Las Vegas MGM Grand Buffet
The flight to Vegas and hauling luggage to check in at the MGM Grand made us famished. We couldn’t wait to eat at the buffets we always read and hear about. Naturally, staying at the MGM Grand, we just had to try the Buffet there!
MGM Grand Buffet Food Counters
With 4 long rows of food, there was a great selection. Mexican, Seafood including Sushi Rolls, Italian and of course American dishes. Too many dishes to list, really. The only regret was not taking more pictures of food directly. We didn’t want to be rude and flash away at every moment while drooling at the food.
MGM Grand Buffet Brisket being carved
A number of stations with meats being grilled, carved and served on the spot. There was steak, brisket, soups, turkey (it was near thanksgiving) and a good amount of other meats to choose from. More after the jump!
Masu Masu Asian Fusion Restaurant
Masu Masu Asian Fusion Restaurant
1116 Avenue U
btw 12th St & Coney Island Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Avenue U, aka little Chinatown, is filled beyond filled with half-assed boring restaurants. If you live in this neighborhood like I do, you’ll know that the foods here aren’t the best. They taste what they’re supposed to taste like, but there’s just no creativity at all. Or they just plain suck.
With a lot of Japanese sushi bars popping up all over the neighborhood, it seems like none of them can be distinguished. Most of them have non-Japanese chefs making sushi, which absolutely grinds my gears, and the food seems to cater to americans or tourist. What happened to specialty rolls? What happened to creativity and love for food?
Well, Masa Masa is the answer to my prayers.
This is the only restaurant on avenue U, the gravesend neck road area, that tries to be hip and trendy. Thank you!! Most restaurants that you’ll see here don’t really try that hard to impress people with decor. I can understand because people here are simple and they don’t have the time to pay attention to those little details. Service and food is most important to the restaurant owners here. While that’s great, I think it’s time to get with the times.
I came here with the boyfriend after a morning run, and we were craving for dumplings. I am a huge dumpling fan and will almost eat any kind of dumpling as you will see in my prior and future posts.
Pork Dumpling
Never have I seen a dumpling that has such a thin, transparent-like skin. Dip this baby into the accompany soy sauce and your mouth will scream like it’s in heaven. I do have to admit that I was pretty excited because of the way it looked. Look how cute it looks! Unlike the ones that have thick skin and are incredibly doughy, this one doesn’t make you feel as guilty eating it. I really enjoyed this appetizer and absolutely craved some more. The pork is moist and tender and accompanied well with the lightly pan fried dumpling. I swear, you can pop a million of these in your mouth and still crave for me.
My rating: 4/5
Recommended!
Specialty Roll:
It’s been a while since I’ve eaten here and the name of this roll slips my mind. It contains medium well salmon, avocado, cucumbers, seasoned with sesame.
Price: $11.50
This roll is absolutely fantastic. The presentation alone is worth the price, especially in this neighborhood. I like the fact that the salmon is not completely raw, so it gives it a semi-rough texture which I truly love.
Highly recommended!
Rating: 4/5
If you want to order this roll, why don’t you print the picture and show it to the waiter/waitress? haha
California Roll
Price: $4.50
I will always love the Cali roll when it’s done right. I hate it when sushi makers skimp out on my dam rice. I probably said this a million times, but it’s true! I love the presentation and the size. The rice was not too hard, which is the way I like it.
My rating: 4/5
Recommended!
Salmon Roll
Price: $4.50
With a roll done right like this, what can go wrong? It’s a classic.
When you stop by the neighborhood, be sure to pay a visit. You won’t regret it!
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Loading ...Iron Chef House (Sushi & Japanese Cuisine: Brooklyn’s Best Kept Secret)
Iron Chef House
92 Clark St
(near Henry St, and Pace University’s St George Dorm)
(718) 858-8517
If you think the best Japanese restaurants are in Manhattan, think again. There are exceptions with such restaurants as ‘Masa’, ‘Morimoto’, or ‘Sugiyama’ where they offer top notch sushi for the highest dollar. BUT, if you’re looking for delicious sushi at an unbeatable price, come to Brooklyn. That’s right Brooklyn. Under the brooklyn bridge, there’s an up and coming neighborhood, aka Brooklyn Heights, which is becoming a highly attractive and trendy place.
The reason why I came here was because my mother had come to this place before and she’s an avid sushi lover. She insisted that I had to come here because she believes it is the best sushi that she has ever tasted in Brooklyn, but I have my doubts coming from a woman who’s content with any kind of food, including my home cooking. Haha. She knew some people who worked there and had hookups to a table there on a busy friday night for me, my brother, bf, and of course her. When we finally made it there, I noticed how small it was. It was like the size of a studio, but it looked cozy as hell. All the sushi chefs huddled in the back putting their skills to the test, while we sat right in front of them. Yes that’s how small it is. So expect to wait when you get there even if you make a reservation.
I’m really glad that this place has Japanese sushi chefs making my sushi. I have to admit, I have been to sushi places that has been prepared by non-Japanese chefs and they always lack something. Sometimes I don’t need to see who’s making it and can tell just by looking at the sushi. Like sometimes my sushi rolls aren’t decorative or the chef skimps out on ingredients like rice, fish, or avocado, or they don’t use fresh ingredients. I really hate that. Also, instead of using crab meat, they use fake crab meat which I really don’t like, but apparently it’s acceptable in NYC. Try going to LA’s Japan town. I guarantee they don’t use that fake sheit.
Now check this out:
On your right you have your Monkey Roll, which has shrimp tempura, avocado on top and inside, crab meat and topped off with several different kinds of spicy sauce with sesame. If you’re not a fan of raw sushi, this is the roll for you. The marriage between the soft and creamy avocado with the crunchy shrimp tempura really creates the perfect balance in your mouth. I have never had such a roll before and I am definitely glad that I’ve tasted something so incredible. Excellent.
This house special roll is only $9.95. Look how much they’re giving you!! You really can’t beat that.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
My Rating: 5/5
The other one is the Spicy Yellow Dragon Roll. In it contains tuna, salmon, yellow tail, crab meat, mixed veggies topped with fish flakes, sesame, and a spice sauce. Now I’m not a fan of raw food, but luckily the waitress had it half cooked so it maintained the seafood freshness and it was easy to eat because it’s not as slimy which I loved. I have to admit, this was the best dragon roll I ever had. This roll had a hint of spiciness and it went well with the whole array of textures — smooth, soft, and crunchy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
My Rating: 5/5
The next dish the waitress served to us is the Tuna Tataki. This is half seared tuna topped with sesame, sliced seaweed, and topped with the chef’s special sauce.
Price: $7.50
With a good piece of seafood, you are never supposed to taste the “fishy-ness.” This very moist half pan-seared tuna taste smooth and succulent. As a first time having tuna like this, I am actually very impressed with this dish.
Recommended
My Rating: 5/5
Grilled Rice Ball
Price $4.50
Look how artistically done this rice ball is. The rice is moist, unlike most riceballs, and it is drizzled with soy sauce. The inside of this contains dried shredded pork with the chef’s special sauce to make it moist. You’d be surprised at how one can really fill you up.
Recommended
My Rating: 5/5
Green Seaweed Salad
Price: $4.50
This by far is the best seaweed salad I have ever have. I’m serious. Usually with most seaweed salads you’ll have seaweed that looks like it’s fished right out of the ocean and right onto your plate. Here they cut it into thin slices, mix it in with some thin clear rice noodles, and toss it with some salt, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. I am quite impressed by this dish and would definitely reorder this when I come back.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
My Rating: 5/5
Grilled Spicy Crispy Salmon Salad with spinach, sliced carrots caviar, and spicy wine sauce.
Price: $7.00
This is an impressive looking salad, but I personally didn’t like it only because I don’t like seafood in my salad. But the Salmon is very fresh and flavorful and I would recommend this to those who likes salmon and salad.
My rating: 4/5
Seafood Sauteed Lo Mein Noodles
Price: $14.00
The sauteed lo mein noodles remains very moist and flavorful. With the mix of the sesame seeds and the fish, it’s a delectable delight. I usually never have seafood with lo mein noodles, but surprisingly this is very good to eat. Not bad.
Recommended.
My Rating: 4/5
Grilled Chilean Sea Bass!
Price: $16.00
This has got to be the best sea bass I have ever tasted in my whole entire life. The presentation of the dish is actually the reflection of how delicious it is. The sea bass is seasoned very well with ground pepper, salt, sesame seeds, and parsley bits, and it is grilled to perfection. Words itself cannot describe how incredible this dish is.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
My Rating: 5/5
Last but not least,
FRIED ICE CREAM!
(Red bean, vanilla, green tea)
Price: $3.75
Fried ice cream can never go wrong. Of course sometimes chefs might add a little too much flour, but this isn’t the case with this one. After a long hearty meal here, the best way to end the night is with a big cup of fried ice cream. My part had the vanilla and the red bean. We finished every last drop.
I really recommend this place because the price is right and the food is very authentic and flavorful. When you’re in the neighborhood, drop on by and try it out!
Curious on what their health inspection report is? I leave you with this:
IRON CHEF HOUSE
92 CLARK STREET, BROOKLYN 11201
718-858-8517
Current violation points: 17/28
Inspection Date: 02/05/2007
Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Lighting inadequate. Fixture not shielded.
3.) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
4.) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
5.) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Clean outer garments, effective hair restraint not worn.
Northern BBQ & Sushi Buffet: Korean Barbeque (UPDATE)
UPDATE 2/13/2009:
This restaurant no long exists. It has been replaced with Juliana, also a Korean Restaurant but not a Buffet. Stay tuned for my review of this restaurant!
Northern BBQ & Sushi Buffet is not in business anymore as Miss Anonymous (comments below) has posted. The restaurant went through new ownership and became New York Buffet but now it has changed last year once more. The Restaurant is now called Juliana, Korean Restaurant & Bar. The disappointing part is that it is no longer a Buffet! Will post when we get a chance to eat there.
Northern [Korean] BBQ & Sushi Buffet
157-26 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 886-8880
WARNING: THIS WILL BE THE MEATIEST EXPERIENCE YOU WILL EVER HAVE. VEGETARIANS/VEGANS BEWARE.
If you’re coming with a large party, especially on a Saturday night, be sure to make reservations! My party of 10 had to wait about 45mins before being seated. The people in here are mostly Korean, in fact you’ll be greeted by the staff in the Korean language. They’re really friendly and cute!
The atmosphere in the restaurant is very relaxing despite having a buffet environment. It’s definitely better when you bring a crew of your friends to dine out.
I really love the environment here. When you are seated, feel free to get up and get some food. I started off grabbing some hot food and sushi:
There’s my cali rolls, my potato croquet (god i love it), fried rice, chicken wings, and stir fried string beans. Yum.
Now, grab a plate full of meat to grill on your table. That’s right, it’s a BBQ and you do it yourself. It’s just the best way to do it.
Ask the server to start up the grill for you, otherwise you’ll play with the gas knob all night and wondering how the hell does it work. When you first work the grill, please drizzle some oil on it. It makes the cooking process faster. I’m sure you all know, but just a reminder especially if you’re a newbie like me. Usually the server do it for me, but here, you actually do it yourself. And seldom a server will come by if s/he isn’t busy and do it for you too.
The beef brisket, shown above, could be marinated a little more. What I highly recommend are the ribs. OH MY GOSH, it’s the juiciest, tastiest, most succulent piece of meat I ever had. Let me show you:
It just so so good! Use the scissors that they provide you to cut up the meat. Cut it after when it’s done cooking. This is the best piece of meat I had all night and I loved it!! There are other meats like steak, sausage, pork, intestines (ew, but still cool), etc etc, but this by far was the best I have had for the night. It’s all you can eat buffet, so try everything!
Sometimes when you finish a plate, the server might not see that your plate needs to be changed so call them over and they’ll gladly do it for you. =)
My only gripe about this place was that they had a poor dessert and fruit section. For the fruit section they only had grapes and cherries and ran out of cantaloupe and honeydew. For dessert they have jello, I think that was it and it wasn’t even that great.
I highly recommend this place!
Price: $25/person ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT!
Yakitori Taisho: Japanese Barbeque
Yakitori Taisho
5 ST MARKS PLACE
Manhattan, NY
(212) 228-5086
YAKITORI!!!! This is not your typically Japanese restaurant. No they don’t serve sushi or ramen or any typical japanese food. But they’re totally cool because they are all about sticking meat and all sorts of stuff on their skewers! Mmm, I like cooked food and bbq meat!
If you’ve been down on St Mark Place, you’ve definitely seen this restaurant before. It’s next to the infamous beat up Barney that sells tourist goods and jewelry, and it’s the first Japanese restaurant on the block if you’re heading towards 1st avenue. Usually I’m really deterred from eating at this place because it’s always, 100% of the time packed. Every time I come here, there’s always a line forming outside of the door. Luckily for me and my bf this time, there was no line. At 6pm, wow, I guess people come a little bit later?
Well to my surprise, this place was awfully packed! My god! It is a really small joint here! Btw, be careful when you walk down the steps, you can trip and accidentally fall. Oh no, don’t think I fell. You know, I’m just saying because I saw a woman fall. =P Anyways, the first thing you’ll see when you enter is a couple of single tables for couples and a bar, as you can kinda see with my picture. After that there are a few more bigger tables and that seems to look like that’s it. The waitress asked me if me and my partner wanted to sit at the bar, and of course I said hell no because, #1 I’m claustrophobic, and #2 I wanted my own table and my own space. Apparently, that’s a little hard considering how small this place is!
To my surprise, the waitress offered us a table in the back room. Holy crap, I didn’t think this place can be bigger, but it is. Just pass the bathroom there is a little room inside with a few tables. Wow, hey, at least this is better than to sit at the bar. 
So yeah, there’s probably like 6 tables in there. Believe me, it’s a very tiny room so it’s a tough squeeze.
After settling down from all the chaos out there, I was ready to order. I already had something in mind to eat after viewing a post on this restaurant by blogger feistyfoodie. I knew I wanted the cod fries that they have here. I am a big fan of fries and I was dying to try it and the sauce that comes with it. Mmm. My bf was having a hard time trying to decide what he wanted because there is so much to choose from! Look at the cool menu! I just had to take a picture of this because it’s so graphic!!
Ahh so beautiful. Each page is more colorful than the last. Mm…if these pictures doesn’t make you drool, then I don’t know what will!
Appetizer!
Mentai Potato
french fries with spicy cod roe & mayo sauce, Price: $4.50
My god, honestly, these fries taste better than the Pomme Frites ones around the block! It’s freshly cook and it’s nice and plumped, just the way I love it. My bf thinks it needs a little more salt, but I think it’s perfect. The mayo sauce taste good with the fries for a few dips, but then afterwards it gets disgusting to eat. I love these fries soo soo much! Everyone else in that room ordered this too, so you should go and get these too!! They’re a big hit!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rating: 5/5
Entrees
Yakitori Tei
Scallions, shrimp, chicken meat ball, beef, and chicken, Price: $8.50
I never had a chicken meat ball before and had confused it with a crab meatball because of it’s soft texture. Oh let me tell you how each and every skewer taste like — perfectly salted and grilled. My god, the chicken and beef are so juicy and delicious. My boyfriend couldn’t finish this because it is so filling. My goodness, this is really good.
Recommended
Rating: 4/5
Taishodon
chicken meat balls, chicken chunks and beef over rice with kimchee served with miso soup, Price: $6.95
As I said before, the skewers of meats are amazing. It went really well with the kimchi rice, but I wasn’t fond of the ginger that you see on the top right. At first I thought it was carrot, but I was wrong. It’s definitely ginger and I did not like it one bit. But other than that, this is a very good bowl of rice and it’s incredibly filling!
Recommended!
Rating: 4/5
Overall I had an incredible time coming here. I would definitely come back here for the fries! Yumm, definitely!
YAKITORI TAISHO
5 ST MARKS PLACE, MANHATTAN 10003
212-228-5086
Current violation points: 12/28
Inspection Date: 10/24/2006
Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
1.) Food contact surface not properly maintained.
2.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
3.) Evidence of flying insects or live flying insects present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
4.) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
