Thursday
Apr142011
Bouchon - Las Vegas, NV
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 6:25PM 
It's been a long time coming but it's finally here. My first experience of a Keller restaurant. Thomas Keller in the culinary world is in a way a demi-god. He's in a class of his own among the most highly revered chefs, and unlike the molecular gastronomists like Ferran Adria, his food is very real, very true, and very good.
This trip took place in February of 2010, my buddy Leon and I were tired of winning beaucoup bucks at the craps table (NOT!!) so we decided to go and take it easy over at the Venetian and give Bouchon, Las Vegas a try. I was very excited to be eating at a Keller restaurant to say the least.
Beignets de Brandade de Morue - Cod Brandade with Tomato Confit and Fried Sage
It's like the most amazing puff of fat and fish. The outside of this dish is so perfectly crispy and flakey and salty. All the things you want in an appetizer.
Pate de Campagne - country style pate with watercress, cornichons & radishes
Looking back on this dish I realize how much more I would appreciate this now. My grasp on how good this could be was lost on me back then. One of the beauties of taking photos of food is remembering how perfect their technique looks. If you've never had country pate, you need to.
Croque Madame grilled ham & cheese sandwich on brioche, fried egg & mournay sauce served with French fries
Of course one of my comfort food favorites. This is surely the benefit of having friends that know you well, they order things you like so you can eat them too.
Moules au Safran - Maine bouchot mussels steamed with white wine, mustard & saffron seved with French fries
I know what you're thinking . . . "Mussels in Las Vegas?!?!" Yeah well, Keller has a lady in Maine that hand selects each mussel and then has them sent out to his restaurants over night. I know it's not sustainable, and I realize it's far from the source, but, damn it they're good.
Choux de Bruxelles - Brussels sprouts with beurre noissette
One of the things I would do differently if I were to go back to Bouchon would be to order more sides. These were so delicate in flavor, and the texture was perfect.
Now, I will tell you that Bouchon isn't the cheapest restaurant you could eat at. But, think of it like this, you can easily spend 100 dollars in 10 minutes in Las Vegas. Afterall, they go through 100's like they're pennies there. We spent less than a hundred bucks each and it tooks us a good hour and a half to get through our meal. Money well spent? Absolutely, ESPECIALLY in Vegas.
--Joe
tagged bouchon, las vegas, the venetian, thomas keller, vegas in Las Vegas, NV
bouchon, las vegas, the venetian, thomas keller, vegas in Las Vegas, NV
Reader Comments (6)
I don't know how you feel about french onion soup but I like to try it everywhere I go...and it is amazing at Bouchon!! Are you telling me you didn't visit the BAKERY?!
Croque Madame's are 70% of the reason i'm overweight. I ate too many of these at thomas' brother's restaurant 'josef's'. keep up the blog man. i love this stuff.
My husband and I just started watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations from the beginning on Netflix, and we JUST saw him at Bouchon in Vegas last night - they tried the same brandade appetizer, and I wanted it right then.
One of my foodie goals is to eat at Bouchon and The French Laundry. Someday.
Everything looks incredible.
Envious!!! Damn, even the french fries look perfect. His cookbooks, by the way, are also wonderful.
I would go there JUST for the Brussel Sprouts. And to think I could top it off with a grilled ham n cheese with an egg on top and fries? I'm in.
Great post! I just got back from a bachelor party in Vegas and experienced Bouchon as the first TK restaurant that I've ever been to. I wanted to order the Croque Madame after seeing a picture of it on Foodspotting. However, I was sucked in by their Chicken and Waffles which was a perfectly roasted half chicken and a whole bacon & chive waffle with the best maple syrup that I have ever had. It was the most expensive brunch that I have ever had but it was also one of the most delicious so I think it was worth it. Plus, they were testing out their mint juleps for the Derby and they gave me one for free. Very friendly staff!