Small Barrels Magazine

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

Las Vegas, Nevada

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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)

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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.

Picasso (Las Vegas, NV)

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If you are looking for unique ambience, just try to trump dining at Bellagio’s Picasso where you sit in the shadow of a $30 million dollar art collection, that of the legendary Pablo Picasso himself. Guests are encouraged to take a stroll through the restaurant after their dinner to admire the rare collection that adorns the walls. A meal and art gallery visit, showcasing some of the world’s most coveted art, all in one.

Besides the show stealing artwork, the restaurant offers other charms. For instance, the ceiling in the entrance hall is comprised of an intriguing arrangement of overturned pottery jars. The dining area is a large, spacious room jutting out into several private alcoves. Massive, colorful floral arrangements adorn the center of the dining room while elegant arrangements of cut roses were to be found on every table. The outside wall of the main dining area is lined with large windows overlooking Lake Bellagio and its famous fountains. Prime tables are located right along the windows for the best view of the stunning water show that runs every fifteen minutes in the evening, an incredible backdrop to a perfect meal.



Lest we forget, food was also served! It was an incredible pleasure to discover first hand how, under the direction of master Chef Julian Serrano, Picasso has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award of Excellence and the Mobil Five-Star rating. We enjoyed the Five-Course Degustation Menu, and from the very appearance of our amuse bouche(smoked salmon, caviar and crème fraiche on brioche) we were, in a word, transported.

We began with Jonah Crab Salad and a mixed greens with a pleasing vinaigrette. This was followed by the U-10 Day Boat Scallop, a single plump, incredibly tender scallop served with a delicious sauce and an elegant, crisp homemade potato chip.

The next course was the evening’s stellar entrée: a heavenly foie gras with apple, raisin and cranberry compote. The foie gras itself was perfection, with a slightly crisp exterior texture that melted in the mouth. The flavor managed to somehow be light and rich at the same time, and was complemented perfectly by the autumnal medley of the warm fruit compote.

The main entrée was Aged Lamb Roti encrusted in truffles and served with rosemary potatoes, carrots and au jus. The lamb was tender and rich in flavor, counterbalanced by the bitter earthiness of the delicious truffle crust. Every morsel of this dish was, without exaggeration, ambrosial.

For dessert we sampled both the Warm Chocolate Fondant and the Citrus Tart, the former a perfectly rich and comforting conclusion to our meal, the latter a cheerfully colored, refreshing custard wonderfully balancing tartness and sweetness.

The food at Picasso was absolutely superb, matched by its unparalleled service. We were more than simply served, we were attended to by a fleet of servers who ensured that water and wine glasses were never empty, that pesky crumbs were promptly swept from our table cloth, and that our every dining and comfort need was met. Servers managed to be elegant and unobtrusive, yet friendly and accessible.

Stellar. We are counting down the days until our return…

Overall Experience
We give Picasso 5 Stars- Outstanding!

Picasso is located in the Bellagio Hotel at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call 702-693-7223, or visit www.bellagio.com.

Aqua (Las Vegas, NV)

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San Francisco’s renowned gourmet seafood restaurant has found a second home at the Hotel Bellagio. It does justice to the reputation of the original restaurant with delicious dishes, artfully and colorfully presented. The elegant yet comfortable restaurant is divided into two sections, a large main dining room and a more private alcove. Aqua’s large windows overlook the hotel’s elegantly landscaped pool area, a beautiful view in the early evening and later at night.

Starting our meal with a bang (because why not?), we sampled Roasted Maine Lobster with morrels, spring vegetables and lemon sauce and the Seared Scallops with Domestic Foie Gras. The lobster was exceptionally succulent, complemented by the perfectly restrained citrus flavor of a warm lemon sauce. Scallops were tender and juicy, and the foie gras quite pleasant.



For the main course, I enjoyed the Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut with artichoke puree and roasted nicoise vegetables. The presentation was colorful, the glossy tops of roasted red bell peppers and zucchini dotting the plate. The halibut itself was tender and slightly buttery crisp on the outside (mmmm….). It worked well with the flavorful artichoke puree.

My dining companion chose Aqua’s signature entree, the Lobster Pot Pie. One of us had to have this meal, or as I should rather say, this “experience”. First, the piping hot pie is wheeled out with much fanfare to your table. (If you don’t want a gaggle of curious onlookers, skip this dish!) The server then cuts away the top part of the pastry, placing it on your plate. Generous pieces of lobster are scooped out of the pie and arranged purposefully on the crust. The sauce, a lobster-truffle reduction, is spooned over the lobster along with the pie’s other components: morrels, truffles, creamer potatoes, peas and carrots. Despite the richness and creaminess of the pie’s ingredients, the flaky texture of the crust remained surprisingly intact.

With the knowledgeable assistance of Aqua’s sommelier, we paired both main course dishes with a crisp, pleasant white wine, La Garenne, Etienne Sauzet 1999.

For seafood lovers who lean toward the elegant side of the ocean, Aqua is a must on your Las Vegas dining list. As with all fine dining in Vegas, do book early to avoid disappointment.

Overall Experience
We give Aqua 4 Stars- Excellent!

Aqua is located in the Bellagio Hotel, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call 702-693-7223 or visit www.bellagio.com.

Bellagio (Las Vegas, NV)

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It’s no longer your grandfather’s Las Vegas, and the Bellagio Hotel is proof. From the moment you step into the grand lobby, a canopy of glass flowers by Dale Chiluly soaring over your head, you’ve entered into elegance epitomized.

The Bellagio’s lobby’s surrounds you with fresh, natural light in the daytime – a welcome and unusual experience in Las Vegas casinos. Skylights and a massive indoor conservatory just beyond the lobby – a
destination in and of itself with ever-changing flower and plant displays invite the sun in like nowhere else on the strip. Even the casino itself has an inviting glow that you just won’t see anywhere else. Bellagio has clearly employed a new strategy – rather than creating a cavernous space that suggests you have nowhere to go, this casino offers an airy, open feel making you want stay.



Our accommodations were grand and impeccable. Our suite was tastefully appointed with fresh, contemporary colors, furnishings, and window coverings. We enjoyed the large, spacious living room area with plenty of seating and lounging room that made it easy to wile away the day reading and relaxing, despite the plethora of entertainment options of the city.

The bedroom was large and welcoming, and the king bed and linens supremely comfortable. The star feature may have been the remote controlled draperies that parted at the touch of a button to reveal massive windows looking over the strip – a stunning site in the evening. The master bathroom was huge, complete with a large Jacuzzi tub for soaking the day way. The privacy offered by a second bathroom off the living room is a welcome addition. Of course, each was stocked with luxury amenities anticipating all of your needs.

With a room like this, there really is an argument for doing nothing else but staying in and relaxing. It goes without saying that the service is impeccable, prompt, and discreet. Of course, outside the room (but still within the hotel) is a whole host of options. There is the casino of course, the spectacular waterworld of Cirque de Soleil’s “O”, an abundance of fine dining options such as Michael Mina’s Aqua and the culinary art of Julian Serrano at Picasso, and various clubs and nightspots to check out. Bellagio is also a destination for world-class shopping, offering names like Hermes, Chanel, and Armani.

This is the finest of Las Vegas luxury destinations. We highly recommend it. It is far more than a hotel, it is an immersion in elegance.

Overall Experience
We give Bellagio 5 Stars – Outstanding!

Bellagio is located at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For hotel reservations call 888.987.6667, or visit www.bellagio.com.