Problem: Been extremely positive because the food and people were extremely good. Not so much this time. Went back on Dec 24 expecting the usual good vibes. Not there, place felt different. Neither of the bosses were there but, more important, there must have been a different "chef" because the food was just not acceptable. Sausage appetizer was delicious so all was well in this barren corner of Vegas. I tried the linguini in white clam sauce. Incredible, there were no fresh clams, just bits of clams probably from a can, and not enough garlic to bother a vampire. My wife's dish consisted of a large meatball which was really underwhelming, and a good sausage and passable pasta. Place was never cheap but always a good value when the food was up. A 20 minute drive to this backwater and poor food for $100 with corkage is NOT a good or even acceptable value. As far as I'm concerned Off the Strip will remain a freeway too far for my return. Sad, value restaurants are really hard to find.
How would this review be described?
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A: negative

Problem: Food is yummy and drinks are just as good. The seaweed salad is one of the best I have tasted in the valley. I like mine a little more dry but the flavor is spot on. The Poke is great and I could eat it as a meal. Did I mention that the Poke taste like a little piece of Hawaiian heaven? I had the blackened fish which was good. It had some mango salsa on it but I am not a big mango salsa fan so I had to put that to the side. The Poke alone has me hooked on this place. The architecture of this place is pretty cool... It was different and a good topic of conversation when you're on a first date. Even the bathrooms are done up pretty nice. I like the tongue and groove wood panels that go half way up the wall. Very nice touch! Even the sink was unique. The only thing I did not like were the sweet potatoe pomme frites (french fries). They were soggy... and that is a personal thing... I am not a big fan of soggy fries. I like my potatoes to be croquant (Crunchy).
How would this review be described?
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A: positive

Problem: Out of all the many cocktails I've had in Madison, the ones at Merchant are the best. I enjoy making cocktails myself, so I like a place that can at least do better than I can at home. And Merchant definitely does. The drinks are imaginative and the flavors are always well-balanced. There are a lot of places in Madison that try really hard with complex syrups, liqueurs and unique flavors, but then end up failing on the execution somehow. Merchant consistently does it right. My all time favorite drink here is actually just a nice, classic whiskey sour. The cheesecurds are also amazing (if a bit salty, even for cheesecurds), and they're served with a really delicious sauce.
How would this review be described?
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A: positive

Problem: This is one place I can safely say you won't want to stay at on the strip. I booked over the phone and they gave me the wrong room. They gave me their "Manor" rooms instead of their "West Tower Rooms". The difference is shocking! The Manor rooms are worse than a motel, while the West Tower Rooms are actually "OK". For the price though you can do a lot better on/or near the strip. My advice on saving a little money would be to go to the RIO, which I found to be A LOT cleaner/nicer/just better. The only pro (if you had to pick one out) would be that it is close the Las Vegas Convention Center for events. Pros: Close to the Las Vegas Convention Center Cons: Dirty Run Down Manor Rooms are disgusting West Tower Rooms are barely passable for the price Not in the heart of the strip Reservations over the phone may be messed up (get your reservation in writing...seriously, don't forget this step) Overall: Better value all over (on/off) the strip at other hotels
How would this review be described?
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A:
negative