Betting on Michelin Stars: Burger Time!

Tips for your hungry traveler? (4.00 / 2)

And remember to take the poll to let me know what you want to see in future installments! :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 01:15:03 AM UTC

Funny you mention burgers... (4.00 / 2)

I just read this from Serious Eats yesterday, on Emeril's (yeah, "the" Emeril) newly-opened burger joint in Bethlehem, PA.  The Las Vegas connection is that the old Bethlehem Steel building (where I did work once, about 10 years ago) has apparently been turned into a casino.

It's not often you find excellent writing like this on a burger blog -

There is no conversion of an edifice more indicative of the transformation of the American economy than that of the Bethlehem Steel building into a casino. Founded in 1857, Bethlehem Steel was once the virtual epicenter of steel manufacturing (only US Steel in nearby Pittsburgh was larger). For the next century it produced the steel that allowed skyscrapers to thrust further and further heavenwards, the hulls that floated the ships for America's navy and freight lines, and the armor that protected our veterans through two world wars.

But by the 1970s, the company's fortunes declined in concert with the decline of American manufacturing in general, unable to compete with cheaper foreign imports. The company staggered on until 2003, losing billions of dollars along the way before declaring bankruptcy. When the Sands casino company purchased the land with the intention of building a casino, they faced an ironic problem: They had trouble finding enough steel due to a global shortage.

But the casino was eventually built, and now stands as a testament to what American industry has become. Once we built ships and skyscrapers-now we produce bread and circuses.

Anyways, Nick didn't like their burgers.  Heh.

A new gourmet burger place just opened a few blocks from me, Foster Burger at SE Foster and 52nd, founded by one of Portland's best chefs (Daniel Mondok, formerly of Sel Gris, which shut down due to a building fire and now rumor has it that it won't open again after all - sadly, even more Portlanders losing their jobs in these horrible times).  

I'm gonna head there when my mother and one of my nieces comes out for a visit next month, and hell maybe I'll even sneak over once before they come here to do a little reconnaissance.

;-P

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:35:47 AM UTC

Wow those burgers sound great (4.00 / 3)

and OMG they have Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples. I haven't seen one of those in forever. When I was a kid, there was another restaurant that my folks liked, it was one of the places we went to for dinner once every couple of weeks, Red's Coach Inn, alas, also gone for many years.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:45:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

House made grenadine? (4.00 / 2)

First time I've seen that on a menu!

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:12:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hotel Bethlehem (4.00 / 2)

I jerked with surprise when I read Emeril in Bethlehem, PA., but then you explained it.

The Hotel Bethlehem used to be a favorite hotel for us. I haven't been in years, but we'd drive up to Bethlehem just to stay there for a long weekend. Loved everything about the place, a real surprise treasure.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:02:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I miss the area... (4.00 / 2)

...in case you haven't been able to tell.  Heh.

My favorite towns around that way were Easton, PA and Phillipsburg, NJ.  I used to do backflips when I found out I was working up that way on any given day.

I never got to Bethlehem much, but I enjoyed that town too.  And then there's Allentown, and Hazleton and Scranton where my grandmother was originally from.  The towns that quite literally built America...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:25:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

And it's run by Las Vegas Sands... (4.00 / 2)

Based in you-know-where...

But ironically, most of Sheldon Adelson's fortune isn't based here in Vegas any more. Nowadays, he's focusing more on Macau expansion, Singapore, a possible European expansion, and (of course!) more US regional casinos like Sands Bethlehem.

But anyway getting back to Emeril, his places can be hit-or-miss. Delmonico has survived its growing pains. Table 10 is still growing on folks. But poor Emeril's Fish House at MGM... That place has become a dump.

At some point, these "celebrity chefs" need to step back from the limelight and remember what made them "celebrities" in the first place. Either take care of all the restaurants or stop opening so many!

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:44:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly... (4.00 / 2)

At some point, these "celebrity chefs" need to step back from the limelight and remember what made them "celebrities" in the first place. Either take care of all the restaurants or stop opening so many!

BAM!

;-P

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:10:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Steve Wynn had a really great idea... (4.00 / 2)

When he opened Wynn and Encore. I don't often agree with his politics, but this is why I LOVE dining at so many of Wynncore's fabulous restaurants! The chefs are actually THERE, on premises, managing their own restaurants. It goes a great deal to ensure the quality of the meals there.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:34:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I would be very interested... (4.00 / 2)

...in hearing (and seeing!) what the farmers' market and CSA scene is like in Vegas.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:37:37 AM UTC

Then I'll have to take some pics... (4.00 / 2)

Next time I'm at the farmers' market and start doing reviews. I'll also be on the lookout for CSA open houses and see when I can plan a "field trip" to visit one.  

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:27:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm really enjoying these! (4.00 / 3)

I voted for the CSA/Farmers Market option but PIE! sounds good too!

I haven't had a good slice of pie anywhere in quite a while. I made a cherry cobler last year, but when doing restaurant reviews, that don't count.

When I was a kid there was a pie place, The Plush Pippin, a chain, I know, but they had really good pie. Mom and I used to have strawberry/rhubarb, heated with cold heavy whipping cream poured all over it. The kind of meal you either want to fast for or go out and do a full day's hard physical work 'cause there are more calories in that little ol' bowl that a sane person would care to contemplate. But oh. so. good!

That reminds me, I need to figure out where I'm going to plant the rhubarb. No strawberries though, I don't think I'd ever be able to keep the land sharks out of them.....

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:37:57 AM UTC

Pie (4.00 / 2)

Does quiche count? Best slice of quiche I ever had was 8 or 9 years ago in Moses Lake, Washington. We got hungry while travelling an Interstate, saw some buildings in the distance that looked like they might harbor a restaurant - it was only a little place on Main Street, but my, that quiche was great.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:46:45 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Speaking of that, (4.00 / 3)

Are quiche plants annuals or perennials?

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:48:46 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

fast or work hard. (4.00 / 2)

atdleft had best be careful, I think. He's young and his metabolism will forgive a lot now, but when he gets to be an old man like Jay...

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:52:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Being careful. (4.00 / 2)

Actually, it's me who should be careful. I gain weight just looking at the photos.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:14:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Heh! (4.00 / 3)

but when he gets to be an old man like Jay...

Thanks for the reminder.

;-P

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:26:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

And speaking of getting old... (4.00 / 3)

Especially since we've mentioned Chevy Chase elsehwere earlier tonight...

Have you seen him in those "HomeAway" commercials lately?  Ouch...

But amazingly enough, Beverly D'Angelo is 58 and still doesn't look a day over 40.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:13:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

amazingly (4.00 / 2)

A few women have remarkable genetics that are responsible for that, I think. Attend a high school class reunion when you're in your 50s and see what I mean.

I can't think of any men who have aged like that.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 06:04:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I still remember "Vegas Vacation"... (4.00 / 1)

It's still a funny movie today, even if it does seem dated... Believe it or not, The Strip looks SO DIFFERENT 13 years later!

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 17:43:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Heh. it was supposed to be a joke... (4.00 / 2)

A reference to the classic "Great Pie Wars of Daily Kos"...

But now that you mention it, I should probably do a diary soon on desserts! We're blessed with such great bakeries... (cough) Payard (cough) Jean Phillipe (cough) Bouchon Bakery (cough)...

But I'll really have to investigate and see where I can find some good, classic, American pies. I'm sure I'll find them somewhere, but sometimes it's tough to find the basics here... Well, that is the basics that are more than just the same ol' Cheesecake Factory or Marie Callender's variety.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:57:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Land shark? (4.00 / 3)

Can't let the reference pass...

Classic!

[Scene: A New York apartment. Someone knocks on the door.]
Woman:  [not opening the door] Yes?
Voice:  (mumbling) Mrs. Arlsburgerhhh?
Woman:  What?
Voice:  (mumbling) Mrs. Johannesburrrr?
Woman:  Who is it?
Voice:  [pause] Flowers.
Woman:  Flowers for whom?
Voice:  [long pause] Plumber, ma'am.
Woman:  I don't need a plumber. You're that clever shark, aren't you?
Voice:  [pause] Candygram.
Woman:  Candygram, my foot. You get out of here before I call the police. You're the shark, and you know it.
Voice:  Wait.  I-I'm only a dolphin, ma'am.
Woman:  A dolphin? Well...okay. [opens door]
[Huge latex and foam-rubber shark head lunges through open door, chomps down on woman's head, and drags her out of the apartment, all while the Jaws attack music is playing.]

:)

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:16:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Those were the days... (4.00 / 2)

Chase, Belushi, Ackroyd, Murray, Ratner, (ack, I'm forgetting the names of other women, although I can see their faces.)

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:47:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lorraine Newman (4.00 / 2)

Ever since the old gaurd left I haven't been able to watch the show much.

Garret Morris, don't forget him.

I used to love the land shark skits, and Belushi's Samurai charachters.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 21:25:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jane Curtin (4.00 / 1)

is one I was trying to think of.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 21:37:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

for the future (4.00 / 2)

Would buffet/smorgasbord be a worthy topic? Does LV have extra-special buffets, as one might expect from what you've written so far?

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 02:38:59 AM UTC

Brunch (4.00 / 2)

That could include self-serve brunches, or brunch might be a separate topic.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:09:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not really any more... (4.00 / 2)

Starting about 18 years ago with Wolfgang Puck opening Spago at Caesars, the dining scene in Vegas began shifting from buffets and coffee shops/diners as the focal point to today's focus on high-end restaurants. There are still loads of buffets in all the casinos today, but they're mostly an after-thought. Still, I can do a future diary on my buffet experience if you'd like.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:17:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

only if (4.00 / 2)

you think it's worth doing.

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by: count @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 03:45:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh, there will be plenty more coming... (4.00 / 2)

I eventually want to venture out and do all sorts of Vegas munchie diaries here. I'm sure I can at least do an extended Sunday Brunch diary that will make you happy. :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:09:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]