Vegas Uncork’d 2016: Grand Tasting (Las Vegas, NV)

Vegas Uncork’d Grand Tasting
Caesar’s Palace: Garden of the Gods
3570 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Dining date: 4/29/16

This past weekend marked the 10th annual Vegas Uncork’d event by Bon Appetit, a large event covering 24 individual events over four days. They spanned “Master Series’ dinners/luncheons, cooking and wine demos, and tasting affairs. I attended this year’s Grand Tasting, my fifth in a row (six total). The Grand Tasting featured dozens of restaurants and many more libations from wineries to spirits to handcrafted cocktails sprawled around Caesars Palace’s Garden of the Gods pool area.

There was no way to sample or even see everything at the all-you-can-eat/drink event, but I tried. Below is the recap of what I came across during the 2.5-3 hour event.

Lavo crispy duroc pork bao buns

Jardin yellowtail tartare

Andrea’s thai-style marinated snake river farms wagyu

STK short rib ravioli

Shake Shack caramel pretzel custard

RM Seafood pan roasted skate wing

Monta Noodle House cold ramen

Flour & Barley grandma’s meatballs; pistachio cannoli

Virgil’s BBQ bbq chicken wings; texas beef brisket

VooDoo Steakhouse wagyu short rib over green papaya

Serendipity 3 mocha kahlua spiked frozen hot chocolate

Carmine’s meatballs

Joe’s dry aged beef dip; bacon wrapped scallop

Border Grill ancho garlic scallop with fennel salad and israeli couscous

Sushi Roku tuna tartare

Trevi duck confit ravioli

Spago guanaja valrhona chocolate layer cake; raspberry filled pancake pops

The Palm sliced new york strip crostini; lobster bisque

Gordon Ramsay BurGR truffle burger

Gordon Ramsay Steak kurobuta pork belly over cheesy grits; sticky toffee pudding

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill potted chocolate trifle

BLT Steak tuna tartare; popovers

Beijing Noodle No. 9 sichuan spicy noodle

Rao’s traditional meatballs; veal medallion

Guy Savoy artichoke and black truffle soup, toasted mushroom brioche

Giada crab risotto

Mr. Chow ma mignon

Mesa Grill lamb chops with chimichurri

Drinks, particularly alcohol, were just as plentiful as the food. Wines were most prevalent, followed by many spirits (served both straight and in cocktails) and a handful of beers. Below pictures recap a small sample.

Mionetto Prosecco

Patron Tequila

Remy Martin

Caesars Palace Mixologists
Mrs. Collins wild turkey 101 bourbon, marie brizard apry liqueur, vanilla sour, bitters, fentimans shandy soda

Sazerac russell’s reserve rye whiskey, pernod absinthe, peychaud’s bitters, lemon peel

Watermelon Margarita avion reposado tequila, leblon cachaca, watermelon, lime, lemon juice, cayenne, salt, sugar

Monkey Shine absolut mandarin, campari, cointreau, lemon juice, pink guava

The Botanist Gin

There were a number of highlights, but the top two probably came from Mesa Grill and Border Grill. Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill served up lamb chops medium rare, with a bright chimichurri sauce. Tender and full of flavor, I think I had six of them. Border Grill plated huge ancho-accented seared scallops with a fennel salad and Israeli couscous. Sweet and full of savory flavor, it made for some great bites. Carmine’s jumbo-sized meatballs were another item that I went back for, as was The Palm’s New York strip and Gordon Ramsay Steak’s sticky toffee pudding.

Note: Two tickets were hosted to this event, but our party also purchased four additional tickets.