ALEX – A Restaurant of Shakespearean Proportions

There is nothing either good or bad, only thinking makes it so. – W. Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2

Calling the entrance to ALEX in the Wynn dramatic is like calling Hamlet a family drama. It is one of the most stunning restaurant entrances you will ever see, and the walk down the sweeping, curved staircase puts one in mind of making an announced entrance into the first class dining salon on a grand ocean liner of days gone by. All that’s missing are the flowing gowns and tuxedos. Sadly, these days you’re more likely to see golf shirts and mini-skirts (that rarely flatter the people who wear them).

That creeping California casualness does injustice to Alessandro “Alex” Stratta’s food (and Paolo Barbieri’s wines), but thankfully, both are so good — the play’s the thing* after all — you won’t be looking at all that sartorial blight once the food starts showing up.

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The Krug Room at GUY SAVOY

A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. – Oscar Wilde

Discussing the price of anything is so declasse don’t you think? That’s why we at ELV would prefer not to dwell on such things. We do provide the prices of our meals, of course, but do so only as a public service — and by “public service” we mean to justify the expense to this guy.

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PAYARD BISTRO $19 Lunch

For you cynics who carped about the $89 Joel Robuchon menu, try finding fault with Gregory Gorreau’s $19 Blue Plate Special at Payard Bistro.

Yes, for less than an Andy Jackson, you get a finely-tuned couscous or heirloom tomato salad, a nice block of snow-white, perfectly cooked halibut or a marinated skirt steak with foie gras jus, and a martini glass of the freshest strawberries topped with a chocolate tuile and pistachio ice cream.

Compare that to the fifteen buck microwaved mess you shoved down your pie hole at Marie Callender’s the other day, and you’ll see my point….

….This is the best deal in town right now.

Although it’s only available at lunch.

In Caesars Palace.

At a restaurant that’s admittedly tough to find.

But worth it.

Oh yeah, the banana-Nutella-chocolate crepe is….how has ELV and his staff said it in the past?….So good it will make you weep.

But it costs extra.

And is also more than worth it.

PAYARD BISTRO AND PATISSERIE

In Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, NV 89109-8924

702.731.7731

http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/payard-patisserie-detail.html