Atlantis Steakhouse, Atlantis Casino, Reno, NV

We stay at the Atlantis Casino Hotel when in Reno because it's a lovely, beautifully appointed and new-looking hotel with excellent service. Plus, Mark likes to play blackjack once in a while while I'm swimming. The Atlantis has a rectangular outdoor pool and a circular indoor, both well heated and maintained.

The Atlantis Steakhouse, on the second floor of the casino is also beautifully designed. Tables are strategically placed with creatively designed sound buffers, in this medium sized restaurant to create a sense of intimacy and spaciousness.

For wine we chose a Poligny Montrachet to go with the oysters.





My choice was half a dozen raw seasonal oysters on ice, with horseradish, red wine mignonette.

 The oysters were large, but flavorful.

 Mark chose the oysters Rockafeller, baby spinach, garlic, Pernod, Hollandaise. Presentation of both of these dishes was lovely--mine had some small lights under the ice, and two tiny bottles of hot Tabasco sauce nested in the ice.

In between courses, the Maitre de brought us each little (complimentary) glass of Gaspacho with Feta cheese, which was well-received.




Both of our main courses, Steak Diane and 8 oz. Filet Mignon, came with salads of fresh mixed greens, red onions, baby cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Presentation was outstanding--salads were wrapped in a thin long slice of cucumber, forming an outer wall. House dressing was light and fresh, I think a raspberry vinaigrette. 

It's always a pleasure to watch Steak Diane being cooked table side.

 The filet was rolled in coarse sea salt.  I ordered mine medium--it was dark red inside. Next time, I would order it medium well, if not well done.  It came with a small dab of mashed potatoes and Sautéed Button Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic.

For dessert, we both ordered the Grand Marnier Souffle. I couldn't taste any Grand Marnier--did it burn off?  The souffle was ok, but I'll definitely choose something else next time.

Service was excellent in every respect.  It was on the high end--you can't expect to get out of there for less than $200 a person, especially if you order wine. 

If I were to fault it for anything, it would be for allowing people to come in T shirts, jeans, and shorts. It doesn't look or feel like a casual shop, so why the under-dressing?

Canvas Cafe, Virginia City NV

On our way to Reno, we toured Virginia City , the location of the Comstock Lode, where a huge cache of silver was discovered in 1859, sparking an influx of fortune seekers to the area, which is pretty bleak--some hills and mountains poking up out of a desert. Dry reddish brown sandy soil, sage brush, yucca, not much else. Not sure how they fed horses, mules or livestock.

Now the major industry of Virginia City is tourism, a fun place to bring children and others who love history of the old West.

We stopped for breakfast at the Canvas Cafe, 110 N C Street, Virginia City, NV 89440, on the main route through town, toward the end if you are coming from Carson City headed to Reno. 

It's a quaint little old house converted to a cafe, with indoor as well as outdoor seating on the side porch. Original (for sale) artwork bedecks the walls and ceilings--even the tables are creatively painted.

I enjoyed the Applewood Smoked Bacon and Eggs--Thick, applewood smoked bacon and eggs with home fries and toast. The bacon was ample--at least 4 large slices, perfectly seasoned and cooked.

Mark was pleased with the Classic Benedict--An english muffin topped with applewood smoked bacon and smothered in hollandaise sauce.

We both agree that the Canvas Cafe is a good choice for breakfast if you are traveling through Virginia City and want a well cooked breakfast of fresh food, a rustic artsy ambient and local flavor. 

Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill, Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino Stateline, NV

So we were staying in a suite at Harrah's Hotel and Casino at Lake Tahoe for a few days and decided to try their showcase restaurant on the 18th floor--they have two up there, one a buffet family style restaurant, and the other fine dining venue, Friday's Station Steak and Seafood Grill. Friday's features large panoramic windows facing Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains.

The restaurant boasts of  a  "1,000-bottle display wine cellar. The restaurant is the proud recipient of the Wine Spectator Excellence Award." Mark selected a bottle of the Schramsberg 2014, but as he pointed out, the wine steward brought a 2015. It was all they had. 

To start, he selected the Escargot Burgundy Snails Baked with Fresh Basil and Roasted Garlic Pesto Butter. (Did you know that most snails served in restaurants are farm raised?  Also, in case you wonder, they are usually not sea snails, but freshwater or forest type snails. I've also been told that snails love fennel.)  The snails at Friday's were well presented.

I chose the FRIDAY’S HOUSE SALAD Fresh Mixed Greens, Carrots, Oranges, Hearts of palms with Creamy Tarragon Dressing, which was a perfect light salad with an unobtrusive dressing for a hot summer evening.
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 For an entree, Mark selected the COLD WATER LOBSTER TAIL One 12oz Cold Water Lobster Tail, Baked and served with Lemon and Drawn Butter, served with Seasonal Vegetables and Rice Pilaf. A pleasing presentation, but, if you're a big guy, you might need two of these.

I chose the APPLE WOOD SMOKED FREE RANGE CHICKEN Apple Wood Smoked Chicken with Pappardelle Pasta tossed in White Wine, Cream, Morel Mushrooms, Fennel and Asparagus. The smokey flavor was strong, as was the morel mushroom.  Portion was more than ample--enough for 3.  Wide pasta noodles may have been home made? 

The restaurant website specifies average entree price $50, but let's not forget that salads, appetizers, sides, desserts and drinks come with a price too, and the two of you probably won't get out of this restaurant for less than $300--$400, if you do it right.

But, money aside, it's always lovely to drink Schramberg and watch the sun slide behind the mountains.

 

Artemis Lakefront Cafe, Lake Tahoe NV

As  expected, a beautiful July morning, sunshine, no humidity, perfect for breakfast on the terrace.

The cafe features spacious indoor seating too--reminiscent of a New England seaside tea room,  as you might find at Watch Hill, RI.

We sat under an umbrella table facing the brilliant indigo blue lake. The Pear Bellini--a sparkling white wine with fresh muddled pear--light, pleasant and fruity--the perfect complement to the crystalline morning.

Mark chose the Baklava French Toast,  described on the menu as "Thick slices of Texas toast dipped in a cinnamon vanilla egg batter and crusted with walnuts, almonds and pistachios, fried golden brown and topped with orange honey syrup. Served with choice of bacon or sausage."

Wonderful, but if I hadn't read the name, wouldn't have associated it with baklava.

I chose the Greek breakfast, describes as "Gyro slices sautéed with peppers and onions topped with feta. Served with 2 eggs, herb roasted potatoes and pita bread." Potatoes were unavailable, as a major golf extravaganza had consumed every spud over sporting weekend,  the waiter ( a bronzed, lion haired godlike youth)  explained. But, his  substitute of fresh berries--raspberries and blackberries was much preferred by a weight conscious, ageing beauty.



My lightly poached eggs melded with sauteed crisp and flavorful peppers and onions as contemplated the sparkling rich blue lake dove blue mountains and azure sky. Sometimes life is too beautiful and good. 

Moshulu Restaurant Philadelphia PA

On a fine summer evening we strolled over to Penn's Landing to dine at Moshulu, the largest and oldest square rigged sailing vessel that has been beautifully refurbished, docked at the landing, and converted to a fine dining establishment.

We always like to order raw oysters and were not disappointed here.

Mark chose the  black tiger shrimp, Rice Cake, Thai Vegetable Slaw, Toasted Peanuts, Chilli Lime, Red Curry Coconut Jus, and I chose the Chorizo Crusted  Swordfish,  Crab, Asparagus, Fork Mashed Potatoes, Bearnaise Aioli.

A beautiful dinner, as we watched the sun descend issuing a myriad of  rosy gold tones in the clouds.We hope to return to this glorious ship someday!

Moshulu, Philadelphia

Penn's Landing · 401 S. Columbus Blvd · Philadelphia, PA 19106 · 

Within walking distance slightly southeast of the old city on Penn's Landing is docked Moshulu, the world's largest four masted sailing ship still afloat. She has been transformed into an AAA four diamond restaurant.



The Beaver Club Montreal

If you are staying at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in downtown Montreal, you will probably want to dine at least once at the Beaver Club Restaurant on the main floor of the hotel. The restaurant has earned its five diamond reputation by offering an extensive wine list, with bottles ranging from $50 to $2000. The selection is excellent. We chose a red bordeaux

The restaurant offers a fixed price menu, "menus plaisirs" but you may order a la carte as well.  24 hour advance notice must be given if you would like to order the Beaver Club Classics-- Chateaubriand or the Beef Wellington.

I chose the grilled filet of tuna with herbs from our garden. This was served with some lightly sauteed vegetables.
Mark chose the Pot au feu Magdelan Island lobster enhanced with seasonings.

The selections on the dessert wagon were outstanding and tempting. It was probably the best looking wagon of desserts that I have yet seen.

With the wine we were served a small palate starter of thinly shaved lobster, lightly seasoned with herbs--"gourmandine of lobster with fennel and citrus fruit."

Note

Too often these days, fine restaurants waive their dress regulations due to marketplace necessities.

 It is disappointing to those seeking fine dining experiences, and who dress appropriately for the occasion, to be seated next to the ball-cap, T shirt--sports--shorts crowd that commonly frequent fast food eateries.

 It is pleasing to see that the dress code--business casual--is honored by patrons of the Beaver Club, the majority of the men wore jackets and ties, and the women dressed well, if not elegantly.