Reviews of Jacques Cafe, Lucky Foo's, David Clawson Restaurant and Mercadito

Al Mancini checks out the breakfast, lunch and dinner fare at the new Jacques Café, and declares the entrees are a reason to head to Summerlin. “Where the chef really shines is with his more formal dinner offerings.” Two dishes he loved — risotto with rock shrimp (“assuming you’re OK with the texture of rice that’s been cooked al dente”) and the steelhead salmon belly. For sandwiches, he recommends a pastrami with Gouda, sauerkraut, red peppers and aioli, and a grilled turkey satay. [VS]

Last week, he visited Lucky Foo’s, the new American izakaya on Eastern Avenue. He recommends the Cheese mazemen, chicken and scallion yakitori, kale salad and sashimi. “Lucky Foo’s still needs to work out a few kinks. It has yet to institute their promised lunch service (set to begin Dec. 1). Service can be slow, and the staff still seems to be learning the menu.” [VS]

Jim Begley loves David Clawson Restaurant, the new Henderson omakase from David Clawson. He says the “combination of a unique concept and precision execution” make it worth the trip to the far south restaurant. Begley sums it up best here: “Clawson’s lineup eschews traditional appetizer, entrée and dessert menu groupings for shared plates designated by their primary ingredient or style of preparation, with simple names such as Oyster and Duck. Each dish has individual, thoughtful pairing options, ranging from beer and wine to sake for an additional $3-$12 for 2-ounce pours. But unlike those concise descriptions, the dishes themselves offer grandiose presentation.” [LVW]

HKR gives Mercadito at Red Rock Resort an overall A- grade, citing the “well-executed dishes that are far from routine.” She said there were “a few service lags.” Do click the link for what could possibly be the worst photo ever taken of a restaurant by a so-called professional photographer. [LVRJ]