Michael Mina, Bellagio - Las Vegas

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Filed Under Las Vegas, Travel 

Since this was our anniversary trip to Vegas, we were all ready to check off as many restaurants as we can from our Las Vegas wish list. Michael Mina was right up there on top of the list, as we missed the opportunity in San Francisco last year.  Michael Mina’s SF restaurant has got two Michelin stars and the Vegas restaurant has one star in addition to the countless awards and accolades his different restaurants have received. With so much fanfare, needless to say the expectation was sky high, but I am glad to report that Michael Mina got top marks from us.

Service was outstanding as expected from a top class Vegas restaurant in Bellagio. Starting with the hostess to the waiter to the sommelier, everyone was super friendly and courteous. We were half an hour late for our reservation, so we got a couple of drinks at the well-stocked bar before they could find us a table. We both went for the Mina Margarita; a namesake signature drink has to be good, right? Well, it was great and it was potent! One drink and I was in a happy place. I guess it better be great at $16 a glass!

They had two tasting menus to choose from - the Cookbook menu featuring dishes from the Michael Mina cookbook and the Seasonal tasting menu, both were 5 courses for $115 per person plus $65 for wine pairing. The regular menu is divided into two pages and two courses. First course had a nice selection of classic starters and a sashimi plate and a choice of three different Caviar service ranging from $195 up to $445! I am glad we are not caviar fans. Course two had three different Signature Trio options, where each order comes with a main ingredient like lamb, rib eye or black bass cooked three ways with three different accompaniments. The regular restaurant mandate is that if you go for the tasting menu, everyone in the table must do the same. I was not in the mood for the tasting menu, but Siv was, so we thought we would check if that is an option. Our friendly server told us they wouldn’t normally do that, but will make an exception for us. Isn’t that special? :)

Siv got the seasonal tasting menu with wine pairing. The recommendation for me was to get one dish from first course and another from second course and that would be sufficient. But I was warned that since Siv gets five courses, I might have to just sit and watch him for three courses. So I decided to get two starters and a main dish. My portions were considerably larger than Siv’s, but still they waited for me to finish my dish before they would serve Siv his next course, which I thought was strange and inconvenient. But it was just a minor setback in the larger scheme of things.

Now, let me get to the food part. As expected food was exceptional! The amuse bouche was a layered cucumber and avocado puree with thinly sliced Jicama on the side; very light and refreshing and cooling. I’ve never tasted raw Jicama before; I thought it was very much like pear in texture and taste.

For my first course I went for the Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with grilled and pickled stone fruit on warm citrus bread. The foie gras was buttery soft and was well paired with tart and sweet accompaniments. This was my favorite dish of the evening.

My other starter was the Savory Black Mussel Soufflé with a Saffron-Chardonnay cream, a very innovative savory take on the classic soufflé. Unfortunately, the soufflé was really heavy; it was the wrong choice for a three course meal, especially when it was recommended that I only get two courses!  The sauce was delicious, perfectly complemented the strong mussel taste of the soufflé, but I should’ve skipped this one completely or got a lighter dish instead.

For my main course I got the Miso Glazed Black Cod with Shitake Consommé and Shrimp & Scallop Ravioli.  The black cod was perfectly cooked and the delicate flavors in this dish came together superbly.

As much as I liked my food, I was really jealous of Siv’s dishes, and really wished I had gone for the tasting menu as well. Oh well, there is a next time for everything. Each dish stood out on its own and was the right size. I only got a small bite of each, Siv loved every course, and he said the wine pairing was just perfect.

Kona Kampachi with Coconut Gelee and Vindaloo Curry.

Dayboat Scallops with English Peas, carrots and Onion Soubise.

Crispy Skin Black Bass with Maitake mushrooms, cauliflower and red wine jus. 

Boneless rack of lamb with crispy pork belly.

His dessert course was a tasting of Michael Mina signature desserts - warm chocolate cake, coconut panna cotta and mini root beer float! Since I didn’t get my own dessert, our server got me my own silverware, normal restaurants frown upon someone else sharing a tasting menu course, but obviously this was not an ordinary restaurant! They value service more than anything else I guess. I loved the coconut panna cotta, so creamy and delicious, Siv loved the chocolate cake. We were surprised to see the root beer float, something you won’t expect in such a fine dining establishment. I guess it is offered for the nostalgic value to their American clients. I actually like root beer floats, Siv thought it was disgusting :)

It was a memorable meal that put a pretty big dent in the wallet, but we both felt it was worth it. I highly recommend Michael Mina if you are celebrating a special occasion. This place really makes you feel special with their royal treatment and scrumptious food.

Michael Mina (Bellagio) on Urbanspoon



Comments

31 Responses to “Michael Mina, Bellagio - Las Vegas”

  1. nags on June 16th, 2008 1:07 am

    seems like a lovely place but probably not the best if you have a vegetarian husband :D

  2. vandana rajesh on June 16th, 2008 1:11 am

    great post…an award awaits you at my blog.

  3. Raaga on June 16th, 2008 1:24 am

    You seem to have had a great time… and yeah… maybe it is a guy thing… S doesn’t like floats at all… I was sipping an ice cream soda at home on Friday night… and he says, “You really like that stuff, don’t you?”

  4. shankari on June 16th, 2008 1:39 am

    Man, U guys were on a roll in Vegas :grin:

  5. arundathi on June 16th, 2008 1:46 am

    Sounds delicious. The amuse bouche looked delightful - i’ve never had raw jicama either. I love root beer floats and so does my husband! :-)

  6. sia on June 16th, 2008 5:04 am

    so siv did make up for taking u to michael mina :) glad to know u had gr8 time sig. will keep in mind to visit MM when we visit vegas.

  7. Asha on June 16th, 2008 9:27 am

    YUM YUM! You lucky girl, making me J! :cry:

  8. Ramya Balan on June 16th, 2008 11:01 am

    WOW nice food, it looks amazing.

  9. Indranee on June 16th, 2008 11:06 am

    Your blog is amazing and it was great to read about your trip to Vegas!Nice to know that you enjoyed so much :smile: The photos are wonderful!

  10. Uma on June 16th, 2008 11:40 am

    wow, looks like you guys had a great time at vegas! Love the first picture.

  11. Uma on June 16th, 2008 11:41 am

    oops! all the pictures sig! :grin:

  12. musical on June 16th, 2008 11:50 am

    Looks like you were indeed in foodie heaven :)

  13. Swati Jain:Sugarcraft India on June 16th, 2008 12:23 pm

    Siv did try to make up ..Right Sig!
    This was a real treat.. glad you guys had a grand time..!!

  14. Laavanya on June 16th, 2008 3:29 pm

    Everything looks so exotic. Nice to hear that you enjoyed it :grin:

  15. Kalai on June 16th, 2008 4:38 pm

    What a wonderful treat!! The food looks amazing! :)

  16. sumarajesh on June 16th, 2008 7:03 pm

    looks like u has a nice time…luved all the tempting pictures… :razz:

  17. sandeepa on June 16th, 2008 11:51 pm

    Did I miss your anniv, did I did I ? Lots of Best Wishes for you and Siv on your anniv.

  18. Jyothsna on June 17th, 2008 8:18 am

    I’m glad to hear yo loved fine dining food.

  19. Padmaja on June 17th, 2008 9:14 am

    Sig!!! :drool: :drool: :drool: Yummy pictures!!fine dining eh!!

  20. sra on June 17th, 2008 9:39 am

    Sig, belated happy 10th anniversary wishes :(Flower): to you and Siv and best wishes for the days ahead! :(Martini): Do you feel like an old, married woman now? :grin: Glad you had a good time celebrating it!

  21. swati raman on June 17th, 2008 10:12 am

    toooo good haan … what tempting pics u make me J…. :) but gr8 u had a nice time buddy

  22. JZ @ Tasty treats on June 17th, 2008 11:17 am

    beautiful!!! what a way to celebrate a wedding anniv!! guess i shud show this to JM, he’ll kick me for sure!! ;-) glad you enjoyed it a lot, Sig!!

  23. revathi on June 17th, 2008 12:59 pm

    woww… needless to say u guys did have a great time..

  24. Rajitha on June 17th, 2008 2:16 pm

    i am with siv on the float…i really dislike mixing of different textures…glad you had fun missy :nerd:

  25. Rajitha on June 17th, 2008 2:21 pm

    hey i went to their site and say they have a vegetarian tasting menu too…hell i am going there next time i am in vegas..usually all these places suck for us veggie folks :evil:

  26. Siri on June 17th, 2008 10:31 pm

    those are some lovely pics Sig! Guess, not much options for vegetarians like me.. :cry:

    Siri :smile:

  27. arundati on June 18th, 2008 5:44 am

    oh what a celebration it has been….and all that fab looking food!! glad you had a wonderful time!!

  28. sukanya on June 18th, 2008 3:50 pm

    It seem that u have had a great time. :(Martini): Nice pics…

  29. Raaga on June 21st, 2008 1:03 pm

    Long time no post… all OK? Just saying hello

  30. Shaun on June 22nd, 2008 2:29 am

    Sig ~ How great that you and Siv enjoyed an anniversary at a special restaurant. Too often there is a glitch and prevents a space from living up to its hype - I’m so glad this worked out for you both. The foie gras looks heavenly!

  31. Shantanu on June 22nd, 2008 7:07 am

    This does sound (and look) fantastic! I am going for the Tasting Menu when I get a chance next time.

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