Eating Las Vegas ... Again
Looks like we're headed back to Sin City sooner than expected. Originally Grimace wanted us to take a family vacation cruise but once we explained what cruising really involves and once she admitted that she wasn't actually interested in new and colorful island nations, everyone agreed that the gambling mecca of the Western World was probably the next best option. After all, if you can't lose your dearest family members in Vegas, where can you lose them?
Jay and I are booked at the MGM Signature this time and my parents are staying at Harrahs. I don't want to know just how much gambling my mother had to do in order to get comped there for part of her stay. We have a pretty tasty line-up of old favorites and new droolies, so I thought I'd share them with you. There will be no Joel Robuchon visits on this trip, so don't look for any four-hour meals that cost more than our monthly mortgage payment. Once was enough for a long time ... or until we win the lottery!
Without further ado, here's the official food lineup:
American Fish
Tacos & Tequila
Todd English PUB
Carnevino
Red Square (there will be a visit to the vodka vault this time!)
MIX
RM Seafood
Shibuya (omakase menu with sake pairings? don't mind if we do!)
Isla Mexican Kitchen
Sage
Mon Ami Gabi (chocolate bacon waffles ... we're not made of stone)
Mesa Grill
We also plan on a fair number of lounge hopping visits again on this trip to take advantage of early and late night happy hour specials. Odds are we won't make all the places we'd like to get to, but Nobhill Tavern, Diego, CUT, Sushisamba, Stripsteak, and Social House are on the list.
Stay hungry, my friends!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Cheesy Does It; Las Vegas, May 2010
The Dance of the Seven Cheese Plates ...
It started innocently enough some years ago when Jason and I decided to share a cheese sampler while having dinner at one of Disney's signature restaurants. The experience was a coagulated, milk-based food product revelation. Goodbye sweet tooth; hello bottomless cheese pit.
Which is why, while planning our trip to Vegas for Jason's 40th birthday, I found myself formulating a sub-adventure - a cheese lovers challenge I dubbed The Dance of the Seven Cheese Plates: eat one cheese plate for each day of vacation.
I even made up a wee little anthem based on the Hollies song Stop Stop Stop.
See the server, cheese on a platter
Entering through the door
Lights are shining ... only four pieces?
You've got to give me more!
Utensils on the platter clink-clink-clink
Slicing up that cheese
Now I'm chewing, flavor so delicious
Tastebuds on the brink.
Stop, stop, stop all the cheese mongering
Give me time to eat
Stop, stop, stop all the cheese mongering
Or I'll have to order meat.
Ahem.
A poet I am not.
But a lover of cheese I am, so allow me now to share with you the cheesy goodness we enjoyed while in Vegas, rated below from best to worst.
1) Joel Robuchon; The Mansion (MGM)
It almost seems unfair to include this in a list with other cheese plates because it's so far above and beyond anything that can be found in most restaurants. They wheeled a trolley loaded with more than twenty types of beautiful, delectable French cheeses to our table and said, "Parlez vous fromage?"
Cheese trolley
Cheese plate #1
Cheese plate #2
2) Daniel Boulud; The Wynn
An unexpected thing of beauty at the now defunct Daniel Boulud in Las Vegas, this cheese plate included seven selections that we choose from a list of fifteen. There were also a generous number of accompaniments that included fresh fruit, bread, honey, dried fruit, and compote. We are still sad to know that we can't return here for more cheese on future Vegas visits.
Boulud's cheese platter - YUM!
3) Hubert Keller; Fleur de Lys (Mandalay Bay)
A solid offering provided by the restaurant staff and further enhanced by the gift of free dessert wine. Honestly, if we hadn't stumbled into Boulud later in our trip, this would have been the second entry on our list because it was really good. By the way, Fleur dy Lys no longer operates in Vegas; it's been replaced with Keller's version of a tapas bar. Hey, celebrity chefs ... a word of advice from some Midwestern Hicks Stuck in the Mud: not everyone who travels to Vegas wants to eat tapas-sized portions, so stop trying to be trendy and bring us an entree!
A solid offering!
4) Mario Batali; Enoteca San Marco (The Venetian)
This was our first cheese plate of the entire trip, and as such holds a fond place in our bleary cheese memories. We were able to choose seven Italian cheeses from a list of about twenty. Unfortunately, some actually weren't available that day and this created some disappointment on our part. Further, the presentation was lacking and there weren't any accompaniments to sample in conjunction with the cheese. I was also a little grossed out to find one cheese had the consistency and taste of caulk. Overall, this was good but not great. No need for a do-over on this one.
Don't eat the cheese paper ... it's not really cheese.
5) Emeril Lagasse; Double Helix Wine Bar (Table 10 - The Palazzo)
We ordered this one afternoon while we were enjoying a shared wine flight at the Double Helix Wine Bar. It's the same cheese plate that Emeril offers at Table 10; three cheeses buried under a mound of crispy toasts and strawberries. Nothing spectacular but it paired well with the wine and served as a good afternoon snack to soak up some alcohol. Final verdict - don't go out of your way.
I know there's cheese here somewhere!
6) Julian Serrano; Aria
It could have been a contender. It could have been something, instead of a bust. Unfortunately, despite some great Spanish cheese offerings, this entry from Julian Serrano was weak on presentation and included what appeared to be a quince slug that really put me off my food for a while. Thank gawd I had both red and white sangria to distract me from the horror.
Is this a mistake?
7) Stratta (The Wynn)
This was the final cheese plate of our vacation ... talk about ending with a whimper. We were in an Italian restaurant with an owner / chef who's supposed to be some sort of demi-god and this was the best he could do? At last check I don't think there was a single cheese that could trace its origin to Italy. And who the hell pairs three hard cheeses with cranberry bread and chunky apple sauce? I've had better cheese assortments from Hickory Farms.
Epic Fail
And thus concludes our Las Vegas cheese tour - we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Stay tuned for Vegas 2011, which will include a whole new batch of restaurants and culinary delights!
It started innocently enough some years ago when Jason and I decided to share a cheese sampler while having dinner at one of Disney's signature restaurants. The experience was a coagulated, milk-based food product revelation. Goodbye sweet tooth; hello bottomless cheese pit.
Which is why, while planning our trip to Vegas for Jason's 40th birthday, I found myself formulating a sub-adventure - a cheese lovers challenge I dubbed The Dance of the Seven Cheese Plates: eat one cheese plate for each day of vacation.
I even made up a wee little anthem based on the Hollies song Stop Stop Stop.
See the server, cheese on a platter
Entering through the door
Lights are shining ... only four pieces?
You've got to give me more!
Utensils on the platter clink-clink-clink
Slicing up that cheese
Now I'm chewing, flavor so delicious
Tastebuds on the brink.
Stop, stop, stop all the cheese mongering
Give me time to eat
Stop, stop, stop all the cheese mongering
Or I'll have to order meat.
Ahem.
A poet I am not.
But a lover of cheese I am, so allow me now to share with you the cheesy goodness we enjoyed while in Vegas, rated below from best to worst.
1) Joel Robuchon; The Mansion (MGM)
It almost seems unfair to include this in a list with other cheese plates because it's so far above and beyond anything that can be found in most restaurants. They wheeled a trolley loaded with more than twenty types of beautiful, delectable French cheeses to our table and said, "Parlez vous fromage?"
Cheese trolley
Cheese plate #1
Cheese plate #2
2) Daniel Boulud; The Wynn
An unexpected thing of beauty at the now defunct Daniel Boulud in Las Vegas, this cheese plate included seven selections that we choose from a list of fifteen. There were also a generous number of accompaniments that included fresh fruit, bread, honey, dried fruit, and compote. We are still sad to know that we can't return here for more cheese on future Vegas visits.
Boulud's cheese platter - YUM!
3) Hubert Keller; Fleur de Lys (Mandalay Bay)
A solid offering provided by the restaurant staff and further enhanced by the gift of free dessert wine. Honestly, if we hadn't stumbled into Boulud later in our trip, this would have been the second entry on our list because it was really good. By the way, Fleur dy Lys no longer operates in Vegas; it's been replaced with Keller's version of a tapas bar. Hey, celebrity chefs ... a word of advice from some Midwestern Hicks Stuck in the Mud: not everyone who travels to Vegas wants to eat tapas-sized portions, so stop trying to be trendy and bring us an entree!
A solid offering!
4) Mario Batali; Enoteca San Marco (The Venetian)
This was our first cheese plate of the entire trip, and as such holds a fond place in our bleary cheese memories. We were able to choose seven Italian cheeses from a list of about twenty. Unfortunately, some actually weren't available that day and this created some disappointment on our part. Further, the presentation was lacking and there weren't any accompaniments to sample in conjunction with the cheese. I was also a little grossed out to find one cheese had the consistency and taste of caulk. Overall, this was good but not great. No need for a do-over on this one.
Don't eat the cheese paper ... it's not really cheese.
5) Emeril Lagasse; Double Helix Wine Bar (Table 10 - The Palazzo)
We ordered this one afternoon while we were enjoying a shared wine flight at the Double Helix Wine Bar. It's the same cheese plate that Emeril offers at Table 10; three cheeses buried under a mound of crispy toasts and strawberries. Nothing spectacular but it paired well with the wine and served as a good afternoon snack to soak up some alcohol. Final verdict - don't go out of your way.
I know there's cheese here somewhere!
6) Julian Serrano; Aria
It could have been a contender. It could have been something, instead of a bust. Unfortunately, despite some great Spanish cheese offerings, this entry from Julian Serrano was weak on presentation and included what appeared to be a quince slug that really put me off my food for a while. Thank gawd I had both red and white sangria to distract me from the horror.
Is this a mistake?
7) Stratta (The Wynn)
This was the final cheese plate of our vacation ... talk about ending with a whimper. We were in an Italian restaurant with an owner / chef who's supposed to be some sort of demi-god and this was the best he could do? At last check I don't think there was a single cheese that could trace its origin to Italy. And who the hell pairs three hard cheeses with cranberry bread and chunky apple sauce? I've had better cheese assortments from Hickory Farms.
Epic Fail
And thus concludes our Las Vegas cheese tour - we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Stay tuned for Vegas 2011, which will include a whole new batch of restaurants and culinary delights!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Viva Las Vegas!
A Random Photo Essay from Last Year's Vegas Trip ...
Living large at the Encore ...
Whimsical Walkway at the Wynn
Parasol Up ...
Parasol Down ...
A Waterfall in the desert?
Bee Sharp
Giant Space Ants!
Flutterby
It's a puffy pink snail!
Absinthe on Fiyah!
Bellagio's Dancing Fountains
Venice in Vegas
Jason's birthday cake!
Joel Robuchon's fancy-schmancy dining room
Dolphins at the Mirage!
Q*bert Floor at the Venetian
Humpty-Dumpty ... wearing a shirt for pants!
Bendy wins at penny slots!
Bendy wins at penny slots ... again!
Payard's Chocolate Clock
Living large at the Encore ...
Whimsical Walkway at the Wynn
Parasol Up ...
Parasol Down ...
A Waterfall in the desert?
Bee Sharp
Giant Space Ants!
Flutterby
It's a puffy pink snail!
Absinthe on Fiyah!
Bellagio's Dancing Fountains
Venice in Vegas
Jason's birthday cake!
Joel Robuchon's fancy-schmancy dining room
Dolphins at the Mirage!
Q*bert Floor at the Venetian
Humpty-Dumpty ... wearing a shirt for pants!
Bendy wins at penny slots!
Bendy wins at penny slots ... again!
Payard's Chocolate Clock
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Joel Robuchon, MGM Grand Las Vegas: Part III
Seven, No, Eight More Courses to Go? It's Time to Break Out the Extra Vacation Stomach!
The remainder of our evening at The Mansion really was uneventful, apart from all the food that kept finding its way to our table. Next up was Le Soja: risotto of soybean sprouts with lime zest and chives.
Le Soja
Followed by Le Saumon: salmon with ginger broth and lightly smoked cream.
Le Saumon
And then by Le Veau: Sauteed veal chop with natural jus and vegetable taglierinis flavored with pesto.
Le Veau
Once the hearty courses were finished, I happened to ask a staff member if there was a dessert wine menu available for our review. I believe I said something along the lines of this: "I know there's a cheese trolley coming that's got my name on it and I love me some port with my cheese!"
The menu showed up shortly thereafter and we made our selection - two glasses of the 20-year tawny, please, and where's that cheese trolley??? Imagine our surprise when the sommelier returned with our port and told us that the drinks were compliments of the management as a way to apologize for the earlier ... disturbance. While completely unnecessary as far as Jay and I were concerned it was a very nice gesture and we really appreciated it.
Did someone say free port???
And then the trolley made its appearance at our table in all it's cheesy glory ... firm, soft, runny, mild, stinky, and downright offensive ... a thing of delectable, bacterial beauty that I will never forget as long as I live. There must have been more than twenty selections to choose from and we were allowed to try as many as we wanted - between the two of us Jay and I managed to taste around 15 of the available cheeses and they were just as wonderful as I dreamed they would be.
Cheese me!
My cheese plate ...
Jay's cheese plate ...
Desserts ... lots of them, then followed our cheese nirvana. The first dessert was La Verveine, light tangerine cream with lemon verbena sorbet. I liked this a great deal - it was airy and refreshing.
Dessert #1 ... Wait for it
La Verveine
And then our second dessert of the night was delivered: Le Chocolat, a chocolate mousse sphere with passion fruit coulis.
Dessert #2 ... Le Chocolat
And then there was a cake for Jay's birthday ... I had mentioned that we were celebrating his birthday but I didn't know if the restaurant would actually do anything special. Silly me for ever doubting them. They brought an entire ice cream cake for us to demolish - one layer of pistachio ice cream and one layer of passion-fruit sorbet. It was beeee-you-teeee-full!
Birthday surprise!
Sixteen courses later ... and we still have room for more?!
Ice cream cake!
Yum!
After the staff sliced and served the cake for Jason they promptly informed me that I was not allowed to have any ice cream cake because it included nuts; our server said that I was going to receive something special just for me. I was served a creamy chocolate tart and a lemon tart with gold leaf in lieu of ice cream cake and that suited me just fine - both were delicious.
My birthday cake ...
As if all of this wasn't enough, the meal was capped off with a visit from the candy cart - a masterpiece of confection that the pastry chef creates on a daily basis. It's an amazing, overwhelming sight. The nice thing is that the staff will let guests choose as many pieces of candy as they'd like and then will package them up so they can be enjoyed at a later date.
Candy Cart ...
Candy Cart ...
Yes ... I said Candy Cart!
Once again the staff informed me that I was not allowed to choose anything form the cart due to all the nutty goodness it contained. The pastry chef created a plate of wonderful, tasty candies just for me and they were almost too pretty to eat. I asked if the staff would box them up for me so that Jay and I could enjoy them on another day since we were both on tilt at this point. They graciously agreed to do so, not only for me but for Jay as well.
My personalized candies from the pastry chef!
Must make room for one more course!
Jay's candy selections ...
Once the meal was over ... for some reason I think we may have had coffee but I can't remember for sure ... we were escorted back through The Mansions where an MGM gold limo was waiting to take us back to the Encore and the real world. Skeletor and her whipping boy aside, it was truly an amazing dining experience with beautifully prepared and plated food and exceptional service. Jay and I both think it was worth the expense, although Le A'telier, Robuchon's more casual and "affordable" dining establishment located next door to The Mansion, is more to our taste and budget. Some day we hope to try Joel Robuchon again ... perhaps in Paris on our 15th wedding anniversary?! Until then, we're more than satisfied with the birthday dinner provided by the chef of the century and his amazing staff.
Courtyard in late evening
So pretty ...
A parting gift from the restaurant
Handmade raspberry and peach marshmallows!
The remainder of our evening at The Mansion really was uneventful, apart from all the food that kept finding its way to our table. Next up was Le Soja: risotto of soybean sprouts with lime zest and chives.
Le Soja
Followed by Le Saumon: salmon with ginger broth and lightly smoked cream.
Le Saumon
And then by Le Veau: Sauteed veal chop with natural jus and vegetable taglierinis flavored with pesto.
Le Veau
Once the hearty courses were finished, I happened to ask a staff member if there was a dessert wine menu available for our review. I believe I said something along the lines of this: "I know there's a cheese trolley coming that's got my name on it and I love me some port with my cheese!"
The menu showed up shortly thereafter and we made our selection - two glasses of the 20-year tawny, please, and where's that cheese trolley??? Imagine our surprise when the sommelier returned with our port and told us that the drinks were compliments of the management as a way to apologize for the earlier ... disturbance. While completely unnecessary as far as Jay and I were concerned it was a very nice gesture and we really appreciated it.
Did someone say free port???
And then the trolley made its appearance at our table in all it's cheesy glory ... firm, soft, runny, mild, stinky, and downright offensive ... a thing of delectable, bacterial beauty that I will never forget as long as I live. There must have been more than twenty selections to choose from and we were allowed to try as many as we wanted - between the two of us Jay and I managed to taste around 15 of the available cheeses and they were just as wonderful as I dreamed they would be.
Cheese me!
My cheese plate ...
Jay's cheese plate ...
Desserts ... lots of them, then followed our cheese nirvana. The first dessert was La Verveine, light tangerine cream with lemon verbena sorbet. I liked this a great deal - it was airy and refreshing.
Dessert #1 ... Wait for it
La Verveine
And then our second dessert of the night was delivered: Le Chocolat, a chocolate mousse sphere with passion fruit coulis.
Dessert #2 ... Le Chocolat
And then there was a cake for Jay's birthday ... I had mentioned that we were celebrating his birthday but I didn't know if the restaurant would actually do anything special. Silly me for ever doubting them. They brought an entire ice cream cake for us to demolish - one layer of pistachio ice cream and one layer of passion-fruit sorbet. It was beeee-you-teeee-full!
Birthday surprise!
Sixteen courses later ... and we still have room for more?!
Ice cream cake!
Yum!
After the staff sliced and served the cake for Jason they promptly informed me that I was not allowed to have any ice cream cake because it included nuts; our server said that I was going to receive something special just for me. I was served a creamy chocolate tart and a lemon tart with gold leaf in lieu of ice cream cake and that suited me just fine - both were delicious.
My birthday cake ...
As if all of this wasn't enough, the meal was capped off with a visit from the candy cart - a masterpiece of confection that the pastry chef creates on a daily basis. It's an amazing, overwhelming sight. The nice thing is that the staff will let guests choose as many pieces of candy as they'd like and then will package them up so they can be enjoyed at a later date.
Candy Cart ...
Candy Cart ...
Yes ... I said Candy Cart!
Once again the staff informed me that I was not allowed to choose anything form the cart due to all the nutty goodness it contained. The pastry chef created a plate of wonderful, tasty candies just for me and they were almost too pretty to eat. I asked if the staff would box them up for me so that Jay and I could enjoy them on another day since we were both on tilt at this point. They graciously agreed to do so, not only for me but for Jay as well.
My personalized candies from the pastry chef!
Must make room for one more course!
Jay's candy selections ...
Once the meal was over ... for some reason I think we may have had coffee but I can't remember for sure ... we were escorted back through The Mansions where an MGM gold limo was waiting to take us back to the Encore and the real world. Skeletor and her whipping boy aside, it was truly an amazing dining experience with beautifully prepared and plated food and exceptional service. Jay and I both think it was worth the expense, although Le A'telier, Robuchon's more casual and "affordable" dining establishment located next door to The Mansion, is more to our taste and budget. Some day we hope to try Joel Robuchon again ... perhaps in Paris on our 15th wedding anniversary?! Until then, we're more than satisfied with the birthday dinner provided by the chef of the century and his amazing staff.
Courtyard in late evening
So pretty ...
A parting gift from the restaurant
Handmade raspberry and peach marshmallows!
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