How to Spend $200 in Vegas Without Feeling Guilty

In recent years, Las Vegas has become the restaurant capital of the world. All star chefs from all over the world have set stakes down in Sin City and created dining experiences that are second to none. While the $1.99 steak and egg breakfast exists, the palate of Vegas visitors has matured and ventured into international gourmet cuisine. Not to be left out, Orchid and I chose two restaurants for our visit to Las Vegas. Both are anchored by solid executive chefs and worth the money we dropped on them.

Lunch: Delmonico Steakhouse (The Venetian) by Elusive Orchid

Lils and I decided our first meal in Vegas was going to be had at Delmonico Steakhouse located in the Venetian Hotel. I’ve never had the pleasure of dining at one of Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants so I was pretty psyched to go and find out for myself if his restaurants are as wonderful as the all the reviewers claim.

The first thing I noticed when we entered was the ambiance. The décor is masculine yet warm. It was reminiscent of an oak paneled library, well lit but not harsh, exuding a comfortable yet elegant feeling, a place where one can relax with an after dinner cordial.

Lils and I were one of the first patrons to arrive, as we had an early reservation. The staff was extremely attentive and more then willing to help. The extensive wine list was on display in floor to ceiling, custom made, wooden wine racks. Though tempting, we opted for cocktails, we were in Vegas after all.

We started our lunch with a special appetizer of spiced shrimp on a bed of risotto. It was slightly spicy and the risotto was al dente, creamy, with the perfect texture. It happens to be the only place where Lils will actually eat risotto.

The actual lunch was a bit of a debate. Everything on the menu was tempting. It ranged from seafood, to chicken and steak. Being a steakhouse, Lils and I decided it would be sacrilege to eat anything other then beef. In the end we both chose sirloin medallions on a heavenly concoction of mashed potatoes.

We of course had to save room for dessert. The special of the day was tiramisu. For those of you who have never tried it, you’re missing out. It’s a light, layered confection consisting of ladyfingers, Kahlua or another coffee flavored liquor, mascarpone cheese and whipped cream, with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Needless to say the meal was wonderful. But what I really enjoyed was the atmosphere. Though it does have the feel of a “Men’s Club,” Lils and I found that we were perfectly at ease even though we were the only unaccompanied women there. We didn’t feel out of place at all and the wait staff did everything they could to make sure we were happy with our experience.

I definitely recommend Delmonico Steakhouse for those of you looking for a fine dining experience in Vegas. However….a word of warning, vegetarians are not likely to find much on the menu to their liking. Though as accommodating as the employees are, I imagine they would be more then happy to whip up something for your enjoyment.

Dinner: Michael Mina (The Bellagio) by Lily White

The Bellagio is one of my favorite places to be in when I go to Las Vegas. Now, I neither shop nor gamble there, as it is a little too rich for my blood. I really can’t justify buying anything at the shopping venue and anything after a $10 minimum bet makes me sweat. However, the one thing I am very willing to pay good money for is good food. And the fine dining at Michael Mina at the Bellagio qualifies as good food to me.

I first went to Michael Mina last year on a trip with my in-laws. It was such a great culinary experience that when Elusive Orchid said, “I want to eat good food” as part of the itinerary edict, I offered up a trip to the Bellagio.

The restaurant sits at the back of the amazing garden that is filled with flowers and topiary delights. Keep in mind that in order to get there, you also have to walk through the enormous lobby with that fabulous Chiluly hand crafted ceiling of glass flowers. But the positioning of the restaurant is perfect. To me, it sits at the end of one very whimsical road.

The restaurant is decorated in a very warm and modern setting. Large French glass doors look out into the lake that fronts the resort casino. The clean, pale wood furniture and weave patter ceiling make you feel like you’re in a classy Northern California home. A little masculine, but not too much that two women were comfortable dining there. The amber lighting and open kitchen layout make dining very cozy.

The menu is a diverse selection of good eats. It was difficult to decide whether or not to pass it up, but we decided that we wouldn’t make it to dessert! However, the appetizers include selections such as Thai-Style Kobe Beef carpaccio with glass noodles and roasted peanuts; as well as a Hamachi (yellow tail) parfait with wasabi tobiko and shiitake mushroom vinaigrette.

But the big sell here are the entrees. On our big night, Orchid went with the Miso glazed Chilean sea bass that was served on a shrimp and lobster ravioli and drizzled with a mushroom consommé. One bite and she was hooked on the fusion of Asian, Italian, and French flavors. Meanwhile, I went with the same dish I had on my first visit to the restaurant: Rare medallions of ahi tuna topped with Hudson Valley fois gras and accompanied with a pinoir sauce and a crispy potato cake. Until dining here, I’d never tasted fois gras. I knew what it was, and I knew it was expensive. But the flavors of the fatty fois gras made the rare ahi actually taste like beef. And it all just melted in my mouth.

For dessert, we went for a simple tasting of sorbets (Orchid) and ice cream (me). I wondered if the desserts would stand up to the $9 price. But as I made my way through the Rocky Road, chocolate, and mint chocolate chip…I kept saying to myself that I’d pay $20 for this. The Rocky Road and chocolate were the most flavorful that I’d ever tasted and the mint chocolate chip had just the right amount of kick of mint in the after taste. Orchid oh’d and ah’d over a trio of sorbet that included raspberry, coconut, and pineapple. Along with a cup of coffee, it was the perfect end to the perfect meal.

Michael Mina at the Bellagio is definitely not cheap. Look to spend somewhere in the vicinity of $50-$70 per person if you’re ordering off the regular menu. If you are adventurous, go ahead and try their seasonal tasting menu (three courses, prepared for the table) at $105 per person. I’m working my way up to this one.

In hindsight, Orchid and I spent a large part of our budget on lunch and dinner. But considering the fabulous results, we don’t feel one ounce of regret. Besides…you’re in Vegas, if you can’t splurge here, where else are you going to splurge?

Next time you’re in Las Vegas, check out these two restaurants. You will definitely not be disappointed!

For more information on Delmonico Steakhouse and Michael Mina:
http://www.venetian.com/dining/delmonico.cfm
http://www.michaelmina.net/michaelmina_bellagio/