[TripletDaddy]

I spent yesterday in Vegas for client stuff and was quite excited to take in some local cuisine.

While not a huge fan of the food scene in Vegas, excellent food still abounds there, to be sure--and there is a difference between the food scene and the food to be found.

Anyhow, at the recommendation of a trusted adviser, I went to Rosemary's, located a bit out of the way of the Strip...on Sahara. The location, truth be told, is pretty crappy and unsightly. However, as many will attest, this is actually a blessing in disguise. Lower rents means more capital to re-invest in your staff or your food. In the case of Rosemary's, don't let the exterior fool you. The experience inside packs a punch.

I am not terribly impressed or underwhelmed by decor. The inside of Rosemary's is a pretty standard New-American setup. Nice, nothing fancy. I am told that its sister eatery in the Rio Hotel is much more upscale....but once again, who cares if it is posh if the food isnt good?

Rosemary's was recently rated a Zagat 28, so my expectations were high. 28s are rare form. One refreshing thing about this place was the price....for a 28, you would expect it to be expense account only, even if you are NOT drinking wine. However, that being said, even the prix fixe Chefs Taster was under $60.

The menu here changes from week to week, which means the ingredients are generally fresh and seasonal...another great sign. I went with the Taster and left the meal to the whim of chance. It was pretty beautiful. There were 4 of us, so we did dabble a bit off each other's plates.

In all, I tried the following:

Apps
1. Milk-fed veal sweetbreads, masmati rice and lemon caper beurre blanc (basically, white butter)
2. Prosciutto-wrapped Sonoma Goat Cheese stuffed figs, served with arugula and a balsamic reduction and vanilla bean seasoning
3. Sweet Corn Soup with chive compound butter

Main
1. Leg of Duck confit with French green lentils and brandy green peppercorn sauce

Dessert
1. Creme Brulee
2. Coconut Bread Pudding with Coconut sorbet and dark chocolate sauce
3. profiteroles

If any of this sounds remotely appealing to you and you are looking for a fantastic night out with your spouse, life partner, girlfriend, mistress, or parole officer, go to Rosemary's. The food was excellent and served very succinctly. Not a lot of flash with large oversized chargers that drown out the portions, as opposed to simply highlighting them.

BYU fans...since we are going to be in town for the Vegas Bowl anyway (heh heh), try to make the trip out there. Your wife will love it and so will you.

Yum.