Rice Dishes in Las Vegas
I often decry the state of food journalism in Las Vegas, so it's with great pleasure I recommend Max Jacobson's latest entry in his Food Wine Kitchen blog, in which he lists 10 rice dishes worth eating in Las Vegas: http://foodwinekitchen.com/?p=240 (and if you click on the link at the top of the entry, you can see his dissertation on the history and varieties of rice).
Although I haven't eaten at all the places he's listed, I'm familiar with all but one -- Royal Persis -- where he recommends the Baghali Polo. Any Chowhounds have experience at Royal Persis, and if so, what else do you recommend?
I have to say, the biriyani at Namaste looks spectacular.
By Dave Feldman
on Nov 29, 2009 06:43 PM
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Thanks for the link Dave.
I did not see the truffle risotto on the online Valentino menu. Maybe it's something you need to order "off the menu". I can only imagine how much it costs.
The author claims that Namaste is the best Indian in town. I don't have much experience with Vegas Indian food beyond Origin India. Anybody have any thoughts on Namaste. I've got an open slot in my upcoming trip which Indian would fit into well.
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White truffles are in season right now, so they are showing up on the daily specials board whenever the pantry is properly stocked. A few other Las Vegas restaurants have also been running specials with them, but Luciano Pellegrini has been putting this risotto out there every late autumn for years, and does it awfully close to perfection. You almost wish there was an oyster fork with an extra prong so you could take tiny amounts and savor all the way through (maybe one of those small wooden ice cream tasting spoons?).
Namaste has drawn raves from many sources, including this board, and we have yet to have a bad experience. Chef Om Singh has taken a circuitous route from Nepal to Las Vegas, with some interesting stops in between (he was even the private chef for a couple of "Bollywood" actresses before coming to the U.S.), and there is a level of creativity (the owners are from Goa, which brings some unique influences) that goes beyond what has been offered in Las Vegas prior to this.
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QAW
Thanks for the advice on Namaste. I'll give it a try. Any must try dishes?
How much does Valentino charge for the truffle risotto? I'm thinking of going to the bar and splitting it with my wife along with some wine as a pre-show snack. I wonder what would pair well with it?
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The risotto goes for around $50, which is actually not an awful price point for that kind of luxury (a quick call tonight told us that they were currently out, but expect to have more truffles in by Friday or Saturday). Pairings really can vary to personal tastes, but we have found a nice mature barolo to match up awfully well. And the last sips of the wine go well with bread that has been used to sop every ounce of liquid from the plate. Unfortunately, that wine list offers few bargains.
The best we have found at Namaste would sound like an old stand-by, Tandoori Chicken, except that it is not on the regular menu, and is made special a few nights a week. Their Biryani's bring a nice depth of flavor, but maybe the best way is to load up the table and sample from a lot of different directions.
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I've yet to find a negative word about Namaste from anyone who has been there. The menu looks like standard issue, so I assume that the execution is superior. A friend is throwing a banquet there, and the chef is knocking himself out to please her and and make some special dishes, a sign of engagement and enthusiasm that bodes well.
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