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L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
MGM Grand3799 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Neighbourhoods: The Strip, Eastside
(702) 891-7358
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
417 reviews for L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Review Highlights
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"We did the $155 tasting menu and loved every dish." In 145 reviews -
"One of the best foie gras I've ever had." In 150 reviews -
"Foie gras stuffed free-range quail with mashed potatoes." In 26 reviews
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417 reviews in English
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Review from Yi-Fang T.
Cupertino, CA
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Since coming here, it's now one of my favorite restaurants! Now I need to seek all the Joel Robuchon restaurants.
Definitely make reservations to sit at the counter. Chef Steve Benjamin was on-hand to run a smooth kitchen with a very attentive staff.
Highlights of the menu and what my fiance and I ordered were:
- Scallops carpaccio and uni: Our favorite. We would go back simply to have this dish. The scallops were delicate and sliced perfectly. The uni really made the dish.
- Foie gras burger (sliders): Delicious. Would get this again! It's usually hard to find anything impressive about sliders but lamb + foie gras maybe key!
- Foie gras stuffed-quail: Very good. Loved each aspect of the dish, the quail drumstick and the stuffed foie gras in the quail. Anything with mashed potatoes here is guaranteed to be a success.
- La Framboise (aka The Surprise): Absolutely lovely and delightful. I'm usually not a fan of decadent chocolately desserts so I naturally gravitate towards fruit ones. I would get this dish again simply because of the presentation and the well-blended taste. Sorry, won't ruin it by telling you what the surprise is ;)
Overall, I would visit this restaurant again and gladly spend the $ instead of throwing it at the tables! -
Review from Lauren B.
5/11/2012 3 photos
Can you believe it? This weekend was the first time I have ever been to L'Atelier. I go to Vegas several times a year, eat everywhere and have never really thought about coming to Atelier until now. Now that being said the food was excellent, the wine pours generous, the sommelier was gracious but damn it's expensive for what it is!
We shared one of the tasting menus and they allowed us to pick a couple of other courses off the al carte menu, which was very cool of them. But, because of the seating you almost don't get that attention you normally get from a fine dining experience. I guess I want to be pamped and fussed over and here you don't get that feeling.
My highlights: A-m-a-z-i-n-g BREAD! I love french bread, crewy and crispy with the salty butter. MMMMMMM!
LES LANGOUSTINES- langoustines cooked in their shells with green curry and coconut milk -- sweet and lush, I only wish langoustines were bigger! LOL!
LA CEBETTE -White onion tart with smoked bacon, quail egg "mirror" and green asparagus -- my absolute favorite dish of the evening, it was that feeling of home, breakfast on a whole another level. So good, utlimate comfort food.
And my last favorite: LA FRAISE - Caramel panna cotta topped with fresh strawberries and yogurt foam -- I don't even really enjoy desserts however, this one hit the spot. I love sweet and savory at the same time.
I thought I would love the Foie gras stuffed quail with mashed potatoes being a signtuare dish and all, but it was just okay. Maybe foie gras shouldnt be stuffed in something because it ends up tasting very irony. He he. (get it?) lol.
The dinner was lovely but if you ask me I have other favorite restaurants in Vegas for a cheaper price. Sorry Joel, don't hate me. ;)Listed in: Yum Yum for My Tum Tum!
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Review from Jason V.
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
In early March '12, I followed up dinner at Joël Robuchon with dinner the next night at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Indulgent for sure, but hey, it's Vegas. As opposed to the formal atmosphere of the MIchelin three-star next door, L'Atelier is upscale casual with primarily counter service and a handful of high-top tables for four. The counter concept is actually not well-executed at L'Atelier: The divider between the perimeter of the kitchen area and the diner makes it extremely awkward for the servers to remove dishes and glasses. On top of that, the food at L'Atelier is prepared nowhere near the counter--the ranges are at the back of the restaurant followed by a preparation counter and then yet another finishing counter. This shouldn't be confused with Masa in New York (or other intimate chef's table type settings) where the chef prepares your food right in front of you and hands you the finished product.
Instead of going with a tasting menu, we picked various individual items: The Oysters were served warm with herbs. To the dish's disadvantage, the delicate taste of the oysters is overpowered by the herbs. It also would have been nice for the oysters to have been fully disconnected from the shells before serving. The Anchovies with eggplant and red pepper is both a visually-appealing and solid-tasting dish. The strong taste of the anchovies is restrained by the other ingredients, making this a decent appetizer for those who might usually think anchovies are too strong. Watch out for the much-talked about Burger--the "burgers" themselves are shockingly small with about the same circumference as a silver dollar (at least you get two "burgers" per order). I think the small size actually prevents the diner from getting a decent feeling for the foie gras. This pales, for instance, to the far superior burger at DB Bistro Moderne (which was also served at Daniel Boulud Brasserie in the Wynn until it closed). The Langoustine dish was excellent even while I was initially skeptical of the tempura-like preparation. The langoustine itself is buttery and perfect. Finally, the Pistachio Soufflé was very good with good flavoring and the perfect size (in comparison to the much too large chocolate soufflé I had the day before at Joël Robuchon). I recommend doubling-down (hey, it's Vegas) and pairing it with the pistachio sorbet.
My criticisms are probably a little harsh but not wholly unwarranted given the level of restaurant L'Atelier, with a Michelin star of its own, aspires to be and the price you pay for the meal. My overall experience was still positive, but even ignoring my criticism of L'Atelier's counter service, a couple of the dishes could use some improvement. -
Review from Christie K.
Los Angeles, CA
4/27/2012 7 photos
If yelp had 6 stars, I'd give this place 6 stars. All the dishes were craaaaazzzzy good. We got the seasonal prix fixe and it literally took 3 hrs to finish the course. It took a long time but it was totally worth waiting anxiously after each dish. My fave was the quail stuffed with foie gras. I wanted to eat a whole family of them after the first bite.
The one thing that still intrigues me is the way the restaurant is planned out. It's not your typical "take a seat and talk to your friends or date" kind of place. The attention is on the kitchen, as it takes over like 90% of the space. There's not that much seating, it's allllllllll kitchen. People sit around the kitchen facing the chefs. It's very entertaining to watch them make your food and how meticulous they are in crafting each dish. -
Review from Michele L.
Pasadena, CA
4/24/2012 11 photos
One of the only restaurants at the MGM Grand that I actually enjoyed (I've eaten at all the restaurants except for Nobhill Tavern). Went over a year ago in the winter, and got the Seasonal Discovery Menu (9 course prix fixe menu) for $148 at that time. Now it's $155.
The presentation was excellent and the food was delicious.
My favorites were the pumpkin soup, poached baby oysters, and the langoustine carpaccio.
Service was very quick but not rushed. Usually, restaurants with prix fixe menus have long gaps between courses but they were very efficient and attentive in not having us wait between courses.
Note: Formal dress code not enforced. I wore a tank top and jeans and they didn't care.
Would definitely go back since the menu changes seasonally! -
Review from Belinda S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sadly, not amazing as I expected. =( Plating was good but the flavors weren't as intense as I wanted.
We tried the items below but none were impressive to me.
foie gras amuse bouche
yellowtail tuna tartare
beef cheeks
fresh cod flakes
french style hangar steak (with buttery mashed potatoes)
caramel choc mousse with poppy seeds crumble, sicilian pistachio dome
strawberry compote with lime tequila sorbet -
Review from Patricia L.
4/3/2012
I've been savouring my memories of this recent meal during a quick weekend getaway to Vegas. After writing my review of Alan Wong's Restaurant (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) I was so upset that I had to write about my experience here to take away the bad taste in my mouth of having to remember what happened in Oahu! So here it goes.
This was by far one of the best meals I've had in my life. THE. BEST. I was at about the 20 week mark (half-way there baby!) of my pregnancy and I was a little scared to try a fancy meal again after a previous bad experience during the course of my pregnancy (see again - http://www.yelp.ca/biz...).
The Hostess and Servers were all smiles and congratulatory towards us as they helped me waddle to my seat at the serving bar section. As my baby-daddy and I looked at the menu our server asked us if we had any questions. I said "I'm pregnant, should I stay away from the Tasting Menus? " He said "I know and congratulations! And no, we will take care of you, just let me know what you want and like to eat." and he gave us a huge smile. Wow no agitated sighs, no eye-rolling, no me feeling like I'm a huge inconvenience!
We expressed interest in the Seasonal Discovery Menu ($155 each - with additional supps. ranging from $25 to $75 added to the final Menu total) and before we could say anything further he explained that everything could be substituted out.
He carefully and knowledgeably explained each and every dish on the list and very considerately recommended what he thought would work best for me. I didn't have to tell him that I couldn't eat non-pasteurized cheeses, no raw fish, no rare meat etc. - holy crapolee HE ALREADY KNEW!
Our Amuse Bouches came. I got the Avocado/Tomato Gelee and baby-daddy got a Fois Gras Parfais. My Avocado/Tomato Gelee was so good, it made me cry. I kid you not, I actually got emotional at how much I was able to enjoy food again, pregnant or not. For the first time, in a long time, the often sad feeling of being pregnant and not being to eat sushi, rare steak and all my favourites just melted away and completely disappeared. I felt so good and so well taken care of.
Every course after that was just got more and more amazing. My baby-daddy and I were shaking in our seats and giggling madly like school-girls at how good the food was. It just felt so EFFING FANTASTIC to eat spectacular food. The kitchen was magic - they function and work like a perfect machine. Quiet, calm, focused, with precision and with so much love.
The service was above and beyond 5 star - after 15 minutes of observing us, and besides from being the most considerate person towards a pregnant lady, our server quietly noted my being left-handed and forever after placed my knife for me on my left side. Simply amazing.
I can't wait to RUN back and eat here again. It's pricey, but it's so worth it. There is no pain when you hand over your wallet to them!Listed in: I HEART Food!
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Review from Jemi A.
4/15/2012
I found myself very much impressed with L'Atelier's nine course tasting menu for $159 per person. We were seated at the counter where we got to enjoy the "show," watching the chefs prepare each and every dish. I've always appreciated fine dining, but watching the meticulous details that went into every single dish made me appreciate it that much more!
* Course 1 - The Amuse Bouche, a Foie Gras Parfait, was a lovely way to begin our adventure. I don't really like Foie Gras, but in the parfait form, I actually liked it.
* Course 2 - Snapper Tartar - This was a lovely way to whet the appetite further, especially after the rich taste of the Foie Gras Parfait. It was light and refreshing.
* Course 3 - Poached Oysters - I've never really tried oysters, raw or poached, but I decided to try it here, since they looked so appetizing. I ate two and gave the third one to the husband since he LOVED this dish so very much. I thought it was a bit salty and didn't really care for it all that much. Maybe it's an acquired taste that I have yet to acquire.
* Course 4 - Maine Lobster in a spicy broth - This was delicious. The lobster was perfectly cooked, and not rubbery. My only complaint is that it was so small!
* Course 5 - White Onion Tart with Quail Egg - This was my favorite dish of the whole evening. The tartlette was perfectly crisp, and the fried Quail Egg (which I had never tried before) complemented it perfectly. Delicious! I think I could have eaten about ten of these.
* Course 6 - Monkfish Cheek - Very good. The texture seemed almost like lobster and if no one had told me it was Monkfish Cheek, I would have thought it was lobster.
* Course 7 - Veal Flank Steak - Perfectly cooked and delicious. The husband went with the Duck stuffed with Foie Gras option that he immensely enjoyed. I liked my Veal Flank Steak served with the best tasting mashed potatoes I've ever had... and I'm not really a lover of mashed potatoes, but this was quite divine. The husband's duck came with the mashed potatoes as well.
* Course 8 - Caramel Panacotta - Very delicious, and not too sweet, which I liked.
* Course 9 - Raspberries with Chocolate Cake pieces - This was more decadent than the first dessert, but combined with the raspberries and the sauce that accompanied it, it was perfect.
The tasting menu also came with coffee, espresso, a latte or cappuccino with dessert. The Latte I had here was perfect. SO good, and was the perfect way to end a perfect meal.
I've been to several Michilin rated restaurants (Le Cirque, Picasso, Providence, Melisse), and L'Atelier fits the category for its fine cuisine. The main difference that I really liked was that L'Atelier was not as stuffy as the others I've tried. Sitting at the counter gave it a more casual feeling, kind of like sitting at the sushi bar. The whole meal took a whopping 2.5 hours, but hey - we got dinner and a show, all in one - so I'd say it was all worth it! -
Review from Isabelle L.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/7/2012
I had such a great time at Joel Robuchon (I still contend that it was the single best meal I've had thus far), I just had to come try L'atelier - though I admit it was hard to fight the urge to go back to Joel Robuchon, especially since it was just next door. Let me tell you, if you think you're making concessions in going to L'atelier, you are mistaken! The experience was magnificent and the food was in true style, a jewel in it's own right but enough of the adulation, let's get down to details.
Setting/Mood: Located in the MGM, it took awhile to get seated (about 20 minutes after our reservation time) but smart hotel/casino owners just happen to have designed it so that their slot machines and gaming tables are conveniently nearby for you to pass the time (and also $40). Dim lighting, rounded bar surrounding the kitchen for a "watch me cook what you're going to eat and then straight to table" delivery.
Food: I won't give the blow by blow but as always, unless you're a particular eater, tasting menus provide the best sampling of what the Chef would like to showcase and in theory, does best. All the 9 courses + amuse bouche were just the right blend of gastronomy, simple dishes deconstructed and/or reinvented, typical fine dining courses executed perfectly, creative combinations AND all presented exquisitely and festively for the eyes without being too busy. If you're curious, culinary hitters at bat were 3 courses with foie gras, oysters, lobster, tart, monkfish, quail, venison, champagne-strawberry dessert and chocolate-menthe dessert. This rundown hardly does the food justice but gives you an idea of expectations I suppose.
Tips: Bar stool seating encompasses half the restaurant so if you don't want a front and center seat to witness the kitchen, request a table away from the kitchen bar seating area. Also, it's a bit of a tight space so you may rub elbows with fellow dining patrons should you choose to sit in the bar seating area.
FTW: I have a huge time celebrity reverence for Chef Claude Le Tohic who I got to speak to when I dined at Joel Robuchon and also got to see again at L'Atelier as he was checking in for the vacationing executive chef of L'Atelier (he probably thought I was a weirdo because I kept staring at him and wanted to say something but couldn't find the courage - the last time I spoke to him, I rambled on endlessly and unintelligibly so I kept quiet this time). Chef touched a piece of meat, found it not to standard and commanded one of the sous chef to do it over - FOOD POWER...very awesome...
Californians: July 1, 2012 marks the end of foie gras in our great state so book yourself endless tickets to Vegas and eat here at least once! -
Review from Debbie H.
Newport Beach, CA
4/22/2012
I am extremely fond of the seasonal tasting menu from L'Atelier. Just like its big brother next door - Joel Robuchon Restaurant, L'Atelier presented some extremely impressive and unforgettable dishes. It was a love affair from the first dish to the very end of the meal!!
Food: L'Atelier uses the freshest seasonal produce and paired it with expensive and rich-in-flavor ingredients such as foei gras and cavier. It was a perfect harmony! I love every single courses but the La Lotte - Monkfish cheek and baby leeks. It was chewy and the flavor of the monkfish itself was bland. The cutlery L'Atelier provided for this dish was also inadequate - A pretty but functionless knife that was definitely not sharp enough to cut through the monkfish cheek without making a mess.
Ambiance: Unlike its big brother, Joel Robuchon Restaurant, L'Atelier provides a more casual and relaxed dining experience - suit jackets, fancy dresses and name-brand stilettos are not required :P The counter sitting experience was definitely the highlight. I thought I was going to witness some kind of kitchen madness (just like described in Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential or Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmare), but instead, the chefs and waiters are extremely quiet, efficient and orderly. Although it was a bit disappointing that there were no kitchen knives flying over my head or loud dirty verbal abuse, it was still a great experience to see the chefs at work first-hand. -
Review from Long B.
Newton, KS
4/16/2012
This was my first visit, and probably the most expensive meal I've ever had. Our friend was having a bachelor party, and he's a huge big foodie. I've only had fine dining once before at no cost, so this was a big deal. We had reservations, and came decked out in dressy attire. We were seated immediately and there was no wait at all. Very nice.
I would say this place is very small and intimate. It makes sense if you're going to be sharing a meal between good company. The place is black and red themed, and every detail from the chairs, tables, utensils, to the decor was beautiful. The environment was calm with the kitchen behind the bar.
3 people out of the 5 at the table had the famous 9 course meal, while myself and my other friend decided we would be on one ticket and order a couple things together to "save" a bit of money.
The bread and butter that was provided was beautiful and delicious as well. It was a mixed of small french bread and croissants.
The wait staff was great. Every time something came out, they cleaned off the dining area and set things up perfectly. Also because some of the food was intricate, they would explain to us how we should eat it.
Between the two of us, we ordered the: Fingerling, Deg Carpaccio, Le Saumon Fume, La Caille, La Menthe, La Pomme, Cappucino, and a Latte. Each individually ranged as low as 15 to 47 dollars each. Our bill came out to 199.99.
If you're sharing to be "economical", order at least 5 items to get properly filled up.
The dishes were properly placed well marking well in presentation, execution, and flavor.
The desserts were very unique and delicious. Each had a different interesting plating that was unique to the dessert itself. I was recommended to get the banana and strawberry combo. It was extremely good, and came in a tiny ceramic black bench with a 3/4 sphere with the food inside.
I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but what they had gave us was pretty dang good.
This place isn't my style or audience, but for our to be married bachelor at the moment, it was for him. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. His brother had the smart idea to ask our waiter if he could get an autographed menu from the chefs. They were more than happy to full fill the request and brought out the menu's with small personal messages and signature in a nice envelope.
Service wise, is TOP NOTCH. They are very informative, helpful, and not overbearing at all. They have a very diverse staff, and they make you feel comfortable and welcomed.
For the price you pay, you are primarily paying for the experience. Our meal took about almost 3 hours to go through all the dishes. But as long as there is good company, that 3 hours was great. -
Review from C W.
Honolulu, HI
3/31/2012
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
2/7/2012
It's taken me a while to review this restaurant, because I was undecided about how to rate it. It has been said that this format was Chef Robuchon's vision of a diner, where guests could sit at the counter and watch their dishes being composed.
Yup. That was a $550 diner for two.
While it wasn't as expensive as our previous trip's visit to the flagship Joël Robuchon, this was still a pricey dinner. But we were treated to immense flavor and creativity packed into small presentations.
There was something else that I really enjoyed, but I'll get to that later.
Ok. Here's how it went down.
The GF had the $95 "Menu Club" menu with a side of "Les Anchois" - Fresh marinated anchovies with eggplant confit. She goes bonkers over anchovies, and we still have the pictures of her eating them.
She said she enjoyed her meal immensely, and I have no choice but to believe her.
I had the $155 "Menu Decouverte de Saison" prix fixe menu that offered a great deal of food, but here's where my subjective opinion comes in. And it's probably unfair to the hard workers of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon for a silly reason.
The problem is that the large looming shadow of the flagship Joël Robuchon restaurant was still fresh in my mind. I was blown away last September with our nearly $1000 dinner, and I couldn't help but compare the dishes at L'Atelier to its Big Brother.
Muhammad Ali's younger brother probably understands.
To be fair, the dishes were tasty and imaginative. The GF and I had a great time, and our hosts were wonderful and informative. We had a great time with no complaints at all.
Try the "La Cebette" dish, which was a white onion tart with smoked bacon, quail egg on top and green asparagus. You *MUST* get the shaved black truffle, but you will pay for it since it's optional.
The Veal dish accompanied with Robuchon's mashed potatoes were fantastic.
But here's the great thing about this place, and I highly suggest you consider this. Sit yourself at the counter and watch them work. If you are any type of fan of Top Chef, you will appreciate the view of the kitchen and all of the work involved in prepping, composing and plating of your dishes.
Put simply, you get to see the magic and intensity.
You also get to see a little more too. We got to see the Sous Chef lose his temper several times and rescue a few plates with contempt. He also got to send back a couple of dishes, and all of the chefs scrambled to refire their courses. We could see them sweating, yet there was no yelling or scolding. Quiet intensity... and we loved it.
When the Sous Chef gave the "clean up" order at the end of the night, all of the chefs breathed a sigh of relief.
I got a few videos on my iPhone and I still enjoy watching them hustle almost two months later.
The GF and I are contemplating whether to return in a few months, since we'll be visiting the MGM Grand for VH in concert. I'm leaning towards revisiting them, while the GF is neutral to the idea - understandable when you think of all of the alternate restaurants in Vegas.
This would be a five-star rating based on the experience we had but unfairly, I have to give it a four and a half star rating instead. This was not anything due to anything that the staff did, but it was a purely subjective opinion based on the fact that I didn't experience the same dinner as I did at the flagship restaurant.
If you want to have a great experience at a fantastic French restaurant, go to L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon because you will enjoy the meal. It is also half the price of the flagship Joël Robuchon, with a different approach that works.
Flagship, Flagship, Flagship.
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. -
Review from Julian H.
Seattle, WA
5/9/2012
We went one year ago and loved it! The bar-seating, with views of the kitchen (although obstructed heavily by baskets of ingredients) was fun. It was nice to get world class food with a refreshingly casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Because everything is served tapas style, it was easy to share and easy to control the bottom line. I enjoyed every dish I ordered, wine by the glass was also excellent and paired well without being outrageously expensive.
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Review from Scott W.
Updated - 3/18/2012
This place remains amazing. I've been here a bunch of times now and it keeps getting better and better. Some highlights:
* The avocado/tomato puree dish that's first up on the vegetarian tasting menu is delicious - if you're not a fan of Fois Gras you should absolutely ask them to sub this one in for you
* The Pumpkin Soup is one of the few things I've had here that was a large-ish portion and it was so warm and comforting - the perfect thing to have during the holidays
* There was a raspberry desert topped with sugar star offered around Christmas that was the most amazing desert I've ever had in my life, hands down
This place will set you back at least three bills a person if you having the tasting menu + some drinks but I guarantee you will not regret it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/1/2010
I had my first dining experience at L'Atelier a few months ago and for the most part it exceeded my… Read more »
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Review from Yashar Y.
Newark, NJ
4/5/2012
K, Its acutally a 3.5 but we ll round it up to 4.
Dont really know what the hype is all about. This was argualbly one of the most expensive meals I ve had, however, Cant really say that it was my favourite. As a matter of fact, Gf would give it a 5, and I would give it a 3, so here we are at 4!
We went for the tasting menu like others and to be honest, the best part was getting to watch the chef making and preparing the food. Food was tasty, however, I cant say that it was worth the money that I paid for it.
If you wanna impress your significant other, by all means go to this place, however If you are not from Vegas, chances are for the money you are spending here, u can get alot better stuff back home. -
Review from Robert P.
Hercules, CA
5/10/2012
I read about this restaurant in a couple of the best restaurants in Las Vegas guides. L'Atelier deserves the rating. This is sophisticated fine dining so be prepared to shell out some cash.
We had a 5:30 reservation with a show to catch at 7:00pm so we elected to go with the three-course menu. Priced at $52, you choose from a menu of five appetizers, five entrees, and three desserts.
Before the first course arrived, we were given a tasty concoction of fois gras mousse with a parmesan foam. In spite of the high brow pretensions I feel whenver I get hear "foam" as part of the description, I got excited about this dish. California is enacting a fois gras ban on July 1. If there is a time to savor fois gras, this is it! -
Review from Nik B.
Denver, CO
2/19/2012
I have been seeking out the perfect restaurant - I have now found it.
Crispy langoustine, butter poached oysters, veal sweetbreads, foie gras torchon, red snapper ceviche.
Typically I will say food, even at the best restaurants, needs a little x or a little less y - this was stunningly perfect. From the amuse to the final course to the service and ambiance. One Michelin star was easily deserved.
Must try for anyone claiming to know food. -
Review from Robyn L.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I may be walking around with a bit more of a spring in my step now that I have dined on the cuisine of the chef of the century.
The are a few tasting menus to choose from. We didn't partake. Approximately 3/4 of the menu is small plates ranging in price from $25 - $35. 1/4 of the menu is entrees ranging in price from $40 - $90.
The small plates mean small. Each plate is 3 - 4 bites. Our server recommended 4 per person.
Pardon my French - (I don't know any) - we had the seared foie gras with quince, sardines and eggplant, onion tart, kobe and foie gras sliders, foie gras stuffed quail, oysters, poached egg with truffle. Everything was delicious. The plates were exquisite - almost too pretty to eat.
For entrees, we had the pepper crusted filet, hanger steak, and sea bass. They use the term entree loosely as it is still a very small portion. For example, my bass was a 4 oz. sliver with 6 artichoke hearts and 1/2 whipped potatoes. Aside from size, it was flavorful and lovely. The whipped potatoes both look and taste like pure whipped butter. They are unbelievably decadent. I'm not sure there is even any potato in there! The filet was the standout. The meat was absolutely sublime. Nothing less than expected from the $72 price tag.
The one major disappointment was the bread. I expected excellence and got dry overbaked, mediocrity served with cold unspreadable butter. Tisk tisk.
The service was flawless but paced. The long lapses are to be expected in this sort of dining.
I have yet to determine if the meal was worth the $580 price tag, but it was delicious and lovely. A nice experience. -
Review from James B.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Talk about FINE DINING! Luckily we just strolled in here and got a table immediately without a reservation.
Decor:
Fancy, modern. There's seating around the kitchen, so you can watch all the chefs making your dishes. It's fun to watch!
Food:
We ordered the tasting menu, which consisted of what seemed like an endless number of courses. I felt like food just kept coming out nonstop! At some point, I gave up trying to remember the dishes and how many courses we ate because it required too much brainpower. The food was DELECTABLE. Joel Robuchon definitely knows how to please the palate.
My one disappointment was the bread. It was too dry. Felt like someone just doused my mouth with powder. The cheese, however, was delicious.
Wine:
Great wine selection, however, my liver wouldn't have been able to handle another glass of liquor from the weekend, so I decided to pass.
Service:
PERFECT. Everything was well paced and taken care of without either of us having to request anything. They gave very detailed, elaborate description of every entree they dropped off, but I kind of zoned out because I didn't know like 60% of the terms they used.Listed in: Vegas!
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Review from Mimi J.
Point Loma, CA
4/11/2012
If you do decide to eat here be prepared to mortgage your home otherwise you have to be Warren Buffet to afford it. Anyways, yes it is worth every penny. I always have the urge to go back in fact Id eat here everyday if I were Christina Aguilera. We did the 9 full course menu which was amazing! I just loved every bite! It will cost over $600 for 2 if you include tip so save for a very special moment.
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Review from Matthew C.
Berkeley, CA
2/4/2012
It's been a while, but I meant to give this place a great review after my most recent trip to Vegas a couple of months ago. The food is stellar. I still dream of La Langoustine. The toasted poppy seeds added so much depth and complexity to what was already a sophisticated dish. People sitting around us at the bar tried to bribe/coerce every new person who ordered the dish into sharing it with them.
There's a ton of overpriced food in Vegas (Michael Mina's disappointing seafood restaurant down the hall, for example), but L'Atelier is the real deal. -
Review from Sierra F.
Las Vegas, NV
4/15/2012
Joel Robuchon Is by far the top in culinary. His food is fantastic. Definitely top notch.
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Review from smacksmackgulp K.
Atlanta, GA
4/6/2012
Did the full 9-course tasting menu. Everything was really decadent, but small, so we didn't have any problem stomaching everything...I think we impressed our server with our "what's next" eagerness at dessert.
A highlight was the quail stuffed with foie...which could have been too dry, but was moist, gamey, rich and delicious. The poached Kusshi oysters were also wonderful...except one of my oysters was just a touch on the wrong side of prime freshness, thus one star off. Otherwise, very good meal. Service was impeccable and personal. Our server even let us leaf through the cookbooks published by Robuchon to pass the time between our courses and explained the history of his restaurants in Vegas, even walked us to the door after our meal! -
Review from Jessica P.
Las Vegas, NV
12/30/2011
Robuchon, the pinnacle, I mean he is the chef of the century. We had been waiting forever to try it and my birthday was a perfect opportunity. We tried the seasonal tasting menu, here is the breakdown:
L'AMUSE-BOUCHE - Foie gras parfait with port wine and parmesan foam - This was a great start to the meal, the richness of the foie gras paired perfectly with the sharp parmesan flavor. Very interesting pairing.
Celery mousse with wasabi, beef stew gelée and slices of foie gras - This dish was beautifully plated, but it was the low point of the meal and I am still trying to figure it out. It was cold and you couldn't taste the foie gras at all. In my first bite I tasted nothing but salt, my second bite was nothing but wasabi, so confusing and cold.
Poached baby Kussi oysters with French « Echiré » butter - I don't eat oysters, but these were beautiful. The plate was gorgeous and they were the perfect temperature, warm and rich! Yum!
Seared lobster on a macaroni with wild mushrooms - I was looking forward to this dish and it was good. The lobster was a little chewy, but the dish was rich and the broth was delicious.
White onion tart with smoked bacon, quail egg "mirror" and green asparagus - Another high point of the meal. This tart was delicate and beautiful. Everything worked well together, simply stunning!
Monkfish cheek and baby leeks, buttery shellfish sauce with lime and ginger - The fish was slightly chewy and difficult to cut, but the flavor was citrusy and overall fantastic.
Foie gras stuffed free-range quail with mashed potatoes - This is a signature dish and I could see why. It was so fantastic! The mashed potatoes are also a signature dish of Robuchon and I thought that was a little weird, but you haven't had mashed potatoes until you have had these! So amazing!
French-style hanger steak with mashed potatoes - The steak was good, nothing special.
Pecan cake topped with fresh apples cooked in Calvados, cinnamon-brown sugar ice cream - This is a lot like apple pie, good but I wished it was warm.
Orange infused with caramel and milk chocolate mousse bar - I am not a huge fan of orange and chocolate, but this wasn't terrible. The orange was tart and I wished I had something with a bit more chocolate.
We finished the meal with coffee. Overall, it was a fantastic journey, but not the best meal of my life. It was fun being at the counter and watching everything. It was definitely a pleasurable dining experience. -
Review from Karla R.
1/13/2012
Had the $159 tasting menu with my coworkers during CES... with two bottles of wine, it was about $250 per person.
Service was good, but not as good as places like French Laundry, Cyrus, Jean Georges, etc.
Liked the casual bar-ish atmosphere... a nice change of pace from the places listed above.
Food was excellent, and for once, not an overwhelming amount of food (but don't worry, there was plenty).
I'd go back here without hesitation, although maybe get the smaller tasting menu if I'm paying the bill :-) -
Review from Michelle C.
San Jose, CA
Upon my second trip to L'Atelier, it has been concreted as my favorite restaurant in the world. Mind you, I haven't been everywhere, but I'm confident this is where the bar is set.
I love sitting at the bar and interacting with the guys behind the scenes. Each dish that comes out from the tasting menu is magnificent. I mean it. Every. Dish. With every plate that came out, my friend just gave me this incredulous look and exclaimed that was the best he'd eaten. Until the next dish arrived.
In addition to the seasonal tasting menu, we added the Iberico jamon to the experience. Aggressive adding an 11th dish -- but SO worth it. Executive Chef Steve came out to see how we were doing during this dish and even remembered me from the year prior!
The service is unparalleled. They're even good sports about taking photos of all the dishes. Including the wine pairings. They take the time to describe each menu item and will answer any question you have. You can tell that they take pride in their product. As I understand it, they go through 3 months of training before they work here. As my friend put it, you can tell they legitimately love their food. One of the guys, Sunday, told us that they're incentivized to not only enjoy the dishes themselves but to go to the gym.
COST
tasting menu - $155
wine pairing - $105
Some people will throw that away at a craps table with the blink of an eye -- I prefer to get something in return. L'atelier is my treat to myself.
I've noticed a trend with unsatisfied yelpers who chose the 3 course $39 pre fixed menu. Fork over the money and do the tasting menu. You'll be pleased (and satiated) with your decision.Listed in: Keys to My Heart
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2011
How I've not reviewed this is beyond me. Perhaps it's that I was so blown away that I've just come… Read more »
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Review from Leah K.
First off, you should know that I'm only reviewing on L'Atelier's desserts.
We had just watched the Andrea Bocelli concert in the MGM and came across Joel Robuchon's restaurant, L'Atelier. We knew about Mr. Robuchon's Michelin star restaurant and were dying to try it. but because the show ended so late, L'Atelier stopped serving kitchen food but were still serving desserts. So of course we sat down.
The breakdown:
Le Chocolat- chocolaté sensation, cremeux, araguani, oreo cookie crumbs.
The description sounds like it would be really heavy chocolate dessert of some sort but in reality it wasn't. The main point was really the textures (the cream, araguani, oreo cookie crumbs) harmonizing and balancing to form the perfect taste.
La Framboise- fresh raspberry surprise inside white chocolate sphere, yuzu ice cream.
This one is a bit hard to explain. The dish comes out with a white chocolate sphere in a bed of drizzled raspberry sauce. The server then pours warm raspberry sauce over the sphere which melts the white chocolate sphere and reveals the surprise inside, yuzu ice cream. Delicate presentation, an art really. The taste was tangy with textures of wafer.
La Chartreuse- green chartreuse soufflé, pistachio ice cream
This one needs 15 minute prep time. A wedge of pistachio ice cream is pushed into the warm soufflé top. The texture of the soufflé was airy, light and in combination with the ice cream was perfection.
Every plate was beautiful, even the coffee. I'm hoping to come back here and eat again sometime. -
Review from Albert H.
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Still wonderful - we've been here once before a couple years ago for the more-or-less full treatment, but always wanted to come back. Had our chance when plans at another place in the MGM fell through ( closed for renovation, what?? ), and we wandered up to the front desk near opening time and inquired if they had a spot - just for a couple drinks and a couple dishes.
They are not really that sort of place - reservations seem derigeur - but after momentary hesitation, they found us a seat at the bar. Not the kitchen bar which takes up most of the restaurant, but the *actual* bar - almost unnoticed, right by the restrooms, about four seats in front of which they produce the cocktails.
The bar guy was friendly, if a little gruff at first. The drinks were well made. The food ( we concentrated on foie dishes ) was amazing as usual, even if we didn't quite see it being made this time.
This remains in my opinion one of the highest quality semi-casual fine dining establishements in Las Vegas - and definitely still an unique experience. -
Review from jane h.
San Bruno, CA
1/11/2012
I had dinner here this past Saturday night and everything was amazing... very rich, but flavorful and down right tasty to the last bite.
fioe gras parfait with Parmesan foam
butternut squash soup
crispy langoustine fritter with basil pesto
plate of cheeses
wagyu beef rib eye*** best steak ever! -
Review from Kit C.
Mountain View, CA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
All those other fancy restaurants and nightlife in Vegas is just fine.But if you're in Vegas by yourself, not really in a party mood but you're up for a good conversation, go here.
As a single person you dont need a reservation to sit by the bar. Enjoy a nice cognac and you've got a very good chance you'll meet someone your kind there for conversation and company. Goodluck! -
Review from Mark D.
West Henrietta, NY
5/6/2012
Woohoo! As good as it gets! is exactly right. The fois gras amuse bouche was the best amuse my mouth has ever tasted. It actually made me smile. My wife had the tasting menu and I picked 7 small tastings then we split each as they arrived. Every dish was complex, delicate and had wow factor. Stop checking reviews and book this restaurant and have no worries. We have eaten at most strip fine dining places, le cirque, picasso, alex, aureole, mix, nobhill, sage, etc etc. This was one of the best meals to date. Makes me even want to dish out double the money for Joel Robuchon. Have no worries my friends, this is a wonderful experience.
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Review from Maya S.
Denver, CO
1/23/2012
I really think that this was the finest meal I've ever had in my life. We had the 5-course menu with wine pairing, and each course blew us away!
The attention to the tiniest details (we saw the chef literally using tweezers to assemble the plates) to the quality of every ingredient was perfect. While it might be easy to think that this is just expensive frou frou food with too many bells and whistles and not enough food -- this was not the case here! Everything on the plate served a distinct and delicious purpose, and we both left full, satisfied, and with memories that will last a very long time.
I recommend sitting at the "bar"/"counter," if I could even call it that. It was just really awesome to see the chefs at work, and the service was top notch! Not stuffy, pretentious, or rude. Just genuine, attentive, friendly, and so knowledgeable, which is what one would expect for this price tag. -
Review from Cindy W.
Akron, OH
11/23/2011
SOLO DINERS, REJOICE!
Are you (or will you be) alone in Vegas and wish you had someone to share that gourmet tasting experience with, but not ready to call an escort service?
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in the MGM Grand is a wonderful answer. This exceptional restaurant is designed for interaction with the chef and his kitchen and serving staff as they perform culinary magic in their beautiful open kitchen, as well as with fellow diners seated at the counter.
Whether you choose one of the tasting menus or pick and choose from the a la carte offerings, the offerings are extraordinary, adventuresome and delectable, each dish presented as artfully as it has been prepared. For me, last night's Lobster Fricassee was to die for, as was my snapper starter, and all of us within earshot of each other waxed poetic over the potato accompaniment! And dessert? Simply not to be missed. The wine list also will delight solo diners, with a large offering of splits and wines by the glass.
All in all, dining to rival the best entertainment on The Strip! -
Review from Jeremy B.
Missouri City, TX
1/19/2012
Wow!
I have dined at Joel Robuchon twice and enjoyed the experience very much. My only issues with that restaurant are the price and the very conservative ambiance (kind of awkward for vegas) . The food is phenomenal.
L'Atelier delivers not only AMAZING dishes it is also fun, with a relaxed atmosphere and much easier on the wallet.
We had the 9 course degustation menu for about $150. We sat at the bar over looking the kitchen (very entertaining). Each course was prepared with precision and beauty. The creativity and thought put into each dish was typical Joel Robuchon.
This restaurant caters to more adventurous eaters if you are picky this isn't for you. In my opinion with all factors considered this is the best restaurant in Vegas. -
Review from mary v.
Petaluma, CA
4/29/2012
This was a very entertaining dining experience, as you can watch the kitchen as the meals are being prepared. The attention to detail was pretty amazing. We did the tasting menu and really enjoyed every item, although my favorite was the foie gras stuffed quail. I told our waiter "ten more of these please!" Joel Robuchon himself was in the house the evening we went, and graciously autographed our menu. Service was exceptional. They have a very impressive wine list but we brought our own "special" bottle, as corkage was only $35.00, which was not bad considering most other fine dining restaurants in vegas charge at least $50.00 for corkage.
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Review from Eric t.
11/23/2011
Did the tasting discovery menu, was outstanding. standouts were the onion tart (maybe I should have done the white truffle supplement but it was awesome as is) and the oysters poached in echiere butter. The orange dessert they had was out of this world.
Very consistent, great service. Changed silverware after every course, very quickly.
next time I may order off the menu though. -
Review from Jennifer J.
Ventura, CA
10/13/2011
If ever there's been a restaurant in which I've walked into with the "Wow Me" attitude, it was L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. Unfortunately, I walked away feeling very UN-wowed.
Technically speaking, there was nothing wrong with my meal. I decided on the five course pre-fix menu so I could have the full experience. No course was bad, but there was no course that had me slap the table or punch my dining companion with a "holy crap this is amazing" revelation that one would expect from a restaurant with such a world famous chef.
Most seats are situated at a bar facing an open kitchen, allowing you to watch the chefs assemble plates with intense care. Periodically, like a character out of "Ratatouille," a stern looking chef in an impeccably clean chef's coat with French colors on the collar emerges from a back room to scrutinize their work. One could state, in fact, that this scene, coupled with the dramatic dining room décor, upstages the food altogether.
Perhaps one could sum it up as cuisine that is all technique and no heart. There was just something...je ne sais quoi...missing.
And I have to deduct a star simply for charging me $30 for ONE GLASS of Pinot Noir. I mean, I get it. It's upscale dining. But come on. -
Review from Roy Y.
9/14/2011
Yelp 365 Challenge: 45/365
The city of sin has come a long way from the days of $0.99 hotdogs and cheapo buffets. There was a time when chefs scoffed at opening a restaurant in Vegas. Disgusted by the unsophisticated palates of the hordes of visitors ingrained with the American mentality of quantity over quality.
However, today there is a new dawn in the culinary revolution of the 9th island of Hawaii. Every brand name chef has an outpost of their culinary empire proudly found along the neon lit "Strip" of Las Vegas. Names like Flay, Emeril, Batali, Colicchio, Bartolotta, and even Robuchon are now staples on the dining scene.
This new reality works perfectly into my Vegas agenda. Win money, eat good food, and drank (not necessarily in that order!). As luck would have it, I had the pleasure of dining at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon during my last trip to Vegas. L'Atelier is the modern and chic outpost of Robuchon, found just next door to the "full service" Robuchon in the MGM Grand. Let me tell you, this was a dining experience I will never forget.
The evening started out as every other evening did... Pre-gaming in our room at the Palazzo. Grey Goose on the rocks with lime. Getting fresh and looking good. My partner in crime for the evening was a good friend from way back in the day. Funny thing is, she doesn't gamble, drink, or have a taste for fine dining... I know, I know, wtf was I doing in Vegas with her?!? We were on our way to see KA and I really wanted to check out L'Atelier. So it was my treat, grand degustation all the way.
You know it's going to be a special evening from the moment you walk in. The vibe of the restaurant is chic, sexy, and edgy. The color scheme is black, red, accented with hints of chrome. This is dining with an extremely sexy lounge vibe combined with the pedigree of Joel Robuchon. Seating at L'Atelier is predominantly counter style mixed with a few tables surrounding the bar. You want to sit at the bar, trust me. The orchestrated dinner show is a sight worth seeing. The legions of kitchen staff all work with such incredible precision and timing. It's a sure sign of the awesome evening to follow.
Our server delivers a basket of freshly made in house bread and confirms our dining and beverage selection for the evening. Grand Degustation and a half bottle of Cake Bread Chardonnay. The bottle arrives and the food starts cranking...
I've attached a few pictures of the menu we enjoyed and I'll describe the dishes that really stood out - good & bad. For the most part, everything was good to incredible. But there's only so much room for the review..
The amuse bouche is a foie gras parfait with port wine and parmesan foam. The presentation is simple and the taste is incredible. The interplay between sweet & salty provided by the foam is a great addition to the rich foie gras.
The white onion tart with smoked bacon and asparagus hit the spot for bold flavor mixed with french buttery & fatty goodness.
The egg cocotte topped with light mushroom cream was one of the best dishes of the evening. It was the perfect example of the french understanding of umami. Lucious egg with mushroom cream.
The foie stuffed quail with truffled mash was surprisingly good, but not slap yo mama good as I thought it'd be. The flavor profile of the foie slightly masked the natural flavor of the quail. The truffled mash however was to die for.
The mojito was a bit tough to eat. The white rum granite was extremely strong and the taste of alcohol over powered the other flavors.
Overall, an astonishing evening. A great opportunity to enjoy the works of one the highest rated french chefs in America. Even my friend said she enjoyed herself more than she thought she would. If you don't have the time or money to enjoy the "full service" Robuchon, L'Atelier is the perfect venue for you.Listed in: Yelp 365 Challenge
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Review from George M.
East Lansing, MI
3/20/2012
Love the bar seating overlooking the kitchen. Impeccable service. The hostess was snooty with me for showing up 5 min before my reservation....no clue what was her prob. But once seated the staff was amazing and the food was delicious as always. I always get the tasting menu. It's a lot of courses but I'm always still hungry by the end of it. Poached oysters with caviar were my fav. Perfect for solo diners too.
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Review from Michael C.
Boston, MA
To start off I have to say that this is going to be a glowing 3 Star review. The service here was impeccable, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the kitchen was gorgeous. I came here before a show because of their L'Unique menu which gives you 3 courses from a limited menu for $59. I chose the pistachio cappuccino soup, the mini burgers, and the coffee creme brulee. They were all good and interesting dishes, the portions were small though, which was to be expected. My wife got a similar menu. To drink I had their signature mojito and she had a fruit juice cocktail. Our bill ended up coming to about $150, for restaurants in this price range we just thought we've had better food. Again, nothing wrong with L'Atelier, we just thought there are better options in this price range.
