I totally agree.

Going to Massa tonight, any must have recommendations?

Went to Lotus of Siam again last night, I think I am going to give up on ordering food at a spice level of 6, this level is soooo tasty but I can't handle the heat :-( Love Lotus! Always run into people I know there, so many foodies and poker peeps eat here that it becomes hard not to run into friends.

Any thoughts on best option at Wynn re: gluten-free? Thinking Country Club (constant praise here, simplish meats usually a good option) vs. Mizumi (seen bitching about price vs. other Vegas sushi options) for this w/e. For background, Serrano and Twist are on the docket also.

Country Club, SW and Bartolotta are my answers to any Wynn question.

I have recently become very aware of how to address gluten free diets because I go out to eat with a friend very frequently who has to eat with this restriction. Best places I have experienced so far for this dietary restriction are Roubichon (both locations), Mizumi, Masa & Tetsu, Serrano, Sinatra, and best of all Twist. Twist is the rock star of the group because they have a special tasting menu for gluten free diets, and some of the courses are brilliant, especially the bread & desert options (usually flowerless chocolate cake). I was blown away by the gluten free bread at Twist! A special mention goes out to Lotus of Siam, they did a pretty good job, but you need to stay on the staff.. they made a few mistakes and had to take things back to the kitchen because it was not safe to eat. Similarly with the staff at Tetsu, they made a few mistakes but they quickly corrected their errors each time.

PS: of course any stake house can handle a gluten free diet, but you are really just trading gluten in for fat ;-)

Had dinner at Masa planned, but at the last minute we were moved to Tetsu, the new Teppen grill inside of Masa featuring blackjack style 1/2 circle tables ala é. The food was outstanding, this is a major statement for me because this is the first teppen experience that I have ever really enjoyed, I may be the only poker player in Vegas that isn't a huge fan of Musashi, and I HATED Benihana (stupid volcanos!). Masa's teppen concept is very different, the focus is on the food, not the flair.. everything is fresh, simple, and there is a focus on ingredients. The best items we had was a fatty toro in ponzu w/black truffles, the toro caviar, and the "Waygu" steak. Enjoy the food porn, I got a kick out of the way the chef prepped the duck by using a starchy batter to keep the oil in place.

any recco's for a "fine dining for beginners" spot? Taking my folks to vegas and I'm not sure they'd appreciate something like Picasso or Robuchon but something a little more mainstream but still very good may be perfect. Open to suggestions.

Can't go wrong with a steak house.

prime would be enjoyable for them and not over the top. nom nom nom

Are they picky eaters or just not used to fine dining? Is there a type of food you want to avoid, like seafood or "weird" meats? Do you think they'll be turned off by a menu with a bunch of French words they don't understand or an atmosphere that feels pretentious? Do you just want to stay away from something like Picasso or Robuchon because they're really expensive and you don't want to "waste" it on someone who doesn't really have the experience and palette to appreciate it?

It's a little tough to make a recommendation without knowing more about what you're looking for. If you want a fine dining experience with maximally approachable food, I guess I'd recommend a steakhouse. Cut is my favorite in Vegas.

Honestly though, I'd recommend pushing their limits a little more than that. You risk them having a bad time, but you have a very good shot at giving them a really memorable, potentially even life-changing experience if you turn them on to food they never would have thought to try on their own.

I consider Picasso pretty safe and semi-mainstream for fine dining (with the exception of the wine choices), that may be the most approachable fine dining experience that I have come across in Vegas that is still beloved by both those who are experienced as well as those who are inexperienced. The key to introducing new foods and experience is to encourage them to relax, go with the flow... and don't be intimidated. You can ease their minds by telling them that the chef would never put anything on the plate that was not very very VERY yummy, a poorly executed dish could ruin his or her career. Consider it a journey towards new experiences, let go and let the chef take them on a ride! Plus at Picasso you have the safety net of the fountains and the paintings, a major plus.

I know what you mean, my parents are the same. I'd certainly avoid any place with a prix fixe menu. Any steakhouse would work, but if you want something a bit more expansive than that I'd suggest Country Club at Wynn (it's upscale and sedate- both things that parents like) or Sage at Aria. They'll recognize everything on the menu at both. If Bradley Ogden was still open at Caesars that would be my #1 suggestion.

Order ala carte off the rm upstairs menu. They can still get what they like (and they have non seafood options) but it's definitely a fine dining atmosphere that also feels friendly and casual.

I am booked to eat at Twist on the 6th while chef Gagniare will be in the kitchen, this article makes me even more excited! I consider Gagnaire to be the most cerebral of "traditional" chefs that I have experienced, although it could be argued that chef is not traditional. His food makes me think really hard about his vision for the dish, and the ideals he is trying to share with the customer through his food - that is a rare experience in a restaurant, the brain experience enhances the palate experience.

If your in Vegas and your a food, make sure you eat at Twist while chef Gagniare is here!

http://www.almancini.net/qa-with-pie...time-menu.html

Either you're getting paid or you're going for full on brown noser status.

I don't agree. Getting to eat a meal actually prepared by Gagnaire really is a once in a lifetime experience.

Besides, I'm glad TT is extolling Gagnaire as he is pretty overlooked in this thread even though he is up there with Robuchon, Ducasse, and Savoy in accolades. Difference being, you'll never eat a meal cooked by Robuchon or Ducasse (Savoy is still in the kitchen occasionally).

Twist reservation for Saturday. Will ask Gagnaire about TT, how to say "brown nose" in French (something du pard?).

Getting in late tonight, most places on the strip seem to close early? Any places you can recommend on/near strip that are open late that would fit the "fine dining category". Cant wait to go to Picasso Friday.

Good lord, man. "Vision for the dish"? "Ideals he is trying to share with the customer through his food"? "The brain experience enhances the palate experience"? Do you hear the words that are coming out of your mouth?

Amen.

The man barely speaks english, I shook his hand, could not communicate with him the only time I was introduced. How can I brown-nose someone who doesn't event know the words I am typing in this post? Jay was just doing some friendly trolling, he knows how much I love Twist, we have discussed it a few times before in person.

My fingers, not my mouth... and hell yes I do. It is called passion, try it some time, you might enjoy it! ;-)

I know this is a longshot, but I have 2 seats available tonight at Alinea i Chicago for face value ($310). Send me a PM in interested.

PS: Alinea is a ore-paid dining experience, it is rankd #7 worldwide by San Pellegrino 50 Best Restauraunts list. "tickets" are made available every 2 months, and generally sell out within a 24 hour period. http://www.theworlds50best.com/award...inners/alinea/

Twist tasting menu Saturday was well worth it. The heirloom tomato/squid dish up there with anything I've ever had. Plus I got to tell Gagnaire I loved him in "Jefferson in Paris."

Helpful list for the viewers. Ago, tell some more about this specific topic if possible.

When did alinea switch to a ticketing system? I know achatzs other restaurant in chicago next does but didn't know alinea did too. How does wine work? Just pay that separately at end of the meal?

That said, I loved alinea and am generally not a fan of molecular gastronomy. Too much trying to be creative and forgetting to worry about making the food delicious. Alinea had the right focus imo and was one of the best meals I've had (above a couple trips to per se, below 1 or 2 epic ones, also put masa above it). On the other end of the spectrum I got lucky enough to eat at el bulli in their last season last year and was very disappointed. Creative but the food itself was not impressive (still glad I went).

I believe he is talking about Next,not Alinea.I could be wrong but I do not think I am.

Next has some very tasty stuff and very pretty but I truly LOVE Girl & the Goat. When in Chicago I always get there.

Cannot wait for WSOP circuit Hammond in October and a visit to Girl & the Goat.