Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
I'm about to start a job that will consume me (physically and mentally, but probably my soul as well) for the better part of 2011. But before I begin, I've decided to treat myself with a little culinary R&R.
Usually, I set aside two weeks every December to hit Tokyo in style, eating at the very best the city has to offer (and it offers a lot for the serious foodie). Next month, I want to do something similar: 3-4 days of serious high-end eating, Vegas- style.
So, my question is this: Given the opportunity to eat four lunches and four dinners at ANY high-end restaurant in Vegas, what would make your list? Again, price isn't a concern. I want to be blown away.
Much thanks.
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I think the limitless budget concept is a trap. If you had a truly had a limitless budget you could fly Iron Chef Sakai over to Vegas for a meal. Clearly given your predilection for Asian food you could spend a bundle at Shaboo and hope it is closer to the New York original than some have said or you could got to Lotus of Siam and save on the food but dig deep into their excellent wine list. Ferran Adria's buddy's place sounds like a no-brainer. Then something like Robuchon or Guy Savoy. Perhaps Cut. In a way limitless budget is quite constricting. Any fool can spend $1,200 on a bottle of Louis XIII cognac and end up spending way more than something like Delamain Vesper of Coganc Ferrand XO would cost.
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Lotus of Siam
953 E Sahara Ave Ste A5, Las Vegas, NV 89104›18 Replies-
re: kagemusha49
BaronDestructo
Feb 22, 2011 07:24 AM
While I'm sure the quality of the Asian food is excellent, I doubt it can compare the meals I've enjoyed in Tokyo and Hong Kong. The latter are places I visit on a semi-regular basis, so I'm fine focusing on other cuisine for this trip.
When I said "limitless budget", I didn't mean to imply "most expensive", simply "unconstrained by cost".
So far, my schedule looks like this:
Monday: Guy Savoy (? Closed yesterday so I will try to book a table today).
Tuesday: Joel Robuchon
Wednesday: e by Jose Andres
Thursday: Twist
Anything I should switch out? What about lunches.
Finally, re: Iron Chef Sakai - I visited his restaurant in Shibuya two years ago. After we'd finished our meal, he came by the table, introduced himself, asked if we'd enjoyed ourselves, then took us on a tour of the restaurant (La Rochelle). Afterward, he signed our menus. He was incredibly kind and self-effacing; his staff equally so. My dining companion ended up doing a stage at the restaurant for several months and reports Sakai san is as genuinely genial to work with as he was on that night. Nice to hear.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sou...-
re: BaronDestructo
You could pace yourself by driving out to Red Rock canyon state park and looking around for a couple of hours and then go cheap for a change and grab some fish tacos at Baja Fresh. If you've spen time in Tokyo you surely know that the occasional street food or fast food experience is not beneath you.
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Red Rock Bar
1729 E Charleston Blvd Ste A, Las Vegas, NV 89104 -
re: BaronDestructo
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re: zippyh
BaronDestructo
Feb 22, 2011 05:43 PM
Alas, Tuesday at Robuchon and Wednesday at E are set in stone. No other other time on any other night works for me.
What do you guys think of Scarpetti's?
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re: BaronDestructo
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 22, 2011 06:40 PM
What do you guys think of Scarpetti's?
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do you mean Scarpetta?-
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re: BaronDestructo
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 23, 2011 02:18 PM
well, i can't speak to the Vegas location, but the one here in LA is excellent, and the original in NYC still gets a lot of love from the Manhattan Hounds.
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re: goodhealthgourmet
Just a quick thought on Scarpetta. You have noted that you are looking for both quality lunch and dinner options, and you are going to find lunch options much more limited. But one good prospect is D.O.C.G. Enoteca, their sister property. That might give you a way to fill out one of the days in your lunch rotation, and still get to sample some of Scott Conant's creations.
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re: QAW
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 23, 2011 03:29 PM
that's actually a great suggestion...my only problem would be that DOCG doesn't offer his swoon-worthy creamy polenta with truffled mushroom fricassee - IMHO that dish alone makes it worth going to Scarpetta.
but DOCG does have a great-looking menu.
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re: BaronDestructo
Yo man, you'll be making a huge mistake if you go to Twist. Read the reviews on Yelp. That place is absolutely terrible. There's a reason why it's empty on weeknights and there's VERY few user reviews about there about it on Yelp or Urbanspoon. I felt like I was on an episode of Punk'd but Ashton Kutcher never jumped out.
I'm going to suggest Sage or CUT instead. The fois gras creme brulee at Sage and the tasting of NY Strip at CUT are 2 of the best things I've ever eaten in my life.
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re: gmcurology
BaronDestructo
Feb 23, 2011 09:01 PM
Okay. I did a little more research and you're right, the Twist reviews are mixed. I nixed it and replaced with Guy Savoy.
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re: BaronDestructo
My wife and I went there with a good friend of mine based on some great reviews and our own interest in modern preparations. My wife and friend hated it so much I was embarrassed that I was the one who made the choice.
Trust me, I'm sure there's many better things you could do with $750 (which is what dinner costs for 2).
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e' is the latest hot spot. The link to a recent review is below. At $250 pp including wine, tax and tip it isn't a bad value - even with a limitless budget.
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