It was my first time that I stepped my feet on its ground. It looked warm and bright outside when we landed. I could instantly feel the heat, no doubt as it’s in the desert. But, this desert is different. It probably has the most entertainment on earth! The musical sounds of slot machines could easily be heard just about anywhere.

 

This post probably came a bit too late but it’s better than nothing. It was part of our trip to California about 2 months ago. Again, I haven’t had a chance to share some of the most spectacular pictures and stories in sunny California. But, I hope that will follow soon.

 

The trip to Las Vegas was pretty short, 2 days 1 night. Even so, we made the most of it. If you asked the highlights of the trip, it was just about everything! However, if I was gonna pick a few and talk about, I have probably 5 things.

 

Shopping

The exchange rate for British Pounds (£) was pretty strong 2 months ago, it was probably $1.95 = £1. So, I thought if would be a good idea to do a bit of shopping in the US. Also, I particular like a few brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Guess, Lucky Jeans…etc

 

Mirage Hotel

It was our choice as it’s strategically situated in the heart of the Strip, also, it was recommended by a friend. It’s really a huge hotel. There are several restaurants, an atrium that assembles tropical forest and lots of slot machines!!

We were pretty lucky to had been given a room that has just been nicely refurbished. The design is nice, simple and chic. A great view of the Venetian can be seen through the window. Overall, I think it’s great value for money. Highly recommended!

 

Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearm Centre

It was probably the most bizzare experience in my whole entire life! No, I didn’t try them but Arnaud did. I was just too scare to hear, not mention to hold them. It’s an indoor shooting range, with any guns and machine guns of your choice! Arnaud tried on Heckler-Koch MP5 – 9mm and and Glock 9mm. If you ask him about his experience to this gun range, he sums it up as “Fun to try and pretty impressive. But, the idea of owning firearms is just out of question!” So, if you think you have never had this experience and would love to, give Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearm Centre a visit!

 

The Strip

Full of glitz and glam of top hotels and casinos. I reckon a nice stroll along the strip at night is the most enjoyable and comfortable. The sights of the Venetian, Bellagio, Treasure Island, New York New York, Paris… etc are just eye candy! We didn’t have a lot of time to go to each of the casino and hotel to check out the interiors. But, I have to admit that, for what I saw, for e.g. the Venetian and Paris – they look soooooo real!

 

L’atelier de Joël Robuchon – MGM Grand

Joël Robuchon has many restaurants around the world. There are already 2 in Las Vegas. L’atelier means ‘the workshop’. Literally translated as ‘The Workshop of Joël Robuchon’. Basically, all dishes are creatively created by the Executive Chef, Steve Benjamin. Then, tasted and approved by Joël Robuchon himself so that they can go on the menu.

 

We opted for L’atelier de Joël Robuchon because the concept sounds and looks pretty cool, friendly and interactive. It’s a one-star Michelin restaurant. Also, it’s a restaurant where you can choose to dine at the table or at the counter where the kitchen is just right in front of you and able to watch the chefs working on their magical dishes!

 

Menu Decouverte (Discovery Menu), a 10-course dinner (included coffee to finish with, but that I am not a coffee drinker) blew our minds away! Of course, this is something that I am really keen to share with you guys as this post is not complete without mentioning about food!

 

So, what are the dishes in Menu Decouverte? Let’s have a look, shall we? A 10-course dinner, each dish came in a small portion that’s just enough to taste the flavours. We started each dish with great admiration and finished with satisfaction and amazement in our eyes! It just makes me think how the hell do the chefs know by mixing ‘these’ with ‘that’ one will produce great flavours explosion in the mouth!

 

• LE CITRON
  en pulpe tremblotante à la vanille recouverte d’une crème anisée
  Lemon gelee topped with fennel cream

• LE THON ROUGE
  cru mariné à l’huile tomatée et lamelles d’avocat épicé
  Big eye tuna with tomato infused olive oil

• LE HOMARD
  en gelée maraîchère sous une vichyssoise glacée
  Maine lobster in a gelee of vegetables topped with chilled leek soup

• LA SAINT-JACQUES
  la noix cuite au beurre d’algue, bouton de chou-fleur au curry et gingembre
  Scallop cooked with seaweed butter, curried cauliflower

• L’ASPERGE VERTE
  en cappuccino aux copeaux de parmesan
  Capuccino of green asparagus with parmesan

• LE BAR
  à la plancha, accommodé d’une fricassée acidulée de supions et d’artichauts
  Sea bass filet with baby calamari and artichoke

• LA CAILLE
  au foie gras, caramélisée avec une pomme purée truffée
  Free-range quail stuffed with foie gras and served with truffled-mashed potatoes
  

• LA PISTACHE
  glacée sur un pain de Gênes, rhubarbe au Lillet
  Pistachio parfait with marinated rhubarb and Muscat sorbet

 

Poker Queen – Gambling?

No, I don’t play the real game of chance. I have never tried the odds at table games simply because I don’t know how to play. I guess, the trip isn’t considered complete without trying my luck on the slot machines? That left me with plenty of slot machines to try winning some cold hard cash. I tried a few times, but didn’t end up winning. Just a few hours before we continued for our next destination, I hit the button for the last time for my last $20 and that won me about over $90. I quickly cashed it and stopped playing!

 

It was a great trip to Las Vegas, if you ask me would I go there again. The answer is Yes!