Jul 2014

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

There’s nothing like a breathtakingly delicious meal at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon to get me back in the blogging groove! Viva Las Vegas!

Before we dig into the stupendous eats, a big thank you for sticking around during my long and unexpected hiatus. A little over two months ago, two major changes came into my life. The first, a new job! Woo! The second, a pregnancy! Woo hoo! Juggling both, with a side of intense nausea, was damn tough. But at last, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or at least I hope so…

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

After months of going to bed before the sun set and surviving on a sad and steady diet of saltines (and sometimes hot dogs!), I wasn’t quite sure if I’d be up for any fancy dinners while in Las Vegas for work this past weekend. Thankfully, I was feeling peppier, and more importantly, in the mood for feasting, by the time the trip arrived.

I dined solo this evening, which meant that I didn’t have to share any of the spectacular bread and salted butter. By the end of the meal, I’d made quite the dent in both. God, it was good.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

And then there were two amuse-bouches, one meatless and the other not-so-much. On the vegetarian front was a wicked refreshing shot of grapefruit and guacamole. The lingering spice was awfully nice.


L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

The foie gras parfait with port wine and parmesan foam hit a richer note. Both little bites readied my palate for the courses to come.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

Since I indulged in the Seasonal Discovery Menu on my last visit, I opted for an a la carte experience this time around. Sommelier Ben Spicer sent over a few nibbles of Jamon Iberico de Bellota to start. Carved just a few feet away, the ham was lusciously fatty, in the best way.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

Following the ham were cool slices of hamachi that were “served as a ravioli,” according to the menu. Sea urchin made for a fabulous “filling,” while a lemon vinaigrette tied everything together. I quite liked this course on my previous visit, but I full-on loved it this evening. A must-order, Uni Lovers.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

Ben insisted that I try the tomato gazpacho served with spiced burrata, and it was as fabulous as promised. The chilled broth, sweetened with summer’s ripest tomatoes, was downright amazing. Marigolds, croutons, and fleur de sel rounded out the beautiful bowl.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

As usual, I couldn’t resist ordering the steak tartar with old-fashioned French fries. Delicately seasoned and spiced just right, the tartar was a rich and satisfying indulgence.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

The thinly sliced fries on the side were equally fetching!

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

The final savory course was Le Burger, a perfectly seared, medium rare beef patty topped with foie gras and caramelized bell peppers, tucked into sesame seed-studded house-made brioche. Four bites of burger bliss!

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

To finish, a duo of desserts from the seasonal tasting menu. The first featured a gorgeous strawberry-tomato sorbet, lime cream, and brioche croutons.  The combination of textures and flavors was vibrant and well balanced.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

And finally, the dreamiest vanilla soft serve ever studded with cherries and accompanied by a chocolate peanut butter sable. A sweet finish to a fantastic meal.

My favorite restaurant in Las Vegas? Totally.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
3799 S Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 702-891-7358

Las Vegas is my edible playground:

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25 thoughts on “L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

  1. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!! How exciting for you guys. That kid is going to be an amazing eater (or not? irony??? lol).

    Also I had to chuckle at all the things you ate. I’m sure you have read all the lists of things not to eat while pregnant (they are over-cautious methinks)…. but I think you hit almost all the things “not” to eat. 😉

  2. WOOOHOOO!! Congrats to you and the Astronomer! I had a feeling something was up after all of the silence :)Excited for you too, and this meal sounds like a super fab way to celebrate.

  3. Triumphant return? I’d say so! Dining alone on trips is pretty awesome, isn’t it? That bread basket looks like all my dreams come true. Oh, and yes, sooooo excited for baby Gastronomy!!!!

  4. Wow! Congratulations to you and your husband. All those great meals and all those hotel rooms certainly set the mood for your current condition! Very happy for you and Vern! Your Mom must be ecstatic…

  5. Congratulations! How very exciting this must be for you and your husband!

    Love your book! I have referred to it many times and also have given it as gifts to friends. 🙂

  6. We missed you! Congrats! I really hope you don’t catch flack for how you eat. The occassional low mercury raw fish, hot dog, pasturized soft cheese, or beer is far less risky than the much more common fast food diet. Keep doing how you do.
    🙂

  7. I’m a blog lurker and was concerned about your absence. So very happy you’re back, and with such great news. Mazel tov on both exciting new life changes! Hope you’re all happy and healthy.

  8. Congratulations! I think it’s awesome that you’re still eating all these raw food..they are my ultimate weakness. Is it allowed? Food restrictions is one of the difficult prospective about being pregnant I think.

  9. Thank you for the warm welcome back! With regards to special diets for pregnant women, The Astronomer and I have taken a pretty lax approach. I avoid fishes high in mercury, cooked or raw, and that’s about it! Most of the dietary “rules” surrounding pregnant women are meant to protect them from food poisoning, not actual foods, if that makes sense. Our two cents on the subject 🙂

  10. As someone who is probably similarly as far along as you (17 weeks), I had a strong hunch this was the reason for no blogs! My 1st trimester diet largely consisted of hummus and cheese. As a long-time follower and former Caltech physicist (still a physicist, no longer in Pas), I have really enjoyed your blog and all the pointers to lovely dining establishments in the LA Basin. Especially the really diverse set that the SGV has to offer. Agree that most of the “rules” about food in pregnancy are total BS. Sometimes a girl just has to have a salmon roll! Gotta rock the omega threes!

  11. I felt totally unprepared for how much the first trimester would suck! But then it suddenly got better. However, I started getting reflux this week, which means a careful eye on food triggers again. Arg!!!! Hopefully you will be spared that bit of misery.

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