Dining Detectives: Bardot Brasserie – French Bistro Cuisine at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas

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We love Las Vegas, French Bistros and Michael Mina restaurants, so the odds were 100 to 1 that we would dine at Bardot Brasserie, while we were staying at The Aria. Even though it is barely one year old, you could feel that the restaurant was on their game from the Bar with excellent cocktails to the professional service and of course the excellent cuisine. The décor is elegant and reminiscent of a classic 1920’s Champs- Elysees French Café, which was quite pleasing. The atmosphere is lively, which we enjoy as well. We chatted about Wine pairing with Sommelier Kelly Ford and opted for a 2015 Trimbach Riesling from the Alsace Region of France which did pair perfectly with our seafood dinner. The Hors D’oeurves that we particularly enjoyed were the unique Escargots Bardot served in Puff Pastry Shells with toasted hazelnuts and topped with chartreuse butter and the Foie Gras Parfait with ruby port gelee served with grilled country bread. They were both exceptional especially the delicate Foie Gras Parfait.

Escargot

The main courses were all inviting and we knew Award Winning Chef Michael Mina really knows how to prepare lobster. We have enjoyed his signature Lobster Pot Pie in the past and tonight decided on the Maine Lobster Thermidor which is made with fines herbs, asparagus, mushroom cream and sauce béarnaise. The lobster was quite luscious, perfectly prepared and not too rich. Another excellent and very popular entree is Les Steak Frites which gives you the option of Dry Aged Prime Bone-In Rib Eye, Flat Iron, Angus Filet Mignon and Double Cut Prime Rib Eye. Each is served with beef fat fries and choice of Béarnaise, au poivre, blue cheese fondue, bordelaise or horseradish crème fraiche sauce.

Lobster Thermidor

The Desserts were absolutely incredible! We just loved the Mille Feuille which was a caramelized puff pastry and vanilla crème patisserie. It was wonderful beyond words! The Chocolate Macaron was a decadent French chocolate cookie with dark chocolate mousse. The excellent Epoisse De Berthaud En Croute-Normandy Cider Poached Apple, calvados flambé was a special from their 1^st Anniversary Menu. We enjoyed after dinner drinks including Double Espressos and Chateau Haut – Mouleyre Cadillac, France 2009 with our desserts.

Desserts

Michael Mina, whose career we have followed since his early days in San Francisco at Aqua, has created another gem with Bardot Brasserie which added to our enjoyment while staying at the Aria Resort & Casino. We look forward to visiting again soon.

By Carol & Joe Davis