L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon - Las Vegas, NV

Dinner - Friday, July 12, 2013

Our friend gastrobits wanted to celebrate his impending move to the East Coast with a meal at one of Robuchon's restaurants in Vegas - we were happy to indulge him. Not in the mood for pomp and circumstance, we eschewed the formal dining room and opted instead for the studio.

In the Vegas spirit, a night of revelry ensued. Champagne glasses were clinked, toasts made, (excellent) bread was broken, wines guzzled, and sauces slurped from bowls (with nods of approval from our server) - and at the end of it all, we managed to walk out under our own power. And the food? It did not disappoint - the L'Ateliers are nothing if not consistent.

Sage - Las Vegas, NV

Dinner - Saturday, July 13, 2013

When we started this journal nearly three years ago, Sage was one of the first meals recorded herein. We have not returned to Sin City in the intervening period, but a recent trip finally allowed us the opportunity to revisit the restaurant.

NB: It seems appropriate that this post should mark the beginning of a new abbreviated post format. As we maintain this journal primarily as a visual archive to jog our memories, I find extensive verbal descriptions superfluous for our needs, and likely pointless to an external reader who has not tasted a dish - words will only get you so far in the sensory spectrum. I will attempt to "trim the fat", so to speak, and focus on pictures and ingredients going forward. Text will only be used where necessary, generally to elaborate on components or techniques.

alma - Los Angeles, CA

Dinner - Saturday, June 15, 2013

Let's face it - downtown LA is not the nicest part of the city (although the architecture is quite comely). Hemmed in by barren parking lots, the building that houses alma sits alone, the light from the restaurant spilling into the quiet street through its front windows - the place truly feels like an oasis (despite being a mere block away from Umamicatessen). We walked the 1.5 miles from our hotel post-haste, and arrived to a bustling dining room halfway through dinner service on a Saturday night. A "limited number of the set tasting menu", which we had reserved in advance, is offered each evening.