Small Barrels Magazine

Reviews of Fine Wines, Luxury Hotels and the Best Restaurants on Earth

Las Vegas, Nevada

By Leave a Comment

Las Vegas (articleimg)Las Vegas is an adult playground on a gargantuan scale. In every possible way, it is larger than life. Hotel towers seem to match the height of the mountains that surround the city. Lights and signs blaze in a dizzying array all along “the Strip”. Casinos the size of football fields are surely the eighth wonder of the world, not to mention the custom-built entertainment theatres, malls with stores in the hundreds, and innumerable eating establishments. Paris may be the city of lights, and New York the city that never sleeps. But Las Vegas is surely both.

Though Las Vegas may be synonymous with cheap flights, cheap rates, and cheap buffets (and other things that we shall allow to go unmentioned), it has also become an unparalleled center of world-class accommodations, dining, and entertainment. If you haven’t been to Vegas for a while, just check out any of the films in the “Ocean’s” franchise for a taste of the heights of luxury Vegas can offer. And be aware that even since the making of the latest of these films, the most decadent of the hotels depicted has more than likely been eclipsed by another, even grander one by now.



For incredible accommodation possibilities, consider the Signature at the MGM Grand, a series of luxury condominium towers off but not far from the strip. The Wynn and its newest sister, the Encore, are gorgeous inside and out, and promise a five star experience. While not “cheap” in the absolute sense, the value for your dollar is unheard of almost anywhere else in the world. This is an indulgence that even the more reluctant indulgence seeker can enjoy.

As for food and wine (always at the heart of our quest) you will be beyond satisfied by the options available to you in Las Vegas. Let your sense tingle and your mouth water as you merely contemplate the menus offered at Alex (Wynn), Picasso (Bellagio), Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand), Nobhill (MGM Grand) and Daniel Boulud (Wynn).

Vegas has and always will be what you make of it. However, the possibility to make it an experience of luxury to such a great extent is more real than ever before.

Nobhill Tavern (Las Vegas, NV)

By Leave a Comment

Now here’s a treat! We had one of the most relaxing, enjoyable meals of our stay in Las Vegas at Nobhill in the MGM Grand. Chef Michael Mina brings a bit of San Francisco to Vegas, and it’s fantastic. From great food, to great service to comfortable surroundings, this is a must on your list!

The restaurant itself is hip but also very inviting. Neutral colors, low lighting, and plush seats envelope you in style and comfort. Warm “San Francisco” sourdough bread is brought to your table to start you off, served with a selection of organic butters. As the butter melts into the hot, perfectly chewy roll–the ultimate comfort food–you know just how much you’re going to be cared for. 



The menu boasts a number of tantalizing starters and appetizers, such as Cheese Fondue with the restaurant’s signature sourdough bread, or an equally tempting and enormous Shellfish Platter. We chose the Charcuterie Board, featuring delectable smoke meats and sausage, tangy cheeses, and incredibly mouth-watering marinated olives. Served with warm foccacia bread and a selection of mustards, this starter was perfectly satisfying. The whole grain and lavender mustards were particularly noteworthy–I could have eaten them up with a spoon. 

Our selections for the main course are certainly worth writing home about! My dining companion had the famous “Michael’s Lobster Pot Pie.” And yes, it is as rich and decadent as it sounds. The pie features a Two Pound Maine Lobster, Fingerling Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables and a rich Brandy Cream sauce. Presentation is part of the fun: Our server arrived at our table with a large pot fit with a pastry “lid” atop a wheeled cart. The tender, golden crust was cut from the pot and placed on the dinner plate. The pie “filling” was then ladled in generous spoonfuls over the crust: heaps of sweet lobster meat, tender potatoes, and beautiful vegetables, all artfully presented. It is a monster of a course, but absolutely fantastic in every aspect! 

For myself, I chose the Crispy Skin Japanese Snapper served over Butternut Squash Risotto, Chanterelle Mushrooms, and a Red Wine Butter Sauce. The flavors were so wonderful and complementary! I especially enjoyed the contrast of the salty, crispy snapper skin with the sweet, creamy butternut squash risotto. Based on the attention to detail and flavor in the dishes we ordered, you surely cannot go wrong with any of the entrees. And there are many offerings to tempt you (including non-seafood options), from seasonal tasting menus, to courses like  Suckling Pig with Perigord Truffles, Red Snapper  with Cauliflower puree, and a twist on comfort food: Whole-Fried Chicken For Two Truffle Mac N’ Cheese and Onion Jus.

Lest I forget, our meals were accompanied by a sampling of creamy mashed potatoes in various flavors: sour cream and chive, curry, mustard, horseradish, and classic. Served “family style,” this  “side” was an unanticipated delight. I personally loved the exotic curry flavor and hot horseradish, while my dinner companion’s top choice was the sour cream and chive. Truly, there’s something for everyone here!

Nobhill features a good wine list, with plenty of tantalizing white wines to whet your seafood-inspired palette. There are choice reds, to be sure, but I feel you can never go wrong with a crisp, French Chardonnay, with that distinctive mineral undertone. Perfection!

How did we manage to have dessert, you ask? How could we not, I say, based on the calibre of the rest of our meal! I was delighted to find a twist on my favorite, crème brulee; the Cinammon Spiced Creme Brulee with Crisp Brown Sugar wafer combined the rich creaminess of crème brulee with my favorite spice. My chocolate-fiend companion enjoyed every bit of the decadent Valhrona Chocolate Soufflé with Milk Chocolate-Espresso Ice Cream.

Service was flawless. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and attentive and kept the evening relaxing and laid back.

We recommend dining at Nobhill and will make it a priority to return there on our next Vegas trip.

Overall Dining Experience
We give Nobhill Five Stars – Outstanding!

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.mgmgrand.com or call (702) 891-7337.

The Signature at the MGM Grand (Las Vegas, Nevada)

By Leave a Comment

Three stunning new towers now grace the ever-changing skyline of the famed Las Vegas strip. What a spectacular place to stay! At The Signature at the MGM Grand, you have the access to the strip and all of its amenities (for which, no doubt, you made the trip in the first place), but you can “come home” to a luxurious place that feels relaxing and far away from the non-stop action, making your Vegas vacation truly a vacation!

We stayed in a gorgeous junior suite on the 26th floor of Tower One. With a spectacular view of the strip, we were energized by this “city that never sleeps.” However, we were surrounded by such luxuries and sense of welcome that the stress we had come here to escape instantly evaporated.



The suite’s décor was clean and bright, with a contemporary yet very inviting feel. Plenty of storage space in the living room, bedroom, and bathrooms let us spread out our things so that we never felt cramped or obliged to live out of our suitcase–for a few days — this was truly a home away from home. Our suite was appointed with a generous sitting room and full kitchen, a lovely marble-topped counter for food preparation, all the dishes and utensils you might need, oven, microwave, sink, a full fridge, and so forth. Not that we came here to cook and do dishes, but we certainly could have, and with the highest quality amenities! Two bathrooms, each with a generous shower stall meant no negotiating or compromise needed. The master bathroom was also outfitted with a massive soaker tub, and two huge “his and her” vanities. Complimentary June Jacobs products were generously supplied. (My personal favorite was the grapefruit bath gel–invigorating!)

Our bed and linens were incredibly comfortable. (I’m prone to having a few nights of “adjusting” to my new sleeping place, but not here). I’m not sure many people associate coming to Vegas to sleep like a baby, but I assure you, it can be done at The Signature! And though you are somewhat off the strip, it’s more of a feeling than an inconvenience. A quick covered walkway (complete with “Meet George, Jetson”-style moving sidewalks) gets you to the adjoining MGM Grand in a matter of minutes. Once you’re there, you’re in the midst of the massive MGM Grand casino, shopping, some of the best restaurants in Vegas (be sure to check out Nobhill and the incomparable Joel Robuchon), and of course, quick access to the strip itself.

Worthy of note (especially for one as inclined toward coffee as myself!) is the Starbucks just off The Signature’s lobby. Stopping in for a latte before hitting the strip made for a great morning ritual. As a Signature guest, I also took advantage of access to the MGM Grand All-Access Spa Pass and indulged in a treatments at the decadent MGM Grand Spa.

Our stay at The Signature proves that you can come to Vegas to relax. Highly recommended!

Overall Experience
We give The Signature at MGM Grand 5 Stars- Outstanding!

The Signature at MGM Grand is located at 145 East Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. For hotel reservations, call 1-877-612-2121 or visit www.signaturemgmgrand.com

Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas, NV)

By Leave a Comment

In short, there is nothing like Joël Robuchon At The Mansion. The heavy doors to the dining room separate you completely from the ding-ing, whirling, beeping, flashing slot machines that are otherwise the hallmarks of your Vegas experience. You enter into a space of supreme elegance in mauve, lavender, and black. Plush, velvety fabrics, a crystal chandelier, and an intriguing wall of greenery surround you. The space is small, intimate, and graceful, much like the food–truly little works of art–that you will be served.

Famed French Chef Joël Robuchon has created a menu “degustation” unparalleled by any restaurant in Vegas, and likely by any restaurant in North America. From the decadent 13 course list, to the exquisite delicacy of the ingredients, to the soaring bill you will face when all is said and done, Robuchon is far more than a meal; it is an unforgettable event.

Named simply after the central ingredient, the offerings on the degustation menu for our visit included Le Caviar, La Truffe, Le Boeuf de Kobe, and La Langoustine (Robuchon’s signature). Each course is delicate and presented with the exacting hand of an artist. The dishes and trays chosen for each course reflect the color, texture, and ethnic inspiration of the ingredients. Flowers garnish ambrosia-like concoctions. Sauces are dotted onto your plate with geometric precision. No luxury is spared, as dishes accompanied by gold leaf or marked by more caviar than one can readily consume surely attest.



The food defies description and must be experienced to truly understand why Robuchon is known throughout the world as the “Chef of the Century.” If you do go, stop to savor each bite, as every one is a revelation of complementarity and balance. Robuchon seems to gravitate toward unusual, delicately flavored foamy concoctions. He liberally accompanies dishes with fine truffles. By course number 9 or 10, you wonder how on earth you are going to manage. It is all rather too much, really. For the stomach, for the palate, for the brain. But then again, of course it is. Robuchon, on the surface so alien to Vegas, is in fact right at home–in its appeal to your inner Hedonist.

The wine list is, to be sure, out of this world. But the varied flavors on the tasting menu make picking the perfect wine a challenge, if not impossible. With a desire to match at least most of the courses and to indulge in a wine as fine as the meal, we selected a Burgundy –Cote de Nuit, Dom Rene Engel 2002. Our sommelier was supremely knowledgeable, and as French as they come–an unusual encounter in a city as American and over-the-top as Vegas. And of course, the fleet of servers and attendants is constantly clearing away this, and refilling that, before you even know your needs. The service is so good and attentive it is almost too good, taking perhaps a fraction of intimacy away from the meal.

You are presented with a menu tied in a delicate ribbon as a keepsake. Each guest is also given a huge (no exaggeration here) loaf of brioche as a token of thanks, highly unnecessary, highly decadent–actually, a fitting conclusion.

We certainly recommend dining at Joël Robuchon to those who love food, cooking, wine, and fine service – it is simply an extraordinary experience.

Overall Experience
We give Joël Robuchon Restaurant 5 Stars – Outstanding!
Joël Robuchon Restaurant is located in the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call (702) 891-7925 or visit www.mgmgrand.com.

Bradley Ogden (Las Vegas, Nevada)

By Leave a Comment

Bradley Ogden is located in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada. For reservations or for more information, call 1-877-DINING-CP (1-877-346-4642).

Decor: The tone is subdued, with brown earthy tones and low lighting. Artwork in the main dining area follows this theme with muted brown on cream colors. The seating arrangements create a cozy, intimate feeling especially with the several, semi-circular cushioned booths. The total effect is contemporary but very understated; strikingly different than the ostentatious décor of the Caesars Palace casino.

Food: To start, we sampled the foie gras with persimmon and candied fruit. The foie gras itself lacked the melting, buttery quality we’ve enjoyed in the past (it certainly did not live up to the “gold standard” of foie gras served at Picasso’s in the nearby Bellagio Hotel.) and it was served with a puzzling wheat-like wafer that did not seem to fit the dish. We also tried Bradley’s Caesar salad, which seemed to forego the usual generous helping of garlic in favor of a lighter, more refreshing taste. Since we happen to love garlic, the salad, though enjoyable, was not quite what we were expecting.



Following our server’s recommendation, we had the Pork Chop entrée. This was something to remember! First of all, the pork was prepared perfectly; it was hot, juicy and incredibly flavorful. Second, it was brilliantly paired with the wholesome taste of apple-smoked bacon, crumbled generously on top and thin apple slices. Third, the accompanying touches were terrific as well: beautiful, slightly crispy potato croquettes, red cabbage infused with an apple taste and (perfectly) wilted greens. This dish definitely testified to Bradley Ogden’s skill with “farm fresh” ingredients. For dessert, we had a pleasant assortment of cheeses accompanied by a slice of honeycomb dripping with fresh honey.

With the exception of the entrée, the food was not as spectacular as we had hoped. Perhaps our feelings about the menu were affected by the less-than-polished service we received (see below). As one of Caesar’s Palace finest restaurants, we were expecting more.

Wine: The wine list was very thin, both literally and figuratively, and our server had limited knowledge about it, which was disappointing.

Our server was visibly nervous and seemed inexperienced. For example, she had difficulty pronouncing some of the words of menu items, and had never heard of our wine selection. This was all quite likely due to inexperience. To her credit, our server made the excellent recommendation of the pork chop entrée and she was certainly attentive to the important matter of food allergies. However, overall, we expected a greater level of professionalism from a restaurant whose prices and promotional materials position it as fine dining establishment.

Dress Code: Business or resort casual wear was sported by most guests. Jackets are not required, but would hardly be out of place.

Price: Expensive, with entrees in the $30 range. While the entrée was notable, the appetizers were a bit disappointing for the price, and the service was far from outstanding.

Reservations: Reservations are recommended. The restaurant seems to be a popular dining choice for those planning to catch the spectacular Celine Dion “A New Day” show housed in the Coliseum across from the restaurant after dinner. For dining reservations, call 1-877-DINING-CP (1-877-346-4642).

Overall Dining Experience: Very Good.