May 19, 2013

There’s a New Tequila in Las Vegas, and Only Stations Has It

September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ALRIGHT TEQUILA LOVERS (you know who you are), listen up … a great new tequila has hit Las Vegas! I’m talking about my personal new fave, Tequila Don Pilar. And you’ll only find it at Station Casinos.

Now, this isn’t some frat-house, jug tequila. This is the good stuff. Estate-grown in the highlands of Jalisco (the Motherland of Tequila) and distilled in small lots. Don’t be lookin’ for this in warehouse and grocery stores because they don’t make anywhere near enough of it for that. Un-Uh, this is a serious premium elixir. Double distilled, and in the case of the Anejo, aged in new American oak barrels for 12 months.

That said, let’s get to the good stuff — what does it taste like? Well, the Blanco has creamy flavors of vanilla (even though it see no oak at all) and agave fruit (like baked pineapple & bananas), with a touch of sweetness and a nice hint of crushed black peppercorns. All BS aside, it’s the best blanco I’ve ever had. The Anejo takes it up more than a notch. The agave fruit (those pineapples and bananas) is full, rich and round, with nice accents of vanilla and butterscotch form the oak. The finish is quite long, with a spicy hit of cracked black pepper corns. I’d put it up against any Anejo out there, including my long-time fave, Chinaco.

Sorry if I made you thirsty, but I have good news for you. You can try these fantastic Don Pilar tequilas at your favorite Station Casino & Fiesta. Check the Mexican restaurants, naturally.

Now, how about letting me know about your favorites?

Cheers,
Jeff Perry
Sr. Ad Writer, Station Casinos

Station & Fiesta Casino Mexican Restaurants

Cabo at Boulder Station

Cabo at Palace Station

Cabo at Santa Fe Station

Cabo at Sunset Station

Amigo’s at Fiesta Henderson

Garduno’s at Fiesta Rancho

 

Filed Under: Dining, General, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Las Vegas: Tequila Town, USA

July 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Las Vegas is known for a lot of things. To start, there’s always been gambling, but there’s also the great live entertainment, the nightclubs and more celebrity-chef restaurants than you can shake a breadstick at. But you may not know that Sin City is one helluva tequila town. That’s right my fellow tequila lovers, get out your maps and draw a big, red bulls eye on Vegas!

What’s that? You want proof? OK, there are 12 tequila bars on The Strip alone. And I’m not counting that place with the giant parrot on the front. I know because I’ve been to all of them — in one weekend. No, it wasn’t pretty, but that’s beside the point. I’m talking about a cool dozen establishments that either specialize in fine tequilas, or have a very nice selection of said agave-based intoxicants. Don’t want to go to The Strip, no problemo. I can point you to several spots that can more than satisfy your thirst.

Las Vegas Tequila Bars

Station Casinos' Mexican Restaurants have a wide range of margaritas and premium tequilas. Aliante Station's Cabo is shown here.

No matter where you go, you’re sure to find something you haven’t had. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? The search for your new favorite tequila. Which leads me to the question: What’s your favorite tequila? Right now, mine’s Don Pilar Anejo, but more on that later.

And then there’s this question: Blanco, Reposado or Anejo? Oh, and what do you like in a margarita?

Seriously, I want to know!

Cheers,
Jeff Perry
Sr. Ad Writer, Station Casinos

 

Filed Under: Dining, Entertainment, What's New Tagged With: , , , , , ,

In Search Of The Deal

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

IF YOU’RE LIKE me, when it comes to dining, you’re perpetually in search of a deal. It’s not so much to do with financial concerns, although you can’t be too frugal these days.  For many like me, it’s more about the challenge. It’s just fun to find a great value after putting some small bit of effort into the search.

Wine is a good place to start. When ordering an expensive wine on occasion I expect big things and can only be satisfied or disappointed (although I expect the former). But if I take a chance on a $35 bottle that I don’t know anything about, there’s an “excitement of the chase” that’s also brought “to the table”.

I can’t help but get excited, that this may be my next great find, my new favorite that won’t break the bank. In this spirit, and that of the New Year, I plan to try new things. It may be a wine from a new region, a new style, a new varietal.

This determination applies to other aspects of the dining experience.  It may be a new exotic beer or a freshly invented cocktail. My adventure may well go beyond beverage and into the realms of the kitchen. I look forward to trying a new fish I’ve never heard of or pasta that I’ve previously ignored.

One thing I am certain to find on such a quest with this type of mandate is new territory. That’s what it’s all about. That’s the tastiest morsel, the part that is most memorable. I can’t think of any better approach, to dining or to life in 2012.

The featured blogger for this post is Station Casinos Vice President of Food & Beverage Mark LaVoie

Filed Under: Aliante Station, Boulder Station, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, General, Green Valley Ranch, Hotels & Casinos, Palace Station, Red Rock Resort, Santa Fe Station, Sunset Station, Texas Station, What's New, Wild Wild West, Wildfire Gaming Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Las Vegas Bars: ‘Sipping’ Tequila in a Margarita? Darn right!

March 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Red Rock's Cabo is one of several Station Casinos restaurants and bars where you can get a great "shaken" margarita. Say Hi to Rick at the bar.

NOT TOO LONG ago, a buddy of mine had a tequila tasting at his birthday party. Ok, I know some of you are making the sign of the cross with your fingers, while backing away from your computer. But fear not, there are some really fine sipping tequilas out there. I’m talking Añejos, meaning tequilas that have been aged in fine oak barrels for 1 to 3 years. Some of the bottles at the tasting were Condé Azul, Gran Centenario, Don Eduardo, Don Julio 1942, and my personal fave Chinaco. And the other night, I wandered over to Cabo, in Red Rock, to see what tequilas they poured. Happily, I found all of those mentioned above — and then some! So I hopped onto a bar stool and ordered, “Don Eduardo Añejo margarita on the rocks. No salt.”  

“What?” you say. “He wasted a ‘sipping’ tequila in a margarita?” Darn right I did! And I wouldn’t call it a waste. In fact, using an añejo tequila in a margarita can take it from merely refreshment to being one of the finest mixed drinks you’ve ever tasted. And let me tell you, the margarita that Rick (the bartender at Cabo, Red Rock) placed before me was one fine sip. I asked Rick about the “mix” he used, and he told me it was made fresh, every day, with hand-squeezed lime juice. Rick also informed me that the harder you shake a margarita (never, never stir), the better the flavor. Well, Rick must have shook mine within an inch of its life because it was near perfection. Now, a word to the wise: a well-made añejo margarita goes down real easy. Maybe a little too easy, if you know what I mean. (And I think you do.) Meaning you could find it a bit more difficult to get up from your seat (read nearly impossible). But upgrading to an añejo can change everything you thought you knew about tequila and margaritas. 

Tequila & Margarita Specials at Station Casinos

If you have a favorite añejo tequila, let me know below what it is. After all, margarita season will be on us before we know it.

Cheers,
Jeff Perry
Sr. Ad Writer, Station Casinos

Filed Under: Aliante Station, Boulder Station, Dining, Hotels & Casinos, Palace Station, Red Rock Resort, Sunset Station, Texas Station Tagged With: , , ,