Hello,
My wife and I are going to Las Vegas the week before Christmas to celebrate, among other things, our 10th anniversary, her 50th birthday, and some recent success in the art world.

We want one very special, very romantic dinner with outstanding food and impeccable service for no more than $400.

We are both professionals. I'm a college professor, she's an artist. We have both lived in France and are both enamored of French culture.

With all that in mind, which of the following restaurants would you recommend:

Bouchon
Eiffel Tower
Michael Mina
Picasso

How far in advance would I need to make a reservation at these places?

Other suggestions would be welcome also.

Thanks

Of your four selections, I've only dined at Bouchon. We thought it was great--really good food and really good service, However, it was far less expensive than $200 a person--more like $70 a person--and I didn't feel like it was a psrticularly romantic place.

You could make reservations now, and cancel later if you change your mind.

Thanks maryanntex for the info.

We also ate at Daniel Boulud, Japonais, and Mon Ami Gabi. All were really good and medium priced. Maybe not what you'd want for a special dinner, but all very nice.

Here is the Michelin Star results as of this week..

LAS VEGAS

Three-star restaurants
Joël Robuchon, MGM Grand

Two-star restaurants
Alex, Wynn
Guy Savoy, Caesars
Picasso, Bellagio

One-star restaurants
Alizé, the Palms Hotel
Andre's (the original or in Monte Carlo, we're not sure)
Aureole, Mandalay Bay
Bradley Ogden, MGM Grand
DB Brasserie, Wynn
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, MGM Grand
Le Cirque, Bellagio
Mesa Grill, Caesars
Michael Mina. Bellagio
Mix, Mandalay Bay
Nobu, Hard Rock Hotel
Wing Lei, Wynn

Ken,
I have been to DB Brasserie at the Wynn which was outstanding and Daniel Boulud is a master at his food and the view with the water show was one of the best and we had champagne to start along with app's, salad, entree, dessert, port/latte and we brought our own Silver Oak Cab and the bill was under $200 and we tip at least 20%!
We will be at Alize next month at the Palms and I hear that it's fantastic..restaurant is at the top of the hotel.
Have a wonderful anniversary and birthday and would love to know about the recent success in the art world..

Bally's Steakhouse is very good. They have a great Sterling Sunday Brunch for around $60 which includes lobster, caviar, etc. They service champagne etc as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definetly look into Daniel Boulud and DB Brasserie.

TahitiTams: In addition to a flurry of recent sales, my wife's recent successes in the art world include: The King and Spalding Law Firm, one of Atlanta's oldest and most prestigious,bought 3 of her pieces for their permanent collection. The Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta bought the use of two drawings for all of their guest rooms. The Palmer House in Chicago bought the use of one drawing for all their suites. Her next major show is in Nashville at Gallery One in Jan. 2008. Her web site is lorigene.com. Thanks for asking

Picasso is more about looking at the art work while dining, the food was not spectacular.

Haven't eaten at Bouchon yet but it rates highly among pharmaceutical sales reps that have business dinners on the strip frequently.

From TahitiTam's list:
Andre's- landmark eatery in LV, never disappoints.
Aureole- set $99 per person menu and the food is not worth it, you are paying for the surroundings. As written before, only go if someone else's business is paying.

Le Cirque - B
Nobu - B (because of the location, the Hard Rock gets a seedy crowd)
Daniel Boulud - A
Mesa Grill - A
Mona Mi Gabi - B-

My choice would be somewhere at the Wynn, you really can't go wrong.

Ps, The Wynn restaurants would have the most romantic decor (besides Picasso at the Bellagio) and Robuchon.

Ken..
Your wife's art work is stunning!
Congrat's to her and love that you are taking her out on the town in Vegas!

The list from the michelin stars will be a good start..
Hope your staying at the Wynn..lovely hotel with the finest linens and the beds and pillows are some of the best I have ever had.
Thank you for sharing her website.
Really do love her work.
All the best Ken!

kenrf! I love her work!!

Congrats on everything, anniversary, birthday and artistic success!!

It has been a while since we were in Vegas, but we always stayed at the Bellagio and did have dinner at Picasso..and since this is an artists celebration..well...

I just had dinner at B&B, Mario Batali's new place at the Venetian, and it was phenomenal. The service was excellent and the atmosphere very intimate. I had this goat cheese tortelloni that just melted in your mouth. It was so delicate and light. Also had a great skirt steak.

Everyone:
Thanks for your responses. I will certainly look into restaurants at the Wynn.

I believe Bouchon is more of a bistro style, French Laundry in San Francisco is more of Thomas Keller's signature dining. I am visiting Las Vegas in Christmas and spent alot of time looking into dining options, also got my friends made a few recommendations.

For fine dining, I was recommended Picasso, Joel Roouchon or Eiffel Tower. My friend who is a chef always go there. For many of the restaurants. You can make reservations online.

I am planning to have brunch at Bouchon, and lunch at Mon Ami Gabi.

A culinary getaway. After reading the responses to your post, I think I will check out DB Brasserie as well!

This link can also give you some idea: http://frommers.com/destinations/las...013020003.html

Have a great trip!

I had lunch at Mon Ami Gabi in May and was sorely disappointed. The steak was not anywhere as good as those I've had a the Chicago location.

I agree, I've eaten at Mon Ami twice in the past few months and was underwhelmed. The desserts are amazing though. And it's a great place to people watch on the patio

We've been to many of the fine restaurants in Vegas, and our current favorite for a romantic spot with great food, gorgeous view, and superb service is Alize at the Palms.
...even if OJ goes there. He was dining there with the wedding party the night before he was arrested in September. We were seated only a few feet away.

Hey madgirl..
Glad to hear you like Alize..
Love the Palms and we will be there a week before Xmas and we have reservations for Alize and have heard great things on Chowhound and I see they received a michelin one star which is a great honor..
Wouldn't want OJ near my table..sat behind Johnny Cochran on a small plane going from SD to LAX after the trial and I so wanted to go up to him and tell him that if I kill anybody, I want you to represent me!

Yeah, the hostess on the Palms' main floor warned us that OJ was up at the restaurant, in case we wanted to change our minds. But it was late and we were hungry. However, during dinner we could hear him pontificating during the wedding toast. He's so arrogant, I wanted to go smack him upside the head, but then I would've been spending the night in the Graybar Hotel. Almost would've been worth it, though.

Mon Ami Gabi ( in my opinion) was good for lunch or a brunch .. if you felt like being in a noisy room and eating nothing special.. once we went for a late night supper and a large table with a baby drowned out any possibility of conversation anywhere in the restaurant..
I think there are so many better places , even just for lunch.
Olives for one.