Islands – Fine Burgers and Drinks

Last week was my sister’s birthday and so we gathered up the entire family and headed to a popular west coast burger joint known as Islands. Islands is a great restaurant because their food is always consistent and the wait staff is amazing. We made sure to call the restaurant ahead of time due to limited seating. There is currently no indoor seating due to Covid-19 however most Islands locations have set up outdoor seating areas for service.

When were glad that we called ahead of time because seating was very limited and there were other parties waiting on standby. Once seated, we were informed to use our cell phones to scan the QR code on the table to pull up the menu. Our waitress came out to take our drink and appetizer orders. We ordered their unlimited chips and salsa as well as their cheddar fries to start off with. As for my drink, I ordered the Mango Cart beer which was zesty and sweet.

The chips were crispy and light and the salsa was freshly made. The cheddar fries were delicious and the perfect size to feed all 7 of us. We were really looking forward to our main dishes which consisted of burgers, tacos, grilled cheese, and taquitos.

Me, my brother, and my sister all ordered the Hawaiian Burger with added mushrooms which we all devoured. The burger was made to a perfect medium and the toppings were proportioned just right. Each burger came with it’s own side as well. I chose the side salad and ranch dressing, while my brother and sister ordered theirs with fries.

My mom went the non-burger route and ordered their “Yaki Tacos” which are made with “Two flour tortillas stuffed w/grilled chicken, fresh grilled pineapple salsa, teriyaki sauce, cheddar, jack, lettuce & tomatoes.” She ordered hers without lettuce and they were absolutely delicious. She said they were juicy and tasted like a tropical vacation!

Next was my youngest brother Kellan. Because he’s a dancer, he sometimes tries to find healthy alternatives so he ordered the Toucan Chicken Sandwich with no lettuce, tomato, or mayo on a wheat bun with a side of sweet potato fries. He stated that it tasted great and it was a great healthy alternative to a burger. My sister who is a vegetarian was able to order a grilled cheese sandwich which was nice because sometimes restaurants don’t offer one.

Last to order was my dad who was originally going to order a burger until his eye caught something special on the menu. The menu listed a limited and special dish called the “Tinga Flautas.” Only available on Thursdays (and it was a Thursday), this dish is made of rolled and fried flour tortillas filled with marinated chicken and red sauce. A simple but amazing dish full of flavor.

Island’s Thursday only special: Tinga Flautas

We really enjoyed all of our food and our waitress was really nice. She even brought out a special brownie and ice cream dessert to celebrate my sister’s birthday towards the end of our meal (which was chocolaty goodness).

We truly had a nice dinner and we can’t wait to come back to Islands again. If you’re looking for a burger restaurant with a tropical twist then head to Islands. I’ve linked the link to their website so that you can check out their menu and find a location near you.

https://www.islandsrestaurants.com/

The MELT ~ An Eatery for Everyone

Today’s food adventure is to a California based eatery known as ‘The Melt.’ The Melt is popular for their specialty grilled cheese creations and macaroni. Made without any artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats, you truly feel like you’re eating GOOD food.

Due to the current situation, dining indoors is strictly prohibited but they are open for outdoor patio seating which is exactly what my family and I did. The Melt is located at the Irvine Spectrum, a beautiful outdoor mall at the southeast edge of Irvine.

Coming from a family of 7, we all have similar but different taste buds. On top of that, my youngest sister has a metabolic disorder that doesn’t allow her to eat meat. With a big family and a dietary restriction, a grilled cheese eatery seemed like the perfect place to eat.

Upon walking in, we noticed that the inside tables were pushed up against the wall, allowing room for social distance while waiting and prevention of sitting. This was great to see especially in a time like this.

We looked at the menu and were very pleased at what we saw. Various grilled cheese sandwich options to please both all types of people (from picky eaters to the more adventurous taste buds). Not only does The Melt serve grilled cheese sandwiches, but there’s also a selection of burgers as well. They also had a selection of side dishes, desserts, and drinks.

My sister and I both ordered the “Italian Job” which was a grilled cheese sandwich made with Fontina and provolone cheeses, grilled mushrooms on spicy garlic bread. We were both highly impressed with this dish. It was the perfect blend of cheese and mushrooms (which were very fresh), and the garlic bread was the cherry on top! Literally perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike!

My brother and mom ordered the “Italian Chicken” which is made with the same ingredients as the Italian Job except with some added grilled chicken pieces. They said the chicken was grilled to perfection and easy to eat. Just like the Italian Job, they said the mushrooms were extremely fresh and the garlic bread was the perfect addition to this tasty sandwich.

My youngest brother Kellan and his Italian Chicken

My mom Julia, also ordered the tomato soup with her sandwich as a dipping sauce which she said was creamy and smooth.

My sister Ariel, surprised all of us and ordered the ‘Garlic Bacon Mac and Cheese.’ This was a surprise because this particular sister never orders or eats macaroni and cheese, so her review was something we were very curious to hear about. After trying the macaroni, she ended up really liking it and even finished her leftovers the next day. That definitely proved that this restaurant knows how to make some good quality food.

My other brother opted for something different and ordered the ‘Patty melt.’ Featured on their menu, the patty melt consists of grilled Angus & Wagyu burger patty, sweet, caramelized onions, melted Swiss and provolone cheese with spicy mustard on fresh artisan bread. The staff gladly removed the mustard and onions for my brother with no issues. Just like the rest of us, he enjoyed his sandwich and would gladly return to eat it again.

Last but certainly not least was my dad’s order. He wanted to go for one of their signature dishes, “The Meltburger.” The Meltburger is made with more than 1/3 pound of their signature Angus & Wagyu beef, chopped, grilled and filled with loads of melted cheddar, their special pickle and jalapeño mix, and Melt sauce on a toasted, artisan bun. He too devoured his burger and loved every bite of it. He stated the burger was juicy and wonderfully flavored. The burger came with a side of garlic fries which were evenly cooked and seasoned, along with a pickle (all sandwiches come with pickles on the side).

As for the rest of our side dishes, we all ordered the garlic Parmesan fries. The first thing you notice when you open the box was how amazing they smell. Although they tasted good, the garlic was a little “heavy-handed” which made it a difficult to eat a bunch at once. We ended up taking home the majority of the fries as leftovers because the over powering garlic didn’t compliment the meal like it should have. If there was less garlic added then it might have been perfect.

My sister Madison and her Garlic Parmesan Fries

Lastly, when it comes to natural, The Melt also provided all natural drinks. It was amazing choosing a normally dark soda (like black cherry cola) and it coming out of the nozzel clear. The taste of these sodas were great and it was nice knowing we were drinking soda without artificial flavors. The only thing we wish they had was a diet cola. This would give people an extra option for a no-sugar alternative.

My dad (Glen) and his clear ORANGE soda!

In conclusion, the Melt was an amazing experience. We were impressed with the range of foods available and was glad to find somewhere for my vegetarian sister to eat and enjoy. The entire staff was AMAZING. They went above and beyond to make sure that our eating experience was excellent. This was one of the best customer service experiences we’ve ever had and we have no complaints at all. We would have loved to try their desserts however we were too full to try them. If you’re interested in looking at the full menu and Melt website, the link is down below. Thanks to The Melt for a new and fun experience!

https://www.themelt.com/

Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips

Gordon Ramsay. Probably one of the most popular and renowned chefs in the world! You might have seen him in one of his many shows, or my personal favorite, Kitchen Nightmares. When my brother and I heard that there was a Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada we knew we had to try it.

Located on the Las Vegas strip at the LINQ Promenade, Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips stands out among the other eateries. Iconic red phone booths line the entrance standing tall below a British flag. You really feel like you’ve been transported straight into the heart of London.

When we first entered the building, the first thing I noticed were the bright red and blue walls referencing the British Flag. It was more like a quick counter service than a restaurant. There was no seating inside, however there was a table bar where guests can stand and eat.

The menu was simple and to the point. Fish, shrimp, sausage, and lobster make up the menu all served with a side of chips (or as us American’s call, french fries). There was also a selection of sauces that you can pair with your meal (you get two complimentary sauces with each meal).

I went for the classic Fish and Chips. Of course I had to try the eateries most iconic dish! After ordering at the counter, we waited about 5 minutes for our names to be called. The meals were delivered to us in open boxes inside white plastic bags. My dad ordered the Sticky Toffee Shake which was absolutely delicious! Sweet, delectable, and tasted like a toffee, candy, caramel dream!

Now, for the main attraction, the fish and chips! The presentation of the dish was simple yet perfect. There were two slots for the sauces of your choosing, and a main slot for the entree. When I took a bite of the fish I was in shock. I had never seen a more perfect fish in my life. I shouldn’t have been surprised since it is a Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, but seeing a flawless fish was like biting into fish heaven. You could see every layer of the fish, and it was soft and flaky. The word I would use for the fish was WOW. I literally kept telling my father and brothers, “WOW!” You can definitely say I was impressed. The two sauces I chose were the Sriracha Aioli and Gordon’s Tarter Sauce. My favorite of the two was the Sriracha Aioli. The fish was good enough by itself though.

I really enjoyed my experience at Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips and I would definitely come back. Next time I would love to try the other entree dishes to see if they’re just as flawless as the fish and chips. If you’re traveling to Las Vegas then I would highly recommend stopping by the LINQ Promenade and trying it for yourself. The link to this eating establishment is down below. Now, go get your grub on!

https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/gordon-ramsay-fish-chips/