there! From their Instagram accounts: The Mob Museum is A world-class destination and non-profit Museum in Las Vegas dedicated to the thrilling story of organized crime and law enforcement. And the Underground is: Surrounded by artifacts from the 1920s, experience the Prohibition-era through our speakeasy and distillery.
March 2021: Happy National Cocktail Day from The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas! This is a must visit spot, with reservations, for your Tiki drink fix! We went for the Happy Hour and started with Dole Whip with dark rum (OMG so yummy!) a Mai Tai and then tried their Tiki Mule! You must check out their menu, everything can be ordered with extra shots or lit on fire! Service was great and the entire atmosphere was amazing!
November 2020: We just had the best time celebrating Eddie’s birthday last weekend in Las Vegas. A few of our friends just happened to be in Vegas at the same time so we got to show off the house and get their opinions. We celebrated at D’Agostinos Trattoria of course! They take such good care of us! To see pics of the food stay tuned to @TamarHouse on Facebook as many of the dishes – the antipasto, cheesy garlic bread and Chicken Marsala – I’ve already shared pics of! Just have pics of the killer Wine Spectator wine of the year 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia we brought, and some of the desserts! The wine was perfect, as was the homemade gelato and cheesecake! The owners and staff presented Eddie with a birthday card and gift card too! It really was the most perfect end to a perfect Vegas day!
February 2021: Does anyone remember Happy Hour? It sure has changed. In Las Vegas they do allow indoor dining, but cap it at 25% and no more than 4 at a table. We like having a booth at Hearthstone as they have plexiglass between each one. We would love to sit at their bar someday, with other human beings, but at least we have options while we stay healthy! This time we enjoyed a cocktail new to their Happy Hour bar menu, the Sidecar: Remy Martin Cognac + Cointreau + Lemon Juice + Orange Blossom Water Spritz + a sugar rim! For food (after a dozen of the $1 freshly shucked oysters – not pictured – they feature every Wednesday) we enjoyed Pork and Beef Meatballs, Bacon Wrapped Dates with Chorizo and a Spicy Pepperoni Pizza!
February 2021: Check out these pics and one video for a taste from…”Las Vegas Valley’s first Winery! Come in for a tasting and Nevada-made wine by the glass. Reservations REQUIRED.” And with that, we finally visited the very cool winery tasting room aptly named “Vegas Valley Winery” in Henderson. We learned a lot about the place – and more – as we sampled wines made from CA grapes, took home a few bottles, and checked into making our own barrel of wine with a group! Shout out to staffer “Fireman Steve” who took great care of us and made my firefighter feel right at home!
January 2021: What great Texas style BBQ, sides and wine have you had lately? Ed was craving BBQ during our last trip to Vegas. I went to the Vegas Foodie Group and Yelp for suggestions and this one came up in both places: Big B’s Texas BBQ. We had two plates, one meat and two sides included in each. I think we spent about $20 total and had tons to take home: Brisket, tri tip, mac n cheese, green beans, baked beans, creamed corn and corned bread that had a bit of cinnamon made for the perfect dessert. We brought one of Mitch Cosentino’s wines, aka the PureCru label, a super tasty 2013 CFM blend of Cab Franc and Merlot that paired perfectly with our food. No corkage fee (we brought a corkscrew) and they gave us plastic cups = fine for us! (This is the Fort Apache location. Those not in Vegas: Yes, the have dining indoors but super spaced out. We ate at a large picnic table alone and far from other diners.) Winos that want to know more about the wine, these are Mitch’s tasting notes: Cedar-cigar box notes aromatically right up front with hints of classic sweet clove from the Franc and a deep rose. On the palate the clove, cedar mingles with black fruits and a touch of pepper to form a complex spicy wine with a Bordeaux like minerality accented by currants, pomegranate and black plum. Complex and full bodied, yet bright with big shoulders and a long finish.
October 2020: Which would you go for? During a recent trip to Las Vegas and we hit up 3 really yummy places off the strip! A lot less money, and really good. The video is at The Magic Noodle where they, clearly, make their own noodles. We had a Chinese Burrito with the yummiest sauce and the House Special with everything. Next we tried Brooklyn’s Best Pizza and since my Italian Mama is from Brooklyn, and we often went when we were kids to visit, I can tell you this was the real deal. Enjoyed Pepperoni, Meat Lovers and Grandma’s Pie with cheese, tomato sauce, traditional pepperoni on top and spices. Then to top it off, another night we got some delish pasta – my favorite is Carbonara – and Chicken Parmesan at D’Agostino’s Trattoria.
April 2020: More news for the Nth, aka the Universal Whisky Experience, that’s coming up fast this April 23-24! Now we have the Super Pour list for the Friday night High Roller Lounge: 1. Dalmore 25YO. 2. Dalmore 35YO. 3. Glenfiddich 30YO. 4. Balvenie 21YO. 5. Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute. 6. Scape 29YO. 7. Aberlour 39YO. 8. G and M Private Collection – Mortlach 1954. 9. Benromach 45YO. 10. Hardy Cognac Hiver (Winter). 11. Dewars 25YO. 12. Dewars Double Double. 13. Glenturrett 30YO. 14. Glenfiddich Grand Cru. And the Super Pours for the Whisky Speed Date Dinner on Saturday: 1. Balvenie Tun 1509 batch 7. 2. Dalmore 30YO. 3. Benromach 40YO. 4. Aultmore 21YO. 5. Glenlivet 38YO. 6. Dewars Double Double.
March 2020: Happy National Cocktail Day from The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas! This is a must visit spot, with reservations, for your Tiki drink fix! We went for the Happy Hour and started with Dole Whip with dark rum (OMG so yummy!) a Mai Tai and then tried their Tiki Mule! You must check out their menu, everything can be ordered with extra shots or lit on fire! Service was great and the entire atmosphere was amazing!
March 2020: What’s in YOUR glass today? Hubby likes his Sazerac, in an iced coupe glass, against the backdrop of the sun just about to set on the golf course…and it’s almost 7pm here! ONE reason to tolerate Daylight Savings right? For the Sazerac, build in a shaker with ice: 2 ounces rye whiskey (husband prefers Bulleit), 3 dashes bitters, 1 teaspoon simple syrup, stir or shake. Grab an iced Coupe glass from your freezer (we keep a couple of Coupe and Martini glasses there), and pour about a tablespoon of Absinthe in to coat the empty glass. We like that flavor so I tend to make sure the entire inside of the Coupe is coated, then discard the Absinthe. Pour your cocktail into the coupe!
March 2020:Do you feel like a kid in a candy store, when you stop for junk food during a road trip? I do! When on the way to or from Las Vegas, and you see the giant milkshake from Interstate 15, it just calls you to get off right there in Yermo, CA! This little sign inside the huge Eddie World store got my attention too. The place is filled with sweet and salty treats, and you know once you have one you crave the other right? So cheers to having it all like a kid on a road trip!
