My second night in Las Vegas meant a trip to Bouchon. I try and visit every time I am in Las Vegas. One of the great things about Bouchon is that the prices are very reasonable and the quality is usually higher than most other places in town (and the quality in Vegas is pretty high).
If you are not aware of Thomas Keller and his reputation as one of the greatest chefs alive, I will spare you the details. Just trust me on this one.
The most wonderful part of the meal at Bouchon was the excitement that began when the Sommelier dropped the info that Chef Keller was in the kitchen that evening. Well, I gushed like a school who just got invited to the set of High School Musical 3! My immediate reaction was to race into the kitchen like Remy and start scurrying around at his feet. Fortunately, sense prevailed and I was coherent enough to ask if I could get him to sign my menu.
The request was conveyed back to the powers that be and soon an official-looking restaurant manager campaign out and asked me how I would like the menu inscribed. Ever selfless and always thinking of others, I asked for it to be addressed to my wife Jen. She always comes first (well, usually).
With startling efficiency and aplomb the system was in motion and he returned with menu dutifully autographed. Hooray for Thomas Keller.
Shortly thereafter we saw him come out from the kitchen (we had a great bar table directly facing the entry to the kitchen) and survey his kingdom with a regal glance (he is much taller than his pictures convey as well as more handsome). We loved the saucy frisson of him being so close and our being able to watch.
The grand finale was him appearing again, this time in street clothes instead of his whites, and sitting down to dinner with someone at the table next to us. Oh what joy! He was going through the wine list picking something out. He was being served by staff that seemed both relaxed and hyper-sensitive to his presence. He was just another diner in his own culinary heaven.
Oh yeah, the dinner was killer.
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