Beverages Archives - Page 4 of 29

Split Pea Soup with Bacon, Homemade Croutons

Split Pea Soup with Bacon
Homemade Croutons

Velvety, savory, and deeply comforting, Split Pea Soup is a timeless classic that warms the soul. While its muddy yellow-green hue and sludgy appearance may not win beauty contests, one spoonful is enough to transport you to a world of rich, satisfying flavor.

More than just a dish, split pea soup carries nostalgia in every bite. It’s not the kind of soup that reminds you of a five-star restaurant or a once-in-a-lifetime meal—it’s the kind that makes you feel at home. It soothes, comforts, and wraps you in a sense of warmth and familiarity.

This version takes things up a notch with cherrywood-smoked bacon from Nashville’s Porter Road Butcher, adding depth and smokiness, while crispy homemade Old Bay croutons introduce the perfect crunch. Together, they elevate this humble classic into something truly special—still simple, still nostalgic, but with just the right touch of indulgence. It’s the ideal soup to enjoy as winter comes to a close.

Wine Pairing

2022 King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

This Oregon Pinot Gris balances the soup’s richness with bright acidity and complements the smoky bacon with its fresh, fruity character. It’s a well-balanced pairing that enhances both the wine and the dish.

Split Pea Soup Recipe

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Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Try a Smoky Dirty Martini!

It fits the mood…

A little while back I wrote about a fantastic dinner and the chef’s very clever Dirty Martini Salad at Diner Ross at The LINQ Hotel Las Vegas. What I neglected to share was how to get there… curiously, you must enter the diner only through a secret subway station entrance.

Sip delightful cocktails to the music and trippy sounds of an occasional train passing through the “tunnel” while awaiting your dinner reservation.

Inspired by the fabulous Dirty ol’ Martini served in the subway, here is my version:

A Smoky Dirty Martini

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Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée

Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée
French Onion Soup

Few dishes encapsulate comfort and elegance quite like French onion soup. This rich, savory broth, brimming with caramelized onions and crowned with a golden, bubbly layer of cheese, has captivated food lovers for centuries. A staple in French cuisine, its origins are humble, yet its depth of flavor and satisfying warmth make it a beloved dish across the globe.

French onion soup dates back to at least the 17th century, though some variations can be traced to Roman times. Originally a dish for the working class, it was made using simple, inexpensive ingredients: onions, bread, and broth. Over time, it evolved into a refined culinary treasure, finding its place in Parisian cafés and fine dining establishments alike. Today, it remains a cherished part of French gastronomy and an enduring comfort food worldwide.

The soul of French onion soup lies in its deeply caramelized onions. Achieving this rich flavor requires patience, as onions must be cooked slowly over low heat until they develop a deep golden brown hue. This process can take much more than an hour, but the result is an intensely sweet and savory base that defines the soup’s character.

French Onion Soup Recipe

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Chilean Sea Bass, Polenta al Pomodoro

🐟 Chilean Sea Bass 🐟
🌽 🍅 Polenta al Pomodoro 🍅 🌽

In under 30 minutes, this terrific, super-easy dish can be on the table! Pan-seared melt-in-the-mouth Chilean sea bass is served atop creamy polenta paired with a chunky flavorful tomato sauce where plenty of fresh basil adds bright herbal notes.

Chilean Sea Bass aka Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is simply delicious and almost impossible to overcook due to its flesh high fat content.

Populations went from sustainable, to overfished, and now back to sustainable again according to the Marine Stewardship Council. And although this fish is labeled “Chilean” it is actually a product of Australia, fished in the Southern Ocean. It has met the global standard for sustainability where there are enough fish left in the sea to reproduce indefinitely.

Chilean Sea Bass, Polenta al Pomodoro Recipe

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Dirty Martini Salad

Diner Ross Dirty Martini Salad

🥬 🍸 🫒 Dirty Martini Salad 🫒 🍸 🥬

The annual 2024 Eater Las Vegas Awards celebrate the city’s top culinary achievements from the past year, spotlighting standout restaurants, late-night hang-outs, and bars that have made an impact on the local dining scene.

Diner Ross: Best New Las Vegas Restaurant 2024

Stepping into Diner Ross at the LINQ Hotel feels like entering a nostalgic dream of 1970s New York City. Past the glittering silver-tiled breezeway reminiscent of a disco ball, the restaurant charms with its retro aesthetic: orange booth seating, dusky green walls decorated with vintage album covers, and a staff dressed in paisley prints and jumpsuits. It’s a playful yet sophisticated take on themed dining.

While the design grabs your attention, it’s Chef Anna Altieri’s menu that truly shines. She reimagines comforting classics, starting with her signature popovers—fluffy delights served with butter and jam or elevated options like foie gras and caviar.

In addition to earning the title of Best New Restaurant, Diner Ross was just recently featured on Eater Vegas’s list of Where to Find the Best Salads in Las Vegas, thanks to the Chef’s Dirty Martini Salad. This dish layers bibb lettuce with martini olives, juniper, pimento, Roquefort cheese, and a touch of lemon for balance, offering a salad that’s as indulgent as its namesake cocktail. Pair it with an actual dirty martini for the full experience.

Diner Ross is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience that artfully blends nostalgic charm with modern culinary excellence. And it’s really fun!

Diner Ross Dirty Martini Salad

DIRTY MARTINI SALAD
bibb lettuce, martini olive, juniper, pimento. roquefort, lemon, chive

Diner Ross Las Vegas

Diner Ross and Dirty Martini Salad Recipe

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Split Pea Soup with Bacon Homemade Croutons