At The Wynn-ing Table With Steve And Elaine

As you’ll see from this Wynn Private Menu (pdf – new window),* the couple who gave Vegas its gastronomic pretensions have decidedly unpretentious appetites.**

Seems sort of a shame really, since they have everyone from Alex Stratta to Theo Schoenegger at their beck and call. (e.g., “Hey Schoenegger, can I get a goddamn egg white omelet up here for chrissakes! I’m hungry as hell and Kazuo Okada is breathing down my neck…”)

If ELV (and the fictional Mrs. ELV) suddenly changed places with the Steverino and his missus (in a post-modern, culinary Prince and the Pauper switcheroo sort of way) here’s how the instructions to our private chef would read:

Likes: Ortolans

Does not like: Beenie Weenies

Enjoys: Roasted fetal baby pigs imported from Ristorante Diana in Bologna, Italy.

Does not like: Pigs In A Blanket

Loves: Komodo dragon steaks a la The Freshman

Does not like: Tuna noodle casserole

Loves:

– White truffles from Alba, Italy

– Black truffles from the Perigord region of France

– Belon oysters flown in fresh from Brittany daily

– Fresh butter from Neal’s Yard Dairy

– Jamon Iberico pata negra de bellota

– Hand-harvested Nantucket bay scallops

– Unpasteurized French cheeses

Does not like: Fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches

Loves (and insists upon): A new chocolate creation every day from Fredric Robert

Does not love: Jello molds

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* Whassup with the instructions: “Do not overfeed him. Control portion size.” What is the guy, a pet?

** Speaking of pets, after reading this, ELV (and the fictional Mrs. ELV) decided that being the Wynn’s personal chef must leave plenty of time for this.

Eating Everything In The House at BARTOLOTTA RISTORANTE DI MARE

There are two superb seafood restaurants in Las Vegas. RM Seafood is one of them; Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare in the Wynn is the other.

Eating Las Vegas can’t do justice (in words or in pictures) to the feast put before us last week by uber-chef Paul Bartolotta in his eponymous restaurant in the Wynn. Therefore, in the spirit of humility, deference and buck-passing for which he is known, he hereby refers you to uber-food writer Dr. John Sconzo, for his complete recitation (in words and much better pictures) of the meal.

As you will see from a picture comparison, Sconzo’s snaps put ELV’s to shame, giving ELV and his staff, some serious pixel envy.

For Doc Sconz’s seriously tasty snaps of his meal at RM Seafood click here.

KLAS TV (CBS) Channel 8 – Dishing and Dining – BARTOLOTTA RISTORANTE DI MARE

We’re long overdue to feature Paul Bartolotta’s as-fresh-as-it-can-be Italian seafood on KLAS TV’s Restaurant of the Week. Now that the segment has officially been re-named: Dishing and Dining, we thought we’d kick it off by featuring this Italian master and his craft.

Now that you’ve seen ELV espouse the virtues of this magnificent restaurant, go here to hear him praise its pisciform productions in the sonorous tones for which he is known.

FYI: Alan Richman loves to tell people the best (and most affordable) way to experience Paul B’s food is to go here an not order the whole fish. As tempting as that may be, unless you’re celebrating your inheritance (or someone else is picking up the tab), stick with the pastas and a la carte items and you’ll have an incredible meal for less than a house payment.

BARTOLOTTA RISTORANTE DI MARE

In the Wynn Hotel and Casino

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702.770.3305