[MediocreButArrogant]

Here's a thread for reviews and questions about tasting menus offered at fine dining restaurants in Las Vegas.

Went to Michael Mina at the Bellagio last night and the whole table ordered the tasting menu. I've had this several times over the past dozen or so years (including when it was Aqua). The tasting menu is probably better now than it has ever been during any previous visit. I would go with the Ahi Tuna Tartare over the Caviar Parfait, as the tuna tartare was excellent, and the caviar parfait, while good, was definitely not worth the extra $28. I'd also go with the Lobster Pot Pie rather than the Risotto Nero, as you get a very large portion of the lobster pot pie, fully half the size of the entree portion. I've had the lobster pot pie at his other restaurants in other cities, and it is consistently much better here at his namesake restaurant in Las Vegas.

Total damage including three cocktails, no wine was $572 for three people.

[Caltovegas]

I'm a buffet kind of guy.

[jjameson922]

You've kind of shut things down here and it doesn't seem like too many people can add or relate. I know I can't. We live nicely and look great but when we go out to dinner, we try to keep the bill way down. I have the weekend prime rib special, we split my salad, we split a bowl of onion soup I order and then I get pop with unlimited refills, which we share. His meal order is a baked potato. I'm sure the wait staff is back there doing rock, paper, scissors to see who gets us because even though we tip sufficiently, with a low bill like we have, the tip isn't much. Damage done: two people, nice night out, high $20's.

[EA]

How the hell do you afford 572 dollar dinners? That's an entire month's groceries!!

[logline]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

Total damage including three cocktails, no wine was $572 for three people.

Yeah, no.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by jjameson922

You've kind of shut things down here and it doesn't seem like too many people can add or relate. I know I can't. We live nicely and look great but when we go out to dinner, we try to keep the bill way down. I have the weekend prime rib special, we split my salad, we split a bowl of onion soup I order and then I get pop with unlimited refills, which we share. His meal order is a baked potato. I'm sure the wait staff is back there doing rock, paper, scissors to see who gets us because even though we tip sufficiently, with a low bill like we have, the tip isn't much. Damage done: two people, nice night out, high $20's.

I've never done a tasting menu, but I've been to places where you can easily run up the kind of tab that the OP mentioned. The cocktails and wine can really get you, as can the sides, even if the entrée itself isn't over $40.00. Throw in an appetizer, dessert, and coffee and you're looking at a car payment.

[MediocreButArrogant]

The restaurant was packed by the time we left (around 8:30PM), so clearly there is no shortage of people who can afford the experience.

Some friends of mine did the degustation menu and cheapest wine pairing at Joel Robuchon. That came to $950 per person. $200 or even $300 per person is within my budget for a special occasion, but a thousand is just ridiculous.

[pommysmommy]

When we splurge for tasting menus we consider it culinary entertainment. We opt for the meal experience instead of show tickets that evening.

[FML157]

too rich for my blood

[logline]

I can't remember where I heard it, but the saying goes something like: A rich man and a poor man feel exactly the same after a big meal.

These "uber-meals" are just bottle service for old people... completely overpriced, unnecessary and a status symbol. I'm sorry, but deliciousness, subtlety and an amazing "experience" can be had for a fraction of that price.