Stripsteak - Vegas Chronicles continues

Michael Mina's Stripsteak in the Mandalay Bay was voted Esquire Magazine's #1 Steakhouse in the USA and off course when I heard we had reservations there, my goal was to see if the voters of Esquire knew what they were talking about!!  Located in the conference center side of the Manadalay, it's definitely a few steps up from the regular steakhouse with a wood burning grill and high ceilings to create more light and airiness.

TOCA at the Ritz

In the newly opened Ritz Carlton is Toca by Tom Brody, notably from Canoe and North 44 who has also mentored under the great Tom Colicchio.  It's a simple elegant restaurant with a huge wine cellar and a cheese cave for you and your party to discover.  I was out with some fabulous ladies to chatter away and celebrate life, and when we walked in, we had the best table in the house at the center of the restaurant.  Maybe it was just me, but I was expecting some design elements to stick out or an ambiance dripping with luxury or mystere.  We were at the Ritz ... but it was just plain elegance and simplicity all around. 
The philosophy of the menu at Toca is 'Farm-to-Table fresh' with a splash of decadence which our party was looking forward to.