rjwong

On my last vacation back in Oct., I make it a habit to visit JP Maury's Patisserie to have a crepe (sometimes) and some pastries (always):

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand) On my last night of my vacation (Monday), I had dinner at Robuchon’s more “casual” restaurant, L’Atelier. Views of the restaurant L’AMUSE-BOUCHE : L’avocat en crème onctueuse sur un fondant de légumes acidulé Vegetable fondant topped with a delicate avocado cream LA COQUILLE SAINT JACQUES : La noix crue, marinée au confit de citron Fresh scallop marinated with a lemon dressing LES HUITRES : De Kussi pochées dans leur coquille au beurre salé Poached baby kussi oysters with French “Echiré” salted butter L’ŒUF : Cocotte et sa crème légère de champignons Egg cocotte topped with a light mushroom cream LE FOIE GRAS : En parfait, confit de poire, figues fraîche Sauternes flavored foie gras parfait, pear confit, fresh figs and ginger LE SAUMON : Mi-fumé avec des tortillons de concombre à l’aigre-doux Slightly smoked salmon served warm with sweet and sour cucumber strips LA CAILLE : Farcie de foie gras et caramélisée, pomme purée truffée Free-range quail stuffed with foie gras and served with truffled-mashed potatoes LA FRAISE : En jus de fruit glacé, streusel croustillant Strawberry “milkshake” and sorbet, crunchy streusel Tea LES FRUITS EXOTIQUES : En sorbet, velouté et moelleux chocolat, confit de citron Exotic fruit sorbet, chocolate cream and biscuit, lemon confit L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon This seemed weird to me at first: The lighting was such that when I was taking pictures of my meal, my camera didn’t need any flash. It was as though Robuchon knew that there would be diners like me who want to take some photos.

On Sunday night, this was my birthday dinner at Restaurant Guy Savoy: Outside the restaurant My place setting Surrounding views Foie gras sandwich on a skewer I was nibbling on my sandwich while a young lady was explaining the selections from: The champagne cart Wine list with its own portable stand Celery root soup & crab appetizer Oyster mixed with creme fraiche Bread cart Colors of caviar with seaweed bread Lobster Dover sole with snow peas White truffle risotto Foie gras with jus de canard Probably the best dish of my entire meal. It tasted so illegal ... Artichoke & black truffle soup, mushroom brioche topped with truffle butter Poussin stuffed with black truffles, black truffled mashed potatoes Then Franck Savoy asked me, “Would like some more mashed potatoes?” Cheese cart My cheese selections Dessert amuse-bouche Pineapple tuile filled with carmelized popcorn Chocolate fondant with chicory cream Organic Earl Grey tea Dessert cart My dessert selections Indoor patio area La fin As I was leaving the restaurant, I was offered a chartreuse candy. Normally, chartreuse would be sipped. Instead, it was in candy form.

It’s Sunday morning and I got up and did Breakfast Américaine at Bouchon: Sausages, bacon, eggs to order, toasted brioche Cheese danish Orange juice, water, butter, jam, & pommes frites (yes, for breakfast, thank you) It was fine for what it is. Fortunately, I got up early enough to have breakfast there because Bouchon closed from 10 a.m. to noon for a private party.

All dressed up on a Sat. night and I had dinner at Alain Ducasse’s Mix Restaurant on the 64th floor of Mandalay Bay. Try not to look down through the glass elevator ... Reception desk for Mix (on the ground level) and entrance to THEHotel at Mandalay Bay Table setting Views of the restaurant Bread basket with butter and homemade peanut butter (left) Terrine of beef short rib with a layer of foie gras, pickled vegetables Lobster Caesar salad, Romaine spears, tomato confit, quail egg Cod prepared two ways: poached in cream (bottom) and prepared in butter sauce Duck breast and a duck thigh prepared sous vide, topped with an unsweetened chocolate sauce Pina colada with a warm coconut froth Chocolate tart with coffee sorbet Madeleine, warm from the oven, with hazelnut sauce for dipping I was informed by my server that there is a five-course tasting menu at Mix for $95. Apparently, other guests have brought this issue to the management’s attention. I was told that casino corporation is centralizing their reservation process and as a result, the reservationists do not have the needed information from the restaurant to answer guests’ questions accurately.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris, Las Vegas) I had a Sat. lunch at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. As you'll see, beautiful views, and the food was decent. Open kitchen As you go up the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the door opens and you see the kitchen. A few more views of the restaurant: Gorgeous view of the Fountains of Bellagio from my table Egg flan appetizer Roasted beet salad Braised center of halibut with scalloped potatoes and haricots verts Crème brulée

On Sat. morning of my vacation, I went to Bouchon’s Bakery. Bouchon has a bakery with a separate location at the Venetian. The apple tart was great. Bouchon Bakery

Andre’s Restaurant (Downtown Las Vegas) On Fri. night, I had a wonderfully traditional, classic French dinner at Andre’s in downtown Las Vegas. Here are a few photos: View from my table Amuse-bouche Escargots de Bourgogne Phyllo Wrapped Baked Anjou Pear and Roquefort Cheese on Lolla Rossa with Spicy Walnuts and Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette Entr’acte: Sorbet of the Day 2 lb. Live Maine Lobster Thermidor Lemon tart Tea Mignardise The restaurant is away from the Strip and all the hubbub. My dining experience was very relaxing. My waiter was American with an American accent. Mind you, the service was fine. Do not expect ze waiters to speak with ze French accent, non??

Jason, Las Vegas Discussion Thread Index Basically, any of the restaurants recommended apply during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the other holidays. WARNING: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the other holidays will have LONG lines, unless you made reservations or you have comps. And we're talking two hours minimum, waiting at the Bellagio Buffet, for example. If you're staying at TI, do you have one of the player's card? You might be able to make reservations at one of the other nicer casinos (MGM, Bellagio, etc.) and avoid the lines. Are buffets okay? Or do you want full sit-down service? I hope things work out well for you during Thanksgiving.

Last week, I went to Rizzo's Pizzeria in Torrance to see FN do some filming for Chris's LA episode. Here are a few photos: Yes, I'm on film! I had to make that plate of calzone last for at least two hours as they were filming. Eating, pretending to eat, not looking into the camera ... The filming session lasted about four to six hours and that was a short session, so I was told ... Chris & the crew of Hungry Detective Thank you, Chris et al., for my big show biz break! Please PM me how the final edit looks.

JoshEKG, Welcome to eGullet Society, California forum!! Sorry, I'm not much help with Chinese food on the Westside. I live over in Glendale and I'm about 15 minutes away from Chinatown. I do recall from driving along Wilshire Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. (over on the Westside) that there are some "Chinese Chinese restaurants." I suspect that they may be more Cantonese-style food. Scallion pancakes tends to be more Northern Chinese. Of course, there is that pseudo-Chinese place called Chinois on Main. Eating dinner there on Chinese New Year (Year of the Dog) was an experience!

Shhh .... one last post from me before Pizzeria Mozza actually opens for the public ... Pizzeria Mozza Check out their menu. They're serving more than just pizza. Antipasti, Bruschette, Insalate, Carne, Panini, and Piatti del Giorno. And of course, "Save some room for DESSERT" Even though Mario Batali's name is included in this venture, it's really Nancy Silverton's restaurant. Osteria Mozza will open soon. Los Angeles bureaucracy is winning right now. I hope to post some photos once the place finally opens.

http://www.oldeportinn.com/ Here's the link to the Olde Port Inn restaurant.

I can speak to the Cantonese side of deep frying. At home, not much deep frying. Most of the Cantonese deep fried foods I remember would be egg rolls, fried wontons, jin duey (sesame balls with sweet bean filling), Chinese doughnuts (fried bread) with rice congee, whole fried chicken, spicy shrimp, fried calamari. All these things I would eat at a restaurant, rarely at home. I agree with bavila: there needs to be a qualifier.

Bobbo, thank you for your clarification. I agree with Carolyn that your "new yorker approach" remark was a really loaded statement to me, a foodie from LA-LA Land. The whole California cuisine influence (Alice Waters, Chez Panisse, etc.) is alive and well on the Left Coast. "The freshest, local, seasonal produce, simply prepared ..." FYI A restaurant is going to open up in SB called The Hungry Cat. The original is here in Hollywood, operated by David Lentz, husband of Suzanne Goins (Lucques, A.O.C.). In answering your question, you might want to keep your eye on this place and see what kind of reception the Hungry Cat gets in Santa Barbara. To me, SB still seems to be a college town, and great place for a day trip from LA. Were you also thinking of the surrounding areas (i.e., Montecito)?

Chris, I'll see you there!! Do I need the super secret password to get in?

eatrustic ... WAIT ONE MOMENT, PLEASE!! I've been keeping close track on the opening situation. Unfortunately, I was out of town for a few days and just got back this afternoon. I'll find out tomorrow. The place looks nice. The entrance is on Highland (north-south) with a huge window to look in. I was told that they're doing a few test runs, private parties, etc. and may not be open to the public ... yet ... Mind you, once Mozza Pizzeria is open to the public, it won't be a soft opening. UPDATE: I decided to check out the place tonight. As of Oct. 31, 2006, Mozza Pizzeria is NOT open!! I went by the place and there's a sign by the door which says: COMING SOON! At this point, the only reliable written source of when Mozza will open is the Los Angeles Times Food Section, and, of course, eGullet Society California forum.

Ling & Lo ... on the road? Are you two ready for a TV series? You might want to try a Chinese place in NYC, more for an afternoon snack. To me, it's good to be able to compare and contrast ethnic cuisines from different parts of the country/world. I hope Pan chimes in on some recommendations.

On my next trip to Las Vegas, which starts this Friday 27 Oct., I plan to eat at French restaurants. For dinner, I'll be eating at these places: André's (downtown Las Vegas) Mix Restaurant Guy Savoy L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon I've already made my reservations for these restaurants. I decided to make a reservation at Alain Ducasse's Mix at Mandalay Bay. I heard mix reviews about Mix (pun intended). Yes, I heard the place looks gorgeous. And yes, I heard that the prices are high for what you get. Basically, I'm a type of person who wants to find things out for myself. So, I'll find out soon enough ... Since I already ate at Joël Robuchon at the Mansion back in April, I'll be going to Guy Savoy for my birthday dinner. And to help jog my memory about Robuchon, I'll be eating at L'Atelier. I know that one eGulleteer already ate at both Guy Savoy and Robuchon at the Mansion. So, the comparisons and contrasts will be forthcoming. During the day, I'll probably eat something light at Bouchon, Jean-Philippe Patisserie and Paris Las Vegas, if I'm not stuffed from my evening meals. I'm afraid that If I'm not careful, I might turn into a puff pastry ...

russ, chicken & waffles definitely work, especially for those Hollywood partyers at 3 a.m., so I've heard ... marlena, was it actually rabbit instead of fried chicken? Pardon me for bringing up the obvious question: Does it taste like chicken?

Crass? You?? ← Like a hockey puck for a hockey player, I set myself up for that remark, ehh?? Stay tuned! A. ← Now that your trip is over, I'm ready for your answer, Arne. For a novice walker like me, how many miles/km a day would you recommend? The way you & J. had your trip planned, it seems like you got the best of both worlds: Paris & large cities to try the major fine dining restaurants; the local villages to taste le terroir ... If possible, without getting off topic too much, about how much was your trip? How much more would it have been if you rented a car and/or purchase rail passes? Was the savings worth an extra nice meal and/or more cheese to take back to Canada? Encore, merci beaucoup, mon ami ... P.S. What goodies did you bring back, Arne?

A walking tour of France? I never thought of that!! Pardon me for being so crass, but money-wise, did you find that with a walking tour, you had a better connection to the French people, their culture, their cuisine, ..le terroir... ? Is autumn a better time to visit, or perhaps spring? And you can answer this question towards the end of your trip: Which did you like better, the city or the countryside? And why?

Pardon the inquisition, Josh ... Did the champagne cart come with a price list? Did the restaurant have a wine pairing? Did your party order any wine? If so, was it one bottle each, of white and of red? Were you "encouraged" into having the more expensive bottles? How did the sommelier & staff treat you? Did you have to speak French? If you haven't noticed, I'm starting to get really excited about my trip and my birthday dinner at Guy Savoy. Thanks, again!!

FYI Reign Restaurant no longer exists, Robyn. The only Black executive chef that I've met is Robert Gadsby. Note that I didn't say African-American, because Robert Gadsby grew up in England. Here's Robert Gadsby's biography on the Noé website. Chef Gadsby's style is not Southern or soul food. Instead, it's New American with an Asian aesthetic. And he was Sous Chef under Thomas Keller at Checkers Hotel (before The French Laundry). I'm surprised that I don't hear his name more.

Josh, no truffles for dessert?? Thank you for your report. You just raised my expectation level. I'll be having dinner at Guy Savoy at the end of the month for my birthday. BTW, I ate at Robuchon at the Mansion back in April. The comparisions and contrasts will be forthcoming. You said that your table decided to go a la carte. Now that you had your dinner, would you have still gone with their 9-course tasting menu? I'll report back in Nov. Again, thanks!!