I wonder if this will the 500th review of Bouchon!?
I have wanted to eat at one of Thomas Keller's restaurants for a very long time and haven't yet got organized enough to book The French Laundry 6 months in advance!
So it was on a May Saturday night in Vegas that my better half and I finally got dinner at Bouchon (we have had a very good b'fast here before). We didn't know before we sat down that Mr Thomas Keller himself was in attendance that evening which I have to believe between the Laundry and Per Se in NYC is a pretty rare occurence in Vegas.
The decor is impeccable and as authentic as anything can be in Vegas. The service was very good but I think I have been in the States so long I expect more prompt service than I was used to living in Europe. There were a few moments where we waited for our glasses to be filled just a moment too long but no sooner had I commented on the fact the waiter appeared (are the tables bugged?!?!).
The food and wine was what you would expect. A poached mackerel first course with Serrano ham was sensational. I was going to go for Moules but ended up with my old weakness Steak Frites. The Frites were 100% amazing but I have to say I have had a much better Steak (accepting the cut of the meat is always flank/skirt etc) at Les Halles in NYC. That momentary lapse aside I continued with traditional French choices by ordering a perfect and I mean textbook perfect Creme Caramel, Alongside a glass of Sauternes the meal could not have ended better.
It was when we finished our desert that we noticed Mr Keller by the long Oak bar and figured even if he didn't cook our food personally you knew his team were bringing their A-Game with him looking over their shoulder!
As soon as I can get another $350 together we will be back (yes, as Stella Artois put it, Bouchon is reassuringly expensive!!!).