So usually on each trip, I get to pick out one restaurant that is over the TOP. At WDW I might get a little more leeway since there are so many nice places in one locale, however in a five day trip to Vegas I get one 5 star restaurant. This trip I picked Andres at the Monte Carlo. Evidently Andre was the first Destination Dining chef in Las Vegas and opened his first restaurant in the late 70s early 80s. Since then he has a restaurant at the Monte Carlo and Alize at the top of one of the other big hotels in Vegas. I chose Andres at the Monte Carlo and I couldnt have gone wrong.
From the moment we walked in the place exuded elegance. While it was almost empty, what else would you expect on a Tuesday night? Thats one of the benefits of going to Vegas midweek. Sorry about the blurry pictures. The chandeliers were pompous.
The seating and booths were beautiful and pretentious.
We started off the evening with signature Martinis from their private collection vodka, actually mine was a Gibson (as it was made with onions instead of olives).
We were immediately given an Amuse Bouche. It was a foie gras mousse over a salmon medallion with a hint of chili sauce.
Next we were served a basket of freshly baked baguette rounds with three types of butter, Olive Tapenade, Sea Salt, and Sun Dried Tomato.
For our first course we chose two appetizers that we could split, the first was Bison Carpaccio. This dish was totally insane, the Bison is obviously the red meat stretched over the sides of the plate. The black spots are sliced truffles, I have no idea what the white and green spots of sauce were, but those little crispy noodles and spinach in the center of the bowl, made such a contrast with the cool and creamy texture of the bison, the entire entree was so complimentary, it was delectable!
Meanwhile, Fran enjoyed this spinach salad and duck confit with toasted brioche and a fried quail egg.
Then halfway through we traded dishes. Both were just incredible! The crispy noodles, the creamy egg and the duck along with the spinach, it was an insane combination!
The for our next appetizer we shared another pair of dishes. Lobster bisque that was served tableside
And an appetizer serving of truffle risotto.
We were offered a palate cleanser of sorbet prior to our main course. I dont remember the flavor.
Our main was served up to us tableside
Lobster Thermador. This was evidently one of the recipes that put Chef Andre on the map. It was amazing! We split the order between the two of us. It was so thick, rich and gooey that I cant believe how one person would eat an entire order of it. Even splitting it neither of us could finish our portion. In fact as I was writing this part of the report, I was finishing the leftovers and still couldnt eat it all it was so rich. The mashed potatoes, were so creamy and to die for, while I am not a fan of large sized asparagus, these pieces were cooked so absolutely perfectly that I was in awe of the entire dish.
We spooned the sauce onto the baguette pieces and gave it our best try, but in the end we had to surrender because there was a Grand Mariner Soufflé on the horizon.
Now I have had my fair share of Soufflés, and have always enjoyed them, however, until this night I have never REALLY known the joy of a true Soufflé. In the past they were light and fluffy but had a slight cake like property. This one had no cake like properties, but was like eating a cloud. Every bite was poofy and melt in your mouth, I have never had ANYTHING like this before! It was the MOST delectable light and poofy Grand Mariner tasting thing I have ever had. But alas it was gone so quickly and I wanted another. Did I mention that I paired this with a snifter OF Grand Mariner? (as suggested by our server)
This was so amazing and I would have loved to have had another, but common sense got the better of me, and we just opted for the after dinner chocolates.
Tomorrow we rejoin the world of the average Vegas diner....
).
Then, I had a bunch of Godiva dark chocolate covered almonds. But, here's what makes me feel a little better.......
scared1
, I felt SOOOO guilty. But, hey...I used canola oil! That's healthy right? Of course, about 2 tsp. a day is healthy, not necessarily 1/4 cup! Plus, I used Pepperidge Farm Light Whole Wheat Bread, and not the bakery bread. And dark chocolate and almonds are both heart healthy...and I only ate 10 of the dark chocolate covered almonds. I'm just glad I did a Turbo Fire workout this afternoon!
I'm glad you guys enjoyed it!
...and your pictures are fantastic! I can taste that foie gras and truffles by just looking at them....
). So I had a half a whole grain bagel with a little vegetable cream cheese. Then when I went home, I had some grapes and a greek yogurt. About an hour before we left to go out to dinner, I had an apple. Sounds like a nice healthy day, right? Well then.....we went to our favorite diner (there are plenty of diners here in Brooklyn, and they are SOOOO good!). I had a bison burger deluxe with curly fries and onion rings. Then, I had to make DH stop at Dunkin' Donuts because they have these new chocolate donuts I wanted to try, and I know that if I deprive myself of it, I will just eat everything sweet in sight, defeating the purpose. So I gave in to temptation and had one...well, half of one, then half of another kind. It was very good! So after my day of healthy eating and staying in control, I gave in to temptation at dinner and dessert!
to my PTR! Thanks for the pictures! That's making me excited about our trip there! I can't wait to see Hogwarts and the village. Last time we were there they had just started to put up the signs that HP world was coming. I've heard so many good things about the themeing and the attractions!
