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Joël Robuchon
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
MGM Grand3799 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Neighborhoods: The Strip, Eastside
(702) 891-7925
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Debbie G. said: "The food, the view and the service was fabulous. Everything was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this restaurant. I Tweeted that I was going to the restaurant and the manager replied to my Tweet and made sure our dinner was…" read more »
326 reviews for Joël Robuchon
Review Highlights
"This bread cart is every bread lovers dream."
(in 115 reviews)
"We opted for the 16 course tasting menu."
(in 34 reviews)
"The foie gras was melt in your mouth of course."
(in 64 reviews)
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326 reviews in English
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Review from Philip T.
#500
My wife and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary here. What a dining experience it was!
The complimentary gold MGM limo picking us up right in front of our place was sweet. You must do this! We were met by a beautiful hostess straight out of a James Bond film as we rolled up to the Mansion. An amazing place to check out. I guess this is what playing $25k a hand in blackjack gets you.
We had all intentions of getting the 16 course dinner but realized there was no chance whatsoever of my very petite sized wife having even a hail mary's shot at finishing. She might've reached course 10 at best.
No problem! Let's just fill up on champagne and do four courses.
There are so many extremely detailed reviews for this restaurant. Read all of them! I'm only going to do notes and observations:
- Is it possible to be too fancy? This comes close. I love fine dining as much as the next fat Asian with glasses but the word "stuffy" came to mind. Maybe my suit was too tight.
- The man, the myth, the legend was there. Right before our appetizers (ah-hem! Une Entree) came out I heard a "Bon Soir!" from behind me and there he was in the flesh! Joel Robuchon!! He shook our hands. Joel stops by the restaurant 4 times a year according to the staff and he said we were lucky to see him. I should've asked Mr. Robuchon to sign one of the rolls from the ridiculously amazing bread cart.
- The lobster salad with fruit was orgasmic.
- Whoever invented foie gras should go down in history as one of the greatest people ever.
- Veal cheek kind of tasted like if a chicken thigh had sex with filet mignon. I savored every little bite. I believe the neighboring table shot me a look after I said this out loud to my wife. Whatever. More champagne please!!
- They served us an extra dessert to celebrate the occasion. It was the white and yellow meringue fruit pie cake I took a picture of. I forgot what they said it was called. Blame it on the ah ah-ah-ah-ah ah-alcohol. Tremendous stuff! We ordered 2 more dessert dishes and THEN the dessert cart came out. Wow!!
3 hours later we were stuffed and ready for the limo to take us back. A fantastic gourmet experience I would recommend to anyone. -
Review from Ren L.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
I decided to have an early Valentine Day's dinner by going here. Better going now than during the weekend of VD.
I usually have a big stomach for food. And I was hesitant on going for a four-course meal, knowing that I would want to eat more. By the end of the night though, I made the correct decision on going for four, since I was nearly full.
I went with an amuse-bouche full of berries, which was fantastic. The appetizer consisted of a chestnut soup with bacon foam. I'm not a chestnut person at all, but I enjoyed it; probably because of the foam The main course consisted of the veal cheeks over the bouillon with couscous. I expected this dish to have a bland taste, but the amount of bouillon worked really well. The components of the main course came together, that Robuchon himself along with the executive chef Claude should be commended with a great meal.
I feel nearly embarrassed to pull out my camera and take pictures just because it would look too obnoxious in front of the service. And speaking of the service, it was top f'n notch. Even when my glass was a quarter empty, they would be there to refill it almost immediately. And they were just lovely when rolling around the bread cart as well as the dessert cart. Just awesome, so awesome.
Being at Robuchon is definitely an experience that I will never forget. Thank you so much!
edit: I didn't know there was complimentary limo service. Had I known.... :( -
Review from Jules L.
Fremont, CA
1/23/2012
OMG, I didn't know they had limo service..I didn't know so didn't get offered for it. :(
NEXT TIME for the 16 course. This time we had the 5 course (could of done 6), and omg, what can I say? It was good. The first small bite was interesting, it was umm 3/5 stars. The salad with lobster was delicious along with the soup. I think the fish was tender and the bread selection? DANG!
I love the bread cart and the dessert cart. They were listing out all the bread and dessert, I couldn't even remember what he said.
It's so nice and elegant inside and they even have a small stool thing for your purse. The decor was purple and was just plain nice. The price is yes, expensive, but it's a nice experience.
I would come back to do the 16 course, the neighbor did it and they were taking their time.
I do think I like eating at Cirque a bit more, but this was a life time experience everyone gota try! -
Review from Nilo M.
Cerritos, CA
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
A M A Z ZZZZZZZZINNNNGGGGG! (yes exclamatory on the ZINNNNNNNGG! with a high pitch sound!)
Went here for my girlfriends once a year treat and bday. I decided I had heard enough about this place and I wanted to experience it for myself. We walked over from Cosmo not knowing they had the gold limo experience...but oh well I was in it for the food!
This place is just off the top bliss, its very intimate from the minute you walk into the bar. They had us wait in the bar, and they had GOOD top shelf alcohol here. I had a Macallan 25 to start of my night...and that set it off realllll smooth. You do sit next to people but I know I was more than two people lengths from the seating next to us on either side. Some people are just loud in general, but for the most part me and my girlfriend did not have to raise our voices to have a conversation, in fact if I dropped my fork I can guarantee that everyone in the restaraunt would hear it.
Service was awesome, I think it was at least two individuals maybe three per person in our party that were whisking away dishes or refilling our glasses with wine or water.
My SO and I did the 4 course prixe fixe and it was well worth it. The Amouse Bouch or whatever you call it, was a jelly in a special vase suspended over dry ice. Man the presentation of that blew me out of the water...
From there on it was like I was in food heaven. The bread cart.. Its the size of my smart car. CRAPOLA! I went crazy on the bread realizing I havent even started my meal. They had special butter from the UK and then a olive oil from the South of Spain.
See I was so fixated on the carts...that I completely forgot what I ordered...ok now I remember..
1) Crispy soft boiled egg with smoked salmon and caviar
2) Delicate tofu velouté with lemon zest on warm seaweed gelée, smoked and caramelized eel
3) Duck and seared foie gras with sweet and sour cherries, fresh almonds
4) Raspberry milk mousse, spiced raspberry sorbet, earl grey puffed rice krispies and pistachio foam
The Duck was the standout dish... I love foie gras, but the way this melted in my mouth..oh man...
The couple next to us had the 16 course with wine, and they looked stuffed! I will only hope that I can go back and try this once in my lifetime, in the meantime, I can say I did experience a restaraunt that was to die for! -
Review from Trang H.
San Jose, CA
1/4/2012
10 Things you should know about dining at Joel Robuchon:
1) You will not be disappointed, except by the price which might make you cry.
2) They send a free limo to pick you up and drop you off at the restaurant from wherever you're staying.
3) Prepare yourself for at least a three hour meal. It's an experience afterall.
4) They will ask if you want champagne when you sit down. Each glass is $35-$45. Water is $10/bottle for Evian.
5) 16 Course Tasting Menu is $495/person without wine pairings - this is not listed on the website. Wine pairings go up to $999/person.
6) Bread Cart - AMAZING. There are dozens of types of breads. The cheese breads and the milk bread was my favorite. They carve your butter from a magnificent butter mountain.
7) What can I say about the food other than it was perfect. This is definitely a meal you will remember for the rest of your life. Every presentation, every flavor, every bite was absolute perfection. It was interesting and complex, unlike anything I've ever eaten before. You just have to try it.
I recommend the Riz, a rice pilaf with sea urchin and lobster. It was my favorite course of the night.
Every main course dish also comes with Robuchon's famous whipped potatoes. SO CREAMY!
8) Mignardises is the sweets cart they offer at the end, full of chocolates and pastries. My favorites were the creme brulee and the cream puffs.
9) They give you a little present (if you're a girl) before you leave of chocolate and a booklet on the dining experience.
10) If you're there for a special occasion, there is complementary cake (or gateau *pinky up*)
PS Don't forget to ask them for their finest glass of Keystone Light -
Review from Jason S.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had very high expectations going in, and I was not disappointed.
I've eaten at a lot of amazing places, I was raised foodie, and very little intimidates me. But I will have to say, I was kind of on the defensive when I came here.
First of all, it was a little awkward as I was dining solo. My dinner companion had bailed on me, so I was going in on my own. Additionally, I didn't make a reservation and just sauntered in. Glad I had an extra sportcoat with me. The ambiance was amazing, beautiful, exactly what I expected. The two hostesses were tall, gorgeous women in couture dresses. As I was mustering up courage to enter, I pulled the two huge front doors way too hard, almost causing a scene. As I sauntered up to the stand, quickly regaining composure, I announced I would like to have dinner and didn't have a reservation. There was some murmuring and they asked me to sit in the lounge while they spoke to the manager. I didn't even have a chance to sit and they whisked me away to my table.
I was seated on the bench side of a table for two, with a couple next to me and a third gentleman dining alone immediately next to them. This is significant, because I couldn't help but eavesdrop, as it was so quiet in the restaurant and we were all in such close proximity. The male half of the couple seated next to me, was on the opposite side of the table, and the bastard would not stop looking at me during my meal, which was frankly just weird and did detract from my overall experience.
They asked me if I wanted a cocktail, and when I said Martini, they correctly assumed gin and asked for my preference. I chose Hendricks and recommended they use a cucumber slice as a garnish. The server came back with a perfect Martini in a crystal glass, and he told me that the bartender said 'thanks' for the idea of a cucumber garnish, that it paired perfectly - he said they would recommend it in the future.
I started with amuse-bouche of a tomato puree served over a custard - perfect combination of flavors. I must take a moment as well to mention that the table setting was beautiful, all silver flatware, perfect china, and sparkling crystal vessels. Whenever I would finish with a utensil or another dining implement, they would spirit away the offending dirty item to an impossibly large silver tray in the center of the room, which they would carry away only to immediately replace with another giant silver tray. It was almost humorous when it was a lone cocktail glass.
Next they arrived with a huge cart full of dozens of freshly-baked breads. I spent half of my time just being walked through what was contained on the cart. Not wanting to spoil my meal, I chose a modest selection, although the gentleman manning the cart was insistent that I try more. I settled on a fresh Gruyère brioche and a roll that had bacon within. Then another fellow came by and engaged in a complex ritual where he carved fresh butter from Brittony with a chilled spoon and put it on my plate with a little fleur de sel. The bread was incredible, unsurprisingly.
Next up, I had the langoustine ravioli with truffle, cream and chopped cabbage. Not only was it a delicate flavor explosion, it also had fantastic texture. Thank goodness there were only three, because I am quite sure I could have eaten a bucket of them. The next course was a fava bean soup served over a rosemary foam, again, flavors were incredible and there was just enough to get the flavor, but not too much. During the meal, the service was not only incredibly attentive, but also not pretentious. I really appreciated that.
For my main course, I had a splendid duck breast with foie gras and almond-stuffed sweet and sour cherries. Easily the most perfect duck I have ever partaken of, and the sommelier paired the perfect wine with it.
To finish the meal, I chose the Earl Grey rice krispy with raspberry milk mousse, a nice blend of sweet and tart. I ordered some fantastic coffee and they ended with the dessert cart, where the gentleman who manned that cart foisted more and more treats upon me. I especially loved the baba ahrum, caramels and the jellies he offered.
I felt as one should after a repast like this, completely sated. Price be damned, this is what culinary art tastes like.Listed in: Yelp 100 Challenge 2012
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Review from Carlos B.
Colorado Springs, CO
12/25/2011
I have mixed feelings about Joël Robuchon, and I'm perfectly willing to admit that it's because this joint is way out of my league... financially. We read many reviews about this place and found them to be accurate, particularly when they addressed the quality of the food. NO QUESTION, this was the best food we have had in Vegas (and perhaps ever). Everything, and I mean everything, was just knock your socks off delicious, complex, interesting, and indulgent. The service was beyond impressive, too. Everyone knew what everything was, the wait staff was choreographed to negotiate huge trays (with or without food on them) in a way that made the whole operation look like a Balanchine ballet. So you can imagine how hard it is to find anything to complain about. The culinary experience was near-flawless.
Wait a darn minute, what do mean "near"? Well, two things: (a) the portion sized and (b) the price.
I still stand by my statements about the quality. I had a lobster cooked with uni (sea urchin roe) on a bed of truffle risotto that was to die for. The problem is that the portion fit on what was basically an oddly-shaped, ramekin-sized soup bowl. And so it was with the other portions: barely enough to tease your palate, have you humming in delight, and it's gone (who knows, the portions were so small that I suspect evaporation might even be a factor).
Then came the bill. Good grief. Let me digress: at seating, one of the waiters asked if we wanted to start the evening with some champagne. We said "sure," to which he replied "white or pink?" What the heck, "one of each." That statement, as it turns out, added $70 to the bill.
I'm not going to divulge how much the meal set us back, but I'll give you enough for an educated guess. Not being able to even think about the 16-course, $495 chef's course, we opted for the $165 prix fixe, which had four courses: amuse bouche, appetizer, entrée, and a thin plate of chocolates for dessert (the bread cart came by before the appetizer, too). A bottle of Riesling cleared the century mark, you know how much the champagne was, one of the appetizers came with a "surcharge" (I think it was because it had extra truffle or something), and we did have some Hungarian Tokaj to sip with the chocolates. The term "sticker shock" doesn't quite cover it.
I'll end this (my first yelp review) by emphasizing that if I were a person of more affluence (in this case, much more), I would most likely not care about the bill because the food was so good, it would eclipse the expense. We came, we ate, we enjoyed, we marveled, we learned and we'll most likely never be back. -
Review from Norma J.
Upland, CA
12/29/2011
Wow! What can I say but wow! My husband and I celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary by having dinner here. The food was delicious and very pricey for two normal people like ourselves.
I ordered the rib eye steak with bell peppers and spinach in a wasabi sauce and dark chocolate souffle for dessert. My husband ordered the lobster dish with some stuffed seafood items. These aren't your regular portions, they are smaller but very filling. They offer a great selection of breads and after dinner chocolates. They also gave us the most decadent, buttery, creamy mashed potatoes I have ever had!
The staff was nice enough but a bit stiff. Our waiter was really friendly and made me feel more welcome. Thanks! Watching the staff was like watching a choreographed dance. They even took our coats and scarves!
At the end of the night we were given a bag with chocolate and a mini book with pictures of the restaurant. Overall the food was delicious and we enjoyed ourselves but at about $500 for 2 people I'm afraid we can't afford to come back. If we win the lottery we'll be back :) -
Review from Kevin K.
Arlington, VA
1/2/2012
Robuchon....what else is there really left to say. Perfection.
The restaurant is as good as it is in any other city. I make this compasion to the Robuchon in Macau!
The bread cart makes you want to keep asking for more the caviar dish is sublime, the tasting menu does get a bit over the top. I like to describe the menu like waves of cuisine crashing into your soul relelntlessly battering you into submission to remember each and every wave of divine french cuisine.
I only regret going there on the first day of a 5 day trip but making the reservation for 8 pm (EST was 11pm), by the time we finished the meal it was around 11pm. It was a little late for us and had to order some espresso to finish the entire tasting.
Once again pricey but for the experience you should try this once, hell maybe even twice. I would also suggest L'atelier because it is also a show but again worth every penny!
Cheer and happy eats!
P.S. if you have a reservation and are not staying at the MGM...THEY( Robuchon) will send a limo for you there and back....DEFINITELY a nice touch for Vegas this is must!Listed in: best destination eats
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Review from chelle b.
Henderson, NV
1/4/2012
Ahhhh-mazing this place is! Or, well...that's an understatement...Robuchon is beyond amazing from taste, to presentation, to staff, to atmosphere, etc. etc. This place deserves more than 5 stars on yelp for sure.
Be prepared for an awesome experience while you dine here as you spoil your tastebuds for approximately three hours. Also, make sure you come hungry and be aware that money shouldn't be an issue when you dine here as you will definitely rack up a bill!
It is quite difficult to say what my favorite part of the meal was. Everything was superb and extraordinary. The selection of breads, cheeses and candied desserts were mindblowing! I wanted to try them all...
My friend and I enjoyed our meal in their psedo-garden which was quite nice and didn't come off cheesy looking. There, I loved the black cod dish that I ordered--you can taste the layers of flavor in this dish. My friend went with the lobster and veal dish. They were also so very good.
The things that I didn't really care to spend money on or would care less if they served this to me was the soup and the dessert. I also wasn't a big fan of their creme brulee as it tasted somewhat bland and the consistency was not to my liking.
Oh and I liked the fact that my friend and I weren't treated like we didn't have the money to spend, since we were probably the youngest ones in the restaurant during our time there.
Lastly, I want to say I came in very excited and full of energy and left feeling so tired and exhausted from such a lovely treat. And how nice of them to provide a nice chocolate treat along with a visual booklet of the restaurant at the end of the meal. I can't wait 'til I come in again! -
Review from Cynthia C.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 1/3/2012 59 photos
The cheese course is now wrapped into the 16 course price.
Favorite courses of the evening:
*L'Orange Sanguine
Emulsion of blood orange on a wild berry gelee
*Le Foie Gras
Carpaccio of foie gras and potatoes, covered with black truffle shavings
*Le Truffe
Crisy black truffle tart with onion confit and smoked ham
*Les Crustaces
Truffled langoustine ravioli, grilled spiny lobster in green curry, 'chaud-froid' of sea urchin on fennel potato puree with anise citris
Wine pairing prices for the degustation have four levels of prices, starting at $295 per person and going up $100 each level.
Hazard: The two desserts of the even required diners to break the candied shell, part of mine broke onto where I was sitting and caused a choco mess. Good thing it was nothing a little soap and water couldn't take out.
Gift at the end: they have removed the color photo book of the degustation menu. A gorgeous milk chocolate caramel bar with dusts of gold and lavendar.Listed in: Vegas Go's, Tasting Menus are my Passion &…, Return Worthy Restaurants on…, Voted by the People, yes…, Life Altering Food
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/10/2010
Definitely take advantage of the R/T limo service. Extra smooth ride in the gold emblazoned MGM… Read more »
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Review from Marlease F.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012
The end of the meal....Chocolate Souffle. The presentation was edgy - say Mad Hatter Tea Party meets Spruce. The server put a scoop of, my preference, chocolate sorbet in the middle of my souffle. It was wonderful! Then they came around with the complimentary dessert cart...all homemade chocolates, including marzipan filled truffles.
The only other time in my life that a restaurant has made me feel as if I was in someone's living room was in Stellenbosch South Africa....this was the 2nd. -
Review from Annie Z.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012
I have never spent that much money on food before! Joel Robuchon is amazing! Every dish was so pretty and tasty at the same time. It's definitely worth trying out. They have a bread cart and a dessert cart with endless choices. Im running out of things to say here. It's one of those experiences that words can't describe!
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Review from Thanh N.
Houston, TX
I'm a foodie aficionado and the experience to wine and dine here was pure bliss!!! Any foodie's dream, right? I felt like a queen!!!!
WOW! Truffle galore, lobster ravioli, lobster salad, lobster curry, kobe beef, 3 different ways of caviar tasting, chestnut bisque, foie gras, uni custard, wild oats with truffle topped with real edible gold...and more! Is your mouth watering yet? Mine still is.... :P I had the 16 course tasting! Each dish was small but perfectly portioned. I got to taste everything and wasn't tired of eating or too full because each dish was definitely unique and perfect. Their selection of breads were delightful! I liked the basil bread...you get to pick which bread you want and they'd bring it to the back to toast and served it to you warm.
I had 2 glasses of rose champagne. Champagne was definitely nice and light to have with all the dishes.
Decor was beautiful, service was to the 9! We had at least 7 servers for our table. What a wonderful experience. I felt spoiled! No wonder it's a 3 star michelin! =) -
Review from J B.
Virginia Beach, VA
12/4/2011
I won't repeat all the other reviews but our visit to Joel Robuchon was hands down the best dining experience I have ever had in my life.
Everything was the best it could possibly be from the limo pickup, to the private entrance drop off, wine selection, bread cart, 6 course meal, desert, cheese selection and limo drop off back at our hotel. The service and menu knowledge was impeccable.
If Joel Robuchon (the restaurant) was a....
Car; it would be a Rolls Royce
Woman; it would be Heidi Kulm
A hotel; It would be the Pierre Hotel in NYC
Jewelry; It would be the hope diamond
If your in Vegas and you have a special occasion and you don't make at least an attempt to go to Joel Robuchon, you should reconsider how special that occasion actually is. -
Review from Rod U.
11/16/2011
A French chef once told me "French people are born with two gifts, making love and making food. " While I sadly cannot speak to the prior, the latter is exemplified by Joel Robuchon.
The short review: THE BEST!
The long review (sorry its so long):
Three Michelin stars and the AAA Five Diamond award speak for themselves.
A meal at Joel Robuchon showcases the French passion for food, respect for ingredients, deftly practiced restraint, and the melding of cutting edge cooking techniques with the traditional. The presentation is nothing short of breath taking yet everything on the plate has a purpose. Ahhh like a beautiful yet sensible woman.
While the core of each dish may be the same, portion size and the way they are dressed varies depending on what menu you order them from (a la carte, pre fixe, or degustation). Keep this in mind when trying to follow the recommendations of another.
The current menu standout is the signature truffle langoustine ravioli. A see through thin wrapping envelopes a core of sweet, moist , langoustine tails dressed by an incredible foam (not your typical brown butter sauce), and doused in a generous amount of shaved black truffles. Sensuality on a plate.
The current 16 course ultimate degustation menu was nothing short of perfection. Course after course of pure artistry and intriguing flavors. How about a salad of haricot verts (green beans) with Parmesan and foie. So simple. So delicious as the richness of the foie and the earthiness of the parm makes the vegetal flavors of the beans explode. Too simple, how about the langoustine ravioli described earlier with grilled spiny lobster lightly accented by a curry served aside an aspic of uni with a fennel potato puree scented with anise. The warmth of the ravioli and puree quickly soften the aspic releasing the creamy goodness of the uni throughout the dish. Layer after layer of flavor. Truly orgasmic.
The ambiance is contemporary European elegance. Stunning.
The price? Prefix menus (2, 4, 6 courses); $120 - $240. The ultimate degustation menu (16 courses) $425 in the fall of 2011. If it sounds crazy, consider there must be more chefs in the kitchen than guest in the dining room preparing your meal.
The outstanding wine list focuses on France. Good vintage depth. Fair pricing considering the cellaring, however the average bottle price is $300. There are few worthy selections below $100.
Service is perfect. It is executed by professionals who view service as a career. Practiced, polished, extremely knowledgeable of menu and culinary techniques They are experts at making you feel like a welcome guest. No stuffiness.
Finally, remember there are things even your casino host cannot do: provide illicit drugs, arrange "companionship" for the evening, and get a same day reservation at Joel Robuchon. Make you reservations well in advance.
Ahhh, the French really do have it right.Listed in: Best of the Strip - LV
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Review from Bryan T.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not sure what else I can add, but I will say that Joel Robuchon was one of my top two dining experiences of the year (along with Momofuku Ko). The two are very different: Joel Robuchon is like the platonic ideal of French style fine dining. Everything that other Michelin star French places do, they do bigger and better.
For example, many restaurants have great bread. Most Michelin starred restaurants will even offer a selection of bread. I have a weakness for carbs that makes me hate myself in the morning, so I've had embarrassing amounts of tasty bread from Bouchon, Jean George and the like. Most of these places will even offer a nice selection of bread, perhaps on a tray. At Joel Robuchon, they wheel a cart the size of a motorcycle over, full of bread. It literally looks like something that would be served to a king in a Disney movie. The same thing happens after dinner with their "mignardes cart," which is the same thing but... covered in mostly chocolate dessert items.
Of course, the food was amazing and also very consistent. One would hope that when paying upwards of $500 for two this would be a given, but even places like Jean George or Manresa had courses that just didn't work for me. Not so at Joel Robuchon, where everything was fantastic.
Then, at the end of the night, they send you home with a loaf of fresh baked lemon bread, which was a tasty breakfast the next day.
It's been a pretty good year for me, and I've been lucky enough to dine at a number of fantastic restaurants, but in terms of pure, decadent, gluttonous fine dining experience, Joel Robuchon stands above the rest.Listed in: Best Fine Dining Restaurants…
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Review from Megan E.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Well this was an experience! We arrived by limo and went through the back way. If you are early you can do pictures at that point or at the end.
We were seated in the "garden" which was nice for privacy but not as much action. Ask when you make reservations to sit where you want.
We elected for the "four course" $195 - which included amuse bouche, appetizer, soup, main course, and dessert. We also had bread, dessert cart, birthday cake options. We ordered one half bottle of wine for $30. Water was free (flat) .
I thought the amuse bouche was 5* (a sangria type soup dish), the appetizer 5* (I had a citrus artichoke and lobster salad), the soup 4*, the main dish 3.5* (I had Langouste prepared a few ways - it tasted a bit overcooked and the description given to me was unclear), the dessert 3.5-4* (my husband liked his better than I liked mine - he had banana chocolate and I had orange cake), the cake 5* (a nice treat and a yummy birthday cake slice), the dessert cart 4* (a ton of selections - I wish I'd been able to try more!) and the bread cart 5* (best I've ever seen for selection and great flavor range - we had them give us three servings from the cart with multiple selections each time).
I'm glad we went and I'm glad I can cross a place like this off my bucket list - but I probably wouldn't return on my own dime and even someone else's, I might suggest somewhere else. It is a very special meal, but it is very French and it does cater more toward older clientele. -
Review from Vickie Z.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2011
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
My husband and I both ordered the full tasting menu with one wine pairing.
The dishes were very original and the presentation of each dish was extraordinary!
Everything was beyond our expectation!
Bravo! -
Review from Kent D.
When I was asked to dine at a AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star, Three Michelin Star, Wine Spectator Grand Award and Chef of the Century's restaurant, the question wasn't IF...It was WHEN!
My last night in Vegas marked the unforgettable occasion and as soon as I opened those shiny glass paned double doors, I knew I was in for a treat! As I walked across the foyer into the main dining room, I left the hustle and bustle of the frenzied casino behind me and I was instantly transported into a luxurious 1930's style French bistro with a huge crystal chandelier cascading above me. Honestly, this place was dripping with opulence!
Truth be told, I do get a bit uncomfortable in fancy schmancy restaurants. Perhaps it's the well pressed white table cloths or the half dozen stuffy staff serving my every whim, but this place was not like that at all. The servers were warm, friendly and present without being overbearing, which was really nice! Add to that the elegant yet inviting atmosphere and I was feeling like a king! A hungry one at that!
As soon as we were seated and handed our nicely bound menus, I instantly knew in my mind that I wanted to try the 16 course tasting menu. Heck, you only live once, right?
Because we were in a festive mood, we decided on a bottle of bubbly and for me, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot fit the bill perfectly!
Then came the famous bread cart in all its glory! Wow! It was a sight to see! There were more than a dozen breads to choose from to start the meal and i think we tried almost all of em! Three magnificent breads, however, stood out from the pack. Those being the buttery cheese brioche, savory bacon epi, and chewy cheese baguette.
Then, of course, came the food! Honestly, it was so beautifully plated there were times I simply felt it was a shame to eat it! But I got over that hurdle fairly quickly.
Now, I don't plan on boring you with the entire 16 course blow by blow, but I will focus on the dining highlights which made the evening extra special for me!
Amuse Bouche "sangria emulsion" refreshingly light citrusy blood orange cream emulsion above a chilled jam in a whimsical dry ice bowl with small chunks of apples and berry sangria gelee. Lip smacking tartness with a delightfully smooth & creamy finish! Excellent way to awaken the palate!
Trio of Caviar
Caviar with Asparagus - Although not the most interesting pairing of the evening, the flavors of the fresh green asparagus and salty caviar played well against each other.
Salmon Tartare with Shiso Sprouts and Caviar - The textures were delicate and the flavors were refined.
Daikon Cous Cous with Caviar - The thin delicate slivers of cool daikon wrapped around fluffy cous cous and topped with caviar was an exhilarating finish to an interesting play on Japanese cuisine.
Lobster - Topped with fragrant black truffle, the langoustine ravioli was magnificent! The grilled lobster was simple yet beautifully presented. Subtle flavors but hey it's lobster! Sometimes a good thing shouldn't be messed with! The smooth & creamy sea urchin fennel potato puree was inspiring and texturally inviting, as well.
Chestnut Soup over Foie Gras Foam - Rich frothy and flavorful with savory bacon bits. The chunks of roasted chestnuts added a subtle sweetness to this warm and rustic soup.
Bone marrow - One of my personal favorites! The marrow was luscious, rich and supple in texture. It also exhibited the most irresistible aroma! The popcorn added a pleasant textural dimension to this delightful dish.
Sea bass - Beautifully seared, this magnificent piece of fish came bathing in an irresistible butter sauce. The artichoke balanced the flavor profiles nicely.
Birthday Cake - As the evening came to a close, the staff came out with a cart embellished with lavish decorative baubles and a small sign that read "Happy Birthday" The accompanying birthday cake was extraordinary! Perched on a large black pedestal, it was absolutely majestic but all I could think of was digging into it! To my surprise, it was a mango meringue ice cream cake and although we couldn't take it home with us, we did indulge in two large decadent slices and it was fantastic! Bravo to the dessert chef!
If that wasn't enough we were given free reign of the mignardises (dessert cart) that had a vast selection of petit fors, small cookies and yes...macarons!
They boxed up the cookies and gave us an additional box of marshmallow treats to take home with a copy of the menu and a nicely bound colored brochure documenting the magical evening.
I'd have to say this was by far the most amazing dining experience
of my life. Would i do it again? Someday.
But for now, I'll just revel in the fine memories of an unforgettable evening that will leave my palate in infinite bliss!
Happy "Birthday" Eats, Part Deux!!Listed in: Fine Dining, Michelin Star Restaurants, Vegas Baby!
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Review from Edward H.
Sacramento, CA
12/26/2011
My analysis of the myriad of glowing five star reviews:
A.) This place is the default "most expensive food in Vegas" so I think it attracts people who aren't accomplished in much other then spending cash.
B.) When you drop 500-1200 a person on dinner it is really hard to admit that the food and experience is less the five stars.
I have enjoyed opportunities to dine at some really swanky places with prices that do command a healthy cash flow. Joel Robuchon was by far the most overrated, unimpressive, and exorbitantly expensive meal I have ever indulged.
I guarantee if you are dropping the cash on this experience your are likely not staying at the MGM where the restaurant is located. The MGM Grand? Come on folks.... The place is like a goddamn amusement park and holds ranks and class with the likes of the fabulous Luxor and New York New York. So they pick you up at your far more modern and luxurious hotel in a funky ass, old, skankafied beige limo that says "MGM Grand on the side." Right on!
Like everyone gushes, you are rolled up to some ally entrance in the back of the hotel and are ushered in to an impressive hotel that you will NOT be staying at anytime soon. Personally, if I was dropping 5K a night to stay at this private hotel, I would be pissed off that they shuttle some two bit strip dwellers through my private space so they can ooh and ahh while strutting through. The whole entrance thing is complete theater, at the end of your tour you are dumped out into the reality of the MGM's casino floor area. The hotel is old, and dumpy.
The restaurant design is classic stuffy french with a large helping of schizophrenic circus flare. Don't be put off if the hostess, captain, and most all the wait staff put on a strange stuffiness that is not warm, nor is it directly dismissive. It is the perfect balance of cocky that makes most general, submissive diners feel they have been blessed with the opportunity to dine.
The bread cart is a complete exhibition and a method to fill patrons up on inexpensive bread. You won't find warm, fresh bread. Just a bunch of gimmicky ass, stale, cold pieces of herb, cheese, and bacon bread.
I ordered the full tasting menu. In asking my options with the Sommelier, I was offered the option of three tasting costs. Never have I been offered the option to choose my wine pairing based on cost levels. To top it off, the price levels were some bullshit like $299, $599, or $999. Let's just say, 300, 600, or 1000 for christ sake.
I went with the most "modestly priced" wine pairing and I was blown away with the swill they poured me.
The food was interesting, it was prepared well, some items were delicious however most of the 16 were just uninspired combinations of expensive ingredients. An example was a piece of cold asparagus, cut down the middle stuffed with beluga.. Yay! Most dishes that should have come out hot or at least warm, came out cold. Pretty, but cold.
Dessert was ridiculously long winded, as they felt the need to review two dozen little candies on yet another cart.
My share was $900.00 and I left with a huge chip on my shoulder. Never again. -
Review from Alex F.
Irvine, CA
11/8/2011
This restaurant delivered in it's over the top execution of service, food, and ambiance from the limo pickup and ride through the huge double gates to a private entrance, to the ride back to the Aria. Rather than repeat the selections or the accolades, what I have to say is more about the experience.
It might be safe to say that most three star Michelins don't deliver in this style or fashion. Maybe it was our proletarian awe or our lack of worldly sophistication that accounted for the slack-jawed yokel impression. Yes, I said impression. After all, we're not from Kentucky.
We were asked to wait in the parlor, but there was no way we would be sitting all doe-eyed and passive, not when there was an entire world of holy moley check this out, just steps away from us. No, we wandered. We wandered and wondered at the atrium, the fruit trees, the perfectly temperatured interior, and the huge glass dome of joy that made it all possible. Unfortunately, a girl from the Audrey Hepburn School of Walking and Diction came to escort us through the Mansion and away from the awesomeness of the atrium.
Wow. Can it get any more cool. What is this place? Where does this passageway lead? Who are those people gambling in that private room? How on earth does Audrey walk like that?
The restaurant itself is rather small. Not impossibly small, but smaller and more intimate than we thought it might be, which was a nice surprise. We were taken care of by Romiero and Driss, who opened the restaurant 7 years ago. Romiero is from California and Driss, from Morocco. Romiero is the cheery one, while Driss is the consummate service professional with a pretty cool accent.
Service was like a well choreographed ballet. It wasn't rushed, timed perfectly, and very enjoyable. The food was outstanding and we were almost hesitant to consume the piece of art before us. Flavor profiles took us all over the place and the execution was flawless.
We were addressed by name, they remembered our drink preferences, and when we were done, the chef offered to take a picture with us while we waited to be escorted back to the lounge for the limo ride back to reality.
So apparently, what makes a 3 Michelin star restaurant is not so much the killer food, but the execution of the meal along with the experience. -
Review from Matthew B.
Seattle, WA
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Where do I begin - this place defines amazing...
I guess I'll start with the single disappointment - the limo rides are not offered on fight weekends, so just be aware that you may or not get to arrive in a limo if it is a busy event weekend.
Now on to the food!
My friend and I both chose the tasting menu. (How could you pick anything else, right?)
They started out by bringing the bread cart around. As everyone else has mentioned... this cart is a sight to behold! bread, and more bread! Be sure to get the brioche and the bacon bread. All of them are winners... but those two are particular stand outs.
The dinner then moved to the variety of courses. Our favorites:
Le Caviar (Caviar done three ways)
La Courgette (Slowly cooked zucchini with fresh almonds, bacon and curry)
Le Veau (Sautéed veal chop with natural jus and pesto vegetable taglierinis)
La Mangue (Layered mango variations, strawberry gelee, almond cake) - This was the best dessert I've ever had in my life!
Plus many other dishes. The only dish that I had serious difficulty with was the "chaud-froid" of sea urchin on fennel potato puree with anise orange. The texture was just awful.
At the end of the dinner, they then bring around the tray of escortes de mignardises (mini desserts) WOW. Be sure to ask the waiter or waitress for their favorites. They did a great job steering us away from a few of the prettier but less tasty ones. The pear jelly was simply divine, and apparently has to be made throughout the night since it won't even last for an entire dinner shift.
They will ask you if you want tea - SAY YES. This isn't just loose leaf tea. They bring an entire rack of fresh herbs to the table, and proceed to cut and then emaciate the herbs and make utterly fresh tea. I had the lemon basil tea - crazy good! You might wonder - is this included in the main tasting menu? Yes, yes it is. Unlike the water ($10/bottle) tea is included.
In short - this is a great place to go for a special occasion. It's a bit of a crazy cost, but it's worth every penny! -
Review from Kiera D.
Lake Zurich, IL
11/26/2011
Perfect is the only way to describe this. I had a fairytale experience! To start off, we got picked up at the mandarin oriental hotel in a golden limo! Wow! We got dropped off at the "secret back entrance", escorted to the restaurant through a corridor of flowers and a water fountain. Once we were seated and eating, I can't even describe the flavors I tasted. Just out of this world incredible. That's all I can say.
***Caution: spoiler!***
The desert cart and take-home candies are the best thing I have ever seen. I'm in love with this place. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! -
Review from Antara B.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011
I'm not sure where to find the words to describe the best food & dining experience of my life. This was my second 3-star Michelin restaurant (French Laundry being the 1st, which I did NOT like) -- but having watched 'Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, Paris' episode, where Joel Robuchon was cited as the 'Chef of the Century,' and saw how much he is regarded in the culinary world, my curiosity was piqued, and my expectations were high.
And my, did they exceed any expectation I could have come up with. A SIXTEEN course VEGETARIAN tasting menu -- omg. My family debated whether or not they could handle that food ... but being pregnant I a) am eating for two, and b) am not drinking, which leaves A LOT more room in your stomach for food -- so I was the first to decide that the 16 course tasting menu was the way to go.
Out of all 16 dishes, I would say that only 2 were mediocre -- everything else that went into my mouth was FREAKIN AMAZING. A new burst of flavors every time. Their bread selection was incredible -- their gruyere bread, saffron bread, and one more cheese bread was to die for.
After 4 hours of eating the most delectable dishes unimaginable to me ... we were showed a cart of over 40 petit fours!! We each filled ourselves mini-boxes of goodies to enjoy for the days to come. Because we had gone there to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday, we not only had the two dessert courses on the menu, but they had also made an extra birthday cake for us (ice cream cake of sorts) ... God it was good.
And then they let us take home our leftover cheese which we couldn't finish, and gave us amazing lemon cakes as goody bags -- which we ate for days to come.
Though it was $400/person ... I will always make it a point to eat at Joel Robuchon's whenever I visit Vegas! -
Review from John F.
Long Beach, CA
12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first truly fine dining experience. I've been to a few nice steak houses and some well known places in Beverly Hills, but no Michelin rated restaurants. My Coworkers and I are blue collar guys who had planned a trip to Vegas to have a little fun. We also like a good barbecue and to cook at the plant. One day we got to talking about fine dining, one thing lead to another and we decided we had to find a truly great place to eat. I knew about the Michelin star rating system so I looked up the best rated restaurants in Las Vegas. This was the only 3 star rated place there.
I was seriously impressed by this place. The limousine picked us up on time. They took us through the High Roller area of the MGM called the Mansion. The hostess, a quite stunning looking woman escorted us through to the restaurant and seated us. The wait staff were quite polite, never oppressive. The explained every course as it came out. When we had questions they were quick and polite with the answers. One of my coworkers forgot his glasses. We asked if they happened to have any reading glasses and the brought out a VARIETY OF READING GLASSES ON A SILVER PLATTER!
The food: One of my coworkers and I went for the big menu, The 16 course splurge. My other coworkers went for the 4 course and 6 course menus. I'll admit this right now. I don't like Asparagus, Mushrooms, Caviar or sushi. All of which were included in the 16 course menu. There were also many different foods that I had never tried before. However now that I've had them properly prepared I can see why people eat them. I won't take you through every course, but from the first taste I was blown away! Foie Gras is incredible. The Caviar course was very tasty. The only thing I truly did not care for was the sea urchin. Just go in with an open mind and you will not be disappointed. As mentioned in every previous post the bread cart is incredible. The butter, some of the best I've ever tasted. Then there is the cheese cart. It's not included in the regular menu's but trust me and go for it! Try the stinky cheese int the bowl. It's very intense and delicious. I'm a 300lbs guy and I was completely stuffed by the end of my 16 course meal. I couldn't even look at the dessert cart, but that's okay my dinner included 2 desserts both of which were delicious.
I cannot recommend this place enough. I am so glad we went here. Yes it costs a small fortune and no I won't be able to afford eating here more than once every year or two but believe me this will not be my last fine dining experience. -
Review from Rob L.
Belmont, CA
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our experience did not start off well. I called the restaurant the morning of our reservations (booked a month in advance) to coordinate our limo ride, but to my surprise, they could not find our reservation! Panicked, I double-checked my email confirmation and gave them my confirmation number. The reservation was definitely nowhere to be found. Thankfully, there was an opening for the same night, though the limo service was all booked up. I wouldn't normally have been bummed about it, but I read all the glowing reviews mentioning the secret Mansion, which I did not want to miss. The concierge later told me that my reservation was cancelled, but do not know why.
Despite the disappointment, we ordered the 16-course meal, and enjoyed every bit of it. Food, service, and presentation were all wonderful. I couldn't help but compare to others (like French Laundry, Alinea, Benu, etc), and found the service to be slightly off. Uneven pacing between courses, awkward periods when service people would congregate near our table and chit-chat. We're nit-picking, but I do not expect that type of thing at this caliber restaurant. Our main server was quite good though, and made our meal less stuffy than it could've been. Yes, the dining room was quiet, but there was music playing and the volume of others in the dining room picked up throughout our 3 hours there. Another picky thing is that I didn't necessarily like the strange photos as part of the place-settings, accompanying a few of the dishes.
I did like the bread and dessert carts. The Langostine ravioli and caviar dishes were stand-outs for me.
Overall, a good experience and worthy of a 5 star review. I would not return for the $395 menu, but maybe one of the smaller meals, and hopefully be able to get a ride to the mansion next time. -
Review from Sophia V.
Irvine, CA
9/22/2011 4 photos
HANDS DOWN BEST RESTAURANT ON THE STRIP that I've tried so far.
Innovative, colorful dishes.
We got the purple private room and had the tasting menu.
This was back when I still ate meat and am I ever glad I got to try this before I got converted being immersed in the "vegan, organic, go-green" side of LA too long.
The bite-size piece of kobe beef must have been the best tasting bite of meat I've ever had.
Everything from beginning to end was exquisite. Definitely one of those experiences you don't want to die without trying. Oh and a glass or two of Caymus 2006 vintage cabernet (unbelievably smooth and pairs well with most of the dishes) just makes the night in heaven all that much more dreamy!Listed in: Put on the pretty dress/sexy…
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Review from Judy L.
Las Vegas, NV
9/12/2011
We had dinner reservations here and arrived via limo and through the gardens of the MGM escort escort by a lovely tall lanky hostess. The restaurant is cozy and well decoated
We opted for the 16 course. It is not as daunting as it sounds. The portions are at most bite sized but your palate will be well stimulated. Expect dinner to run late. Don't rush through it and savor all the flavors, layers and complexity of the dishes. They offer a bread cart but make sure you don't overload.
Towards the end, during our last course we felt comfortable. Not stuffed. Dinner was long with great conversation and amazing food. The service is impeccable and Staff are very well mannered and informative.
Make sure you save room for dessert!
I may start having my lunches here. -
Review from Linda L.
Los Altos, CA
3-star best pastry chef, wonderful bread, beautiful dessert.
16-course menu is flat out disappointing. any "try to be modern" dish is a bomb
service, no rating
if we had reserved thru Wynne, maybe a total different service. -
Review from John L.
Farmington, MI
10/15/2011
Summary: Best restaurant I've been to. Some of the best dishes I've ever eaten, I use this as the benchmark for all other reviews.
Overall - 5 stars (rounded up to 5 for the review)
Food - 5 stars
Service - 5 stars
Atmosphere - 4.5 stars
There are so many reviews on here, I'm not going to add much, just hit a few high points. I went for the Menu Degustation, and if you can afford it, definitely try it just for the experience alone - Coming in through the private entrance, being escorted in past the private high roller tables, and of course sitting through a 4-5 hour meal with ~15 courses, and experiencing ridiculous attention to detail and impeccable service. My only regret was not getting the wine pairing, as I was trying to control costs since I was already dropping $500 on the dinner - but it would have been worth it.
I would not do the full tasting again, but I would definitely come back and sample my favorite dishes, sit in the vertical garden room, dress less formal, and do a wine pairing.
My friend and I set up reservations for 5:30, took the limo over and were greeted by a drop dead gorgeous Asian hostess (who turned out to be the sommelier) who walked us through the MGM back entrance and to the restaurant. There we were greeted by drop dead gorgeous Asian hostess #2 wearing a long black oriental influenced dress with a high slit along the side - Me Gusta. Needless to say, my first impression of the restaurant and atmosphere was already very high.
We sat in the main dining room near the fireplace, and I was seated on the big purple velvet like couch - pretty comfy spot, but a bit too hot for a 5 hour stay wearing a suit. As everyone else has mentioned the decor and atmosphere is over the top and opulent - my only complaint was that it was too quiet at 5:30, as I felt like I had to wisper, but that improved as the night went on. Service is fantastic, and when doing the degustation, you basically have a team of 4-6 people waiting on you, changing all the place settings, and explaining the dish.
On a side note, we both dressed in full suits as a jacket was required, however most of the other guests were not dressed nearly as formal, and I did see a group with jeans and button ups, and a couple Hawaiian shirts and Polos, so I guess more casual attire can fly.
High points for the food are as follows:
Cavier over Crab Meat with cream- Incredible, I couldn't get enough of this, it was food crack.
Le Bar - Pan fried sea bass with lemon grass - absolutely perfect fish dish. All the ingredients in the dish were perfectly balanced and complemented each precisely. The serving is very small, which just makes you savor each bite.
L'os à moelle - bone marrow with sweetbreads - best dish I have ever had, anywhere, hands down. I actually felt like I was high when eating this. I have yet to find sweetbreads at any other restaurant that can even come close to comparing.
Le Veau - veal - again, best veal preperation I've had. Dish is seemingly simple, yet perfect. -
Review from Geoff P.
Eau Claire, WI
10/26/2011
I simply cannot imagine the reviewers that give Joel Robuchon's restaurant in Vegas anything but five stars have any real experience with fine dining. I have eaten a wide range of Michelin starred restaurants and NOTHING compares to Joel Robuchon's brilliant cuisine. Days later, my better half and I were still discussing the foie gras appetizer and the veal cheek main course. And the bread cart... oh, the bread cart.... really, you just have to see it to believe it. It will change your life, seriously.
The service was also impeccable--timely, yet never intrusive, and the sommelier went out of her way to provide us with a pile of information.
Overall, this dinning experience was nothing short of masterful. -
Review from Josh K.
San Jose, CA
Amazing place, there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said.
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Review from Jennifer L.
Orange County, CA
Why must you disappoint me???? /face palm
Winner of Michelin's Three Star, Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond, and Wine Spectator's Grand Award, Joël Robuchon has redefined Las Vegas fine dining.
^ FOREAL???????????????????????????????????????
BUT Joël Robuchon gets an A+ for the decor & food presentation.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I fell madly in love with the chandelier:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BF and I ordered the 6 course menu- $240 per person
First, we had a complimentary dish from the chef:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Isn't it BEAUTIFUL???
IT WAS SO FREAKING NASTY. I wanted to spit it out. The texture and taste of it made me nauseated.
There's a massive bread cart and I chose the bacon bread and olive oil bread. Both were winners. The butter was AMAZING; it had a dash of sea salt on top.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
L'Œuf de Poule: Crispy soft boiled egg with smoked salmon and caviar
Who wouldn't want to try this? Sounds delicious!!! The flavor combinations did not work well. The whole dish was just SO FREAKIN SALTY. Tasted as if I poured a tablespoon of salt on to my tongue.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Les Févettes:Savory scented fava bean cream on sweet onion foam
One of my favorite dishes. A lot of depth in the soup and the foam was so subtle but still has a great flavor profile.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Le Homard: Roasted lobster in green asparagus jus with vegetable essence
Who in the right mind would like rubbery lobster? NOT ME. Overcooked and the green asparagus jus was not good.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Le Canard: Duck and seared foie gras with sweet and sour cherries, fresh almonds
GAMEY and not cooked right. I'm a duck & foie gras lover. I LOVE THAT SHIT. This was NOT GOOD AT ALL... I tried to hard to finish it, but I couldn't. The only thing I enjoyed was the mashed potatoes and sweet and sour cherry reduction.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Le Rose Fleuri: Light tahitian vanilla cheesecake ball, berry coulis and yuzu ice cream
The dessert was ok.....
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
But the dessert cart? Oh man, I wanted to try all 45 of them!!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The raspberry macaron was the best macaron I have ever had. No joke. SO DELICIOUS.
Overall our dining experience was underwhelming. I really wish the food was as awesome as their presentation. There are so many restaurants that can execute ALL of their dishes superbly and that isn't as expensive as Joel.
Plus, I know this is a fancy schmany restaurant but every sound made it seem like an explosion!! Everyone was whispering. I felt like I was in a library. It just so uptight and felt a little awkward.
They also offer a complimentary limo ride to and from the restaurant.
And they wrap up pastries for you, we received a orange pound cake.
http://www.yelp.com/us...
http://www.yelp.com/us... -
Review from Anup S.
Fremont, CA
12/18/2011
This by far the best meal I have ever eaten. Gustatory perfection. 16 course tasting menu, each course unbelievable. The chef demonstrates a mastery of cooking which is truly awe inspiring. Head and shoulders above many other Michelin starred restaurants. Service 5 star. Food 5 star. Ambiance 5 star. Perhaps this restaurant may be equalled, but it cannot be topped.
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Review from carol h.
Cupertino, CA
6/28/2011
My husband and I went to Las Vegas for a quick honeymoon after our wedding since we both had to go back to work. He booked Joel Robuchon after research and reading about how amazing this place is.
Our trip to Joel Robuchon started out wonderful. A limo picked us up from our hotel and we got a walk through the gorgeous MGM mansion. The decor of the restaurant was beautiful. Then the wine list came and my husband LOVES wine so he asked to speak to the sommelier with a few questions about the wine. The sommelier arrived at our table and rather hesitatingly answered my husband's few questions then proceeded to steer us towards another page with the comment "I think you'll find these more in your.. price range"
record scratch.
uhm, excuse me?! Yes, we are both in our mid twenties and it doesn't help that we are asian and therefore look like we are in our teens but here we are, about to shell out at least $600 for a meal (ours ended up around $800) that comment was so unnecessary in so many ways. We were both shocked into silence and proceeded with our meal.
Then came time for dessert. During the course of our meal we saw the tables to our right, left, front, and back be served complimentary desserts/cakes for anniversaries, birthdays, etc. We ended up with nothing despite the fact that it was our honeymoon. I'm not one to complain about complimentary things but it was a little ridiculous considering literally everyone in the restaurant was getting them except us. Perhaps we were not in the.. price range..
Overall the food itself was really really spectacular. The bread and dessert cart was amazing and every dish that came along was just exquisite. However the service completely ruined our meal and it was really really disappointing. We've never dealt with such condescension at any restaurant and was definitely not expecting it from such a highly renowned place with a michelin star. -
Review from courtney j.
Walnut, CA
8/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Wow!!!
I might have max out my Platinum Amex here for a one of a kind fix $375 dinner!!
I guess only the French can do this!! -
Review from adrian robert h.
Beverly Hills, CA
Updated - 8/11/2011 15 photos
97%
Easily one of the best French tasting dinners.
***Short Review
Came here for dinner on Jul '11 on a weekday night.
Food here is consistently impressive.
They do a great job with everything, but I felt their forte and emphasis was seafood.
I enjoyed their sea urchin with fennel foam in particular.
The cooking here is creative, and dishes are very well calculated.
Flavors are paired well and dishes are refined.
Although the food is mainly French, there are some clear international influences.
Presentation of dishes are attractive.
Wine pairings are pretty good, even if not the very best.
Bread tray and heavenly 'butter' are not to be missed.
Desserts are very solid.
Tried their killer 16 course, seasonally themed tasting dinner @ $395/person
Value is very reasonable if you can go easy on the wine pairings.
I opted for a glass of champagne and six glasses of wine, which cost me another $150-200 more.
Service is very good, not the very best but certainly close.
Decor is elegant and very well designed with high ceilings and vibrant blues and greens.
It is very comfortable without pretense.
The Michelin Stars are fully deserved here.
Did not need to make reservations far ahead of time.
I called the restaurant an hour ahead of time, despite Robuchon's website being cryptic about the availability of seating.
Robuchon and 'L'Atelier' next door were not very busy.
Detailed review will go more in depth with each course.
Pictures are included.
***Detailed Review.
I very much enjoyed the cooking at Robuchon. I felt that there was a lot of work dedicated towards the design and execution of dishes. Flavors and dishes here were pretty diverse, if not slightly exhausting towards the end. If there was a theme, I would say that all dishes were remarkably light. The style of preparation is very modern without being too experimental or risky. Everything here is calculated well, and they don't falter on execution. The dishes that worked were nothing short of heavenly The weaker dishes were still very good. The food here, while definitely not accessible to all, should be satisfying to most who enjoy tasting dinners.
Although the style of preparation is unmistakably French, many ingredients and ideas are very international. The implementation is impressively seamless, so they seldom will feel out of place. If anything, I felt the tasting lacked dishes you may expect at a French restaurant. For instance, there was no foie gras, duck, or more traditional desserts.
I started out with the bread cart & a glass of champagne as recommended by my sommalier to start. As mentioned by prior reviews, there are numerous bread choices here. It's very tempting to go all out. Considering the high number of courses, I felt it would be best to consider some self-restrain here. I opted for something simple and light. Went with the a brioche roll, slice of baguette & olive oil bread. Bread here are nicely delicate and delicious. What stood out was the butter. I believe it was imported from the Normandy region of France. It is very luxurious. Rich, smooth, and very very tasty. Most delicious butter ever. It's carved from large churn, and topped with (what I believe to be) sea salt. The butter was easily one of the highlights of the dinner. Robuchon raises the bar when it comes to 'bread & butter' 97%
'La Cerise'.
Cherry gazpacho soup with sheep ricotta and pistachios.
(Dish Rating 91%)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This was the amuse bouche of a gazpacho soup. it had a nice balanced blend of tarty, sweet, subtly sour, and savory flavors. The goat cheese stood out the most, but it wasn't overwhelming. It's served as pleasant chilled temperature. Good light way to begin the tasting. Very good.
La Coriandre'.
'Duo of creamy avacado and coriander on spiced tomato pulp'.
(Dish Rating 93%)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I felt that this was a creative, effective, more delicate re-interpretation of Mexican chips with salsa and guacamole, but with completely different textures. Young almonds are the 'chips' and have a nice crunch. Avocado is pureed very finely and spiced The tomato pulp is essentially served as a jelly underneath. Everything is spiced well with the coriander and maybe some other spices (I'm guessing cumin?). Fun dish, interesting and tasty. Unusual, but oddly effective with champagne
Continued, please refer to 'earlier' reviewListed in: Best tasting meals, ranked…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2011
Continued from first review.
'Le Caviar'
'Green asparagus with lemon balm, chilled veloute with… Read more »
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Review from Paloma F.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2011
Eh.
That pretty much sums up my experience at Joel Robuchon's restaurant at the MGM Grand.
When your bill was well over $5,000, as ours was, "eh" is not supposed to be in your vocabulary.
Now, here's the rub, there is nothing WRONG with this restaurant. The kitchen is impeccable (do ask for a tour when you're there, that was one of the few highlights), the bathroom has gold finishes, and the food is generally enjoyable. There was just no spark. It was like going out on a second date with someone you totally dig as a person (and have heard NOTHING but good things about), but you just don't want to waste your time going on a third date when you don't want to jump their bones. Perhaps it really is me and not you?
A little background: we were a group of late twenty-somethings in Vegas for a yearly reunion. We're all well traveled and well fed pseudo-foodies. We love food. We love wine. We love having a good time.
If you're looking to have a good time, let me just tell you that going to JR will not be conducive to that. The main dining room is more like a monastery than a restaurant. I could hear a pin drop. Thank god, for the private room we decided to eat in cause I think I would've been suffocated by the oppressive silence that sat in the main dining room.
The staff was nice enough, though I'm pretty sure the Sommelier wanted us banished. We asked a few questions about the wine menu (sharing wine pairings for example: at $200+ on top of the few hundred dollars each our dinner was going to be already, we wanted to know if we could share with our partner) and were shut down on many fronts. Fine, whatever ."If you have to ask..."is the general feeling I got off that guy.
Also, the menu they sent to us before hand was NOT the menu we ended up getting when we got there and they seemed a little snippy with us when we discovered a few items that some of us would not/could not eat. My thought? If you are paying a few hundred dollars to eat a few ounces of food, it better be something you are neither allergic to nor the thought of which makes your stomach turn. They did end up obliging us, but I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, as if asking was clearly so faux pas and un nouveau riche of us that I should have just kept my mouth shut.
The food itself was fine. Lots of molecular gastronomic flourishes. Interesting combinations. Liberal use of truffles and foie gras. You know, the usual for these types of restaurants. The veal cheeks were pretty freaking amazing, but at the end of the meal I was hungrier than when I first started eating.
Saving grace? The bread cart. The sweet sweet bread cart.
All in all, I felt like I were suddenly transported to an episode of Platinum Weddings (there were actually pink and white fake diamonds scattered around our table with purple ribbons and shimmery menu paper...) It was great for like five minutes, but at the end of the evening I was hungry, a little slighted, and ready to exist back in the real world.
At least I got some lemon loaf (included in their swag bag) for the road... -
Review from E C.
Los Angeles, CA
8/22/2011
Loved the Limo ride to the grand entrance. MUST do this if going there for first time.
This is a belated review. So, it will be based on my memory.
Most unforgettable dish for me was the foie gras and duck dish. Most amusing to me was the display of the dessert cart. But, the cheese cart wins! It was heavenly to taste all the cheeses.
I ordered a wine by the glass. Server did not pour me a taste. It turned out acidic and not-quite-drinkable. So, we asked for a different glass. She was reluctant. Which is why its got 4 instead of 5 stars. Come on.... this is a $1000 meal... you want to force me to drink acidic crappy wine? How is that going to help me enjoy the rest of my evening?
But that was a small glitch. Because everyone else was great and I always love places that give me a gift to take home. =)
Overall = Win! Its a great splurge.
