rjwong

[excited kid]... I DO, I DO ...[/excited kid] But you'll have to wait. I'm leaving for Las Vegas this weekend. I'll be back next week. In the meanwhile, what cuisines do you NOT want? How adventurous are you? Do you want to try the best restaurant at each of the casinos? Do you want something off the Strip? When you say, "We are not on a budget," is $500 (five hundred dollars USD) per person okay? Just a few questions to think over ... I hope this helps.

Thanks orangeman. The info helps a lot. At the MGM, you'll probably make L'Atelier your big splurge meal of the trip. Shibuya is a Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar. I had their omakase (chef's choice) sushi dinner for $100. That was about 12 orders of sushi and sashimi that the sushi chef puts together. Don't worry: they have cooked Japanese food as well. If you want to go for a "popular" restaurant, there is Emeril's ... At the Bellagio, try Sensi. They serve four different cuisines and their water-themed decor has an open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant. Fix has good food and it's more hip and trendy. You can see that from their website. For dessert, definitely go to Jean-Philippe Maury Patisserie with their world-class pastries. At Caesar's, mind you, there is a new dessert place called Payard Patisserie, which I am going to check-out. At the Wynn Resort, Daniel Boulud Brasserie is one of the best meals I had in 2007. Admittedly, the friends who treated me there knows the chef de cuisine and one of the servers. So they prepared a meal that was off the menu. I'm going back there and order from the regular menu. They do have an early prix fixe dinner for $48. Besides Rosemary's, consider Lotus of Siam that's also off the Strip on Sahara Blvd., about a mile away from the Hilton. For something more casual in Henderson, there's Settebello, pizzeria napoletana, on Horizon Ridge & Valley Verde. It's located in a plaza with a Middle Eastern falafel place and Valley Cheese and Wine, owned by my friends who treated me at DB Brasserie. IMO, it's worth the detour when the Strip becomes a bit much. I hope this helps. I'll have more current info once I get back. I heard the new Palazzo has opened. I'll be checking out the restaurants there.

orangeman747, I'll be in Las Vegas in less than a week (I can hardly wait). I'll be more than willing to help you out, but if you would answer the questions I posted previously, that would be greatly appreciated. I'll have some answers for you in a couple of weeks.

Hi orangeman747. I was in Las Vegas in Aug. and Nov. 2007 and will be going there in two weeks. I think I can help you ... First, how much are you et al. planning to spend per person? L'Atelier has a 9-course tasting menu for about $139, last time I checked. Second, what kinds of cuisines do people like and/or DON'T like? Steak & shrimp cocktails? Asian? French? Italian? Seafood? Ethnic? Third, where are you staying? Depending on where you're staying, I (and others) can help you find places that are more close-by, unless you want to drive all over the area and off the Strip. The food at L'Atelier is really good. Back in Nov., I ordered the beef with lots of peppercorn that was excellent. I also saw and talked with Chef Robuchon himself. Picasso was a fine place. The food is nothing adventurous. Seeing the Fountains of Bellagio adds to a nice experience. Bouchon, I haven't been there recently. I heard different things. Check out the various Las Vegas threads. That should give you an idea of everyone's preferences. I suspect that others will chime in later. And when I get back from Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, you can ask me some more questions, if you wish. Enjoy!

Jason, why are you afraid?? Fear not! Instead, we should be afraid of this heavy storm tonight. I'm not going out tonight, thank you. Okay, here's my report. About a couple of weeks before Christmas, I dropped off some presents over to my sister's place. Afterwards, I decided to drop by South Coast Plaza and eat at Marche Moderne. By around 6:00 p.m., the place was almost full. I managed to snatch a spot over at the bar. I ordered the tagine of scallops. As an appetizer, the portion was huge! And it tasted wonderful with the Moroccan/North African seasonings. For my entree, I had the beef ribs, that was served in that cast iron container. Along with the beef, I drank a 3 oz. glass of Bourgogne. Everything tasted so delicious! I would agree with Irene's three-star rating. Jason, have you tried the new brasserie, Comme Ca, on Melrose, across the street from Lucques?? That place seems a bit similiar to Marche Moderne. When you get a chance, please give Comme Ca a try. I would like to hear your thoughts about that brasserie, in comparison to Marche Moderne.

C'mon Russell, aren't you going to give us your thoughts on the meal?? The tagine dish looks like their scallops and I can see the short ribs pretty clearly, but what was the other dish? ← I can't sneak one past you, ehh Alex?? The first food photo was ... bread and butter ... You got everything else correct.

Thank you, John! You are a gentleman and a doctor ... a dining doctor indeed ... Mind you, there is one shortcoming on your part: I haven't seen you post any dining reports from Los Angeles area restaurants. IMHO, Los Angeles does have a few good restaurants, and I hope that you will take the opportunity to dine over in my part of the world (Yes, a little self-interest on my part) ... Again, thank you, John, and Happy Dining!!

Shhh ... Happy New Year, everyone!! Here are some photos from Marché Moderne, from behind the “Orange Curtain” (i.e., Orange County, California) ... shhh ...

Thank you for the report, Barbara! Bouchon seems to be improving. Would you say that they had their "A-team" working that evening? Admittedly, we would have to eat there regularly to see whether Bouchon is consistently good or not. Sounds like your husband ordered the creme brulee and you tasted it for him ... Perhaps the staff at DB didn't want to remind you that you are ... uhh ... never mind ... At Delmonico's, did the creamed spinach have a certain raw garlic taste to it? That's how it tasted to me when I went there.

Thanks, Eliot! I found the Apr. 2007 article here :

check out Sensi at the Bellagio...wide variety of cuisine...Ducasse complimented that chef as one to watch ← Eliot, were you talking with Ducasse or did you read it somewhere? What else did he say? BTW I second Sensi. Four different cuisines, an open kitchen in the center and a water-themed decor. And if anyone wants dessert, J-P Maury Patisserie at the Bellagio ...

I'll be going there in Jan. You'll be there before me. So, you're the man!! Give us a report when you get back!!

M&M, Bryan, thanks for your comments re: Picasso. Having eaten there back in Nov., I would have to agree about the food and service. And MCM's comparison to Andre's: I would have to agree as well. The main difference between Picasso and Andre's is that Picasso has newer decor ... and the fountains, of course. And Andre's has been in downtown for decades. M&M, how would you define "not warm enough and coherent," and "too fake and 'trained'"?? With restaurant service, I understand that there's an art in being professional without being too casual. A server should be polite and pleasant, but not act like "my good buddy" or constantly asking questions during my dining experience. As for Robuchon, I felt that the service was very fine, precise and professional. Mind you, as for Guy Savoy, they add an element of fun and enjoyment that doesn't take away from the professionalism. Perhaps, GS would be more to your liking?? M&M, if you would respond to my question, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Perhaps too late for this year, but as a New Year's resolution, and in order to facilitate a more appealing choice for next year, I'd suggest you broaden your circle of friends to include somebody that has a livelier and more sophisticated spot for entertaining. And then help him/her to throw a party. Have your party begin at 11pm, so that everybody's not all partied out as the big hour approaches, and so that other folks can arrive from less-wonderful parties in people's basements in New Jersey. Start with classy appetizers and then the champagne at midnight, followed up by a smashing breakfast buffet. ← Jaymes, who says it's too late for Bryan to have a NYE party/NYD breakfast this year?? Bryan just needs to find a place to cook that's not at home or suburban New Jersey. Easy, right??

Barbara, I've been to L'Atelier a few times and the portions aren't that tiny. Probably the pictures you saw may be part of a nine-course tasting menu. The small portions do add up and I would consider myself a pretty good eater. The last time I ate there (Nov. 2007), I ordered a peppercorn steak from their a la carte menu and it was a nice size piece of meat that tasted great. And I got to meet Chef Robuchon himself!! "What to do?", you said? Please reconsider L'Atelier. In terms of food, I consider it one of the best fine dining values in Las Vegas. If lots of money comes your way, definitely eat at Guy Savoy. Off the Strip, there's Rosemary's on W. Sahara Blvd. Of course, call first to find out their holiday hours. And enjoy!!

Colleen, just in case you may not know. Two sources of information you should become familiar with are: Los Angeles Times Food Section. It comes out every Wednesday and it's one of the few reasons I read the LA Times. Russ Parsons is one of the food writers and he posts on eGullet regularly. LA Weekly. It comes out every Thursday, and Jonathan Gold is the first and only Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic, period. And he lives in New York Los Angeles ... Check out his restaurant list called "Gold's 99" or something like that. On that list includes not only the high-end places but also the local neighborhood places as well. Lots of ethnic restaurants too.

jbzepol, my response to your question is located in the thread, "Dining in Las Vegas." Please click here.

My fiancee and I will be getting married in Vegas this January ('08). Thus far we have reservations at L'Atelier and Picasso with an eye toward Wing Lei and Bouchon for breakfast. Any recommendations as to which fine dining establishments offer 3 courses for around $40.00? ← jbzepol, Congratulations to you and your fiancee!! Will Elvis be at your wedding? Huh, back to dining ... It's only a quick check, but the closest thing I could find was a three-course prix fixe menu at Boulud for $48, if you dine before 7:00 p.m. You might want to check Sensi or Fix, both at the Bellagio. Let me get back with you on that. By the way, I'll be in Las Vegas in January as well, during the MLK weekend. If you wish, we can say "hello." Anyways, enjoy your time in Las Vegas!! And Elrushbo, you are correct: rjwong was at Bradley Ogden back in Aug. And I recommend that restaurant.

Mea culpa!! Bu hao, bu hao!! I made a big mistake!! Yujean Kang's on N. Raymond in Old Pasadena. They serve gourmet Chinese cuisine. I ate there once. It wasn't bad, pretty good. I ordered the tea smoked duck. It was a bit dry for my taste. It's a small-to-medium sized restaurant, maybe about 50 people. The restaurant is a little accommodating to American diners. Mind you, I tend to be "traditional & authentic" about Chinese cuisine, whatever that means. If you have to stay in Pasadena, go ahead and try Yujean Kang's. As for me, I'll drive the extra 15 minutes further into San Gabriel Valley, which Pasadena is a part of anyways.

Another suggestion Sea Harbor in Rosemead for cantonese food. ← Thanks, SG-. I've been there twice and that place is very good. The decor looks expensive and so are the prices, compared to Chinese hole-in-the-walls. BTW From the same intersection of Los Robles Ave. & Colorado Blvd., the distance is just over 9 miles or about 17 minutes, if you can handle driving for over 15 minutes.

From the intersection of Los Robles & Colorado Blvd. (near City Hall and the Paseo Colorado shopping center), your friend can drive about seven miles or about fifteen minutes to Alhambra, Monterey Park or Arcadia for great Chinese food: Triumphal Palace on 500 W. Main St. in Alhambra (That's where we ate dim sum, Pan!) NBC Seafood on 404 S. Atlantic in Monterey Park Din Tai Fung on 1108 S. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia And driving fifteen minutes in Southern California is nothing!! Mind you, to answer your question, I don't know of any good Chinese places in Pasadena.

Colleen, How do you define a "positive work environment"? You say that you're a recent culinary graduate. Have you asked around your culinary school, your instructors, your classmates, etc.? What kind of restaurant are you thinking of? Independent high-end? Local neighborhood? And what kind of cuisine? New American? Oh, I see you mentioned the Four Seasons & Wilshire Restaurant. Have you been to both places? If you haven't, I would suggest that you do some research, by going to those places you would like to work at, as a regular diner, several times. Is there a high turnover at that restaurant? Is there a certain chef you want to work under and learn from? Do you have a goal or a dream? Start your own restaurant? How big? 50 covers? 100? 200? Pardon the inquisition, Colleen. These are just a few questions that I hope you've at least asked yourself and/or thought about, as well as other questions. Have you considered the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington? I know chef Craig Strong is a very good chef. Mind you, that particular Ritz-Carlton got sold to new owners and I don't know what plans the new owners may have regarding the restaurants there ... If you can give a little more info, others might be able to help you out. And good luck in your search!!

Eric, I was looking all over the Bellagio website and couldn't find the information you're looking for. You just might have to call Jean-Philippe Patisserie directly and ask them. I'm sure arrangements can be made ... for a price ... BTW, I do have an empty J-P chocolate box (4 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.) I can give you for free, if you wish ... I'll be going to Las Vegas in mid-January 2008. Perhaps you can place an order with me, if you live in the Southern California area ...

So, did you make a reservation for Christmas Eve? Would this be a good time to try Marche Moderne or should I wait until after the holidays and order from their regular menu? I suppose they'll be slammed on Christmas Eve and dining at that time will be a bit rushed, ehh??

Rob, thanks for being the guinea pig and eating your way through the Palm Springs / Palm Desert area!! Did you get a chance to look at the two threads I referred to in an earlier post? Those of us in LA & SoCal area already know that Palm Springs is NOT Los Angeles! We just take it for granted that everybody knows, perhaps. "The fast cars, the jet set and fancy meals" that you're referring to is probably in Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, and maybe downtown LA (just signs of it there). Good luck on replicating the Chiles Gueritas Rellenos de Camaron!!