Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
601
Picasso
FRENCH Madrid-born Chef Julian Serrano's cooking stands proudly
next to the $30 million worth of Picassos that pepper the dining room's walls, making a
meal here a truly memorable experience. This may well be the best restaurant in Vegas.
The menu changes nightly and is always a choice between a four- or five-course fixed-
price dinner or tasting menu. We were bowled over by roasted Maine lobster with a “trio”
of corn—kernels, sauce, and flan. Hudson Valley foie gras was crusted in truffles and
went down smoothly. And finally, the lamb rôti was an outstanding piece of lamb,
crusted with truffles—just hope it's on the menu the night you're there. For dessert, a
molten chocolate cake leaves any other you may have tried in the dust.
In Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
&
866/259-7111.
Reservations recommended. Fixed-price 4-course
dinner $113; 5-course dégustation $123. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Wed-Mon 6-9:30pm.
EXPENSIVE
Border Grill
MEXICAN For our money, here's the best Mexican food in
town. This big cheerful space houses a branch of the much lauded L.A. restaurant, con-
ceived and run by the Food Network's “Two Hot Tamales,” Mary Sue Milliken and Susan
Feniger. This is truly authentic Mexican home cooking. Consequently, don't expect pre-
cisely the same food you would encounter in your favorite corner joint, but do expect
fresh and fabulous food, arranged as brightly on the plates as the decor on the walls.
Don't miss the dense but fluffy Mexican chocolate cream pie (with a meringue crust).
In Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
&
702/632-7403.
www.bordergrill.com. Reservations recom-
mended. Main courses $15-$28. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-
11pm.
Canaletto
ITALIAN Come here for solid, true Italian fare—and that means less
sauce-intensive than the red-checked-tablecloth establishments of our American youths.
Here, the emphasis is on the pasta, not the accompaniments. This place is all the more
enjoyable for being perched on the faux St. Mark's Square; in theory, you can pretend
you are sitting on the edge of the real thing, a fantasy we don't mind admitting we briefly
indulged in. On our last visit, we had a risotto of porcini, sausage, and white-truffle oil
that was full of strong flavors, while the wood-fired roast chicken was perfectly moist.
You know, a properly roasted chicken should be a much-celebrated thing, and that alone
may be a reason to come here.
In The Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes, 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
&
702/733-0070.
Reservations recom-
mended for dinner. Main courses $14-$36. AE, DC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11:30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-
midnight.
Rosemary's Restaurant
NOUVELLE AMERICAN A 15-minute (or so)
drive down Sahara is all it takes to eat what the
Vegas-Review Journal
calls the best food
in Las Vegas. Rosemary's cuisine covers most regions of the U.S., though Southern influ-
ences dominate. Seared foie gras with peach coulis, candied walnuts, and vanilla bean-
scented arugula is like a quilt, with distinct flavors that all hang together nicely.
Interesting sides include ultrarich bleu-cheese slaw, slightly spicy crispy fried tortilla
strips, and perfect cornmeal jalapeño hush puppies. On a recent visit we had the crispy
striped bass, among the better fish dishes we've ever had. Desserts are most pleasant. We
also recommend trying some of the restaurant's beer suggestions.
8125 W. Sahara.
&
702/869-2251.
www.rosemarysrestaurant.com. Reservations strongly recom-
mended. Lunch $14-$17; fixed-price 3-course lunch $28; dinner $24-$39; fixed-price 3-course dinner
$55. AE, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 5:30-10:30pm.
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