What Happens in Vegas Pt 1

DB
Okada

This blog is strictly for the Washington DC area and Charlottesville, VA. However, the past 48 hours in Vegas was filled with more food than I've had in a month, including one of the most famous burgers in the country. I feel it's my civic duty to let you in on the scoop, and so with little fanfare I present a Foodie's Tour of Las Vegas. With pictures!

Vegas has an occasionally deserved reputation for being gaudy and fake, a den of sin, or a location reserved for bachelor parties or business conventions. I'd like you to put aside all those preconceived believes about Vegas and its buffets and indulge me in a whirlwind tour of some of the finest food in the world.

First, it should be noted that nearly every celebrity chef has opened up multiple restaurants in Las Vegas. Food Network favorites Emeril (hey!......Butternut squash) Bobby and Mario, Top Chef Head Judge Tom "This is inedible" Collichio and occasional guest judge Daniel Boulud, Wolfgang Puck (although he's everywhere nowadays), Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Nobu Matsuhisa, Todd English...the list goes on and on and on, with many of these chefs having 2 or 3 restaurants in Vegas. The city has now become the center for shopping and spas, and as a result dining, and each billion-dollar casino is looking to grab that next exclusive chef. And while some (*ahem* Wolfgang) have whored themselves out, others have retained the integrity of cooking that they're known for in New York, Paris, and elsewhere. The prices, however, have been doubled.

Second, these chefs are the best of the best in Vegas, but that doesn't mean there isn't amazing high-end food for, well, less money. Not cheap, but not $100/person. These places range from little cafes scattered throughout the hotel, to Asian noodle shops catering to the Japanese 3 A.M. gamblers, and yes, to the buffets.

So what to do when you're only in town for a few days? Pick your food according to your budget. Just don't expect any of it to be dirt cheap eats. Onwards, to reviews:

Fine Dining


The Wynn - the Wynn hotel (Steve Wynn's namesake, after his previous hotels such as The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, and others) is home to dozens of restaurants. But it is Daniel Boulud that brings the Foodie crowds. The chef is single handedly responsible for the Gourmet Burger Trend which has given restaurants around the world the license to charge outrageous prices for a hunk of ground beef. The DB burger was originally introduced at Daniel's NYC flagship, and can be yours for the low low price of $40 in Vegas. What does a DB burger consist of? Start with the highest quality ground beef and stuff it - with more beef. Short ribs, to be exact. Top it with some foie gras, some truffles, and put it on a Parmesan bun with lettuce and tomato. Has your heart stopped yet? Mine did three bites in. It was enough meat to make me a vegetarian. My blood actually slowed a little.
Of course, that's not all there is on the menu. Appetizers include a kampachi (yellow tail from Hawaii), plenty of steakhouse salads, and a lobster bisque provencal poured tableside. And for dessert, a chocolate hazelnut mini cake trumps all. Avoid the pistacho and raspberry tart - it's lacking in the depth of flavors which characterizes DB, it's bland, and it's just not as exciting as the rest of the meal. Of course you'll be ordering all three courses. DB at the Wynn offers an early bird prix fixe menu, so get in on the deal.

If Bistro isn't your fancy, stop reading this blog every casino has plenty of Asian options. Okada at the Wynn takes the cake, offering fabulous food, fabulous sake, and a fabulous view. With all of the Japanese favorites, including a deliciously extensive robatayaki menu, you'll find something to love. Can't decide? Do the prix fixe - a delicious tasting of sushi and other favorites. They'll do a wine pairing, but who cares? Okada is known for its sake! Ask and you shall receive - our sommelier was in the back trying different sakes before our food as it was brought out, and she was pretty much the most adorable thing on earth. The view is of one of the Wynn's many waterfalls, and at night the colored lights are simply perfect. Order a few courses or just a ton of a la carte - either way, expect great things.