Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

01 Mar 2012

Epicurean Epicenter at Bellagio Featuring Pinot Noirs from Pisoni, Siduri, & ROAR Wineries

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For our second evening in fabulous Las Vegas, The Astronomer and I attended a wine dinner in Bellagio‘s Tuscany Kitchen as part of the Epicurean Epicenter series. This event featured a parade of California pinot noirs from producers Pisoni, Siduri, and ROAR and a four-course menu designed by Sensi Executive Chef Royden Ellamar.

Jason Smith, master sommelier and Bellagio’s Director of Wine, not only selected the participating wineries and orchestrated the pairings, but he also served as our host this evening. Also on hand were all three winemakers. Each one was invited to speak at various points during the event to provide insights into the wine making and wine drinking process.

What made this event stand out from other wine dinners I’ve attended was the interactive live cooking component. Attendees were encouraged to ask Chef Ellamar questions about everything from ingredients to technique. The Astronomer was tempted to ask Chef why he was cooking with Malibu. I had to keep my tipsy guest in check.

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Restaurant Review

28 Feb 2012

Le Cirque – Las Vegas (Bellagio)

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An irresistible invite from Bellagio brought The Astronomer and me to Las Vegas for a weekend of dynamite wining and dining. After arriving at the hotel, checking into our room, and dropping off our bags, we strolled over to Sirio Maccioni‘s famed Le Cirque for a late-night supper.

Le Cirque, which opened 38 years ago in New York City, made its Las Vegas debut at the Bellagio in 1998. The restaurant is the recipient of the AAA Five Diamond rating, as well as one Michelin star.

Set under a plush circus tent, Le Cirque’s elegant and lively dining room felt miles away from the din of slot machines. In a city where bigger is generally regarded as better, this intimate space felt like a real treat.

Whereas New York’s Le Cirque is set among skyscrapers, this location is perched lakeside, overlooking the hotel’s famous fountains. Every fifteen minutes, The Astronomer and I were entranced by the dancing water and shimmering lights. It felt quintessentially Vegas, and maybe a little cheesy, but we loved it anyway.

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Restaurant Review

24 Feb 2012

Hama Sushi – Los Angeles (Downtown)

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While the weathered paper sign mounted on Hama’s front door might rub some the wrong way, it only made me hungrier when I read it. For me, there is little better than pristine fishes, served fresh and unadorned.

My cousin Phil and I dropped into Hama for dinner a few weeks ago in celebration of my 30th birthday. We were seated at the horseshoe-shaped bar after a twenty minute wait. The space, like the food, is straightforward and unembellished. I felt right at home at the bar.

I didn’t catch the name of the gentleman making our food this evening (pictured above), but make sure to sit at his station when you visit. He seasons with a deft hand and cuts the fishes perfectly.

While perusing the menu and marking down our order, we were served a light and refreshing dish of pickled cucumbers with sesame seeds and seaweed.

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