To Hell & Back

"I don't run restaurants that are out of control. We are about establishing phenomenal footholdings with talent." - Gordon Ramsay

Our Vegas crew was really excited about this event on our trip - going to Hell's Kitchen and enjoying a super delicious meal. My best friend made reservations about a month in advance, and so glad that we did. The restaurant was packed, and we went around peak dinner time. Also, the ambiance is totally reminiscent of the exact restaurant on television - the cooks have on red or blue chefs jackets, and the establishment was decorated with little pitchforks. The staff was professional and phenomenal, they were knowledgable about everything on the menu, and gave excellent wine pairing selections!

The iconic Hell's Kitchen logo lit up at night.

This restaurant was everyone's absolute favorite, and we were so glad we kicked off our trip with this place! It was the highlight of our adventure in Las Vegas.

Today, I'm sharing our ratings for each dish we ordered!

Appetizers & Sides

Lobster Risotto - butter poached lobster tail, saffron risotto, tomato confit

Lobster Risotto

Rating: 5/5

My friend Alisha ordered the lobster risotto, and she really loved it. The lobster tail was butter poached. Also the risotto had a delicious saffron flavor with tomato confit. The risotto was tender and super yummy.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Rating: 4/5

This dish comes with crispy prosciutto, but our friend James opted to have it removed. The cheese used in this dish is smoked gouda. He really enjoyed the dish, but the only downside is that it wasn't super creamy and cheesy. If you like your mac and cheese to be a bit more indulgent, then this may not be for you. Overall, the side was super yummy and he really enjoyed it.

Entrees

Crispy Skin Salmon - beluga lentils, shaved fennel salad, citrus herb beurre blanc 

Crispy Skin Salmon

Rating: 5/5

This is probably the best salmon I have ever had. I had the chef cook it medium-well, and it turned out absolutely perfect. The skin was very crispy, and one of my favorite parts. Also, the citrus herb beurre blanc sauce totally elevated the dish and paired perfectly with the fish. The lentils and fennel salad really complimented the protein. I ordered a glass of Chardonnay to enjoy with this entree, and it was perfect selection. 

Beef Wellington - potato puree, glazed root vegetables, red wine demi-glace

Beef Wellington

Rating: 5/5

Everyone at the table ordered this dish (with the exception of me), and they all loved it! The potatoes were super creamy and the vegetables were fresh - they were the perfect addition to the dish. Also, the wellington was perfection, and had a huge chunk of beef - so you definitely get your money's worth! The red wine demi-glace was the star of the dish, and everyone was wanting more of it!

We met Michelle Tribble, the most recent winner of Hell's Kitchen, Season 17.

G and I are huge fans of the show, and he spotted out Michelle in the restaurant immediately! Our waiter was so amazing, and offered to take a photo of our group with Michelle! She was super busy that evening, but was so kind and gracious to take a photo with us.

Overall our dining experience was phenomenal, and I totally recommend this restaurant to everyone!

If you are interested in learning a little but more about this restaurant, take a look here!

Enjoy!

XO, Analise

4th of July Favorites

"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start." - Anthony Bourdain

The 4th of July is a time where my family I get together to indulge in some amazing food, while listening to great music, enjoying each other's company. Each year we love trying out new recipes. The past few years, we bring the wings - and my family loves us for it!

While, we eat so many different types of dishes, I'm sharing three delicious meals that would be a hit at your cookout. Some are lighter options, and others are the traditional crowd favorites everyone would absolutely love. 

Pan Seared Scallops & Avocado Caprese Salad

Lemon pepper pan seared scallops, bacon crisps, garnished with basil, tomato, mozzarella, avocado, cracked black pepper and balsamic reduction. 

This dish is super light and very yummy. As, I have mentioned before, eating light during the hotter months are absolutely necessary. I love this salad because it is fresh and really good! If you are not a huge scallops fan, substitute it with shrimp! This option is perfect for the anyone who loves a wonderful salad.

Old Bay Chicken Wings

Old Bay Wings, lightly dusted with the amazing seasoning. They are perfect grilled or fried, and super delicious! 

These wings are so delicious, and have the perfect flavor - thanks to the Old Bay Seasoning! You can grill them or throw the wings in the air fryer like I did, and they are super good! Once they are fresh off the grill, dust the chicken wings generously with the seasoning - you'll be so glad you did! 

The Ultimate Spicy Charcoal Grilled Burger

The ultimate burger - this patty is stuffed with pepper jack cheese, and on top of a brioche bun. Also, the toppings include: arugula, honey cured bacon, tomato, and zing sauce.

This burger is my husband's favorite. It's a patty that's stuffed with pepper jack cheese, and grilled over charcoal. I've put it on a bed of arugula, chopped up tomato, and added honey cured bacon on top of the patty. I use a brioche bun, because it's so soft and buttery. Also, the zing sauce added on top gives the burger an extra kick!

What are your favorite things to eat on the 4th of July?

XO, Analise

What's Cookin'?

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” - Alan D. Wolfelt

Cooking can be hard, but it doesn't have to be! I got my love for cooking from my Mom. My Mama is an amazing cook, and everything I learned in the kitchen she taught me. She has made our family the most amazing meals for years, and still continues today.

When I lived on my own for over three years, I rarely cooked, there was simply no need. Yet, once G proposed my Mom started teaching me some of our secret family recipes, and made sure I knew the fundamentals of cooking. Now, I really enjoy cooking and making simple, and delicious meals at home.

Today, I am sharing some of the wisdom my Mom taught me, a few lessons I personally learned along the way, as well as some of my favorite kitchen items.

• Prepare ahead of time. This is a huge one! I go to the grocery store at least once a week. When I head to the store, I make a list ahead of time to make sure I stay on track and on budget. This helps me with meal prepping and ensuring we are covered for the week. I find that when I'm prepared ahead of time, we eat out less and our meals are much more healthy. Also, G and I have Meal Prep Sundays, we outline what meals will be made for the week. G loves helping me out, and we learn new dishes together!
• Keep your kitchen clean and organized. Knowing what is in your kitchen is essential to the meal prep process. Keeping your utensils, pots, and pans clean as well as in good condition will help in the preparation of a dish.
• Read recipes in advance. Practice makes perfect, and I got quite a few recipe books to learn how to create amazing meals at home. I review recipes ahead of time to ensure I have the proper ingredients as well as right utensils. I'm a big advocate of not wasting time, and this preparation tip helps me the most when making dishes for the first time.
• Use quality and fresh ingredients. Now that I'm approaching 30, it is super important that I use quality ingredients. Fresh fruits and veggies really elevate the dish! Also, a lot of the proteins I purchase are organic and farm raised. G and I no longer purchase items that have a lot of hormones in them. We see a significant improvement in our health, and feel so much better!
• Have the proper kitchen tools. It is important to have the right knives, pans, and several other kitchen utensils to make your meal. This will ensure your meals will turn out absolutely amazing. Kitchen items can get super pricey, so we are always on the hunt for good deals.
• Be flexible and have fun. Cooking is something I really enjoy, and even though it can be a daunting task, it's so much fun. Practice makes perfect, and it certainly takes time to learn how to make a great dish! We have gone to several cooking classes, and learned new techniques. Also, it's great to test out our new recipes on our families, it brings us so much joy to share our food with others.

Happy cooking y'all!

XO, Analise