The Divine Dish

Dinner at Julian Serrano las Vegas

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 under Archives | No Comment

Julian Serrano at Aria offers classic Spanish fare including tapas, paella and fresh seafood.  Located just off Aria’s lobby, the bright open restaurant showcases Madrid born (and Bellagio’s Picasso) chef Julian Serrano’s many (over 50) delicious small plates.

I visited for lunch while staying at Aria.  I sampled many delicious small plates – below are pictures of my tasting menu.

I started with a golden and red beet salad with frisee, citrus slices, beet syrup and dehydrated orange.

Next came a duo of two of the restaurant’s signature “new tapas,” a tuna-raspberry skewer with ahi tuna, molecular raspberry, wasabi and sesame seeds and a lobster pineapple skewer with lobster tail, molecular pineapple and sesame oil.

Next came my favorite course, a warm plate of crispy Spanish chicken croquetas, golden on the outside with chicken and a creamy bechamel sauce on the inside.  These were both delicious and satisfying.

Next was a perfectly cooked buttery seared scallop with romesco sauce.

One of Serrano’s specialties is their lobster gazpacho, served chilled with big pieces of lobster.

A tasty beef and cheese dish followed featuring prime tenderloin topped with melted cheese, pecans and honey.

My last course was the star of the lunch, Serrano’s signature Paella.  The restaurant serves four variations on the classic dish.  I had the mixed version, with lobster, mussels, chicken, chorizo, vegetables and saffron rice.  This dish is huge.  It was so tasty that I took the leftovers with me on the plane home.

I highly recommend stopping by Julian Serrano for tapas or to sample some of the eateries larger plates.  Located in the casino level at Aria Resort, 3730 South Las Vegas Boulevard, reservations recommended at www.smartervegas.com.

Dinner at Joel Robuchon, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Posted on Nov 01, 2011 under Archives | No Comment

Multiple award-winning chef Joel Robuchon offers classic French cuisine at his upscale Joel Robuchon restaurant in the MGM Grand.

Considered by many to be the greatest living chef, I was anxious to finally taste the cooking legend’s menu.  The cost had prohibited me from dining at the famous eatery since I began reporting on food in Las Vegas.  I finally got a press invite and jumped at the chance to enjoy some of the best food in the world.

The elegant restaurant has 17-foot ceilings, a black and purple color scheme, a huge Swarovski chandelier and seating for 42.  There is also a small more intimate charming adjacent garden dining area that seats 12.

Diners can choose from two prix fixe tasting menus (one large sixteen course menu and one smaller six course menu) as well as the option to order off of the a la carte menu.  My friend Jodi and I opted for the six course tasting menu as we had to leave for the Elvis Cirque show and had a two hour dinner limit.  If you want to indulge in the large sixteen course tasting menu, I recommend leaving at least four hours to be able to thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere and each course.

All of the courses were extremely refined.  The plating was exquisite.  We found ourselves staring at the artwork of our plates for long periods of time before diving in with utensils to taste each course.  The cuisine was subtle yet so deeply flavored that the taste of each course stayed with us long after we left.  Here is what we enjoyed at Robuchon:

We could spend the evening sampling all the goodies on the extensive bread cart, but limited our selections to two each.

After a taste of the fluffy rosemary rolls, I also had some olive and parmesan bread.

We were served a smoking amuse of an emulsion of blood orange on a wild berry gelee.

Jodi ordered a lobster salad with melon and artichoke.

I had the foie gras and violet artichoke salad with gold leaf.

Next came a mushroom and veal ravioli course cooked in broth with white truffles.

Our next course was homemade spaghetti topped with a soft poached egg and shaved white truffles.

Jodi ordered a halibut with braised vegetables.

I ordered the beef ribeye with wasabi spinach and a bell pepper medley.

The cheese cart showcased dozens of cheeses from all over the world.

We ordered a raspberry parfait with vanilla bean ice cream and a bavarois and cookie crunch inside a dark chocolate sphere for dessert.

We were also given an nice assortment of truffles and homemade marshmallows to take home.

Joel Robuchon is the perfect restaurant to celebrate a special occasion.  Located at 3799 South Las Vegas Boulevard inside the MGM Grand, reservations can be made by visiting www.smartervegas.com.