Peppermill Restaurant - Breakfast Review (with a visit to The Fireside Lounge for photos)

Peppermill Restaurant - Breakfast Review

Another restaurant I've had on my "to do" list for quite some time is the Peppermill Restaurant.  Mom and I decided that breakfast on Halloween morning would be just about right.  

I've been hearing about the Peppermill since my very first trip to Las Vegas.  I'd heard they have very large portions, and that the Fireside Lounge is quite popular and an interesting sight you to see.  I was finally able to verify both things.


Because it's really a much longer walk from Harrah's to the Peppermill than many people think (like most things in Vegas), we decided to take a cab to save my mom's legs.  We planned to take our time after breakfast by visiting all the casinos along the way back to Harrah's, so it wasn't too bad to spend $6 for the taxi ride.

The Peppermill Restaurant is located between The Riviera and Encore Las Vegas, in the middle of a strip mall parking lot, not too far from the Guardian Angel Catholic Church.  It's quite inconspicuous, and I wouldn't notice it if I were driving by in the daytime because it looks like another building in a strip mall parking lot...on the outside.

I'd almost forgotten it was Halloween when we were dropped off at the door, but the zombie who opened the restaurant door for us with a low moan made me give a little scream of "EEP!"  His was the best costume in the restaurant, and he posed for a picture.

Tell me that wouldn't freak you out -
he's got an eyeball on his cheek!

When we were seated, our waiter offered us a drink menu as well as a breakfast menu.  I seriously considered a mimosa for about 10 seconds, then decided it was probably better not to drink if I was planning eating most of anything and/or walking back down the Strip so early in the day.

Breakfast drinks, anyone?

The view from our corner booth.

After looking over the entire menu, mom and I decided to share two dishes so we could try more things.  We chose the Mediterranean Omelet and French Toast Ambrosia.  Guess what?  They were both HUGE!

The Mediterranean Omelet takes up most of the plate.
It's a big plate.

 The Mediterranean Omelet was filled with lots of crab and shrimp meat, as well as lots of American and Jack cheeses.  It was also covered in yummy Hollandaise sauce (which I LOVE!) and served with a generous side of hash browns.  We poked at the hash browns, but didn't even attempt to really eat them at all, which was probably a good thing.  The omelet was very good, but it was far too much for even two people to share, and we ended up eating a little over half of it before we finally gave up.  What a waste of food!  

The French Toast Ambrosia-
Enough food to make a whole 'nother breakfast.

The French Toast Ambrosia is actually four slices of thick cut French toast cut into halves, so there are eight pieces of French toast covered with tons (and I mean TONS) of seasonal fruit, all topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream.  We could have easily shared this dish with two other people and still not have eaten everything on the plate.  The fruit was all very fresh and flavorful, and the French toast was warm, crispy around the edges and had a delicious cinnamon flavoring to it.  Out of the two dishes, I personally would order the French Toast over the omelet because it is a more refreshing dish and not nearly as heavy.

We took our time eating and ordered coffee and juice, people-watching and chatting about our trip so far and what we planned to do.  When our waiter brought the check, I asked if it was okay to check out the Fireside Lounge because I didn't know if anyone could just walk in or if it was even open during the day, and he said, "Of course!  Go right in."  So I paid and left a tip ($32+tip for two huge meals, plus coffee and juice) and we headed back to the Fireside Lounge entrance I'd noticed when we entered the restaurant.

I'd rate our breakfast experience at Peppermill as a strong 7 out of 10.  The large amount of food is overwhelming, though, and we should have shared one plate instead of two to avoid wasting so much.  Lesson learned.

Visit the Peppermill's website for more information and menus: Come Hungry!

A visit to the Fireside Lounge

The Fireside Lounge is off to the left of the restaurant, behind a dark glass door with simple white lettering and no outward sign of what's waiting on the other side.  Once inside, you definitely see the theme jump out at you: 70's lounge, in bright pink and blue.  It's everywhere, and quite unusual. 

I don't know what I was expecting.  Not this.

There are intimate seating areas everywhere, and the lounge can accommodate quite a crowd and still remain very private with its seating arrangements.  I loved the look of the Fireside seating area itself:

An interesting combination that somehow works.

Mom and I walked all around the lounge, being careful not to trip down (or up) any steps.  I was glad there were hand rails everywhere, because it's actually a bit dark inside the lounge.  Halloween decorations were everywhere, but still blended in with everything else.  How much really sticks out when you're standing in a pink and blue lounge?

There is a long bar with video poker (of course) taking up the right side of the lounge, and a nice lady in a white tuxedo shirt polished glasses and smiled the entire time we walked around checking things out and taking photos.  There were a few patrons at the far end of the bar, but I tried not to disturb anyone with my photography.  I try to keep unsuspecting tourists and other people out of my photos.

Bar seating looks comfy, too.

The Fireside Lounge would be an interesting place to meet up for drinks with friends.  It might even make a pretty good place for a large group meet, too!