The Divine Dish

The Weekly Dish – July 2, 2012

Posted on Jul 01, 2012 under Archives, The Weekly Dish | No Comment

Here is the dish on what is happening this week in Los Angeles and Las Vegas:

Los Angeles

Church and State – Chef Christophe Happillon, the Oyster Gourmet, will bring his famous oyster bar to Church and State every Tuesday and Thursday beginning this week from 6 to 10 pm.   $36 per dozen, 1850 Industrial Street, reservations at 213/405-1434.

Soleto Trattoria and Pizza bar debuts downtown this month, located in the financial district.  Chef Sascha Lyon will be overseeing the Southern Italian menu.   Located at 801 South Figueroa Street, 213/622-3255.

Las Vegas

Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace- will be hosting a Great American Cookout this Saturday, July 7.  The all you can eat barbeque includes beer and patio seating to view fireworks beginning at 9pm, reservations at 702/650-5921.

Luxor – launches it’s “Race Through The Pyramid” contest now through July 23.   Submit a video showcasing why you and your favorite comrade should be chosen among four teams to compete for a luxury prize package.   The four selected teams of two will receive roundtrip airfare to Vegas and hotel stay and meals and participate in various challenges at the Luxor to win a VIP vacation package.   Enter at www.luxor.com/racethroughthepyramid/.

Minus5 Ice Bar, Mandalay Bay – Chill out at Minus5 Ice Bar and guests who wear a Minus5 t-shirt will receive $5 off any entry package on July 4.  Also, this week the bar launches it’s latest cocktail creation, the Frosty Mojito Cocktail, located at 3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Lagasse’s Stadium at Palazzo – is hosting a UFC 148 viewing party with fighter Roy Nelson on Saturday, July 7.   The event begins at 7pm at 3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South, 702/607-2665 for reservations.

Earl of Sandwich – is opening its second Las Vegas location at the Palms on July 2.   Official sandwich cutting will begin at 5 pm, located at 4321 West Flamingo Road.

Dinner at Center Cut, Flamingo Las Vegas

Posted on Jun 26, 2012 under Archives, Las Vegas | No Comment

The Flamingo turned its old Burger Joint into Center Cut, an upscale modern steakhouse. Located across from the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and adjacent to Tropical Breeze Café, the venue accommodates up to 172 guests including the bar, lounge, restaurant and private dining room. The black and white décor with pink accents provides a classic Vegas atmosphere while several plasma screens throughout the restaurant showcasing photo montages from the 1940’s to present day. These images pay homage to the 66 years Flamingo has been at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.  Guests can choose to sit in the open dining room or opt for an intimate private curtained booth.  I recently visited Center Cut for a tasting menu provided by Chef Ian Delph, here is what I sampled:

I started off with a perfect dirty martini.  Next came one of Center Cuts appetizer favorites – a  trio bacon satay that includes cayenne peppered, blue cheese cured, and natural Applewood bacon served on top a pink Himalayan salt rock.

Anyone who loves bacon will appreciate this appetizer.  Very rich in flavor and a great way to start off a nice steak dinner.

Next, Chef Delph sent out a killer lobster bisque. Hands down the best lobster bisque I have ever tasted with creme fraiche, sherry and chive oil and big lobster chunks.  I could eat a vat of this bisque.

Meat entrees include a 20 ounce ribeye, 24 ounce porterhouse and 28 ounce Tomahawk, all sourced from Aspen Ridge Farms in Colorado.  I opted for the 8 ounce filet with shrimp.  It came with a nice caramelized onion and a delicious popover.

The filet was perfectly cooked and each bite melted in my mouth.  The popovers at Center Cut are addictive.

My steak also came with a number of sauces to choose from including red wine, bernaise, blue cheese, dijon peppercorn and cc steak sauce.

Center cut offers traditional steakhouse sides, I chose the pink mashed potatoes and jalapeno bacon creamed corn.  Both delicious.

Chef Delph came out to greet me and we had a nice conversation about food, the Las Vegas steakhouse scene, and his cooking philosophy.

Next came a lovely dessert course with a creme brulee tart and chocolate dipped biscotti.  Yum.

Center Cut is my new favorite steakhouse on the Strip and Chef Delph is one of the most talented new chefs in Vegas.  Next time you visit Sin City, make sure to stop by Center Cut for a traditional steakhouse experience.

Located at 3555 South Las Vegas Boulevard, reservations at 702/784-8821.

The Weekly Dish – June 24, 2012

Posted on Jun 24, 2012 under Archives, The Weekly Dish | No Comment

Here is the dish on what is happening this week in Las Vegas:

Hypnotist Anthony Cools temporarily moves to Bally’s while his showroom at Paris is remodeled.   Shows are dark Monday and Wednesday, all other nights shows start at 9 pm, tickets at 702/967-4567.

Rao’s restaurant launches a series of YouTube videos showcasing the Rao family’s traditions including tips on bocee ball, cooking and family.  The first video provides recipes for some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbjJeUHA-BI&feature=youtu.be

Bradley Ogden at Caesar’s announced it will end its 10-year run on August 5, 2012.

Tasting Dinner at Table 10, Palazzo, Las Vegas

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 under Archives, Las Vegas | No Comment

While I was in Vegas for the launch of the new Carnivale summer series of events at the Venetian and Palazzo, the nice folks at Palazzo also set me up with a dinner at Emeril Lagasse’s  eatery Table 10.  The restaurant is named after the table in New Orleans where the Food Network star began planning his restaurant empire.  The French Quarter iron gates at the entrance lend a New Orleans vibe, and the round metal-crafted center bar, glass enclosed wine cellar and display cases full of pantry supplies and chef’s jackets provide a casual upscale environment.

The menu features a roadmap of flavors, including the seafood and andouille gumbo or the Cuban pork sandwich.  Diners are welcome  at the food bar for a front row view of the big exhibition kitchen, at the Center Bar in the middle of all the floor action, or at a variety of indoor and outdoor tables.

I sampled a nice variety of dishes starting with a lovely fresh grilled nectarine salad over spinach with parmesan cheese.

Second course was a duo of buttery succulent seared scallops over a truffle corn puree and topped with a bacon onion marmalade.   Delicious.

My main dish was a nice Colorado filet mignon with crushed Wiser Farm heirloom potatoes and a beurre fondue, topped with a very tasty heap of roasted beef marrow.  I loved this dish. My waitress also brought out some tasty candied North County Farm bacon.  Very rich and very satisfying.

For dessert I received a huge platter of a bunch of lovely sweet homey cakes, pies and tarts.

Table 10 is located in the Shoppes at Palazzo, 3327 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702/607-6363.