I have been doing a lot of projects, some around the house, getting ready for spring. Busy with birthday's, marriage retreat, spring break with kids, and planning future events...wedding, women's brunch and dinners. I also spent 6 days in Vegas with my husband for a work related conference.
Vegas
The flight was fine and the weather was perfect for a Washingtonian. We stayed at the Bellagio and enjoyed their buffet our first night there. I recommend the buffet, the choices are endless and the food is wonderful. If you are looking for something light and healthy they have a selection of fruits and fresh berries as well as some tasty salads. For dinner I had a large salad and some chilled shrimp....yum yum. 
They had a selection of tasty meats from roasted turkey breast to Kobe beef. I also spied some beef Wellington. There was more to choose from but the meat counter was pretty busy.
Now let's talk desserts!
They had a very large selection of mini desserts. A great way to sample a variety without going overboard. I just did some window shopping and only indulged in a small bite of my husband's strawberry cheesecake and key lime pie, both were very good.
The view from our room...........
PLANET HOLLYWOOD
and Aioli Sauce Recipe
Mine and my husbands first visit to this Hollywood movie inspired restaurant. The atmosphere was inviting and we enjoyed looking at the paraphernalia and hand prints with their owners John Hancock.
On our way through Caesar's Palace someone handed us a free appetizer for Planet Hollywood, just the place we were looking for. We enjoyed their famous chicken fingers for our appetizer that had a coating I couldn't put my finger on. I first thought it had cornmeal in the batter. So I asked our waitress and she said they use Captain Crunch and Fruit Loops cereal. A strange combination but it rocked those chicken fingers...we ate them all!
Our first meal we dined on chicken sandwiches. I believe mine was called Tuscan Chicken Sandwich that had a wonderful pesto, very tasty. My husband had the Chicken,Avocado and Swiss Sandwich. He couldn't stop talking about it or make some kind of " mmmmm" sound, the whole time he was eating. We enjoyed it so much we decided to return the
next day.
Dinner the next night was no let down. My husband ordered the fish taco's filled with tuna and a mango salsa. I ordered the Penni, Chicken and Broccoli with a roasted garlic basil cream sauce. My husband said that all though the taco's were good, the chicken avocado sandwich was much better, he still talks about! I forgot to mention his sandwich came with an Aioli (ay-OH-lee or i-OH-lee) sauce, which he probably would have drank if she had brought him a larger serving LOL!
Here is a recipe for a classic Garlic Aioli Sauce....
4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped fine
2 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt (sea salt, if you have it)
1 cup virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon cold water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Using a mortar and pestle grind the garlic and salt into a paste. If you do not have a mortar and pestle you can use a food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl and whisk in the egg yolks, Dijon mustard, cold water and lemon juice. Continue whisking until well combined. When adding the olive oil, you must whisk it in very slowly. A little at a time to emulsify the mixture properly. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
This is great for a number of things, my husband loved it on his chicken sandwich but he also dipped his fries in it.
BOBBY FLAY'S MESA GRILL
Later in the week we had reservations for the Messa Grill. I was so excited to eat a Bobby Flay's and have my wonderful husband to share it with. For our appetizer we enjoyed the chicken quasidilla..very tasty. For the entree we both ordered the seven spice chicken which came with pesto mashed potatoes, soooo good! Now, I had to have the whole Mesa Grill experience by including dessert at the end of my meal. Of course me and my husband were full from our dinner, so I ordered it to go. A coconut lover like myself, could not pass up on coconut cake. Our waitress was so excited that I ordered the coconut cake, she said it was the best and one of her favorites. Well.......it wasn't worth the $12.00 or $13.00 dollars we paid for it. What a let down following a delightful dinner. The cake was dry and I'm sad to say not a whole lot of flavor. The pastry chef creation sure didn't live up to the rest of the tasty menu of a Bobby Flay restaurant.
I would go again, but I would pass on the coconut cake.
JEAN PHILIPPE PATISSERIE at the BELLAGIO
I had heard so much about this pastry shop at the Bellagio. I had to stop and try one of the wonderful desserts. The chocolate fountain was a marvel and I wish I had my camera with me on this day so I could show you. You can see his fountain on his website at, http://www.jpchocolates.com/
My choice after much thought and waffling was made. I decided I would try the chocolate mousse. It was drenched in a shiny dark chocolate ganache and topped with a pink french macaroon. The macaroon was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. As my spoon dived into the mousse breaking the ganache barrier it revealed a rich, smooth and decadent dark chocolate mousse. It sat upon a delicate thin shortbread wafer. It's small size may look disappointing but a little of this dessert goes a long way. Two thumbs up!
Over all we had a great time.
