input: Write a negative yelp review (OPTIONS:
- negative
- positive).
output: I wanted to like this neighborhood spot that doesn't get too busy, but it just didn't deliver. Went in on a Sunday for a late afternoon lunch / early dinner. The place has a nice layout with plenty of TV's in the bar area and good upscale but very casual feel to it throughout. I thought it was kind of odd that there wasn't a happy hour or any specials given it was during happy hour, on Sunday, in the middle of summer, in Phoenix! I understand places can't give away their product, but when you're competing against the variety of local spots (vig, postino, north, lgo, etc) for the locals during a typically "slower time" (Sunday afternoon), you should have some kind of perk to bring in the business! But I digress... I ordered the peppercorn burger which I was excited for as I've heard numerous good things about the grind's signature dishes. It delivered an impressive appearance, was a generous size, and sure looked the part, but lacked on flavor, depth, and just kind of left me shocked that so many ingredients and a higher quality beef could make such a bland burger. The mac and cheese and french fry sides that I split with the other half were very good, especially the very garlicky but well prepared mac and cheese. This place is certainly not bad by any means, but it left a lot be desired from a location I wanted to like. Given the abundance of other options in the area this place will have to make some changes to get me to visit anytime soon.
input: Write a negative yelp review (OPTIONS:
- negative
- positive).
output: The hotel itself is conveniently located in the center of the strip and the no-frills rooms are fairly modern and well-maintained, minus the phones. Since there is no WIFI (yep), make sure you add the personal hotspot option to your cell phone service so you won't be without internet service for the duration of your trip. Diamond Club check-in is pointless, for those wondering. It still took me 20 minutes to check in because they only had two desks open. Now, on to the food, which is the primary factor leading to my 1-star rating. Every year, my company holds a week-long convention at this hotel and since I'm hard at work, I rarely get to leave. I'm lucky if I get to eat one meal outside of Harrah's. Up until this year, I would pretty much survive off room service and Ming's Table, which is now gone, thanks to the brand new Fulton Street Food Hall which looks nice, but with the exception of their slow-as-shit salad bar, is pretty much useless to me. This year, I was forced to order room service more than previous years and I was shocked... SHOCKED... at it's drastic decline. First of all, they now stop serving breakfast at 11am. WHO THE FUCK WAKES UP BEFORE 11AM IN VEGAS???????? So remember... if you're rolling in from the club, drunk as fuck at 6am... congratulations! You can get your mushroom omelet, you lucky son-of-a-bitch. Secondly, they have scaled down the room service menu so substantially since last year that your only food options between 11am and 11pm are all pre-made sushi ($17-20 per roll), pre-made sandwiches ($12-16 with no sides), or pizza ($20). They have a couple salads on the menu, but since those are pre-made too, don't bother asking if you can add chicken to the Caesar salad because the answer is no. Between 11pm and 6am, your room service food options are... nothing. They're closed. I tried ordering the roast beef wrap twice and both times, they were out of them. However, one of those times, the woman who took my order called me back after 20 minutes of ordering to deny me. The pizza (which comes from the Fulton Street Food Hall) was an oversauced, practically cheeseless disaster. If you must order food via room service between 11am and 11pm, go for the Italian panini ($16) which was the only decent item they served me all week. If you want a side of fries with it though, that'll cost ya an extra $9. Philip, the guy who delivered my food up to me 9 out of 10 times, was as friendly and pleasant as could be, and this room service review is in no way a dig on him. I used to enjoy ordering a burger from KGB or even a steak or pasta dish up to my room. What a disappointment. A year ago, I probably would have given Harrah's three stars. I've heard my company has yet to renew our contract with them for next year and I sincerely hope we decide not to.
input: Write a positive yelp review (OPTIONS:
- negative
- positive).
output:
I think Michael Mina is a fitting first review for 2015. There are so many things to love about Michael Mina's location, understated decor and staff and of course the food. It is after all a Michelin star and a AAA 4 diamond rated restaurant. It was a very special family occasion and celebration that brought us to MM. There are several ways to approach a high brow dining establishment like MM and clearly the tasting menu let's you check all of the culinary boxes. Small bites of their best fare served at a measured pace heightens the anticipation and allows you to truly savor each bite. It's not all that easy if you are super hungry so be prepared. Your hunger may actually increase after the first few small plates. Surprisingly there was no amuse bouche which is usually standard at a restaurant such as MM. The bread and rolls would have to tide us over. They offer several seasonal tasting menu options and parings, and the 4 of us mixed and matched and shared a little bit of everything. Case in point, the first course, pure perfection in a barely more than a single bite. DOMESTIC CAVIAR PARFAIT ALDERWOODSMOKED SALMON, CREME FRAiCHE, SHALLOT POTATO CAKE http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas?select=QZa6m2ZO-KVlapG7alTZFg#l_nkq-q-IzL2dFlV_PH8gQ TARTARE OF AHI TUNA ASIAN PEAR, PINE NUTS, SCOTCH BONNET INFUSED SESAME OIL- loved it and not as spicy as one would expect being kissed by the Scotch Bonnet. Great fusion of flavors and of course the best Ahi on the market. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#gEQ_WWTYb8PeacaBKc0Ltg HAMACHI SASHIMI YUZU VINAIGRETTE, PONZU GELEE, MICRO SHISO-Incredible flavors but painfully small portion of Yellowtail even for a tasting menu. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#yKhKRwGWL4apEmvSJIXTHQ MISO GLAZED CHILEAN SEA BASS ,SHELLFISH DUMPLING, DASHI BROTH Maybe it's just me but I am losing by fondness of Sea Bass although this may change my mind in the near future. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#m_99MvkHuIKpGWB859nK8g SEAWEED & PEPPER CRUSTED AHI TUNA BAMBOO RICE, GINGER VINAIGRETTE- Dare I say a bit pedestrian? A nice cut for sure but this did not measure up to the Tuna Tartare. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#dOLHMrWbYuJs_jUsl5duDw LOBSTER POT PIE SEASONAL BABY VEGETABLES, BRANDIEDLOBSTER CREAM- The restaurants signature dish, was met with so much anticipation. The lobster however seemed a bit overcooked in the pot pie. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#0eYjItNfS23-ptRNlla0Iw BUTTER POACHED MAINE LOBSTER SPINACH & RICOTTA RAVIOLI, CITRUS BROWN BUTTER-Preferred this simple and perfectly prepared sweet lobster to the pot pie. FILET OF BEEF BRAISED SHORT RIB, ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES, SYLVETTA- tender beef perfection. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#3M_5KfLDOy47TZSVT0OwQQ COPPER RIDGE RANCH NATURAL VEAL LOIN PORCINI & FOIE GRAS FARRO- Incredible, well balanced and perfectly paired and prepared. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#HcDb6l1HE-iF6xYJzrjRjw PB &J cake, root beer float and chocolate chip cookie. Not sure this lived up to the rest of the meal. It seemed a whimsical take and well intended effort but not the dessert finish I expected. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#Y0D82fpDRgidx-JxTDILVA PASSION FRUIT PANNA COTTA AVOCADO,CITRUS, COCONUTLIME SORBET with the Root beer float and chocolate chip cookie. Tart, tangy and unique, the perfect palate cleanser without being overly sweet. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas?select=QZa6m2ZO-KVlapG7alTZFg#os24LwlqJ-TDgMBc1pZY3Q We supplemented the tasting menu with a round of a half dozen Kusshi oysters. The yuzu infused ice as a topping was sublime, citrisy crisp overtones with a hint of spicy. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/michael-mina-las-vegas#cr_emCC82a2BAD0eAfuEyQ The dining room is warm and inviting if a tad loud and cramped. The service was spectacular although our oyster order got lost in the shuffle for a while. All in all MM is a treat and a must try at least once for any foodie visiting Vegas. I know our birthday cousin left feeling on cloud nine and as a whole everyone was more that satisfied.