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Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: TASTE OF THE TOWN: Heidi Knapp Rinella

Readers looking for foods from home

Between the trauma of Sept. 11 and its aftermath and the approach of the holidays, readers seem to be seeking old-favorite, familiar foods. So today, a selection of recent reader requests:

"Is there anyone who knows where to buy Empire kosher frozen chicken fat or raw chicken fat in a container at a market, etc.? Please, not in the jar," e-mailed Linda Finn. "I'm in Lake Las Vegas, way out by Lake Mead, but I would go into the city for it." ...

"Please ask through your column about a northern (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan) treat called pasties," e-mailed Richard Thorstad. "They are made of a square of bread dough rolled out fairly thin, then potatoes diced fairly small, peas and carrots or carrots only and hamburger broken up or ham diced small. You then fold the corners together and bake. They are served with a nice brown gravy. It makes me hungry just thinking of

them!" ...

"We moved here six months ago and sure do wish we could find a restaurant with good Peking duck," e-mailed Louise Sutherland. "It would be really nice if it were one where you didn't have to special-order it in advance." ...

"I'm new in town and was looking for a good Korean restaurant," e-mailed Alan Halbert. "Aren't there any recommended Korean restaurants in Las Vegas? Missing that kimchi." ...

"Where can I find microwaveable frozen french fries?" e-mailed Ron Werchenski. "Also, what grocery chains in the Henderson-Green Valley area are carrying Bridgford frozen microwaveable buttermilk biscuits?" ...

Frank Mayer is looking for good spumoni ice cream. ...

Marlene Visconti said, she, too, is looking for Midwestern-style almond boneless chicken, because "they make it entirely different here in Las Vegas." So far, I've received no responses to a recent query. ...

Sandy Sherlock is looking for East Coast-style Chinese food. "If you have ever eaten Chinese food in New York City or New Jersey or Florida, you would know what I mean," she said. ...

"Do you know what happened to Chef Walter and his wife (waitress/hostess) from the old Tiffany's Restaurant" in the Boulder Dam Hotel in Boulder City? e-mailed Michael Cvetkovic. "They had some of the best food, especially the ravioli in vodka cream sauce and Veal Queen." ...

Readers helping readers: June Therriault said she has seen piccalilli at Cost Plus World Market; locations are 3840 S. Maryland Parkway and 2151 N. Rainbow Blvd.

Scot Kern e-mailed to suggest www.buffalofoods.

com. Among the foods available through the site, he said, is Weber's Pickalilly Relish, "the finest relish I've ever tried." ...

Vincent Iannuzzi suggested ordering My-T-Fine Pudding from the company, Jel Sert, at (800) 323-2592. Iannuzzi said a case of 24 boxes is $20.82. ...

And another suggestion for Alberta Ewy and anyone else who is looking for a place that serves Thanksgiving dinner family-style: Memphis Championship Barbecue is planning a menu that includes country-smoked ham and smoked turkey, with side dishes passed around the table, at the company's restaurant at 2250 E. Warm Springs Road. Side dishes will include sourdough-sage stuffing, cornbread dressing, salad, creamed corn, candied yams, etc. Regular menu items also will be available.

Memphis Barbecue will serve a Thanksgiving Day buffet at the Santa Fe, 4949 N. Rancho Drive. The Memphis branch at 4379 Las Vegas Blvd. North will be closed for the day.

For more information, call the Warm Springs outlet at 260-6909. ...

Restaurant news: Cousin Carlino's City Bistro-Market has opened at 9410 W. Sahara Ave. in the Village Square Shopping Center. Starters include seared ahi tuna with wasabi vinaigrette and black vinegar reduction or chili-glazed spare ribs with cilantro pesto; entrees include apple-wood-smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes or macaroni and goat cheese souffle with prosciutto. Sandwiches, salads and desserts also are offered.

The gourmet market carries such items as basil-crusted chicken cutlets with Chardonnay lemon sauce, lobster spring rolls, or bucatini with fresh marinara, cubed fresh mozzarella and grilled sausage.

Hours are 8-1 a.m. daily, with an early morning specialty menu offered until 11. Call 838-1660 for more information. ...

A new bakery has opened at 9326 W. Sahara Ave., also in the Village Square Shopping Center. House of Bread offers more than 25 varieties of fresh-baked breads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones and croissants, as well as coffee and espresso drinks, soups, salads and sandwiches. Call 804-9796 for details. ...

Bangkok 9 has opened at 663 N. Stephanie St. in Henderson. Appetizers include shrimp wrap with sugar cane, chicken or pork satay, tom ka kai and spring rolls. Entrees include the requisite pad Thai plus other noodle dishes, curries, fried rice (including pineapple fried rice) and stir-fried eggplant with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. More information is available by calling 898-6881. ...

Local entertainer Tommy Rocker has opened another restaurant and bar, Tommy Rocker's Southside Grill, at 10050 S. Eastern Ave. in the Eastern Marketplace in Henderson. It offers a full menu 24 hours a day and live music at 8 p.m. Sundays, featuring Rocker on acoustic guitar and vocals. ...

Cozymel's Coastal Mexican Grill has added some new items to its menu, including Chilean sea bass steamed in banana leaves with plantains, chopped onions and tomatoes; and paella with jumbo shrimp, bay scallops, mussels, calamari, roasted chicken, chorizo and Mexican vegetables. It's at 355 Hughes Center Drive. ...

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House is offering its "Ultimate Dinner" through January. Dinner begins with a crab cake served on a bed of baby greens with Remy Martin XO orange sauce, followed by a 12-ounce fillet or 16-ounce strip au poivre with chateau potatoes and asparagus almondine and, with dessert, an ounce of Louis XIII de Remy Martin cognac.

The dinner is $120, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the James Beard Foundation. The local Del Frisco's is at 3925 Paradise Road. ...

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can e-mail her at Heidi_Rinella@lvrj.com or send faxes to 383-4676.