Ritzy steakhouse bursts with Black Angus beef, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list.

by Ryan Slattery

In Short
Pronounced "market," the restaurant is a modern space that contains an outside patio and fireplace. Complimented by a 5,000 bottle wine list, with 20 wines available by the glass, MRKT's menu brims with options for carnivores (filet mignon, porterhouse, Colorado rack of lamb) and seafarers (grilled Hawaiian swordfish, pan seared ahi tuna, blackened mahi mahi). Starters include scallops and crab cakes. Save room for the pineapple upside-down cake.

A Southern California favorite crosses the desert to bring authentic South-of-the-Border dishes to the masses.

by Ryan Slattery

In Short
Familiar to LA sports fans (with outlets at Dodger Stadium and the Pepsi Center), this family-owned-and-operated casual eatery prides itself on preparing everything with authenticity with guacamole prepared tableside and fajitas, carnitas, mole, carne asada tacos, enchiladas and a variety of Mexican soups gracing the menu. Camacho's carries more than 100 premium tequilas and even the chandelier is a tribute to the spirit--it's made from 2,716 empty Cazadores tequila bottles.

12/06/08

Pips Cucina and Wine Bar left much to be desired.....

by Giggle7658

This review is for Pips Cucina and Wine Bar. When our hostess sat us down she mentioned we would be having two servers. We sat down we looked at the menu and I realized that it was very small and not much to choose from. I really did not recognize alot of items on the menu and either did my husband. I wanted to leave at that point because I know what I like and this had nothing that was making my taste buds salvate. At this point our waitress had already poured us our water and brought bread out so we decided to stay. Eventually our second waitor came around and I asked them if they could prepare me something like a ceasar salad and he said "No we do not have anything like that" and then walked away. He did not even reccomend anything else on the menu. I decided on a salad and my husband ordered a ravioli dish that had some kind of rib meat in it. Our waitress although she was very nice, kept telling me that the salad was her favorite and it was very bitter but the poached egg that came with it counteracted this....What the heck?

When the salad came out it was a fairly good size although for $9 you think there would have been some type of meat on it. And the pouched egg that you stir in with the salad threw me off a bit. There were walnuts in it as well and a peice of bread with a cheese frosting on the bread and that was pretty much it. Based on the menu I thought it would be some kind of pear, carmalized walnuts, gorgonzala cheese type entree that I love but it wasent like this it all it was not that great. I tasted my husbands ravioli and it was awful. Very bland and they barely give you that much. He told me that he wish we would have gone somewere else like I originally wanted. I would have been much happier at the Original Pancake House next door. The bread they served even before the meal was also not that good. They did not even give you butter and it was stale bread. We wont be going here again ever.

11/12/08

Not terribly impressed

by jenn1979

We went for the opening last night and saw a fabulous fireworks show, however that is all i can say was fabulous. The decor was nice but not nearly as classy as the red rock which Aliante was supposed to have surpassed. They had none of the popular machines, most were new and unfamiliar. The first machine would not print my voucher and then several machines would not accept the vouchers or bills. So much for spending and winning lots of money. We were frustrated and left after 2 hrs. We did give it a shot, but have hopes they can work out the glitches and put in some of the more classic machines.

• Pros: service was good and fairly prompt
• Cons: None of the familiar slots and too many glitches with bill readers

Locals-friendly Stations Casino adds Aliante---a casino-resort with a cinema, arcade and several restaurants.

by Ryan Slattery

The Scene
Aliante Station uses natural materials including stones, woods and metals to create a modern look fitting with its desert environment. The building's exterior, for example, is comprised of sand-colored materials, including Jerusalem Stone accented with shades of brown, green and blue. Geometric shapes, trimmed in copper, frame the entryways. The casino has more than 2,500 slot and video poker machines, 40 table games, a 170-seat Race and Sports Book featuring three large screens that span 96 feet wide by 18 feet long and a 12-table smoke-free poker room.

The Details
The resort has 220 guest rooms and suites decorated in tones of ebony and chocolate, and the rooms come with, flat screen televisions and iPod docking stations. Guests have access to the 2,000 square foot fitness center and pool complex. Aliante has 24-hour room service and six restaurants, including MRKT Sea & Land, Pips Cucina & Wine Bar, T.G.I. Friday's, Camacho's Cantina and a Feast Buffet. There is also a food court for those on-the-go, a showroom, meeting and banquet halls and a 16-screen Regal Cinema, along with an arcade.