Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Now Closed

10 Jan 2011

Mix – Las Vegas (Mandalay Bay)

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The Astronomer and I had a quintessentially Vegas evening on our final night in town. First, we attended a mesmerizing Cirque du Soleil show at The Mirage, and then we dined at a trendy restaurant at Mandalay Bay. After taking most of our meals in low-key spots off the beaten path, we were looking forward to experiencing all the glitz and glam The Strip had to offer.

Located at the top floor of THEhotel, Mix is the vision of Alain Ducasse. The restaurant serves contemporary and classic French and American fare, as well as signature dishes from the chef’s restaurants in Paris and Monte Carlo.

I was inspired to dine at Mix after reading a glowing review from fellow L.A. food blogger Weezer Monkey. It wasn’t until I made the reservation online that I learned the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2008 and 2009. [The red book abandoned the city in 2010.]

A stunning 24-foot chandelier made of 15,000 hand-blown glass spheres was the highlight of the thoroughly modern and stark white dining room. As we walked toward our booth near the window, I secretly wished that I had reserved one of the hooded pods for novelty’s sake.

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Restaurant Review

07 Jan 2011

Oyster Bar – Las Vegas (Palace Station)

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Smack dab in the middle of the Palace Station casino floor is an eighteen-seat Oyster Bar with a cult-like following. I was sent here by three pandas, two hungry ones and one that knows kung food. “Get the pan roast,” they all advised. “And make sure to go at off-peak hours,” they added. Never once have these pandas led me and my stomach astray, so I happily did as I was told.

On our second day in Vegas, The Astronomer and I headed to Palace Station for lunch. In the excitement and anticipation of it all, I forgot to heed my friends’ second piece of advice. As a result, we stood in a lengthy line that ultimately took nearly two hours to get through. Eeek!

The unassuming counter serves a diverse selection of seafood offerings, including a handful with a New Orleans bent. While waiting in line, I met a fellow Angeleno who originally hailed from the South. She’s been coming to Oyster Bar for years now and always orders the gumbo with either rice or pasta. Even though I had decided my fate from the get-go, I briefly considered switching it up. People passionate about their food can be so convincing!

When it finally came time to grab two stools at the bar, I let out an enthusiastic squeal—the moment had finally arrived for me to experience the mysterious pan roast.

Every seat along the counter offered a great view of the open kitchen. The steam-powered pots with tilt-able handles were constantly bubbling away, filling the air with steamy goodness.

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Restaurant Review

05 Jan 2011

Sen of Japan – Las Vegas

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Plan A for our first dinner in Vegas was to hit up Raku, a much raved about robata joint located off the strip. When I called to confirm their hours, I was informed that the restaurant was hosting a special event that evening. There’d be plenty of grillin’ and sake on hand, but ordering off the menu was a no go. The Astronomer and I toyed with the idea of checking it out, but since we both couldn’t booze due to the car situation, we decided to seek out plan B.

Still in the mood for Japanese fare, we researched various options on and off the strip. The Astronomer’s keen Internet searching skills brought us to Sen of Japan. Opened by Hiro Nakano, the former head chef of Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the restaurant is well-liked among locals and was even “recommended” by Michelin in 2009.

We had read online that the best way to experience the food here is to order one of the omakase dinners, which are priced at $55 and $85. Not feeling especially famished, we decided to forgo an official tasting and instead sit at the bar and have the chefs send out whatever they fancied. An unofficial omakase, if you will. It had been a long day in the city of sin, and all we wanted to do was kick back and eat without much fanfare.

The first dish that landed in front of us were delicate slices of black snapper topped with capers, onions, shredded radish, and ponzu ($14.75). The fish was fresh, while the accouterments were simple and fitting. After indulging on crispy duck atop drunken noodles and TKOs earlier in the day, this was the kind of clean fare I was hoping for.

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