Write On Rubee

An Arizona-based food, beverage and travel writer since 2008, I launched this website in 2015 to document my culinary adventures, beverage escapades, gardening endeavors, and travel in the Phoenix area and beyond. Also find a comprehensive calendar of Phoenix-area food and drink-related events on my Events page.

Filtering by Author: Christina Barrueta

Browse

Lindo Michoacan - Henderson, Las Vegas

Now that we drive to Las Vegas instead of flying, it’s become our tradition to stop for lunch at the Lindo Michoacan in Henderson to begin our drive back to Phoenix. My husband always gets the mole con pollo, while my regular order is Camarones Sarandeados Estil Tia Esther.

August 2023 visit:

Lindo Michoacan Henderson’s view of the Las Vegas Strip

All entrees at Lindo Michoacan Henderson come with sopa de fideo (and we also always buy a dozen of the handmade flour tortillas to-go).


Las Vegas in April 2014 - Bartolotta, Society Cafe, CraftSteak and Mon Ami Gabi.

Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn is one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever seen. We reserved a table in a cabana on the lagoon.  

Fantastic seafood, including langoustines flown in from Italy, Ligurian octopus, and orata bought whole by the pound and served with acqua pazza.

We had a fantastic dinner at Society Cafe (Wynn) at the hands of Chef Jeremy Pacheco, formerly of Lon's at the Hermosa - Cheese and charcuterie, an appetizer sampler with confit chicken lollipops, crab fritters, fried mac and cheese, salt-seared tuna on a hot salt block with yuzu-soy and rice crackers, Japanese Kobe beef, house-cured bacon on a sizzling plate with maple-sherry syrup, and peanut butter and jelly donuts

For our final night, we overindulged at the delicious CraftSteak at the MGM Grand.

And no trip to Vegas is complete without a stop at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris.  I couldn't say no to the Nutella, banana, and hazelnut crepe special. 

Voodoo Steak at the Rio

We first met Chef Honorio Mecinas when he teamed up with his brother Chef Mel Mecinas, Executive Chef at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, for a special event. On our next trip to Las Vegas, reservations at Voodoo Steak, where he is Chef de Cuisine, were a must. Since that very first visit, we've returned again and again. We've taken close friends, treated my parents, and hosted a fantastic wedding dinner for my stepdaughter and son-in-law, and had great service, and wine pairings from Sam.  On our most recent visit last week, we were a group of 8, including my best friends from Massachusetts, and everyone raved. Voodoo Steak and Chef Honorio never disappoint.  

Oyster with mignonette, sake-cured salmon with quail egg and caviar, and scallop crudo with uni.

Fiamma at MGM Grand Resort

The first time we stayed at the MGM, we stopped in to Fiamma for a drink and met engaging Kerry, a bartender and fellow food-lover.  As a result, this is a must-visit every time we stay at the MGM, not only for the food, but to stop in for cocktails and say hello to Kerry at the bar.  On our most recent trip, 8 of us, including our closest friends from the Boston area,  had a wonderful dinner.  And were pretty happy that we timed it with truffle season! 

Frankie's Tiki Room

Who doesn't love a tiki bar?  Cozy, dark, decorated with bamboo, rattan, thatch and tiki masks, Frankie's was the perfect spot to spend a Las Vegas Sunday afternoon.  Be sure to ask Melo at the bar for his recommendations!