286855 Fri Jan 12 10:05:39 -0800 2001 5 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1539863 When in NYC my mom gave me loads of back isues of New York Magazine, and I've just finished reading Gael Greene's review of Las Vegas. Sounds like Rome before the fall! I must admit I've been out of her loop for awhile and I think she over-writes but can't agree/disagree since I've no experience with her. Doesn't sound like any of the places in Vegas are particularly 'finds' -- though that is probably not what she is after -- they all sound like Hollywood sets and sequels! I know what you all think of Grimes and I know what I personally think of Ruth "It sucked - four stars" Reichl. But what about Platt? Other? Who's tastes/opinions are realistic and reliable? (besides Chowhounds of course!) Fri Jan 12 10:05:39 -0800 2001 0 magnolia 1 1539866 could somebody do a link? i'd love to see the article Fri Jan 12 11:42:12 -0800 2001 1539863 0 tonya casmo 2 1539867 Tony - I went to the site but found it very difficult to navigate. Ultimately I located the correct issue (November 13 2000), but could't access the article. It was on p. 45, entitled Eating Las Vegas. This is as close as I got (see below). Perhaps it's not loaded yet. Good luck. PS I initially read your handle as 'Tony Casino' - I must have Vegas on the brain! Link: http://www.newyorkmag.com/table_of_content.cfm?issue_id=134 Fri Jan 12 12:17:03 -0800 2001 1539866 0 magnolia 3 1539872 this link goes directly to the article: Link: http://www.newyorkmag.com/page.cfm?page_id=4051 Fri Jan 12 13:28:08 -0800 2001 1539867 0 VHristine DiBona 4 1539908 thank you Sat Jan 13 15:52:18 -0800 2001 1539872 0 tonya casmo 1 1539952 Well, I haven't read the article yet, but I can say that I had the best meals of my life so far in Vegas at Aqua, the new branch of one the top restaurants in Sab Frabcisco. Absolutely amazing all the way through. I started with a divine dish of scallops topped with foie gras and a fig stuffed with foie gras mousse. This was followed by an unusual and simply unforgettable mussel souffle, the piping hot inside covered by the warm puffy souffle, which as I pierced the souffle with my fork, gave way to the creamy rich mussels served with a side of rich butter sauce to be poured into it. This was one of the best dishes I've ever had the pleasure of having. Next up was the loster pot pie, a whole lobster served table side, covered in a puff pastry shell, cut open by the server, giving way to a plethora of steam and savory aromas which rushed out of the pierced pie crust, and then laid upon my plate, first the pie crust, then the lobster and all the aromatic vegetables joined with the pleasing aroma and essence of truffle oil. The most tender lobster I have ever eaten, or devoured for that matter. Every successive bite slightly different from the next. This was followed by the only somewhat misstep in my meal, the monkfish. Although the texture was perfect, tender juicy and slightly undercooked, it had a bit of a displeasing muddy taste which served to make it only good, not great like everything else. But my dinner ended on a true high point. A wonderful dessert of pumpkin souffle, served with eggnog ice cream. The souffle served warm and somewhat suddle, not too sweet, the sweet eggnog ice cream was the perfect accompaniment to lend to it a cold contrasting sweetness that dripped into its open core. Absolutely orgasmic and definitely one of the top 5 desserts I have ever had. As if that weren't enough, we were also served some petit fours of little cookies and sweet chocolates on the house since it was my birthday. This was one of the only restaurant experiences of my life, where I had high expectations going in and Aqua not only lived up to them, but far exceeded them. I've also dined at Olives and Spago's in Vegas. Both are very good, but not as consistent or impressive as Aqua. Tue Jan 16 02:21:15 -0800 2001 1539863 0 SexLoveRockSushi