Q: positive

A: It comes as no surprise to friends that I love pho. The name of this place is enough to entice me to at least check it out, plus it was 10 o'clock at night, some friends and I just have the munchies but don't want any fast food. The fact they have a full alcohol bar is cool and all (not too much of a drinker myself), but because they have a bar they tend to keep their hours late, which is a good thing for me! The food is decent, have visited 30+ Vietnamese cuisine locations myself, I would not rank this as the best I have eaten, but it is certainly not one of those little shop that you would only visit once and no more. I tend to rate a Vietnamese cuisine place by three things: the freshness of their spring rolls (not the fried kind), the taste of the broth from the pho, and the signature rice dish. The spring rolls here are okay, I wish they had put more filling into them. The pho broth was pretty clear, I did taste some artificial flavoring, and for the price and the bowl they brought the noodle out I was hoping I would have gotten a bit more. The grilled meat (Chicken and pork) with the rice dish were juicy, definitely not overcooked and dried. Overall I would this a 4 star because I think for the price I was paying I expect a little bit more. P.S. Recently they started to advertise "Popping Boba" with Boba tea... very interesting, you have to try to find out why it's "popping"

Q: negative

A: 15 minute wait for a table, no problem. 15 minute wait in line to pay after eating, big problem. Food was fine. The place is badly understaffed bordering on chaos.

Q: negative

A: Everything that Dish Osteria & Bar is, 17th Street Cafe is not. They're both small neighborhood Italian joints located a block off Carson Street, and two blocks away from each other, but that's where the similarities end. While Dish is swanky, hip and cool, 17th Street Cafe feels stuffy and outdated. While Dish's food is light and flavorful, 17th Street Cafe's is overworked and greasy. While the clientele at Dish is young and attractive, 17th Street Cafe appears to host retirement home social outings around the clock. I want to love 17th Street, I really do. It's charming from the outside, and al fresco dining is available in the summer, an option that Dish does not offer. However, at the prices they charge, the food and service at 17th Street should be better, period. The food isn't terrible, it's just mediocre, and consistently over-buttered and over-sauced. The service isn't terrible either, just slightly subpar, but enough to feel irksome considering the high quality restaurant the Cafe purports itself to be. Perhaps located in another area, without such stiff competition so close by, 17th Street Cafe wouldn't appear so lacking. But given the choice between eating at 17th Street Cafe and Dish, I'll choose Dish every time.

Q: positive

A:
AMERICA RUNS ON DUNKIN. I SIT IN DUNKIN The Charleston at Desert Foothills Dunkin Donuts is an establishment that I patronize before a walk in the Red Rock Canyon area. For $4.31, a breakfast containing a medium coffee with light blueberry syrup and two equals with a toasted sesame bagel and cream cheese is currently my fuel and nutrition of choice before a long walk in Red Rock Canyon. This Dunkin Donuts is a busy location where the lines move fast. From my experience here, it is a well-managed shop where the employees serve customers with urgency and have a good attitude. It seems that a majority of their business is to go (no drive-thru). I have had zero issues finding a table or bar seat. Although it is far less welcoming to hang out in a Dunkin Donuts than a Starbuck's, I have enjoyed my time eating breakfast here. Just like Starbuck's, they now offer complimentary WiFi. With the advent of technology, I enjoy eating breakfast while reading the online newspapers. A major element in this Dunkin Donuts success is its location. It is located in the last shopping center off westbound Charleston Boulevard/ State Route 159 before Red Rock Canyon. There is also a Chevron in the parking lot, which creates a hyper convenient stop before Red Rock Canyon. The shopping center it is located in is also a shopping destination for the immediate community it is in. The upshot is that it is challenging to find a parking space near Dunkin Donuts. If you do not mind walking a short to moderate distance, this Dunkin Donuts is a worthwhile stop. Sitting in Dunkin Donuts enjoying the most nutritious meal of the day is a part of my New York heritage. This Dunkin Donuts gives me no reason to break from this part of my New York heritage.