Las Vegas Fine Dining Thread - Page 23 - Las Vegas Lifestyle Forum - Las Vegas Entertainment and Living Information

Heading to Vegas this weekend and staying at the Wynn.

I'm thinking Bartolotta and Carnevino. A nice mix? Are both generally better than LeCirque? (which I absolutely loved the last time I was in town. The single best thing I've ever eaten in my life was the amuse at LeCirque. A perfect oyster w/ cavier on top).

And in Vegas is it customary to pay tip on the alcohol/tax? How about when you do a wine pairing?

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02-28-2010 , 03:55 PM

#552

jaybert

grinder

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 660

anyone know how much those fancy 6-8month aged steaks (that apparently you need to call ahead for) are at Carnevino?

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02-28-2010 , 04:56 PM

#553

eco74

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10,116

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHoof

And in Vegas is it customary to pay tip on the alcohol/tax? How about when you do a wine pairing?

Yes, on the alcohol it's customary everywhere (in the US at least).

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03-03-2010 , 03:35 AM

#554

DuckyLucky

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,611

bump

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03-03-2010 , 09:48 AM

#555

DonkeyChip

adept

Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,030

I'm going to see LOVE when I'm in LV during the WSOP. Any of the restaurants in Mirage really good? Any 'must avoids'? I've only been to one years ago and I can't even remember which it was (I think it was Fin, I know it was asian).

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03-03-2010 , 03:57 PM

#556

fishyak

veteran

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,269

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonkeyChip

Stayed in the Mirage late last year. IMO, the only must go is BLT. GREAT grilled burgers - milkshakes w/ booze. No must avoids. The "V" and all its restaurants are just accross the street. Must - Bouchon's. No must avoids there either. YMMV.

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03-03-2010 , 04:40 PM

#557

DonkeyChip

adept

Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,030

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishyak

Thanks, I'll be staying at the Venetian. Love Bouchon. Haven't tried Carnevino so that'll prob be the night I go.

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03-03-2010 , 06:17 PM

#558

DuckyLucky

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,611

I read that Carnevino has a special aged steak, the "riserva", that you have to order in advance. Supposedly the best. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010...ses-las-vegas/

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The best steak in town? The answer is simple. If you're a connoisseur of aged beef, order one of the 6-to-8-month-old, dry-aged beauties from Molto Mario's Italian steakhouse in The Palazzo.

Zach Allen, the executive chef at Carnevino, shows us how to cook the perfect piece of drool-worthy steak.
Think 30 days is "aged"? Those are for vegans. Sixty days seems like an old piece of beef to you? A mere tyke. The last one of these ancient porterhouses we had was 260-plus days old and tasted like beef from another planet. The texture is almost ham-like, the flavor like steak infused with some vague, subtle, blue cheese essence. You know you're eating steer muscle, but it's beef that has transcended its humble roots and metamorphosed into something ethereal — earthy, funky, silky and soft — with an umami depth charge that lasts a full five minutes after you've swallowed a morsel.

Carnevino chef Zach Allen tells us they are the only steakhouse in America aging their beef for this long, and if you want one of these "riserva" steaks, you need to call in advance. Those just wanting the second-best steak in town — Carnevino's 60-day, dry-aged strip or rib-eye — can get one any night of the week, or also at lunch.

Last edited by DuckyLucky; 03-03-2010 at 06:23 PM. Reason: added link

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03-03-2010 , 06:30 PM

#559

Mano

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Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,348

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLucky

I read that Carnevino has a special aged steak, the "riserva", that you have to order in advance. Supposedly the best. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010...ses-las-vegas/

Has anyone here tried or inquired about the longer aged steaks, and if so, do you have a price range on what these run? Thanks.

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03-03-2010 , 06:51 PM

#560

DuckyLucky

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,611

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mano

Has anyone here tried or inquired about the longer aged steaks, and if so, do you have a price range on what these run? Thanks.

Maybe the riserva is just an urban myth. I just checked Carnevino's website and couldn't find any mention of it.

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03-03-2010 , 07:48 PM

#561

DonkeyChip

adept

Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,030

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLucky

Maybe the riserva is just an urban myth. I just checked Carnevino's website and couldn't find any mention of it.

Sean Payton got the last one.

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03-03-2010 , 08:19 PM

#562

ike

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,635

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLucky

Maybe the riserva is just an urban myth. I just checked Carnevino's website and couldn't find any mention of it.

Not a myth, I've had it. Can't remember the price. The first time I got it the waiter just randomly mentioned it, the second I specifically asked about it but didn't have to call in advance or anything. The ELV comments get it pretty dead on. Its still steak but it has the sort of aged complexity you normally associate with cheese or even wine.

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03-03-2010 , 10:22 PM

#563

Wynner1

centurion

Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 134

Quote:

Originally Posted by wholecut

thank god for places like Chowhound and Yelp which are mostly shill free. you have to cut through some bad reviews and know how to read those sites, but 100 reviews from people >>>> some guy in a magazine who was probably paid off, explicitly or implicitly. you might as well be reading poker site reviews from pokernews.com. I've learned to stop trusting any single reviewer of any restaurant, particularly in Vegas. I don't want to trust anything from anyone who has a personal relationship with the owners/managers/servers/whatever

of course Yelp can be guilty of preferential treatment as well. so like I said, you gotta learn how to use those sites

I used to love yelp but saw this a few days ago: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/...lawsuit-fraud/

On some occasions, if someone posts a negative review of, say, a restaurant, Yelp workers will call the restaurant and offer an advertising package whereby for, say, $300, the restaurant will get some advertising on the site as well as the bad review removed.

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03-04-2010 , 02:05 AM

#564

Maximum Rocknroll

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Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,458

Pretty standard.

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03-04-2010 , 11:54 AM

#565

ClarkNasty

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 35,397

Ate lunch at Morel's yesterday. Decent food, atrocious service. A courtesy discussion with the manager on the way out was similarly unsatisfactory. Would not return.

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03-04-2010 , 12:22 PM

#566

DonkeyChip

adept

Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,030

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClarkNasty

Ate lunch at Morel's yesterday. Decent food, atrocious service. A courtesy discussion with the manager on the way out was similarly unsatisfactory. Would not return.

That's too bad. I went once just a couple hours before my departing flight and just had the French Onion soup (just decent imo) BUT they gave me a couple slivers of Wagyu they were passing around (to all 3 customers) to taste. At least they said it was Wagyu, looked too red and didn't 'melt-in-my-mouth' but still thought it was nice.

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03-04-2010 , 12:51 PM

#567

pgcounty

veteran

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,183

How is Gallaghers Steakhouse in NY NY?

I don't feel like weeding through 36 pages...thanks!

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03-04-2010 , 01:09 PM

#568

ClarkNasty

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Oh, a belated review of Mantra Masala, an Indian place in the SW part of town. Not really fine dining per se, but definitely trying to be a nicer Indian place.

Good service, very fresh food, decent value for the price but I'd rather pay a little extra and eat at Ghandi due to Ghandi's broader menu, slightly higher end quality and more convenient location. Would eat there again, however.

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03-04-2010 , 02:39 PM

#569

RHoof

journeyman

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 245

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgcounty

How is Gallaghers Steakhouse in NY NY?

I don't feel like weeding through 36 pages...thanks!

I loved Gallaghers . . . very good dry aged NY Strip. Reasonably priced. I'm sure there are better steak places in LV, but I liked it.

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03-04-2010 , 02:42 PM

#570

RHoof

journeyman

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 245

I'm curious about the burger at Daniel Boulud's at the Wynn. . . anyone had it? I may try and hit it tomorrow.

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03-04-2010 , 02:46 PM

#571

hotjenny314

actually Katie Dozier

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,676

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHoof

I'm curious about the burger at Daniel Boulud's at the Wynn. . . anyone had it? I may try and hit it tomorrow.

I loved it. It is something every true carnivore should have at least once. Also a big fan of their charcuterie.

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03-04-2010 , 02:47 PM

#572

ClarkNasty

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Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 35,397

BTW, have had great super high quality burgers for lunch at both Delmonico and Country Club Grill recently.

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03-04-2010 , 03:27 PM

#573

RHoof

journeyman

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 245

I'd appreciate some suggestions to try this weekend. I'm comfortable spending about $300 for two including drinks. If it is spectacular I can justify $400 for two. I love all sorts of things but my wife is a little more conservative but not into the steak houses.

I have been to Le Cirque (loved it), Sea Harbor at Caesars (hated it but we went for the authentic tasting menu), Mesa Grill (good), Bouchon (okay/slightly disappointed), Gallagers (good but basic).

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03-04-2010 , 05:44 PM

#574

StevieG

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Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,792

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patvs

I'm really cheap..... rephrase poor, but a big foodie and I don't drink wine.

Do any of these restaurants have a chef's tasting menu / three course a la carte for <$100? (I'd like the <$100 to include tax, 15% service tip, and a bottle of water)

And are their any Vegas newspapers/blogs/websites that do reviews (and have a large archive of restaurant reviews) that also have detailed information about the total cost of the dinner they review.

MGM Grand has been running special tasting menus with three courses for under $100, though you might need to call ahead and check. This includes Craftsteak, Nob Hill, and Joel Robuchon. Though Joel Robuchon it is $90 for three courses, so tax and tip likely get you over your boundary.

Just above that but probably worth checking into, Alize at the top of the Palms has a five course menu for $105 listed on their Web site. Again, I would call to check on that.