Pierre Gagnaier's Twist

Las Vegas, NV Oct 2010

Gentlemen, if your looking to impress your significant other with other than your good looks or money; and Ladies, if you're wanting to to spend time with your significant other at a very fine dining location, then hint (demand) that you want to experience Pierre Gagnaier's Twist. It's located on the 23rd floor sky lobby in the elegantly serene Mandarin Hotel, smoke and gaming free. What a relief from all the slot machines bells, whistles, and ringing.

My wife and I celebrated our special occasion as we dinned under sphere shapped stars, had a night view of the Las Vegas strip, a romantic dinner, and had a wonderful time.


The amuse bouche of sesame bread sticks, tuna foam and shrimp chips were playful and interactive. It was the prelude to the tasty and unique canapes, organic tomatoes, mini puff pastries and Jack Daniels and Guinness gelee shots.

There was an offering of three types of breads: I chose the french baguettes, my wife had the walnut bread.

We looked through the 44 page wine list. Turning the delicate silk-like pages, we found very fine selections of varying styles and price ranges. We chose our wine and the sommelier asked if we wanted it to have it decanted. "Sure", we replied. Out came the bottle, label turned toward me. It matched our selection. A few moments later, the wine and decanter came out. I call it the swan decanter - long neck stem and curved body. Very cool.

The Napanook 2005 Bordeaux blend from Dominus Estate and the swan shaped decanter. Sneaking in the picture is butter of Normandy (sea salted and unsalted).

Foie gras marbled with fig

Pierre Gagnaier fully deserves his Michelin stars. His creations are classically french prepared with a twist of modern fushion- Foie with fig marbling, Jack Daniels and Guinness gelee shots, broccoli and cauliflower intermezzo, and basil ice cream.

Hamachi on a bed of veggies

Langoustine grilled and three sauces

Langoustine

Langoustine tartare and nori slivers on a bed of solid ice

Langoustine mouseline

Langoustine gelee

Seared cod

Broccoli, cauliflower granite intermezzo

Seared deer (venison)

Wild mushroom and micro greens

Rack of Lamb with reduce au jus

Mashed potato with horse radish and lettuce leaf

Lamb salad layered with tomato, basil and micro greens

The first of five desserts, cassis in martini glass

Peaches and nuts with vanilla ice cream

Red bean with flavored shaved ice

Basil ice cream and cookie with raspberry sauce

Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and cookie crisp

And more!

On the front page of Pierre Gagnaier's menu, he says, "Cuisine does not measure itself in terms of tradition or modernity. One must read in to the tenderness of the chef."

Chef Gagnaier's creations are traditional and modern with his own touch. One can taste and measure the delicate nature he takes with his creations by what the pallet is screaming, "More!"

Dining at Bardessono - Yountville, CA

It was the hottest time of the day, 3pm on Vintner Golf Course- Yountville. It was a summer scorcher, 103F, July 2009. I couldn't wait until the end of the round. A refreshing dinner was on my mind. The place? Bardessono.


To get to the restaurant from outside parking, one has to walk through the serene, minimalistic setting. We were greeted with a smile and a good evening once we got to the hostess. We arrived an hour early from our reservation, but we were accommodated after a ten minute wait. We were seated outside section under a heater. It was a pleasant evening so we didn't mind sitting outside. We actually preferred outside in the breezeless night. We were seated at a table with a glass top, the seats dark tan plastic rattan. In my front view, there was a sandstone color block sculpture of a nude woman.


Alfonso, our waiter, recited the specials; an heirloom tomato salad and the second special, a Sockeye salmon. We passed as we ordered the chilled shell fish pistou ($14) - a seafood salad with a mild pesto-like dressing. It was refreshing and cooling to the palate.


My wife ordered the Atlantic Cod ($25) with brandade & deep fried parsley, and creamy risotto drizzled with a lemon sauce & capers. The portion was large, about 8 oz and the fish was nicely done. The skin was crisp and the flesh moist.



I had the lamb two-ways (seared and braised) with spring veggies ($31) atop a coconut basmati rice. The lamb was medium rare and melted in my mouth. The rice was creamy and matched well with the lamb.

The wine of choice was the 2005 Lail Vineyard's Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon ($58/half bottle) (Philippe Melka, wine maker). There are hints of blackberries and cassis with a touch of oak. The cab held it's own with the lamb, and went well with the cod.

For dessert, we shared the Coffee bar ($10), it looked heavy but one bite, it was light and sweet and very chocolaty with chocolate nibs and Chantilly cream. I ordered the Blue Bottle coffee (brown lump sugar & cream) in a french press (equal to two servings, $6). The bottle water, flat or with bubbles, is complimentary.


The venue is very relaxing and the service attentive, and the staff was eager to please. They are friendly and helpful. Bardessono is a go back place. It's hard to believe that it's been open since March 2009 as it seems like it has been serving for years.