March 12, 2012
A grown-up "sophisticated" trip to Vegas includes some really upscale dining. Thankfully, AFC (Asian Foodie Club) was on board and Key booked us in at
Joel Robuchon. This flagship restaurant of the famous french chef holds many awards. As stated on the restaurant website:
Winner of Michelin's Three Star, Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond, and Wine Spectator's Grand Award, Joël Robuchon has redefined Las Vegas fine dining. Joël Robuchon was named France's Chef of the Century by the esteemed Gault Millau restaurant guide. Coming out of retirement to open his first restaurant in the United States, Joël Robuchon caters to a sophisticated palate that features a menu of his finer specialties.
After the day spent poolside at Aria in a cabana, we got gussied up for the marathon dining experience. Joel Robuchon goes all out and they pick you up in a car (we had a black SUV going there) and drop you off in the quiet back entrance of the MGM private residences.
The dining room and decorations are bright and opulent. After reading many reviews, we were still trying to decide between the various menu options, and it was really trying to choose the four- to six-course option, or the very decadent 16-course "Degustation" menu.
After a lot of hemming and hawing, I rationalized that this was a "once in a lifetime" visit, and I should just go all out and do the 16-course degustation menu. Key and Sue Hee opted for the other menus, and I committed to staying away from the infamous bread cart.
At the beginning of service, the butter "sommelier" presents a mountain of butter from Brittany, France. He shaves shards of butter with a sprinkle of sea salt. I think if we weren't all together, Key might have eaten the butter straight.
The infamous bread cart:
The pictures below concentrate on the items from the 16-course degustation menu (Key and Sue Hee had other dishes with their menu).
#1: "L'Orange Sanguine", an emulsion of blood orange on a wild berry gelee
#2: "Le Foie Gras", haricots verts, mimosa salad with shavings of foie gras and parmesan
#3, #4, #5: "Le Caviar", maki of thin cousous, chilled corn veloute with croutons, salmon tartar with shiso sprouts
#6: "La Truffe", crispy black truffle tart with onion confit and smoked ham
#7: "La Saint-Jacques", pan seard scallops with fregolas pasta and coral emulsion
#8, #9, #10: "Les Crustaces", truffled langoustine ravioli, grilled spiny lobster in green curry, "chaud-froid" of sea urchin on fennel potato puree with anise citrus
#11: "Les Fevettes", savory scented fava bean veloute with sweet onion foam
#12: "Le Bar", sea bass and artichoke cooked in cocotte, barigoule jus
#13: "Le Boeuf", beef rib eye with condiment and baby chanterelles
#14: "L'Epeautre", sault farrow prepared risotto style with gold leaf
Thankfully, my menu didn't include the insane and amazing cheese cart, but Key's did. It was pic-worthy.
#15: "L'Ananas", pineapples infused with vanilla, gingersnap cookie crumbs, pumpkin spice cream
#16: "Le Chocolat", Poire Williams mousse and cookie crunch hidden beneath a dark chocolate sphere.
I had finally made it to the end, it was a fantastic meal and really amazing experience. My comrades in AFC made this a really fun experience. My favorite dishes were the courses with "Le Caviar", "Le Crustaces" and "Le Boeuf".
Sue Hee wanted some tea, and at Joel Robuchon, they do it big time. Fresh grown herbs cut right from the pot and steeped hot water. She chose spearmint, which is great for digestion.
Nothing says "big french meal" without mignardises. Of course, it's another cart with an insane amount of choice.
Alas, about 5 hours later, we were food drunk and we roll out of the restaurant.
We got a ride back to Aria in a gold limo:
A little take-away for the ladies, dark chocolate bar with gold leaf to remember Joel Robuchon.
Thanks to AFC for an amazing meal and fun night!
