Archive for March, 2008

We discussed Las Vegas dining on my last post. There are so many phenomenal restaurant choices that it is impossible to cover them in one post.  If you are planning a trip to Vegas anytime in the future, you’ll want to refer to these posts for can’t go wrong dining choices.

Let me say that we are “food people”. We enjoy dining out and often plan vacations around restaurants that we want to visit. We spend a lot on dining because it’s important to our experience.  Check out the restaurants for pricing before you go.

A very expensive restaurant that we did not particularly enjoy was Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand.  http://www.mgmgrand.com/dining/joel-robuchon-at-the-mansion-french-restaurant.aspx Joe Robuchon is considered “the chef of the century” and the restaurant was given five stars by Mobil.

We ordered the 16 course tasting menu and were disappointed in several ways.  We totally understood that 16 courses was going to take a long time. We did not have any other plans for the evening. In my opinion, the time between courses needs to be minimized when serving 16 courses. It was long and drawn out because of the excessive time between courses.

We also asked about wine pairing. I understand 16 glasses of wine is not an option but we’ve had experiences that included small 1-2 oz pours or fewer glasses that complement several courses.  Perhaps had it been an option we may not have minded or noticed the time between courses.

I’m no chef unless you consider peanut butter and jelly sandwiches an art form. But I was also disappointed with the food. I  happen to love truffles but the use of this highly sought after underground “fungus” was overdone. Each subsequent course contained more truffles including julienne truffles, truffled lobster, truffle stew, and on and on and on. I’ve ruined my appetite for truffles for a long time.

I absolutely hate it when customers bash us unfairly online. So I want to add that this is just one experience at Joel Robuchon. Many, many people love this restaurant. The Mobil critics gave it the highest five star rating. If you are searching for high end French dining, check it out for yourself and form your own opinion. 

Tina

Las Vegas is a popular destination among travelers.  Although TAN hosts a home property on South Las Vegas Boulevard many travelers also visit Vegas on business.  I consider myself a Las Vegas dining expert.  In fact, Mobil should hire me to rate their restaurants.

The amazing thing about Vegas is that the best chefs in the world are all competing for my business.  This type of competition creates amazing culinary experiences around every corner.

On my most recent trip, we visited Aureole at Mandalay Bay. http://www.aureolelv.com/

The staff was so warm, friendly and fun.  The sommelier brings a flat laptop type computer to the table for wine selection.  I had as much fun applying the filters to the wine list as my kids have playing Wii.  First I choose red, then Italy, then a region.  Then the wine steward helped us make a final selection- a 2001 Barbaresco. 

If that wasn’t a hoot.  The next step is even better.  A skinny girl in black pants (“a wine angel”) is attached to a harness and hoisted into the air to retrieve my chosen bottle from the 4 story high glass walled temperature controlled wine skyscraper which contains 9865 bottles.

The wine service is top notch.  Our sommelier was knowledgeable but still very approachable; a definite must if you feel timid about selecting a wine.  The pairing was perfect with the chef’s special of the evening; filet topped with foie gras and surrounded with truffles.

If you are visiting Vegas, I highly recommend Aureole.

If you have ever been in a hurry in catch your flight only to be held up at airport security by a family of five with a stroller, car seat, numerous carry ons and liquids totaling more than 3 oz.  Read on, you may approve of the TSA’s latest initiative to speed up airport security lines. 

Denver and Salt Lake City are testing a segregated security line system.  New signs at the security entrance describe three groups of travelers; expert, casual and family.  Travelers are expected to group themselves into three separate lines.

I’ve been behind the family I described above, why would I want to put myself in a line filled with such chaos?  I guess my problem is that I don’t see my own family in such poor light.  My family is the perfect security line family (Or so I think.)

I think we fall in the expert AND family categories.  Each child, (even 4 year old Bridget) carries their own boarding pass through security.  Each person brings one backpack or carry on.  All lip-gloss and other liquids and gels are confiscated during the drive to the airport.  There are no bottles or sip cups, no strollers or car seats.  We don’t smoke so there are no contraband lighters.  The ever-sinister terrorist favorite toenail clipper has long been discarded. We try to select security friendly shoes but fashion does come first, so we’re not always successful in that endeavor.  Our biggest sin is that three of us carry laptops that need to be put in separate bins. 

So what do you think?  The next time I’m approaching the security line which segregated group should I choose?  Eh, don’t answer that.  I’m picking the shortest line and so would you.