If, like me, it's been a while since you've stayed at Mandalay Bay, it's time to give it another look. The golden resort hotel, anchoring the southern edge of the strip, has undergone a metamorphosis. Spending a perfect couple of days there was easy, with so many choices of restaurants, shops and entertainment. I spend a few days entertaining myself in between fantastic meals. Read on for a dine-around of Mandalay Bay.
We had lunch at Burger Bar, also by Hubert Keller of Fleur. It's billed as the Ultimate Burger Experience, but rest assured, the experience doesn't stop at just burgers.
What amazed us here was how customizable everything on the menu was. The choices were astounding. You build your own burger by choosing the meat (lamb, Kobe and buffalo were among the choices) or other burger stuffing (including salmon, chicken or veggie). Then you choose the toppings. Eight types of cheeses, three signature sauces, and a multitude of toppings, most of which you've never thought to add to a burger (Black truffles? Grilled lobster? How about pan seared foie gras?) If the entire page of options is too overwhelming, just pick a pre-configured chef's burger.
But wait, we're just getting started. The french fry menu is equally daunting, with skinny fries, fat fries, zucchini fries...you get the idea. Choose a few of the ten sauces for dipping your fries.
At this point, you can probably guess what the milkshake menu is like. Want to top it with some Krispy Kreme donut nuggets? Stir in a shot of Bailey's? No problem. Or--here's a unique touch--try a beer float like the Irish Sweetness or the Raspberry Velvet.
The next day, after venturing out for souvenir shopping and a bit of gambling, we found ourselves back at Mandalay Bay for lunchtime. We chose Fleur by Hubert Keller, The variety on the relatively brief menu was impressive: Wagyu hot dogs and burgers shared space with lighter fare such as my favorite, the ancho tuna tartare. A white onion soup veloute with truffle oil was also a standout.
The food was so good at Fleur, we had lunch here the next day as well, despite all the tempting options surrounding it.
Just past the busy Mandalay Bay reception desk, down a polished hallway and down a grand staircase, is the quiet and intimate Four Seasons Las Vegas. It's worth the short journey for so many reasons, Verandah being cheif among them.
Breakfast at Verandah was a special treat. We skipped the cozy dining room in favor of fresh air with breakfast al fresco by the swimming pool. The huevos rancheros is a great way to wake up your appetite. It's a hearty-sized dish served in a cast iron skillet. Those with a sweeter tooth should try the perfectly poached eggs Benedict, served uniquely on a polenta cake. (They'll do the dish in a more traditional style as well, upon request.)
We headed right back to Verandah for dinner, stopping first for cocktails at Press, the airy lobby bar. We munched in style on ahi tuna cones and honey sriracha chicken wings, chasing it with classic cocktails (Moscow Mules, served in copper cups).
Back at Verandah, dinner al fresco turned out to be just as charming as breakfast had been. This Italian restaurant had many of my favorites on the menu, including a salad with burrata and Parma ham, Sicilian meatballs, and Brazino with a puttanesca sauce. But it was the signature dish that still has me dreaming of returning: La Pasta Cotta Nel Vaso, housemade artichoke pasta cooked in a large glass jar with shellfish, tomato and basil. Yum!
Dinner was at Charlie Palmer's Aureole, where my favorite dish is the French Onion Soup (fancied up with foie gras and truffles, and served within a mouth-watering puff pastry). We indulged in a tasting menu. Each dish explored an ingredient (like salmon) in a unique way. Plates were split in half. Each highlighted ingredient was prepared in two completely different ways, one on each side.
The highlight of this restaurant is always the wine angels, navigating up and down a tremendous tower of wine. We loved the novelty of perusing the extensive wine and spirits list on an iPad. The outdoor terrace, overlooking a water feature compete with a pair of swans, provided the perfect backdrop to step out and enjoy a romantic moment under the moonlight.
After Burger Bar, we were so full, we weren't sure we'd be able to eat ever again. Hussong's Cantina pulled us in with its margarita, one of the biggest I've ever seen. The original Hussong's, as the menu will tell you, is where the margarita was invented.
We regained our resolve to eat our way through Mandalay Bay halfway through one of the 45-ounce Original Margaritas, which comes in a souvenir glass (refills are only $15). The Baja-style ceviche was a great, light start. Carnitas, flautas, fajitas, tacos and other favorites rounded out the choices at this casual Mexican eatery.
1. Burger Bar
We had lunch at Burger Bar, also by Hubert Keller of Fleur. It's billed as the Ultimate Burger Experience, but rest assured, the experience doesn't stop at just burgers.
What amazed us here was how customizable everything on the menu was. The choices were astounding. You build your own burger by choosing the meat (lamb, Kobe and buffalo were among the choices) or other burger stuffing (including salmon, chicken or veggie). Then you choose the toppings. Eight types of cheeses, three signature sauces, and a multitude of toppings, most of which you've never thought to add to a burger (Black truffles? Grilled lobster? How about pan seared foie gras?) If the entire page of options is too overwhelming, just pick a pre-configured chef's burger.
But wait, we're just getting started. The french fry menu is equally daunting, with skinny fries, fat fries, zucchini fries...you get the idea. Choose a few of the ten sauces for dipping your fries.
At this point, you can probably guess what the milkshake menu is like. Want to top it with some Krispy Kreme donut nuggets? Stir in a shot of Bailey's? No problem. Or--here's a unique touch--try a beer float like the Irish Sweetness or the Raspberry Velvet.
2. Fleur by Hubert Keller
The next day, after venturing out for souvenir shopping and a bit of gambling, we found ourselves back at Mandalay Bay for lunchtime. We chose Fleur by Hubert Keller, The variety on the relatively brief menu was impressive: Wagyu hot dogs and burgers shared space with lighter fare such as my favorite, the ancho tuna tartare. A white onion soup veloute with truffle oil was also a standout.
The food was so good at Fleur, we had lunch here the next day as well, despite all the tempting options surrounding it.
3. Verandah
Just past the busy Mandalay Bay reception desk, down a polished hallway and down a grand staircase, is the quiet and intimate Four Seasons Las Vegas. It's worth the short journey for so many reasons, Verandah being cheif among them.
Breakfast at Verandah was a special treat. We skipped the cozy dining room in favor of fresh air with breakfast al fresco by the swimming pool. The huevos rancheros is a great way to wake up your appetite. It's a hearty-sized dish served in a cast iron skillet. Those with a sweeter tooth should try the perfectly poached eggs Benedict, served uniquely on a polenta cake. (They'll do the dish in a more traditional style as well, upon request.)
We headed right back to Verandah for dinner, stopping first for cocktails at Press, the airy lobby bar. We munched in style on ahi tuna cones and honey sriracha chicken wings, chasing it with classic cocktails (Moscow Mules, served in copper cups).
Back at Verandah, dinner al fresco turned out to be just as charming as breakfast had been. This Italian restaurant had many of my favorites on the menu, including a salad with burrata and Parma ham, Sicilian meatballs, and Brazino with a puttanesca sauce. But it was the signature dish that still has me dreaming of returning: La Pasta Cotta Nel Vaso, housemade artichoke pasta cooked in a large glass jar with shellfish, tomato and basil. Yum!
4. Charlie Palmer's Aureole
Dinner was at Charlie Palmer's Aureole, where my favorite dish is the French Onion Soup (fancied up with foie gras and truffles, and served within a mouth-watering puff pastry). We indulged in a tasting menu. Each dish explored an ingredient (like salmon) in a unique way. Plates were split in half. Each highlighted ingredient was prepared in two completely different ways, one on each side.
The highlight of this restaurant is always the wine angels, navigating up and down a tremendous tower of wine. We loved the novelty of perusing the extensive wine and spirits list on an iPad. The outdoor terrace, overlooking a water feature compete with a pair of swans, provided the perfect backdrop to step out and enjoy a romantic moment under the moonlight.
5. Hussong's Cantina
After Burger Bar, we were so full, we weren't sure we'd be able to eat ever again. Hussong's Cantina pulled us in with its margarita, one of the biggest I've ever seen. The original Hussong's, as the menu will tell you, is where the margarita was invented.
We regained our resolve to eat our way through Mandalay Bay halfway through one of the 45-ounce Original Margaritas, which comes in a souvenir glass (refills are only $15). The Baja-style ceviche was a great, light start. Carnitas, flautas, fajitas, tacos and other favorites rounded out the choices at this casual Mexican eatery.
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