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Jim Begley

Jim Begley is an avid food lover who began writing about his Las Vegas dining adventures to defray his obscene restaurant spending. Follow Jim on Twitter: @splurgemonkey.

Story Archive

  • A&E

    Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020

    It’s the only place where you’ll find King of Engelland, a 6% ABV New England-style hazy IPA created in partnership with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020

    An ingredient doesn’t get more hipster than 40-day aged butter from a Brooklyn cave, a Chang exclusive that’s funky like a mild Roquefort.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019

    You can try some of the brewery’s more eclectic offerings, including the surprisingly quaffable Scorpion malt liquor and the NoMad Restaurant collaboration Belgian brown ale ¡A Ganar, A Ganar!.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

    Chef Kyung Hong has fashioned a menu highlighting both his Korean heritage and his background as a Morimoto alumnus.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019

    Despite its name, BZBS features 15 tap handles. You’ll typically find a trio of hazies, a West Coast IPA and a pilsner, along with a pair of stouts and one or two oddball kegs depending upon bartender preference.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

    If not for a college roommate, Tenaya Creek Brewing founder Tim Etter might be an engineer. And Las Vegans would be a lot thirstier.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

    Thursday delivers possibly the best mole I’ve had in the Valley: a complex, nutty mole poblano that’ll leave you wanting more.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019

    Trustworthy’s mainline beers, including the easy drinking Gigil rice pilsner and the more robust Brass Jar hoppy amber ale, have been available in the Valley for the past year. But more specialty brews are available at the new operation on the Strip resort’s second floor.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019

    Best Friend, Hardway 8 and Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar.

  • Taste

    Thursday, July 18, 2019

    Big Dog’s will also be releasing a quartet of fruited goses—a light, easy-drinking style of beer just right for a Vegas summer night.

  • Taste

    Thursday, June 13, 2019

    There isn’t a printed menu, and the website isn’t updated frequently, so consider it an effort in beer exploration.

  • A&E

    Thursday, May 23, 2019

    Gina Marinelli’s new spot brings a strong pesto game to the scene, beginning with the Italian—greens interspersed with dense mozzarella and salami cubes—and continuing with the pesto and truffle pizza and the bucatini Genovese, cylindrical pasta with dandelion greens pesto.

  • A&E

    Thursday, May 16, 2019

    Head brewer Eddie Leal, a Gordon Biersch and Steelhead Brewery alum with an infectious laugh, has been overhauling his menu to accompany the casino’s heralded karaoke scene.

  • Features

    Thursday, May 2, 2019

    From Other Mama’s oyster shooter to Sparrow + Wolf’s miso-rubbed porterhouse.

  • A&E

    Thursday, April 18, 2019

    It’s a singular experience, a deliberately paced meal well worth your time.

  • A&E

    Thursday, April 4, 2019

    The event moves into a new home, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, this weekend.

  • A&E

    Thursday, March 21, 2019

    Clevelander Michael Symon’s beef brisket is smoked so the fattiest bits melt in your mouth, in strong contrast to the charred skin. Equally noteworthy is the Cleveland-style chopped pork, mixed with jalapeño and sauerkraut.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

    The mandilli di seta is a must-order, thin sheet pasta similar to lasagna, prepared in a sharp almond basil pesto.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

    The menu collects Choi’s greatest hits—like the short rib tacos that sparked his empire—with new, Vegas-only offerings.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

    Here are the best restaurants in Las Vegas in 2018: Esther’s Kitchen, NoMad, Cleaver, Block 16 and beyond.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018

    You cannot not order the roast chicken for two.

  • A&E

    Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018

    Be sure to order the vampire dip. Think of the best cheese fondue you’ve ever had, and you’ve got an idea.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018

    You get to eat with tweezers!

  • Features

    Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018

    “We were a desert of beer culture in 1999. There was no such thing as craft beer in Las Vegas back then.”

  • A&E

    Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018

    Tender wrappers, each plumped up to the size of a playing card, swaddle a juicy pork/vegetable blend worthy of being trumpeted on the marquee.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018

    Ever find yourself craving fish salsa?

  • A&E

    Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018

    The eel/roe/sea urchin trilogy is a destination dish, as is the oxtail croque monsieur.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018

    Every day is like Friday.

  • A&E

    Thursday, July 26, 2018

    The uni duo allows diners to compare the subtle differences in salinity between Santa Barbara, California, and Hokkaido, Japan, versions.

  • A&E

    Thursday, May 31, 2018

    Their recently unveiled brunch immediately vaulted to the upper echelon of our city’s’ midday offerings. It’s that good.

  • A&E

    Thursday, May 24, 2018

    Block 9 is less a new restaurant than a quick-service Secret Kitchen.

  • Taste

    Monday, May 14, 2018

    From the Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace to Picnic at the Park to Black Tap at Venetian, we were all over the big Strip food fest.

  • A&E

    Thursday, April 26, 2018

    At 99 cents each, you can make a reasonable meal from four of the steamed dumplings, which are like Chinese shumai—wonton wrappers swaddling savory pork.

  • A&E

    Thursday, April 12, 2018

    Bonus: Some dishes are sent out on a robot cart!

  • A&E

    Thursday, March 15, 2018

    Beyond tacos, the menu features a collection of ceviches, cocktails and tostadas, all of them seafood-centric.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018

    It features a menu with lighter fare paying homage to the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

    The time put into the soup is apparent.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018

    Triple garlic yakisoba comes in a Chinese takeout container, while mapo tofu Frito pie arrives atop a sliced-open Fritos bag.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018

    Last year, four location added growler fill stations, rotating in kegs of Pizza Port’s Bacon & Eggs coffee porter, Lovelady’s peanut butter-laced Paleo Porter and more.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017

    You must see the Cubana Mexicana torta to truly believe it.

  • Taste

    Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017

    The Black Sheep, Momofuku, Sparrow + Wolf and more.

  • A&E

    Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017

    One of the most recognizable faces in the local scene is back on the Strip.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017

    If you’re not sweating it, you’re not getting it.

  • A&E

    Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

    “Once a dish is right, it’s time to change it.”

  • Taste

    Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017

    The outstanding skewers are fast becoming destination dishes.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017

    Offerings include the “Butcher Block” Craft Burger, ready to take its place among the hierarchy of the Valley’s best.

  • Features

    Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017

    From Tacos El Gordo to China Poblano, see the best tacos in Las Vegas.

  • Taste

    Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017

    Patty tries to talk me into one of her cinnamon rolls. I regret not taking her advice on that one.

  • A&E

    Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

    Frozen beer, flaky potato pancakes and much more await at Palazzo.

  • A&E

    Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017

    Chef Josh Horton isn’t serving any old bar food. The former Cili at Bali Hai executive sous has high-end chops.