Mikey C.
Yelp
I was on a three year long losing streak. This is where it finally ended.
For three years every time I picked a restaurant to celebrate a Special Occasion it turned into some kind of disaster. Even if it was a place I had been to before and had always had good luck with, when it would come to that Special Night everything would go ham.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Special Date nights. Time after time, something weird would happen. Often I'd go to an expensive steakhouse that got solid Yelp reviews, and I'd get served a really mediocre steak. I had so many mediocre steaks I quit ordering steaks.
It seemed like I only had this issue when I was celebrating a Special Occasion.
One New Year's Eve during my losing streak I went to a popular local fish house. I had eaten there many times, I liked the place a lot. I ordered Cioppino, one of my favorite dishes. When it came to the table it had a huge stalk of Broccoli standing up in the middle of the bowl.
What the hell? What the hell in hell? I freaking hate broccoli, and there was a god damn Broccoli Tree in the middle of my soup. Maybe the Broccoli was a warning, because the soup sucked too.
I got so frustrated I just flat gave up. I said, that's it for me. I declared that I was never going to go anywhere upscale to celebrate anything anymore. I'll just go to a damn chain restaurant and cut my losses.
And, for a good long while, that's just what I did.
But then I started talking to my great Yelp Friend from Reseda, Jamie V. I was getting ready to head to Vegas and I always like to talk to Jamie before I go because he is a bona fide Vegas expert. He knows where to stay and where to play, and most importantly, where to eat.
Jamie recommended this place. He said, Mikey, listen to me, go to Casa di Amore and get the Veal Parmigiana. Are you listening to me? Get the Veal, ok? You're going to love it. And order a martini too.
And the dude knew exactly what he was talking about.
I decided to hit this place up with my Beautiful Wife to celebrate my Birthday. The restaurant was romantic AF, kinda dark and sophisticated. There were good tunes playing when were first seated, like Sinatra or Tony Bennett or Dean Martin. Mid way through the meal a live jazz combo assembled and began playing.
My wife had the Frutti di Mare and loved it. I had the Veal and it was just as good as Jamie said it would be. I was exultant. My Special Occasion Losing Streak was smashed. I was back in the Black.
The following year we came back for another Special Occasion. This time I ordered Cioppino. It was the first time I had ordered it since the horrible experience I had with the god damn Broccoli Tree Cioppino incident.
The Cioppino here was the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of Cioppinos. It's just perfect. Rich flavorful broth, plenty of mussels and clams, little crab pinchers, tender fish, just perfect. Finally I could put the horror of the Broccoli Tree Cioppino fiasco behind me.
And I put the misery of that whole three year losing streak behind me too.
I hit up Jamie V for more recommendations and every one was a spectacular victory, among them Bavette's Steakhouse at the Park MGM, and THE Steakhouse at Circus Circus. Ain't no two ways about it, the guy knows where to find the best steaks!
Thank you, Jamie!
It's not unusual to hear people say they are looking for a taste of old school Las Vegas. Some place that still has a little of that swinging 60s vibe. If that's what you are looking for, I heartily recommend Casa di Amore.
Or as my friend Ken calls it, Mojo Dojo Casa di Amore House!
Mikey C says: the summer wind, came blowin' in from across the sea...