Las Vegas - Tastes So Good!

I'm soooo excited! I was finally able to nail down some reservations for our April trip to Vegas.

Here's what we actually have reserved:

Sunday, April 20 - dinner at Red Square

Monday, April 21 - dinner at Isla Mexican Kitchen

Tuesday, April 22 - dinner at Alize'

Would you like to know a little something about each restaurant?

Of course you would!


Red Square is located in Mandalay Bay, which is where we will be staying during this visit. Here's what the hotel's website has to say about the restaurant:

With a nod to the glory of Imperial Russia, Red Square Las Vegas transports guests to a world of romance and intrigue. Along with an impressive caviar selection, you'll enjoy such perestroika-inspired Russian and internationally influenced favorites such as Siberian Nachos, Roquefort Filet Mignon, Strozapretti Stroganoff, Salmon Kulebyaka and Certified Angus Rib Eye.

Plush, private red velvet banquettes compliment the dazzling Russian-inspired décor, which has been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel, as well as in such magazines as W and Conde Nast Traveller.

Before or after dinner, experience the exclusive private vodka vault and famous frozen icebar – voted Best Bar in America by Playboy Magazine - featuring more than 200 frozen vodkas and infusions, martinis and Russian-inspired cocktails.

For more delicious information check out their website:

http://www.chinagrillmgt.com/redSquare/main.cfm?pp=0


Isla Mexican Kitchen is located at Treasure Island and I'm not even sure how I found it but it sounds like fun and we're trying to get some dining variety on this trip. Here's what the hotel's website has to say about this restaurant:

Chef Richard Sandoval explores traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Isla was voted and received an award for the best Mexican Restaurant in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Life Magazine. Isla offers a variety of Sandoval’s fresh-made guacamoles including Classic Mexico City Style, Citrus Tamarind with Habanero & Mint, Chipotle Adobo with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Lobster with Achiote Passion Fruit & Serrano Chiles. Guests feast on a menu based on traditional Mexican fare prepared in not-so-traditional ways.

Choices include Grilled Mexican Spiced Chicken Breast with Corn Dumplings and Pico de Gallo, Crispy Red Snapper with Cactus Salad and Citrus Epazote Vinaigrette and for the meat lover, Isla Sirloin with Huitlacoche Mashed Potatoes and Chimichurri Sauce. Tacos, Enchiladas, Tamales and Burritos take on a modern twist with ingredients such as Lightly Battered Rock Shrimp and Wild Mushrooms. Chef Sandoval takes cues from tradition by offering a menu of family recipes from ‘Grandma Sandoval’s Kitchen’ including Chile Relleno, Chicken Mole Poblano, Roast Pork Pipian and Mexican Meatballs with Chipotle Tomato Sauce.

The Tequila Bar features our very own Tequila Goddess welcoming guests by personally offering a selection of cocktails including impressive selections of tequilas, as well as Margaritas, Sangrias and other Mexican cocktail favorites - all prepared with fresh-squeezed juices and fruit purees. Relax in the Tequila Bar and indulge in The Goddess Elixir, prepared table side by Isla's Tequila Goddess with Herradura Seleccion Suprema, Grand Marnier 100 Year Anniversary, Cointreau, and Fresh Citrus Syrup.

Alize' is located on the top level of the Palms Casino Resort. I chose this based on reviews, the yum-factor of the menu, and the price point. The restaurant offers a 7-course tasting menu for $125 per person. Not cheap, but certainly more in line with what we were willing to pay for this kind of experience. Many of the fine dining establishments that we looked into in Vegas were charging $105 - $125 for four-and-five course tasting menus ... I guess we've been spoiled by Disney, but some of those prices seemed rather high to us (and our budget) for only four or five courses. I guess we're paying for the celebrity chef dining privilege but that's not what we really want as much as we want some damn fine food and service for our hard-earned stinktown dollars.

Here's what the hotel's website has to say about Alize':

André Rochat, Chef/Proprietor of the very respected and award winning Andre’s Restaurant, is the Doyen of Las Vegas restaurateurs. On November 15, 2001, André opened the crown jewel of his culinary trilogy, Alizé, located on the top floor of the Palms Casino Resort. Named after the gentle trade winds that sweep the French Caribbean Islands, Alizé features world-class cuisine, service and wine list with the most dramatic view of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Alizé quickly became the talk of the town and has gained notoriety and accolades being named by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine as one of the top new restaurants in the world.

And here's the link to the restaurant if you're interested in the menu ... pardon me while I wipe the drool from my keyboard...

http://www.andrelv.com/alize/

I think this will be a lovely, romantic restaurant for us to celebrate Jay's birthday (a few weeks early) and our anniversary (a month early). I wish there were places like this to choose from here in Stinktown ... sigh.

My only question for the chef at Alize' is: Where's the freaking cheese plate???

That's it for now ... I'm still struggling with our other two dinner choices. So many restaurants, so little time.

I wonder if the local economy in Vegas is doing well and whether or not a local financial institution would have need of a middle management credit geek???