Hey, I'm looking to take my mom to dinner in Vegas in a very good restaurant.

Price is not an issue, reading the thread Joel Robuchon seems to be the best ignoring price, but seeing the dress code discussion it might be a little "too much" I think we'd enjoy more something a little more decontracted.

Is Picasso the second best option or would you consider something else ?

Also since we are from Belgium, we have plenty of occasions to eat in good french cuisine restaurants, do you have any suggestions for non french cuisine ?

Thanks

Ps : unrelated, I tried China Poblano after reading this thread and it was awesome

I went to Picasso a year or two ago and did the whatever course it was meal with wine pairings...it was very good but not the best french food I've ever had. I have had similar experiences for 1/2 the price...if you have great french food on a regular basis you may not be too impressed.

I'm not from Vegas so can't comment much on other cuisines, etc. in the area.

If you want upscale but not too upscale and not French, my recommendation is Bartolotta at Wynn. Italian seafood, pretty unique, very good. Dinner for 2 with wine and ordering the whole fish will set you back around $400.

True, but for italian food goes the same as for french food. Since western Europe is so small (compared to the US), everybody has been to Italy and has been to great restaurants there for far less money.

I'd suggest one of the upscale steakhouses or sushi places, those are way harder to find in Europe.

American Fish or Sage are both upscale but not ridiculous and pretty uniquely American.

American Fish has a lounge menu that looks incredible. Anyone know if it would be a good spot for a casual dinner with the wife?

Best tuna tartare EVER. American Fish is excellent.

Awesome. Thanks.

Most of the stuff on the lounge menu comes in super tiny portions so it's a bit less of a steal than it appears. 4 things for 2 people isn't going to be a full meal.

Other than that, ya, it's great. The bar there is great, too. They have a really long list of traditional cocktails and make them all very well using great ingredients.

I was thinking 4 small plates for each person. That should be enough, no?

It's not really small plates the way one would think of small plates. It's upscale happy hour food, in very small portions. Between some stuff on that menu and stuff from the regular menu (and yes, you can order from the regular menu at the bar), you can put together a pretty reasonable and very good meal.

And I feel like a shill for the place since I pimp their bar so often, but it really is a great bar. One of the best around.

me and the gf shared 8 plates and a few cocktails and we were full. I liked all of the plates except the crab cake that was the size of a quarter lol. The bar/cocktails were great.

Thanks for the help guys ! I gave her the options and she decided to chose Picasso.

Dinner was great and the wine pairing didn't disapoint, except maybe for the wine paired with the lobster salad, which was very weird. the scalop and foie gras were awesome, the main course we chose Kobe beef, and it was very good but also not very surprising/creative.

Atmosphere was a little tense at first but got better as dinner progressed.

Will probably still check out Sage/American fish and Bartolleta/B&B before we leave

Happy hour at American fish will still run you at least 50 bucks for a dinner portion pre tax/tip if you have 2+ drinks or beers.

For fine dining, Ledbury would be my first choice. Roganic is up there too. Other places I'd consider: Marcus Wareing, le gavroche, the square (lebury sister restaurant), and viajante. If you're going to do high end japanese go to Zuma instead of Nobu. Dinner is good, but it's not really fine dining.

Hey guys!
Havent been to Vegas in a couple of years. I have fri-Tue to eat! Here is my short list. Add/Subtract???

Lunches

Brunch at Border Grill
WichCraft
In N OUt(Sorry, this is a must)
Bouchon Brunch

Dinner
Joel Robouchon
Sage
Carnevino
still deciding between steak places

Random snacks
American Fish lounge/happy hour
Otto Enoteca(caprese salad and cheese platter, BOMB)

Input?

IIRC it was a riesling (or something comparable) when I was there, and I thought it was perfect for that dish.

Add Lunch at Milos (consider it high priority IMO)

Cut for steak place.

If you need another place for random snacks, China Poblano is a good choice. You can get a 15 minute meal there and it will be excellent. If you manage to make it there for brunch, make sure you order the Sui-mai with Quail Eggs. It's the best item on the menu IMO.

If for whatever reason you have to sacrifice a dinner, make it Sage. I was one of the few raving about the place when it first came out. The sweetbreads and foie gras brulee appetizers are pretty stellar still, but the main courses are slightly sub par. I think the restaurant has gotten a bit worse since it opened. That being said, it's still a perfectly fine choice and will be a good meal.

Decent list. As ZeeJustin said, Sage could go and be easily replaced by Bartolotta. Carnevino is a steak place, so I would do that or CUT or SW. Monta, Raku, Musashi, Hot n Juicy for your consideration as well.

Ok, revised list


Lunches
Brunch at Border Grill
WichCraft
In N OUt(Sorry, this is a must)
Bouchon Brunch
chili poblano

Dinner
Joel Robouchon
Cut
Jaleo

Random snacks
American Fish lounge/happy hour
Otto Enoteca(caprese salad and cheese platter, BOMB)
Michael Mina lobster pot pie(share, so that makes it a snack)

Ok, I need one more dinner spot. HELP??? I checked out Milos. Eh.

What do you guys do for China Poblano on a dinner or lunch for two people?

I hear you guys talking about it so much, and how awesome it is, but every time I go I just end up getting some dumplings and a taco and feel like a jackass.

I seek enlightenment, help plz

I think you're probably right...the only magical meal I had there was the first one. Everything else has only been very good. Still love the place.

CP is extremely hit and miss. Not so much in a traditional sense. Their good stuff is outstanding, but their misses are very plain. That can't happen at that price point and at a place where you order a bunch of different things.

Can you guys share what you have had at CP that is phenomenal and what you have had that is a must avoid?

Bartolotta. If you want another French Restaurant try Twist, B&B, Picasso, Botero, Scarpetta, Raku