06/30/09 - Las Vegas
Monday, 06 July 2009 20:31
Day Two -
Walked through a couple more casinos this morning before lunch, which was at Mon Ami Gabi--nothing too exciting. Good steak frites, but a waitress dropped a bottle of red wine and splattered Vanessa's friend and a fellow at neighboring table. Sucks, but 50% off the bill helped.
The Paris Casino - the floor is supposed to be cobbled like Parisian streets
Did some shopping at the outlets today. Some good finds, but my body was getting confused, repeatedly walking from 72º, air-conditioned stores then back out into the 107º weather, then back in...
After another shower, we went to dinner at Daniel Boulud Brasserie in the Wynn. Another Michelin-rated one-star restaurant, all I remember is the Onion Soup...
The entrance, with a cascading fountain (can't tell in the pic) and reflection pool outside
Charcuterie board (pâte, terrine, confit, smoke and cured meats)
Escargots - burgundy snails, chicken oyster, pommes dauphine (like fancy tater tots)
Onion Soup, made with Guiness, gruyère cheese, and beef shank
Scottish Salmon - Asparagus, Meyer lemon, breakfast radish
Moules Frites - Mussels in bacon, onion, crème fraiche, celery salt
Mignardises - French macaroon, coconut ball, blueberry muffin, apricot gelée
My cousin Dave and his girlfriend Sarah, post-dinner
The Trump Hotel at night (still 97º at 11pm)
Next posting will be about the remainder of the trip--Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park...
06/29/09 - Las VegasTuesday, 30 June 2009 10:51
HOLY HOT! It's 110º here during the day, but fortunately, it cools down in the evening, all the way to 103º... It's not bad though, it's dry, and most places are air conditioned, and you're really not outside that much unless you want to be. Our room at the Trump International Hotel and Tower is really nice. As I understand it, it was originally built as a condo tower, but b/c of the tanking economy, they deemed it more profitable to make it a hotel. There's a kitchenette (Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances), and really nice appointments. Not bad for $89/night.
 Our suite  Bathroom (that's a television in the mirror)
I'll post pictures of the city and stuff a bit later. We had dinner at Alizé at the Palms Hotel. Really nice view, really nice food/service.
The restaurant is on the 56th floor of the Palms Tower
One Michelin Star (2008 & 2009)
The amuse - chevre wrapped in prosciutto, topped with toasted almonds
Prime Beef Carpaccio with Summer Truffle
Seared foie gras with plum foam
Palate cleanser - Berry Espuma Classic French Onion Soup au Gratin
Maine Lobster and Tomato Bisque with Crispy Puff Pastry Duck Confit Salad with Baby Spinach, Quail Egg, truffle vinaigrette
Dessert - mint ice cream in chocolate with dried peppermint (like a fancy Dib)
The view from the restaurant (Rio on left, Caesar's in middle-left, Bellagio in middle-right)
After dinner
En route to Las VegasSunday, 28 June 2009 23:55
I'll be there late Monday afternoon. Scheduled activities for Monday include outlets, staying indoors as much as possible, and dinner at Alizé at the Top of the Palms (one Michelin star). It's been nearly 20 years since I was last in Las Vegas. I'm not a gambler and it's always seemed a little too crazy for me. Now that there are so many fantastic restaurants, I want to see what it's like now. It seems everybody who's "anybody" has a place in Vegas; Joël Robuchon (at the MGM), Thomas Keller (Bouchon), Bobby Flay (Mesa Grill), and Mario Batali (he has several in Vegas). Anyway, I'll post from Vegas when I get there...
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