Great trip to LV -- Reviews of Twist, Alex and CUT

[ellenost]

I recently returned from my annual visit to LV. I tried two new restuarants (Twist and CUT) and returned to my long-time favorite: Alex. We had very high expectations for Twist, and perhaps I ordered the wrong dishes, but I was a bit disappointed. The food is excellent, but a bit too fussy. There were a number of amuses; all were good, but none were memorable. I started with the foie gras degustation since I love everything foie gras, but this was a bit too much even for me. There were four different preparations, and probably one too many. The seared foie gras was a very generous portion and perfectly cooked and delicious. The foie gras terrine was another generous portion, but a bit too sweet. The foie gras croquette was cute. The foie gras custard with lentils didn't work for me--a bit too bland, and the lentils didn't add anything for me. I ordered the lobster tasting, which again had one too many components. All were tasty (although 2 of the dishes were very similar in taste). There was a funny tasting white mint broth that both my sister and didn't care for. While our captain was the model of professionalism, one of the waiters was a bit too casual. I was almost too full for dessert, but since I knew I probably wouldn't be returning any time soon, I decided on the Kerala: tandoori apple, caramel cinnamon ice cream and mango salad (yes, once again one too many components). The apple and ice cream were very good, but the mango salad didn't add anything. The wine list is very expensive. The German Riesling that we ordered could be had at Lotus of Siam for $100 less.

My return visit to Alex was perfect (as usual). This was my fourth dinner at Alex in the past 2 1/2 years, and every time is sensational! This time I ordered the tasting menu (which is not what is currently listed on the Wynn website). We asked our captain if we could change the foie gras preparation to a seared foie gras preparation since the foie gras preparation on the menu was made with pork and my sister doesn't eat pork. No problem. We started with some delicious amuses. Our first course was a scallop crudo with celery salad, purple rice and caviar that was a delicate way to start the evening. This was followed by poached lobster quenelles with cabbage, ramps and crayfish--another delicate winner. We then had the seared foie gras that was perfect. This was followed by the Amadai (I believe this is a Japanese fish). The Amadai was served with crispy sweet potato, littleneck clams, horseradish and a red wine jus. This course was delicious. My favorite (after the foie gras) was next: Japanese Wagyu rib eye (that was even better than the Japanese wagyu ribe eye at CUT). The beef was very flavorful, and the richest and most tender beef I've ever had. The beef was served with fava bean puree, hon shimeji mushrooms and snap pea salad. The palate cleanser was a coconut-ginger tapioca with calamansi gelee that was nice. The dessert was a vanilla napoleon with berries and mint oil, that was just what I wanted after a big and delicious meal. Service was flawless (as usual). Our parting gift was a package of the best macarons ever (yes, even better than those at Per Se). I look forward to many more return visits to Alex!

Our final dinner was at CUT at the Palazzo. We were shown to a large booth even though there were just two of us. Service was very attentive. The pretzel bread and foccaccia were marvelous! We skipped appetizers since we wanted to concentrate on the beef. My sister and I shared the American kobe-style rib eye and the Japanese wagyu rib eye that the kitchen split for us. We paired the beef with sauteed onions (great), sauteed spinach (also great) and the fries (very good). I preferred the Japanese rib eye, and my sister preferred the American rib eye. This was a great way to taste two different yet similar cuts of beef. The crust added a nice texture and great flavor to the beef. Even though I didn't need dessert, I chose the coffee semi freddo and donuts that were wonderful. Defintely plan to return to CUT on my next visit to LV.

In summary, great visit to LV (beautiful weather, great shopping, and great food!).

[climberdoc]

Great reviews ellenost!

What do you think the issue(s) were at Twist? Was it the courses that missed or was it something more basic? It looks like a beautiful, intimate restaurant. Does this come across "in action"? Alex is my favorite as well, but I've wanted to try Twist. I trust your opinions, so any insight is appreciated.

[ellenost]

Thanks climberdoc! I value your opinions too. Actually, Twist is not an intimate restaurant. It is ultra modern and has none of the charm or warmth of Alex (almost the anti-Alex). It is a lovely restaurant nonetheless. It definitely resembles other Adam Tihany designed restaurants in NYC. It reminded us also of the old Windows on the World at the World Trade Center (high windows, restaurant on a high floor, and tiered seating). I had requested, and was accomodated with, a table by the windows. I think the issue that I had with the food is that they tried too hard (too many variations on a theme). The problem was accentuated since both of my courses had variations, but there were still too many of them (I would have enjoyed both courses if one variation had been eliminated). I guess I'm glad they we didn't choose the tasting menu. This was the single restaurant at which I was truly looking forrward to having dinner (since I already knew that I love Alex). By no means is Twist a bad restaurant, but both my sister and I left a bit underwhelmed. The one thing that was very disappointing is that a number of the patrons were very casually dressed (t-shirts and jeans--not designer jeans). We have a restaurant in NYC that I frequent often named Momofuku Ko where the usual dress code is t-shirts and jeans, but Twist is not a casual restaurant, and yet some people bring down the class level by their sloppy attire. Sorry if I'm coming off as a snob.

[seal]

As somebody whose NYC posts I've read and respected I wanted to ask you about both Cut and Twist. My wife and I are looking forward to our reservation at Twist in July and had considered Alex also. Is Twist worth it for our one nice meal together in Vegas or should we do Alex instead?

As for Cut, I will be in Vegas for a week solo and want to eat at Cut. Two questions. Is the Japanese Kobe worth the $100 over the American ribeye? And, do you think I should get a table instead of sitting at the bar as I want a complete meal there.

TIA

[ellenost]

Hi seal! I respect your posts as well! For one nice meal in LV, I would strongly urge you to go to Alex instead of Twist. I've dined at Alex four times during the past 2 1/2 years, and have always had fantastic meals.

As for CUT, I saw a man seated alone at a table (not sure they even offer bar seating). The Japanese Kobe was much richer than the American Kobe style rib eye (which I preferred since I like my beef well-marbled with fat; my sister preferred the American Kobe style since she found the Japanese Kobe rib eye too rich for her). It worked out well t hat we were able to share both cuts of beef. If I were dining alone, I'd order the Japanese Kobe even for the extra $100. I don't know if you noticed that CUT offers a tasting of sirloin that has both the Japanese and American Kobe and also a Nebraska corn-fed. I prefer rib eye to sirloin, but if you like sirloin, you might like the tasting since you'll get the different cuts of beef. Have a great time!

[Andy T.]

I hear you about the food at Twist (fussy it certainly was), but weren't the bathrooms simply gorgeous?

[ellenost]

It was nice to have windows in the ladies room. Unfortunately, the ladies room was not well kept--disappointing in such a high end restaurant/hotel. It did take me a while to figure out how to turn the water on in the sink (don't think I was too drunk).