April 2009 - State # 28 - Nevada
When it came time to visit this state, our son Andy, family expert on all things Vegas, was consulted and he informed us, "Mom, there is only one hotel for you...the BELLAGIO." What can I say, he is my first borne and he knows his mother.
We flew Delta into Las Vegas on Guy's birthday. And a hotel limo met us in baggage claim. Let me explain...before Nevada, we had NEVER used a limousine in our travels. You may recall that in April, 2009 the economy had tanked and Vegas was suffering a 40% drop in tourism. Hotels, restaurants, shows, taxi and limo services were offering really low prices to entice tourists to Vegas to gamble. And I must tell you, it was a hoot to see our names on a placard from the BELLAGIO being held by a chauffeur!
I mentioned in my New Hampshire post that we sometimes enjoy a room with a view. Our room at the Bellagio had quite a different view from the Green Mountains...
The Fountains of Bellagio are the best thing to see for FREE in Las Vegas. And in your room the synchronized music is provided on the hotel TV channel.
If you stay at the Bellagio you should have a room with a view of the fountains and the Paris hotel across the strip. This is the only city in America that gets brighter when the sun goes down!
The view inside the Bellagio is spectacular as well. All floral displays are 100% fresh flowers and plants.
We were there the week of Easter and the Bellagio was all dressed up for the holiday!
Walking a "few blocks" in Las Vegas is nothing like any other city. A city block here is huge, as it has to encompass an enormous hotel, retail and casino property. We walked The Strip, officially Las Vegas Boulevard, from the Wynn to Mandalay Bay...fortunately there are plenty of places to stop and sit (in front of slot machines) and have a cool drink.
During our walking tour of The Strip, we briefly visited the other hotels and discovered one thing to be true...
Andrew was right!
The Bellagio was the only hotel for us. The Wynn, Encore, Venetian and Palazzo were all nice hotels, but much to my dismay the flowers and plants were artificial! HORRORS! (Of those 4, I would choose the Venetian.)
Among the images that come to mind when people think of Las Vegas are the bargain BUFFETS. As you may know, "feeding at the public trough" is not my idea of a good time. On the other hand, Guy loves a buffet and we do try to immerse ourselves in the local culture...so, I sucked it up and we went to 2 buffets. Of course, these were the best of Vegas Buffets, according to Frommer's.
Our first night we had dinner(?) at the Bellagio Buffet. The array of food here is unbelievable with unexpected ethnic cuisine from every corner of the world. The Seafood Line was the big draw...when the Alaskan King Crab was brought out from the Fish Kitchen it was like a wave at Turner Field! My husband enjoyed the melee of food and diners. I watched the people...oh my word!
The next morning we headed across The Strip to the Paris hotel for Frommer's Best Breakfast Buffet,
Le Village Buffet.
And it was a lovely village setting with separate stations inside Disneyesque Paris shops, divided according to the regions of France. I did enjoy this breakfast, mainly because I had only those things prepared fresh-to-order while I watched. I did not eat those items that had been sitting out, for others to touch, at all. And so I survived the Vegas Buffet...twice!
This is probably due to the influx of celebrity chefs creating outposts of their famous restaurants inside these massive hotels.
When we visit each state we try to have at least one remarkable dining experience. In Las Vegas we had 3 extraordinary and 2 fabulous meals.
Jackpot!
Let me start with the 2 fabulous meals...
Olives
inside the Bellagio
Border Grill
inside Mandalay Bay
After returning from Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, we were ready for a nice meal. Luckily right inside our hotel, a branch of Todd English's original Boston-based restaurant, Olives, had a reservation in our name. If there were an Olives in Atlanta, we would eat there often. This was delicious and the least expensive meal we had in Vegas. Complimentary focaccia bread, olives and tapenade are served and then we split a flatbread. EXCELLENT!
The day we walked The Strip, we found ourselves inside Mandalay Bay in time for a late lunch. The Border Grill was just what we needed...a branch of the much-lauded L.A. restaurant, conceived and run by the Food Network's "Two Hot Tamales," Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The chiles rellenos and chilaquiles were delicious. Be sure to save room for the dense but fluffy Mexican chocolate-cream pie with a meringue crust. MARVELOUS!
The day we walked The Strip, we found ourselves inside Mandalay Bay in time for a late lunch. The Border Grill was just what we needed...a branch of the much-lauded L.A. restaurant, conceived and run by the Food Network's "Two Hot Tamales," Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The chiles rellenos and chilaquiles were delicious. Be sure to save room for the dense but fluffy Mexican chocolate-cream pie with a meringue crust. MARVELOUS!
Before I tell you about our 3 remarkable meals, I would like to mention two other dining options inside the Bellagio. The Bellagio Cafe, open 24 hours at the time, served an excellent breakfast in a beautiful setting. (It is right beside the "botanical" gardens.)
This is Pedro, one of the Bellagio's horticulturalists. On Good Friday morning, while having an early breakfast, we watched him glue fresh cherry blossoms onto a cherry tree.
He explained, "This indoor tree dropped it's blossoms two weeks ago, and we are expecting 2000 guests on Sunday for Easter Brunch."
If you are awake around 7:00 in the morning, wander around the Bellagio, towards the Wedding Chapel. You will have the opportunity to meet members of the floral design team. This unique arrangement, with tiny glass vases, was just installed by Alice and Rhoda. It was just outside the Art Museum.
The other dining option I would like to mention is, Jean-Philippe Patisserie, with the world's largest chocolate fountain.
It is the home of World Pastry Champion, Jean-Philippe Maury. (Yes, there are gold medals for pastry.) And while there for breakfast one morning, we met him! This place will make you swoon, both visually and gastronomically. We had perfect croissants with housemade butter and strawberry preserves. The handmade chocolates were divine, but I believe my favorite was a beautiful, miniature lemon meringue pie. (See it in the photo below!)
Now for the 3 truly remarkable dining destinations...
BOA
inside Caesar's Palace
Alizé
at the top of The Palms Casino Resort
at the top of The Palms Casino Resort
Picasso
inside the Bellagio
BOA is a perfect steakhouse in a simple contemporary setting. A welcome respite from the visual onslaught that is Las Vegas. No matter what piece of BEEF you order here, it will be outstanding. Be prepared to choose a sauce, a rub or a crust for your steak. You will have some very interesting choices for accompaniments...try the Truffle Mac & Cheese and Garlic Cauliflower with Sauce Mornay! Again, we have to thank Andy for this recommendation.
As you can see in the photo of the Alizé dining room, this restaurant has a spectacular view of Las Vegas. When you go, make your reservations early, like 5:30! (There is NOT an early bird special.) But there will be quite a show as the sun sets, the lights come up and the helicopters return from the Hoover Dam tours.
Unlike other great restaurants in Vegas, the chef/owner is here carefully overseeing this magnificent
culinary operation. We decided to indulge in the Chef's Tasting Menu...seven courses of the chef's choosing. Trust us, you will not be disappointed! This was ridiculously delicious, and one of our top 5 dining experiences...EVER!
Alaskan King Crab Salad
Lotus Root, Fava Beans, Avocado and Wasabi Puree
Black Truffle and Spinach Salad
Warm Duck Confit, Toasted Brioche and Sunnyside Quail Egg
Pan Seared Foie Gras
Sour Plum Caramel, Pistachio Mousse, Hybiscus Froth and Fresh Sorrel
Caper Crusted Alaskan Halibut
Asparagus Salad, Purple Yams and Truffle Egg Emulsion
Grilled Rib Eye
Chayote Squash, Baby Cauliflower, Fingerling Potato Hash and Juniper Beef Jus
Westfield Farms Classic Blue Goat Cheese
Black Grape Preserve and Candied Macadamia Nut Baked Puff Pastry
Dessert Tasting
Carrot Cake with Ginger Brulee
Hazelnut Marquis and Chocolate Custard
Pineapple Fritter with Macadamia Caramel Ice Cream
Finally, on our last evening in Las Vegas we had dinner at Picasso. We were seated at the best table in the house, a table for two on a balcony overlooking the fountains. Wonderful, until we finished our cocktails and the fountain show began. A nice desert breeze coupled with the spray meant we were going to be drenched! Fortunately, we still had our giant menus, we used those as umbrellas while the servers quickly moved us inside to a window table.
Now this was the best table in the house...30 million dollars worth of Picasso paintings and sculpture look over your shoulder while you dine! Not to mention the fabulous fresh flower arrangements vying for your attention. Julian Serrano, the chef, was persuaded to move here from San Francisco and Las Vegas should thank him regularly!
Some of you may know that I collect menus. Many of these menus are framed and hanging in our dining room (and spilling into the kitchen.) Picasso's menu (above) is part of the framed collection. This one has no signature from the chef because NO ONE disturbs the chef while he is creating.
And on that note, I will end this first post from Nevada. Next time...
Hoover Dam and the Shows
NOTE: We took all of these photos except the photo of the Alizé dining room and the collage photo of the food at Border Grill. (Those 2 are from each restaurant's website.)
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