My Experience at Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles in Las Vegas
During my recent visit of Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon, I stayed at the JW Marriott in the community of…
Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.
In Las Vegas, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat. People from all over the world and all walks of life come to Vegas so thus, there are many restaurants serving a wide variety of delicacies.
While many websites focus on places to eat on or near the Las Vegas strip, I feel there isn’t enough representation of great places to our outside of the stip.
During my recent visit of Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon, I stayed at the JW Marriott in the community of Summerlin. If you’ve ever stayed at a JW, you’ll know they’re known for being large properties with many restaurants and other offerings.
One such restaurant at the JW Las Vegas is Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles, located behind the hotel’s palms tower, down a beautiful marble floored hallway, right across from Starbucks.
I was famished after spending half the day exploring Valley of Fire and was looking to replenish those lost calories. After a quick Yelp review search, I decided to book a table at Jade.
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Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.
Restaurant Info
Location: JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Address: 221 North Rampart Blvd.
Cost: $$$$
Food: Fresh sushi, Teppanyaki and other Asian dishes
Open: 5pm - 10pm (Wed, Thurs, Fri) & 4pm - 11pm (Sat & Sun). Closed Mon & Tues
Seating: Mostly indoor. Some outdoor seating on the patio
Alcohol: Full bar - extensive beer and cocktail menu
My Visit: August 2023
Rating (out of three): 👍🏼👍🏼
As stated above, Jade Asian Kitchen is located inside the JW Marriott in the Las Vegas community of Summerlin, behind the hotel’s Palms Tower.
If you’re not staying at the hotel, your best bet is to park in the self parking area of the hotel, just outside Rampart Casino. You’ll find the restaurant outside of the berm of the casino area, adjacent to Starbucks.
You can make a reservation for the regular menu at Jade through the OpenTable app, or by calling them directly. Though it isn’t required.
If you’re wanting to enjoy Teppanyaki, though (like I did), then reservations are required. When arriving, be sure to specify to the host/hostess about your Teppanyaki reservation.
The dining room is beautifully lit in a contemporary setting. There are touches of Asian culture decor mixed in as well. Jade does a great job of honoring Asian culture without coming across as cliche.
The Teppanyaki counters are located in the rear of the dining room, near the entry doors to the outdoor patio. If I remember correctly, there were four grills set up.
For those who’re unaware of what Teppanyaki is, it’s a post-World War II style of Japanese cuisine in which an iron griddle is used to cook food. The word is derived from teppan (the metal plate) and yaki, which means pan-fried, grilled or broiled.
Once everyone at your table has been seated, your chef will come out to make their introduction and explain the process to you. It’s around this time when your waiter or waitress will take your food and drink orders.
The protein options on the Teppanyaki menu include the usual that you’d find at most restaurants. These include; chicken, shrimp, salmon, filet mignon, ribeye, sea scallops, lobster, wagyu and vegetarian.
Prices range from $29 (chicken) to $136 (wagyu ribeye) and includes a soup starter and a side of fried rice. They also offer combo options where you can get two proteins if you’re having a difficult time deciding.
Your chef will leave again to obtain the necessary ingredients. When they return, they will begin cooking your food right in front of you, all while telling jokes, making quips and lighting up an enormous flame of fire (or two).
As you can see in the photo above, I went with the New York strip/chicken combo ($59), as I wanted to try both. While both were good and had great flavor, I personally enjoyed the chicken more so than the steak.
I also received a side of grilled vegetables and three difference dipping sauces. I don’t recall what the sauces were, but I do remember the only one I liked was the dark brown one in the middle.
Additionally, I ordered one of their specialty cocktails with my meal. I’m a whiskey guy, so I went with their “Jade Old Fashioned” ($25). It’s made with barrel aged Toki whiskey and angostura bitters. While it was a fine old fashioned, I felt it wasn’t special enough to warrant a $25 price tag.
All in, including tax and tip, my final bill was $108. It officially became the most expensive meal I’ve ever paid for, for just myself. Was it worth it? That all depends on perspective.
I came here because I’ve always enjoyed Teppanyaki, I was starving, it was conveniently located in my hotel and I was gathering content for this website. Would I, under normal circumstances, spend that much money for dinner on just myself? Probably not.
Looking at the regular menu, they have many entree options that I feel are reasonably priced. So if you can live without doing the Teppanyaki option, a family can dine at Jade and not spend much more than they would at most Las Vegas restaurants.
Smoky Delights: Experience The Phoenix BBQ in Sparks
When you’re thinking about great BBQ, Nevada typically doesn’t come up in conservation. States such as Texas and…
2 minute read | may contain affiliate links
When you’re thinking about great BBQ, Nevada typically doesn’t come up in conservation. States such as Texas and Tennessee are what you’ll usually think of.
While those states certainly deserve their status as BBQ GOATs, that doesn’t mean Nevada doesn’t have a few hidden gems of its own. Enter, The Phoenix BBQ Restaurant.
Located in, The Outlets at Legends, in Sparks and directly adjacent to Sheels, Phoenix provides its diners a wide variety of finely smoked meats, burgers, and classic sides.
My wife and I recently (finally) made our way to Phoenix and our experience with the food and service was nothing short of spectacular (albeit with one exception).
Let’s get into it.
Restaurant Info
Location: Sparks, NV at Legends
Address: 1310 Sheels Drive
Cost: Moderate
Food: Smoked BBQ, burgers, etc.
Open: Weds - Sun (closed Mon & Tues)
Seating: Indoor, outdoor and bar
Alcohol: Full bar
Website/Menu: ww.phoenixatlegends.com
My Visit: July 2023
Rating (out of three): 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.
You can find The Phoenix sandwiched between Sheels and Freshberry Cafe. It’s fairly easy to miss as half of the restaurant’s exterior is obstructed by trees.
If you happen to walk by on a weekend evening, there’s no way you’ll miss it as they have live musical acts performing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
The interior is warm and inviting, with the color of the walls resembling that of the Golden Gate Bridge (it looks more on the red side in the photos).
There are more booths than open-floor tables, with bar seating available. There’s also an abundance of outdoor seating on the patio, with plenty of shade and a mister.
The menu is heavy in smoked meats and burgers, but they offer a few seafood, salad, and soup options for anyone who doesn’t care for BBQ.
Shockingly, there were no desserts listed on the menu, as well as specialty cocktails. They have a full bar so I’m sure they’ll make your choice of drink, though.
They do have an extensive wine selection, though, thanks to their, “Village Vintner”, wine bar located in the same building (separated by a wall).
For our appetizer, we ordered the waffle fries topped with bacon, green onions and a gorgonzola cheese sauce. Honestly, it was, “meh”.
This was the one and only let down of the entire experience, as it just fell flat to me. The fries didn’t maintain their crisp and there wasn’t nearly enough bacon.
For my entree, I opted for the, “That’s 1 Hellova BBQ Sandwich”, with pulled pork as my meat of choice and sweet potato fries as my side.
Put simply, the pulled pork was delicious. A lot of places smoother their pork in sauce, masking the lack of flavor in the meat. Here, that isn’t the case. The meat, by itself, had excellent flavor and was smoked perfectly. The sauce did what its supposed to; it complemented it.
The sweet potato fries more than made it for the waffle fries earlier. They were precisely seasoned and had a great crisp to them.
My wife went with the BBQ sampler, which included:
Two drumstick chicken
Two pork ribs
Two brisket sliders
A side of their, “Million Dollar Mac”
The rib was tender and had excellent flavor. There was just enough of that “pull” off the bone. The brisket wasn’t the best i’ve ever had, but it was great regardless.
To us, the clear winners of the sampler were the chicken and the mac. Both were out-of-this-world and would be deserving as a stand-alone entree.
I hope you’ll consider giving The Phoenix a chance, as my wife and I had a great experience. The smoked meats are the hero here, so our less-than-steller waffle fries made little difference to our opinions. If you love BBQ, we’re confident you’ll enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.
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Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: A Quirky Eatery In Carson City
Welcome to Carson City's deliciously hidden gem - Sassafras Electric Food Joint! In this article, we delve into the…
2 minute read | may contain affiliate links
Welcome to Carson City's deliciously hidden gem - Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint! In this article, we delve into the vibrant world of dining at this local’s favorite.
From the moment you step through our doors, you'll be greeted with a captivating atmosphere that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience.
Discover the creatively curated menu that showcases a fusion of flavors, expertly prepared by talented chefs. Join us as we showcase a few of their many delicious offerings.
Whether you're a local food enthusiast or a curious traveler looking to dine with the locals, prepare to indulge your senses and savor the unique delights that await you in Carson City, NV.
Restaurant Information
Location: 1500 Old Hot Springs road, Carson City, NV
Cost: Mid range
Food: Globally inspired menu
Seating: Indoors. Wait to be seated
Alcohol: Full bar
Website/Menu: www.sassafrascarsoncity.com
Our Visit: June 2023
Whether you’re a local or you’re visiting from out of town and are looking for a locals spot to eat in Carson City, this is your sign to try Sassafras.
Their full name is, Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint, and they’re located directly adjacent to the historic Carson Hot Springs.
When you walk up, there will be two entrances. One for the bar and one for the restaurant. During my visit, the entrance on the right was closed off.
Interesting wall art adorns nearly every square inch of the bar and dining areas. Speaking of the bar, they offer draft beers and crafted cocktails.
Their entree and appetizer options are extent. From pork belly stir fry and cheeseburgers to salads and fish tacos, there’s something for everyone on this globally inspired menu.
Whenever my wife and I eat out somewhere we usually go all-in and order more food than we should (YOLO). We ordered the following dishes:
Baked Cheese Curds w/ Chorizo (appetizer)
Pork Belly Stir Fry Bowl (entree)
Salmon Tacos (entree)
Deep Fried Ice Cream (dessert)
Lemon/Strawberry Cheesecake (dessert)
Honestly, we didn’t have many complaints about the food. My pork belly was cooked perfectly, was packed with flavor and had a great crisp to it.
She loved the flavor of her salmon tacos, but did mention that she wished the salmon pieces were smaller so they’d be easier to eat. Aside from that, she enjoyed them.
Both desserts were delicious but the lemon/strawberry cheesecake was the clear winner. The flavor combination was out of this world.
They were tremendously generous with the portion size of the deep fried ice cream, though. I paid $9 and it could’ve easily been split between two, maybe three people.
If you’re a fan of quirky, outside-the-box restaurants you can’t try anywhere else, I encourage you to give Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint a shot.
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7 Things You Will Love About Reno: Family Friendly Things To Do
Reno was long known as a miniature version of Las Vegas, but it hasn’t always had the greatest reputation. The downtown…
3 minute read | contains affiliate links
Reno was long known as a miniature version of Las Vegas, but it hasn’t always had the greatest reputation. The downtown area, specifically, was associated with seedy hotels, rampant crime and homelessness.
While some of those elements still exist, there’s been a solid effort in recent years to spruce up the area and make it more appealing (and safe) to visitors.
Additionally, city officials have been making moves to market the city as a place for families and adventurers, not just those who like to partake in the casino lifestyle.
That topic is what this post will focus on. Nothing listed here has anything to do with gambling or bars. They’re all 100% family friendly.
So if you’re contemplating a vacation to Reno but you’re not sure what activities there are to do with you’re family, read on.
*NOTE: This is the newest installment of our “7 Things” series. At the end of the post, we’ve listed the other ones currently live on the website. Be sure to check them out!
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1) Proximity to Lake Tahoe
One of Reno’s biggest claims to its, “outdoor recreation haven” banner, is its proximity to Big Blue herself; Lake Tahoe. In fact, the downtown area is just about an hour’s drive from South Lake.
It’s also the closest city with a major airport to Tahoe so if that’s where you’re ultimately ending up, Reno is likely where you’ll be flying into.
Getting to Tahoe’s most beautiful state park, Emerald Bay, is a simple 1.5-hour drive from your downtown hotel. If you’ve never been to Emerald Bay, you need to add it to your list, pronto.
READ: “Emerald Bay State Park Guide: Hiking, Camping, Vikingsholm, Kayaking and More”
2) Hunter Creek Waterfall Trail
You won’t need to travel to Tahoe in order to partake a blissful stroll through nature. There are many hiking trails in Reno with a wide variety of difficulties and features.
Of all the said trails in Reno, the Hunter Creek Falls trail is probably the best known to locals and visitors alike.
The trail is 6.5 miles, roundtrip, and is considered moderate. It terminates at the beautiful, 30-foot Hunter Creek Falls.
While it’s rocky, narrow and fairly lengthy, if you and your family have experience hiking, you shouldn’t have any trouble. It’s dog friendly as well.
READ: “Hunter Creek Falls: An Epic Hike Just Outside Of Reno”
3) Local Restaurants
Reno is filled to the brim with dozens of great, non-chain local eateries offering a wide range of cuisine for all kinds of palates.
A few examples of Reno’s fine dining options include; Bricks Restaurant & Wine Bar, Atlantis Steakhouse, Sierra Street Kitchen & Cocktails and Marolina’s Italia Restaurant.
A few examples of mid-range sit-down restaurants include, Arario Midtown, Wild River Grille, Washoe Public House, Great Full Gardens and Old Granite Street Eatery.
You’ll find great eateries all over the city but some of the best ones are found in either Midtown or Sierra Street (in downtown).
4) The Basement
The Basement is a literal hidden gem in the heart of downtown. It’s located in the - you guessed it - basement of the historic 1932 Post Office. The space has been repurposed into a marketplace of local businesses.
The Basement consists of several small businesses, each of which are 100% local. These include handcraft shops, a male-inspired nail salon, barbershop, coffee shop, restaurants, a shared space with seating and more.
The street level space (where the actual post office was) is now in the process of also being repurposed into a merchant space. Be sure to stop by and find out for yourself why it’s so beloved by locals.
5) The Truckee River Walk
Stretching from the western edge of Idewild Park into the lovely Wingfield Park in downtown, Reno’s River Walk celebrates Reno’s reputation of culture, arts and heritage.
The space between Virginia Street and Wingfield Park, in particular, is teething with picturesque scenery, local restaurants and shops.
Just up the street from the river walk is the infamous Reno Arch. In City Plaza, you’ll find numerous permanent and temporary art installations used at the Burning Man festival on display. Plus, just beyond the Virginia Street bridge, you’ll find the street level entrance to The Basement.
No visit to Reno would be complete without a stroll along the river walk. It’s easily in the top three of things to do and see in Reno. Best of all - there’s no admission fee.
6) Art Murals
Arts and culture have a big presence in Reno. One of the things that city officials have done right is give local artists a chance to showcase their skills via wall murals.
They’re literally all over the city, but the majority (and best) are in downtown and midtown. A notable one to mention is the giant women mural on the side of the parking garage next to the arch.
7) The National Automobile Museum
The National Automobile Museum opened in 1989 and features a massive collection of classic cars, most of which once owned by local gaming pioneer, Bill Harrah.
At the time of his death in 1978, Harrah’s collection reached a staggering 1,400 cars! Holiday Inns purchased Harrah’s Casino and car collection in 1980.
Before selling off the majority of the collection, Holiday Inns donated 175 of those cars to what is now the museum. They’ve been on display, with additional rotating exhibits, ever since.
The sheer volume of cars in this collection is enough to impress those who’re not “car people”. If nothing else, it’s a great way to spend a few hours inside if the weather isn’t ideal.
READ: “National Automobile Museum: A Huge Classic Car Collection In Reno”
Your Thoughts…
What’re your thoughts on Reno for a family vacation? Did you know it’s no longer just about the casinos and bars? Which topic on this list interests you most? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from our readers.
*Tip: As stated at the top of this post, below are the links to our other “7 Things” posts that might interest you. Additionally, i’ve included a couple more Reno based posts.
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