On October 15, 1998, shortly before 11 PM, The Bellagio opened its doors to the public. Shortly thereafter, Picasso, helmed by Julian Serrano, began serving what was and is some of the finest food and wine Las Vegas has ever seen. Unlike the typical absentee chef, Serrano committed to moving to Vegas — after years of being the top toque in all of San Francisco. It was quite a coup at the time for Steve Wynn to persuade him to do so, but the move paid off handsomely — for Serrano, Wynn, the Bellagio, Vegas in general, and lovers of pitch-perfect, Mediterranean/French cuisine.
Category: Chefs
AUREOLE – Fromage Fabulousness
Speaking of cheeses….la carte des fromages (cheese cart) at Aureole may not be the biggest in town (Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon probably fill that bill), but it has an eclectic mix of properly aged beauties that go fabulously with one of the world’s great wine collections.
Iron Chef America – Battle Sturgeon – Viewing Party at Marche Bacchus
In the spirit of egotism, egoism, solipsism, vanity, pride, hubris, self-promotion and self-aggrandizement for which he is known, ELV hereby publicizes these snaps taken at last week’s ICA Viewing Party at Marche Bacchus. A good time was had by all as Emcee Robin (Lifestyles) Leach led the proceedings and NORM! (The Vegas Eye) Clarke took copious notes of everyone’s behavior (not really). Merci Beaucoup to Rhonda and Jeff Wyatt for hosting the event, and for the sturgeon stylings(?) of Chef Jean-David Groff Daudet.
Those four courses of sturgeon presented by Groff-Daudet were pretty much his swan song at the restaurant, as ELV has been informed he will be departing soon for another gig.
Bonne chance a notre ami Jean-David…and we can’t wait to taste what his successor: Jean-Paul Labadie will be whipping up at our favorite wine bar/wine store/restaurant.
FYI: The episode will be repeated tonight on Food Network.