PINOT Envy Times Deux

ELV note: In keeping with our efforts to keep this website as tasty as ever, the staff at Eating Las Vegas has decided to try something new in the restaurant reviewing biz, to wit – having two critics analyze the same meal from their disparate viewpoints, the better to have you devour and delectate  their various disseminations. Given his seniority, Mr. Curtas shall be the first to weigh in, followed by young Wilburn, with whom he shared a memorable repast in the past week.

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“How can a restaurant that’s so good be so under the radar?” is the question I kept asking myself throughout my tasting menu at Pinot Brasserie. Then I realized I was to blame….along with Joachim Splichal.

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Sarah Johnson: Beermeister Extraordinaire

With the new director of F&B over at the Mandalay Bay getting all sorts of attention for being a Cicerone (the beer version of a sommelier, for those not in the know), the beer-loving eyes of the food community have been waiting for a little insight into what Sarah Johnson has in mind.  Those of you who have been obsessively glazing over this year’s schedule of events for Bon Appetit’s Vegas Uncork’d will have already noticed a new event among the Robuchon Luncheons and conspicuously consumed caviar, a BEER GARDEN!  I’ll give you all a second to fish the monocle out of your champagne.

Zoot-Alors!

Yes, Hubert Keller talked himself into another DJ set, but this time his beatboxing ministrations will be to the tune of an Alsatian Brasserie menu by himself and consistent partner-in-crime Chef Laurent Pillard.  PROBABLY going to be the coolest of the events, and no less cool for the help of the main beerographer, Sarah Johnson.  The smart and witty and sexually attractive people who read my stuff may remember a very cool pairings dinner where Sarah and Aureole Sommelier had a fun little competition of the pairings sort.

So I thought, “Hey, let’s talk to Sarah Johnson.  Get inside her dome-piece.  Slowly assimilate her life Write a cool little interview, innocently.”  Here’s the straight dope, people.

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Hot Hostesses Watch – PINOT BRASSERIE

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Whatever “private event”  these two were hostessing at Pinot Brasserie mattered not to Eating Las Vegas. One look at their sign, and their bountiful amounts of professionalism, had him signing up faster than Al Mancini at a Suicide Girls website.

When ([politely) told he couldn’t attend the private function, he was undaunted (as well as unwilling to leave the hostess stand), and immediately made plans to return the next day for his first visit in over nine years!

To his pleasant surprise, he discovered that the beauty of this restaurant doesn’t end at said hostess stand. For his further ruminations on his meal, and the charms of the staff at this tried and true Venetian war horse, you will have to tune in later this week.

In the meantime, ELV’s newest protege will leave you to ruminate on the charms of Arpy* (l) and Angelia** (r).

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* From Armenia

** From America (Las Vegas edition)