Chinese Food - Michelin Star Style

On Wednesday evening in Vegas, we went out for dinner to Wing Lei.  This is the only Chinese restaurant in North America to ever be honoured with a Michelin Star ... and it is well deserved!

We didn't think there was any other option - we got the Peking duck tasting menu.

One of the numerous servers we had brought out an amouse bouche, which was ginger-infused watermelon.

Then came the duck!

They did some of the carving table-side, slicing off gorgeous pieces with crispy skin.  These were then used in our duck tacos, which were made with a sweet steamed-bun style dough.

These were out-of-control good.  They were the perfect blend of texture and flavour.  Sweet, and savoury, crispy, and soft.  Amazing.

The duck was then wheeled away and cut up to be used in the rest of our dishes.  The next dish was a phenomenal duck salad.

Then, more of our duck was used to make the broth and giant wonton in this gorgeous soup.

The wonton was perfection.  I could eat this soup all day.

Next was a duck noodle dish, and duck mixed vegetables.  I was getting pretty full by this point, so Christopher ate most of these plates, but they were both really good.

And because that wasn't enough food, they also brought out dessert.

And then a little bonus dessert.

We left stuffed, and very, very happy.  The Peking duck tasting menu was reasonable at $88 per person before taxes.

This tasting menu at Wing Lei is a must!

Have you ever had Peking duck?  Do you like duck?

Dining in the Wynn

On Tuesday in Vegas we got dressed up, and went out for a nice lunch to Red 8, an Asian eatery in the Wynn.

I had the braised beef brisket noodle soup, and Christopher had the dan dan noodles with pork.

We both thought our dishes were just alright; they were lacking a little in the flavour department.

For a later dinner in the evening, we went to Lakeside, also in the Wynn.  We had an incredible view of the "Lake of Dreams".

The house-made bread that the server brought out was really good.

We shared a seafood platter (jumbo shrimp, oysters, king crab legs, Maine lobster tail), as well as some truffle creamed spinach, and lobster mac and cheese.

I seem to have a talent for finding the richest dishes on the menu ... we couldn't finish this meal, and it got to be a little much for us with how rich the dishes were.  Also, we decided we much prefer our crab and lobster warm with melted butter, instead of chilled - we were a bit disappointed. 

These weren't our favourite meals, but we still had a wonderful day.

When was the last time you were disappointed with a restaurant meal?  Where was it at?

Canadian friends - next time you go to Menchie's, don't forget to snap a picture and enter my giveaway to win 7 free trips to Menchie's!

Our Favourite Restaurant Ever

On Monday morning we spent some time by the gorgeous pool.  Each day we spent about an hour-90 minutes relaxing by the pool, sippin' bevvies and getting a little bit golden.

We learned how to play craps and I had some great luck with the dice!

And then ...

We went to our all-time favourite restaurant, Lotus of Siam.  I've gone on and on about this place before, but I think Christopher's face says enough ...

We shared two appetizers including nam kao tod (best appetizer I've ever had), and tom kah kai soup (chicken, coconut-based broth).

For the main courses we shared the koi soi (steak tartare) ...

And the best thing I've ever eaten, khao soi braised short rib (Thai egg noodle served in curry sauce, coconut cream and braised short rib).  It was just as mind-blowing as I remember.

I cannot wait to eat this dish again!  We had such a fun time at dinner.

And Christopher has something to tell anyone who is visiting Vegas:

"Go on, go on, get a buffet of buffets pass"

"Don't eat at Lotus of Siam ... it's one less reservation we'll have to worry about"

"But we'll be at Lotus of Siam, enjoying this ..."

"Looking like this"

Ooooooh, that silly husband of mine; every day is an adventure.

Do you have an all-time, favourite restaurant?

Menchies My Way & Giveaway (WINNER CHOSEN)

For so long there was no where to get frozen yogurt in Regina; then all of a sudden places started to spring up.  Menchie's is by far my favourite place to get froyo, as you've likely noticed in previous posts.  Christopher and I frequent our two, local Menchie's shops quite often, and whenever I spend time with my nephew, it seems we end up there.

When the people at Menchie's contacted me saying they wanted some of Canada's top media personalities (awww, shucks) to partner with them this summer as a Menchie's Ambassador, I jumped at the fantastic and tasty opportunity!

Who would say no to a summer of free froyo?  Not me.  You can get free froyo too, with the #MenchiesMyWay contest I'll get to below.

Today we went to our closest Menchie's at 3425 Quance Street in Regina (there is also a store at 1010 Pasqua Street) to make our mix!  The flavours offered are always changing as they have 150 flavours total.

Then there are the toppings!

The combination possibilities are endless.  That being said, I tend to be a creature of habit, and I almost always get the purely tart flavour.  But, when I saw that Menchie's had a new Oreo flavour, I decided to step out of my froyo comfort zone and try that; it was a great choice.

As a Menchie's Ambassador I have the tough job of creating my very own #MenchiesMyWay creation.

Behold ...

#MenchiesMyWay:  GOLDEN CRUNCH

My #MenchiesMyWay: GOLDEN CRUNCH creation has the delicious, not-too-sweet, new Oreo frozen yogurt, topped with cheesecake pieces, chocolate chips, toasted coconut, and boba balls.

Let's have a closer look ...

It totally hit the spot this afternoon.  I'm excited to go back and try different combinations all summer.

Menchie's Giveaway

You have a chance to win free Menchie's with a VIP pass good for seven Menchie's visits!  All you have to do is come up with your own fun Menchie's creation and share a picture and the name of your creation with us.  There are two ways to enter the contest, either through Twitter or Instagram, whichever you prefer.  It's easy!

Twitter Option:

- Follow @Menchies_CA on Twitter
- Tweet an image of your Menchie's creation with: "#MenchiesMyWay: "NAME OF CREATION" - @Menchies_CA @errdayfoodie"

Instagram Option:

- Follow @Menchies_Canada on Instagram
- Share an image of your creation with: "#MenchiesMyWay: "NAME OF CREATION" - @Menchies_Canada #everydayfoodiejolene"

Contest Details:

The contest is now over and the winner has been notified.

- You only have to choose one option, either Twitter or Instagram
- Contest is only open to Canadians
- The contest runs until August 31st, 2015
- The winner will be chosen by me, based on presentation and name of creation (you can enter numerous times if you visit Menchie's a lot)
- The winner will be mailed a VIP Summer Pass good for 7 complimentary visits to any Menchie's location in Canada

I'm looking forward to seeing what you lovely readers come up with!

What topping would be a "must" on your Menchie's creation?

Sunday in Vegas

We slept in on Sunday morning, so we went to the buffet for lunch.

Dad!  It's prime rib!!

They had kimchi!  They must have known we were coming.

We spent a couple hours in the afternoon at the pool.

In the evening we headed out to a Japanese restaurant in Wynn, called Mizumi.  We got a great table, with a gorgeous view.

It got more beautiful as the night went on.

We shared some tempura, truffle butter corn, and bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms to start.

 Christopher ordered the sashimi platter, and I had bee bim bop.

It was a wonderful Sunday in Las Vegas, and we even won a bit in roulette!

How is your week going so far?