Le Cafe Ile St Louis

On Monday, after our flights from Sydney to San Francisco and San Francisco to Las Vegas, the Husband and I were TIRED! We had pretty much zero sleep but we were on a mission to adjust to west coast American time.  After checking into the Paris Hotel, we took a brief nap and headed downstairs to check out our restaurant selection for an early dinner.  On a quick view of the restaurants near the elevator, there was a buffet (too much food that night for us) and a smaller restaurant.  We decided to check out the smaller restaurant – Cafe Ile St. Louis.

(I took this photo later – when we went there wasn’t a line.)

The inside of the Paris Hotel & Casino is set up as if you’re walking through Parisian streets.  All of the shops and restaurants are modeled after authentic shops and restaurants, so this cafe made you feel like you were sitting “outside.”

While we perused the menu, we munched on a bread basket.  We were so hungry and appreciated it!

So many of the restaurants in Las Vegas have Keno at the table.  Keno “dealers” (I’m not sure what to call them) come around and collect your bets throughout the meal and then bring back your winnings later on.  We didn’t play during this meal, but I took a picture to share with you.

The Husband and I each ordered the same thing 🙂 We each ordered French Onion Soup (a good idea in a French restaurant 😉 ).  This one was one of the better ones I’ve had.  It had lots of onions, was slightly sweet, the bread was clearly crusty previously but filled with broth, and cheesy on top.  The bowl was actually a lot deeper than it looks and I don’t know if either of us finished them.

With our soups we had Cobb salads (mine sans blue cheese).  It came with Blue Cheese dressing but the Husband ate his sans dressing and I had a dab of Balsamic Vinaigrette instead.  We were so happy to have salads again! This was a very satisfying cafe meal.  Not having eaten in a many hours due to all of the traveling and jet lag, this was a great way to ease into Las Vegas food.  The service was actually quite slow, but we weren’t in a hurry anywhere.  If you’re looking for a lighter meal at the Paris, check this place out.

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Maestro’s Bar and Bistro

Last night, the Husband and I met up with some friends and headed over to Maestro’s Bar and Bistro, a quaint restaurant nestled away in Pineville.  Our friends had been there before, living not too far from the restaurant, and raved about it so we were looking forward to some good food.

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed all the antique and homey touches (I love antiques and have a handful of pieces of furniture formerly property of two of my great grandmothers).

Upon being seated, we learned of the history of many of these antique items.  The restaurant, owned by a married couple, the husband whom is the chef, is named and in honor of the wife’s parents.  In turn, I assume some of the items throughout the restaurant belonged to them. 🙂

I debated for a LONG time on what to order.  There was an extensive wine list, but still being dehydrated from my trip to Las Vegas (the rest of the posts coming soon!), I stuck with water.  The group decided to go with an appetizer and the rest of the table also ordered soups and/or salad.  This gave me a lot of time to ponder as we didn’t order our entree until after we completed our appetizer.

To start, the four of us shared the Cornflour Crusted Calamari with a Sweet Spicy Chili Sauce.  It was flavorful and went very well with the chili sauce.  I found myself munching on this as I debated what to order as an entree.

Up next, soups and salad for the table.  The Husband ordered a bowl of the Wild Mushroom Soup.  It was warm, creamy, and flavorful.  He originally shared a tasted with me and I later ended up eating about half 🙂 Yum!  (The Internet has lots of good things to say about the soups here so we’ll have to go back and try some others! Especially with how cold it’s been recently in Charlotte.)

Our friends enjoyed a cup of the same soup and the BLT salad which included bacon, lettuce, and tomato with ranch dressing and crumbled blue cheese.  Our friend really enjoyed her salad.

During this course, we were also brought out warm bread and butter.  I love when restaurants serve bread right out of the oven, allowing the butter to melt perfectly.

Two of the items I debated about getting were ordered by the Husband and one of our friends so I went with the first item that caught my eye – the Portobello Mushroom Agnolotti with Braised Beef.  They described them as pasta purses stuffed portobello mushrooms topped with beef braised in a rich red wine demiglace.  The agnolotti were heavenly! I shared one each with the Husband and one of our friends, as I planned on having a taste of each of theirs but I would have loved to eat each one myself!

The Husband ordered the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi which included shrimp and scallops sautéed in a lemon garlic sauce with spinach and tomatoes over shell pasta.  These flavors melded well together and the dish was quite large.  We ended up taking most of it home as the Husband was quite full from the other courses.  It was great as leftovers as lunch today too 🙂

The third item I debated about, that our friend got, was the Eggplant and Parmesan Ravioli.  I couldn’t remember if I liked eggplant, so I appreciated him sharing one with me.  As expected (everything had turned out well so far!) this was quite delicious.

Overall, this restaurant lived up to our friends’ raves and we were glad we were able to make it there.  If you’re looking for a nice restaurant in the Pineville area, we recommend that you check Maestro’s out!

Maestro’s Bar and Bistro

207 Johnston Drive

Pineville, NC 28134

704-889-2110

Bald Head Island Club

Last night, to celebrate the end to our wonderful New Year vacation, Kath, Matt, the Husband and I headed to the Bald Head Island Club for a “fancy” dinner 🙂 (The Husband had to wear pants and not shorts = fancy dinner.)  We hopped in the golf cart, as bundled up as we could be (it’s cold here!), and headed on over for our 7pm reservation.

Since the restaurant is in the country club, there was a large open space when we first entered.  A large bar/lounge was off to the right and the restaurant could be found straight back. (This is actually the view from the restaurant back into the lobby.)

The four of us perused our menus and discussed (for quite a bit) whether or not to get a bottle of wine or to go with glasses (some were not in the mood for entire glasses).

We finally decided to get a bottle and what a great decision it was! We went with the Gemtree Vineyards Tadpole Shiraz.  The entire table raved about how good this was!! I haven’t had a Shiraz in a long, long time and I’m glad that Matt and I decided on this.  One bottle worked out well, as well, based on everyone’s wine desires for the evening 🙂

To start, there was a consensus that soup would be ordered.  (We were still cold from the golf cart ride and needed to warm up!)  There was along as Cheddar & Ale Soup that was calling our names.  However, when the Husband learned that the soup of the day was Tomato Basil, as I shared my Cheddar & Ale with him, he definitely had to have the Tomato Basil.  Kath and Matt decided to share a bowl while the Husband and I each went with a cup.  Kath appropriately described ours as “fondue-like” which, as you know, is something that I liked 🙂 The Husband really liked his Tomato Basil as well.  We were off to a good start!

In between the soup and entree courses, the Husband also decided to get a Wedge Salad.  Luckily this salad wasn’t drenched in blue cheese dressing (like the last time) and he could enjoy the variety of flavors.  Kath and Matt each enjoyed a small taste as well.

On to the entrees! After realizing we both were planning on the same thing, Kath and I discussed ordering different items so that we could taste each other’s entree.  Luckily the husbands did the same so there were a lot of tastings!

I went with the Rosemary-Skewered Scallops over Spinach Fettucine.  The scallops were very flavorful and cooked perfectly (in my opinion) and I found that the “skewers” were rosemary branches and very cool!  It came with a blood orange light cream sauce (if I remember correctly), which unfortunately gave little to no flavor for the pasta.  However, the spinach fettuccine itself was quite fresh.

The Husband went with the Shrimp and Grits.  It included Grit Cakes instead of the usual mound at the bottom.  It was unique and flavorful way to present the grits.  He decided to save half as leftovers for some time this weekend.  (I tried his Grit Cake but let him have all of his shrimp 😉 )

Kath ordered the Crab Stuffed Flounder with Hollandaise.  I had a bite and it was very good! Matt ordered the Breaded Catfish.  He also shared this with me (thanks guys!) and it was amazingly salty! He ended up having to take the breading off the second half of the fish as it was unbearable.

Even though we had consumed what felt like a lot of food, we discussed ordering a dessert to share amongst the four of us.  Kath and I decided on the Pumpkin Cheesecake.  It was made fresh at the club and included fresh whipped cream and crumbled ginger snaps.  This was a sweet way to end our dinner and our vacation!

We  are headed back to Charlotte now from Bald Head Island 😦 Thanks to Kath and Matt for inviting us out! It was a great mini vacation to celebrate the new year!  With the start of 2010, the Husband and I have some fun trips planned and those that are in the planning process.  Stay tuned as we recap those and ask for suggestions for things to do and places to eat in our upcoming excursions! We’ll also be catching up on the end of 2009 in the coming weeks 🙂

Dean & Deluca

Yesterday, after participating in the Charlotte Runway 5K, Kath, Matt, the Husband and I decided to meet up again later in the day for lunch and pedicures (for the girls) and books and beer (for the boys).  Knowing that we’d be eating a lot at our respective Halloween festivities, we wanted to go light with our late lunch and decided to go with Dean & Deluca for sandwiches and salads.

My first exposure to Dean & Deluca was in college watching one of my favorite shows at the time: Felicity 🙂 (Anybody else love the show??)  My first actual time getting to go to a Dean & Deluca was while living in Washington, DC (the city proper).  There was a location in Georgetown and I remember having some amazing macaroni & cheese!

Since becoming friends with Kath, I’ve been to both Charlotte locations and go to them when I want to splurge on some amazing salad!

It was a gloomy day here in Charlotte so we decided to sit inside instead of outside where there were plenty of tables looking over a fountain.

Before Kath and Matt arrived, the Husband and I perused the many display cases and shelves of yummy gourmet foods.  There were cakes…

Other desserts, mini cakes, tarts, and pastries…

A hot and cold food bar… (where I would have found mac & cheese if they had any!)

And chilled beverages…

In addition to the prepared foods, you’re able to have salads, sandwiches, and pizzas made from scratch for you.

As planned, I got a small salad.  I went with their House Salad (which I love!).  It has mixed greens, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, and balsamic vinagarette on the side.  They don’t skimp on the goat cheese and it’s awesome!

Because it was slightly chilly, I was also looking for something to warm me up.  I went with a small Tomato Ravioli soup.  Lots of fresh vegetables and large raviolis.  I would definitely get this again!

The Husband went with a Ham & Brie sandwich which he had heated up on the panini press.  He said the sandwich was just “ok” – there were onions in a sauce that were just way too strong for his taste

On the side, he tried the Dean & Deluca Spicy Potato Chips.  We each tried one and agreed that they weren’t at all spicy but were very tasty.

Kath’s salad unfortunately had a lot of lettuce in it that had gone bad.  However, she took it up to the counter and they gladly made her a new one that was way better.

This was a great light lunch before we headed off for our pedicures and books/beer 🙂

Have any of you been to any of the other Dean & Deluca locations? What did you think?