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March 30, 2008
A slice of heaven: Aureole, LV
If you're a foodie or just love a perfect dining experience, you should make sure to eat at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Just do yourself a favor and look to the left when you enter the restaurant: an elevator exists to whisk you in, which is a much better option than the purely decorative, highly slippery staircase.
The restaurant has a wine tower and apparently, staff rappel the tower to gather wine when ordered by the bottle. Don't get confused if they bring you the wine list before the menu - you might end up ordering more liquor than necessary if you bow to the pressure to hand back the wine selection gadget (a tablet PC).
My dearest friend Tanyka and I shared the most delightful tasting menu ever. Shortly after the confusion with the wine list, a server came to our table and started putting down more plates. Once everything had been settled, he announced Lobster Bisque, "compliments of the chef." Then we received the Rose Chardonnay we ordered to accompany our appetizers and delicious bread. Finally, we received the menu and decided to go with the 7 course tasting menu rather than the 3 course prix fixe. Then, we decided to add the wine pairings, for a total of 4.5 glasses of wine (each course had half a glass, plus the rose). Here's the menu - each and every dish was absolutely fabulous! (Seriously; I don't even like sushi and I loved the ahi tuna.)
1. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Trio w Paul Goerg, Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Chardonnay)
2. Slow Braised Beef Shank and Foie Grass Ravioli w W.T.W. Nadia (Viognier/Grenache Blanc/Roussane)
3. Olive Oil Poached Oregon Petrale Sole w Chardonnay, Oddero, Collaretto
4. Modesto County Pan-Seared Rabbit, w/ Morey St. Denis, J.P. Marchand (Pinot Noir)
5. Duo of Beef Tenderloin and Flat Iron w/ R.T.W. Cadence, Bel Canto (Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Petit Verdot)
6. Tasting of Cheese w Brioche Toast w/ Muskateller, Koehler-Ruprecht (Muscat)
7. Myer Lemon Parfait w Lemencello Sorbet w/ Kracher, Beernauslese Cuvee (Welschriesling/Chardonnay)
Unfortunately, Tanyka and I had a full day: we started with lunch/drinks at Trader Vic's, then did some serious shopping that didn't allow us to nap before arriving at Aureole. Since she had flown in from NYC and we got to the restaurant at 9:30 p.m., I had to understand when she started fading during course five. Thankfully, Hyoun and Lynne got into town in time for Hyoun to join us and eat Tanyka's sixth course and my seventh course. They brought me a trio of chocolates for my bday - including cake, tiramisu, and take-away wrapped white/milk chocolate. Let's be clear - I had every glass of alcohol from the rose champagne to the Beeranauslese Cuvee.
If this meal was the only thing I did for my 30th birthday, it would have been enough. Tanyka, you rock! (And thanks, Steve, for making the reservation.)
Posted by cj at March 30, 2008 07:59 PM