on July 3, 2012

Vegas Epicurious: July 2012

 Introducing the new broader focus

My editors and I decided that I know so much about food and eating that limiting this column to restaurant reviews is too restrictive for someone with my superpowers.  From now on, this column will have a broader scope to give more comprehensive culinary advice. We will continue to review quality local restaurants but will also include food festivals, recipes, famer’s markets, and co-ops. Nerdy references to Lord of The Rings, science-fiction, and superheroes will continue uninterrupted.

Feel free to post comments and let us know what you’d like to see.

I thought it would be fun (in a hipster kind of way) to celebrate our country’s independence by looking across the Atlantic for something tasty to eat. Vegas is home to several restaurants that serve authentic European food and here are the ones you cannot live without..

Café Berlin
Café Berlin looks like a whole-in-the-wall joint on Sunset at Decatur, but, once inside, it is much larger and nicer than expected. The atmosphere is laid back and simple. There are no flourishes with the décor as if to tell customers, “We just have good food here.” The TV was happily set to the Euro 2012 (which I tried hard to ignore because I was TiVoing the match to watch later with friends). Although Germany lost to Italy, Berlin Café still gets a solid win.

If you’re a meatosaurus, I recommend the beir bratwurst, served with pan fried potatoes (rather than a bun), and German mustard. This is arguably the best brat I have ever eaten and the potatoes are a wonderful compliment (I didn’t miss the bun at all). Lucky for us, Café Berlin sells their brats by the pound, so this could be the perfect addition to your holiday BBQ.
If you’re a veggosaurus, I recommend the spaetzle and mushrooms (or the spaetzle and cheese which is on the kids menu but tastes like happiness). If you’re unfamiliar with spaetzle, it is like a pasta, but it’s surprisingly delicious and less “heavy” than most pasta meals.

Also, the strudel (apple or cherry) is made fresh daily, but be warned, this dessert may make you consider moving to Germany.

• Style: order, eat, pay
• Authentic
• Amazing brats
• Vegetarian menu

Bonjour Bakery
Bonjour Bakery is a tiny place hidden in the corner of the shopping center on Rainbow at Flamingo, but don’t let their size fool you, they serve pastries and coffee that will make you a philosopher: I eat therefore I am.

The croissants are the best thing in the bakery. These croissants are handmade daily and I have never had a more delectable piece of bread in my life. I eat these gems totally plain: no butter or jam. I feel like toppings of any kind distract from the croissant which is already a masterpiece of pastry-making.

Bonjour Bakery has good espresso beverages and many other breads and pastries, all of which are worth a try, but don’t ever leave this bakery without a croissant unless you enjoy the feeling of regret.

• Style: order, pay, eat (or carry out)
• Authentic
• Best croissants ever
• Relaxed atmosphere

German Bread Bakery
If light fluffy French pastries aren’t your style, then hop over to the German Bread Bakery for desserts, pretzels, or loaves of fresh baked bread. One key ingredient in German dessert pastries is marzipan. If you like marzipan, you will love the almond horseshoe or the marzipan danish. Germany is the place to go for marzipan, but there are also plenty of desserts available without almond paste, I recommend the black forest cake or the nougat ring.

If you’re looking for savory breads rather than sweets, German Bread Bakery’s got you covered. Pick your favorite loaf of homemade bread (at a very reasonable cost) or try a homemade pretzel. German pretzels are a salty, buttery, chewiness that seem like something you should’ve had to fight the Balrog for. I will only answer to Tiffany the White for several hours after returning from the German Bread Bakery.

• Style: Order, pay, carry-out
• Homemade
• Reasonable prices
• Marzipan
• Some superhero-like side effects

ArtsVegas: Covering Las Vegas Art and culture since 2009.

Written by Tiffany Boyles

Tiffany Boyles is currently a teacher at UNLV. Her students call her “O, Captain my Captain” and her teachers refer to her as “that smart, pretty girl.” Tiffany was born and raised in Las Vegas as were both of her parents. So, don’t bag on V-town unless you’re looking for a punch in the face. Tiffany also loves food.