OMSOM BY VEGAS FOOD NERD The new trend for 2021 is set to be custom spice blends. Omsom is the most buzzed-about brand in that product space. Started by sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham, whose parents were refugees from Vietnam. They grew up in their Mom’s kitchen, eating her authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Partnering with top chefs in multiple types of Asian cuisine, the sisters are creating chef-curated starter packs to make authentic takes on Thai, Vietnamese, and now Japanese dishes. Each starter helps to create 2-3 authentic dishes. Get a sampler for $29, try your hand at three different dishes and create up to 16 meals per starter pack. It’s a new and reasonable way to bring new flavors into your kitchen. New recipes and spices are being added to their website as the popularity grows. Try them for yourself at omsom.com.
THE SAGE ROOM
BY VEGAS FOOD NERD
It’s a seventy-four-year-old Stateline/Lake Tahoe institution. Located in Harvey’s Hotel and Casino, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the Sage Room has been dazzling diners’ palates since 1947. Originally located on the casino floor and situated now at the top of the resort on the 19th floor. The space is romantically lit and offers spectacular views of the lake. Book a table by the windows and enjoy the sunset over the glassy waters and captivating mountain views. The space is cozy and comfortable with western accents like wagon wheels, steer skulls, and other rustic touches. The booths are luxurious romantic tables, and the restaurant also features lamps built and donated to the resort by the Washoe Tribe.
The night that we visited it was in the middle of the pandemic and the staff was meticulous about following safety standards and still gave us impeccable service. This is a high-end dining experience with old-fashioned values. It’s a throwback to the days of classic steakhouse dining.
We started with oysters on the half shell served with the classic cocktail sauce and horseradish side. They were a clean, briny bright-tasting start to our meal, very fresh, and so good. Next, we sampled their Lobster Bisque. This creamy velvet soup was simply a perfect take on the classic gourmet dish. We ended our meal with their signature chateaubriand-bouquetiere for two; roasted center-cut beef tenderloin carved tableside served alongside their duchess potatoes, roasted veggies, and a rich tangy béarnaise sauce. The meat was meltingly tender, and the duchess potatoes were pleasing to the eye as much as they were to the palate. It was a very generous portion of food. Almost too generous because that left no room for dessert, which was sad. The Sage Room is known for serving classic steakhouse deserts flambéed table side such as bananas foster and cherries jubilee. Once again just another reason why we will have to return to this dark cozy romantic spot again for another meal.