By Nina Malone
I didn’t care if Elvis was in or out of the building because the only celebs I was eyeing during my recent trips to Vegas were chefs. And that’s trips, plural: I had the good fortune of noshin’ about Sin City twice in a five-week period. That’s winning!
The World Wide Web doesn’t have the bandwidth for me to give props to every amazing morsel and bevvy consumed during my trips. Instead, here’s the best of the best according to this discerning dishie (and Hubs).
Best Appetizer: If I’m ever on death row, this is what I want: Burrata Bruschetta from Mario Batali’s and Joe Bastianich’s gem CARNEVINO in the Palazzo: three, giant, crusty pieces of artisan bread topped with burrata, EVOO, artichokes, pine nuts, and spring peas. In fact, I’ll take a double.
Best Salad: Bam! The Roasted Baby Beets salad with Orange Supremes, Baby Mache, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans and Maple Sherry Vinaigrette at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Grand was the best of all salad worlds. A little of this, a little of that, all bound together by a sweet-tart dressing. Plus you had us at goat cheese.
Best Entrée-Hubs: Batali & Bastianich’s team did it again, this time at the romantic B&B Ristorante in the Venetian. I promise you those were tears in Hubs’ eyes as he tenderly, lovingly savored each bite of Short Rib “al Barolo” with Anson Mills Polenta and Horseradish. He said, bar none, it was the best piece of meat he’s ever eaten. Mention it to him and watch as he gets a far-away look in his eyes ….
Best Entrée-Moi: Believe it or not, we’re not on the Batali & Bastianich payroll even though my pick also hails from B&B. I had burrata and goat cheese, sometimes both, at every dinner, so it’s no surprise Goat Cheese Tortelloni with Dried Orange and Wild Fennel is my winner. The delicate, hand-made tortelloni was soft and luscious, and the orange and fennel were genius touches. I, too, had to dab away a tear when the server took my almost licked-clean plate.
Best Dessert: When you hear-tell that José Andrés’ grandmom’s custard recipe is being used, the only answer to “Dessert?” is “YES!” While the Paellas Del Dia cooked over a giant fire may steal the show at tapas-inspired Jaleo in the Cosmopolitan, Flan al estilio tradicionale de mama Maria con espuma de crema catalana (a classic Spanish custard with Catalan cream and oranges) almost made us forget the other four courses of small plates we’d devoured.
Best Bottle of Wine: Kudos to Robert Sinskey for a fabulous and affordable POV Los Carneros, Napa Valley 2007. Sensually ruby-purple, aromatic and boasting the tannins Hubs and I crave, this blend delivered an explosion of plum, berry and a bit of vanilla. We nabbed this delish deal at Aureole in the Mandalay Bay. More precisely, the “wine angel” scaled the giant tower of vino to pick our bottle for us. I kid you not!
Best Cocktail: Believe it or not, in the bounty that is Las Vegas, my fave cocktail came from a chain called Cheeseburger in the Miracle Mile Shops. On a 90-degree day in the heart of the strip, nothing refreshed quite like a good ol’ Mojito. Or two. Maybe three. I may have lost count ….
Best Beer: I didn’t drink beer often, but when I did, it was at the outrageously festive Hofbräuhaus. A frosty Hofbräu Hefe Weizen was just what the doctor ordered (yet didn’t get me the spanking that comes along with the shot paddle). Fruity and crisp, it delivered what all top-fermented wheat beers should aspire to become.
Best Foodie Event: Bon Appetit’s Kings of Cabernet at Vegas Uncork’d. Seriously, need I say more? Six boutique wines we could never afford presented by winemakers and somms (the in-the-know word for sommelier) at the gorgeous Jasmine restaurant with the Bellagio’s trademark fountains entertaining outside. If there’s a heaven, it must surely look and taste like this event. Want to sample our pick? Break out your wallet and try the Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 (if you can find it).
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas: witness a few extra well-earned pounds that returned home with us. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Would we (or shall I say will we) do it again? You betcha. Viva (burp) Las Vegas.
Want to hit top spots without any hassle? Snag reservations – and earn dining points – at all of the above (except for the super-casual Cheeseburger) throughOpenTable.com. Keep an eye out for 1,000 point times: sometimes eating a little earlier or a little later will grab you extra dining points at the same great restaurants. Winning!
