Las Vegas: Payard at Caesars Palace

Chef Francois Payard and Caesars Palace have teamed to provide a beautiful Patisserie & Bistro at the Casino/Hotel (not in Forum Shops).

 Payard, known for fantastic chocolates and pastries, has delivered a "multi-layered experience" that includes a chocolate store, full dining restaurant and a delicious french pastry shop cafe, open for all of the meals of the day- breakfast, lunch and dinner + snacktime.


I love the huge grandfather "chocolate clock".  As the story goes, Chef Francois is a 3rd generation pastry chef and this magnificent time piece  represents the history and precision of his works. This 2000 pound, 16 ft high,  25 ft around structure produces 3 truffles every 15 minutes (69,888/yr) and shows off the current time in 9 international time zones symbolizing the "international flavors and profiles that inspire" his creations.

And lets not forget his true calling: chocolate and food.  The crepes are fantastic especially with their own chocolate sauce/paste. Also, the chocolate candy and pastries never disappoint!   I love the wafer bar!

Las Vegas: Max Brenner - The Greatest!

Max Brenner…Max Brenner…Max Brenner….

There’s no place like home, There’s no place like home, There’s no place like home!!

I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!  It is exactly what I have always wanted to find/create in a dessert restaurant.  (I even wrote my senior college finance thesis on opening a dessert restaurant and here it is!).  Where do I begin?

Let’s start with just the facts, mam:

12+ locations in Israel, 24 in Australia and 3 in the USA (NYC, LV and Phily).  Locations coming to a city near you as they hired an ex-Cheesecake Factory exec. to help with US growth.  Boston is next (yes, there is room for Max’s and Finale!).

Max Brenner crosses a chocolate shop with a chocolate themed causal dining restaurant.  Most things on the menu have some chocolate component- including the cocoa dusted French Fries.  I had the bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwich (with the fries) to start. Avocado was more of a creamy spread than I expected, but tasty. Other menus items looked very legit.

Note: On one episode of Man vs. Food, Adam pulled out a win by ordering French Fries to accompany his Ice Cream Sundae Challenge.  Adding the salt allowed him to get through the wall and finish all of the sweet dish. I knew I would need to pull that trick out one day and did it ever pay off tonight, as I sampled several of the desserts on this menu.  This trick worked out all the better for me because the fries I ordered had a dusting of chocolate on them… thanks for the tip Adam  : )

The chocolate pizza with marshmallow and toffee toppings was huge and AMAZING. 

The Milk chocolate iced Grinita drink was UNBELIEVABLE.  Hot chocolate (which I sampled) is milk chocolate ganache melted, WOW.

And then the store: SO CLEVER.  They have branded and created items that make this a virtual Williams-Sonoma for chocolate.  I stocked up for the winter with ever option they sell.  Specially designed mugs for holding hot chocolate close- got it. Well thought out single portion stacked fondue bowls for carefully melting chocolate- got it.  Alice in Wonderland milk shake “mug” with straw – got it.  Chocolate to put in all of these devices and some to eat out of the bag - got it all.

I can’t wait to have one of these in Dallas-hopefully soon. (Hear that Nancy and David- go get them, please).  Otherwise, I will be using many frequent flyer miles to visit…

PS- Max, may I have a “no waiting in line” pass, please.

Las Vegas: Vosges at the Forum Shops

A hop skip and a jump away and across Las Vegas Blvd is the entrance to the Forum Shops and just inside this entrance is Vosges Haut Chocolates.   This Vegas branch of the Chicago chocolatier offers all the treats that Chicago and NY offer including some of the newest delights. I really enjoy their Bars.  Vosges is now into Baked mixes: Pancakes and Cookies in particular.  This is chocolate for the discerning palate: The Carmel Marshmallows are terrific and Red Fire Chili Tortillas were good, sweet and hot.   Love this concept… try it whenever you pass it… NYC, Chicago, LV, etc… Packaged mixes can be found in some specialty grocers near you.  In Texas, Central Market is carrying the pancake mix.

(http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/)

 


This trip I bought Caramel  Marshmallows- a huge favorite. 





The Red Fire Chocolate Tortilla Chips-
Sweet with a wicked kick!





Honey Truffles will make there seasonal debut soon…..heard the bee farmer in Hawaii may give it up which may force this truffle off the market… Vosges, Say it isn’t so!!!

Las Vegas: Ghirardelli Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

Down an alley, between Harrah’s and The Imperial Palace is the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop.   When I was there a very good 70’s rock cover band was playing Billy Joel and Elton John on the outside stage next door. 

This is an old fashion ice cream parlor.  You can belly up to the counter and they will make you a hot fudge sundae, Ghirardelli Vegas style, or shop around the store from the entire line of Ghirardelli products.

I still like the "squares" sold everywhere now, but seemingly more authentic when purchased from the store itself.

Making a new friend

Squares: Dark Chocolate with Mint and Milk Chocolate with Caramel are terrific and now part of a 15 flavor family of squares.

This may not be Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco but if you find this place at the end of the alley,  it is a great throwback.

Have fun (like I did).