We are probably one of the few people that go to Las Vegas and don’t gamble.  For us, whatever happens in Vegas, is not a big deal and we don’t have to hide about it.  We go for the kids and the grandchildren, but somehow and thankfully so, we are not the grandparents from the old Shirley Temple movies that we grew up with on television when the sets and the movies were all black and white.   

Even though most people want to erase the memory, we all basically lost a year or two, because of a draconian decision to see how docile and ovine we could be.  We had planned on attending our first grandson’s graduation in Las Vegas, but that was in 2020, but America slipped on a banana peel.  By the time, we could get out there, the momentum of the occasion was over and our grandson was already attending college and working.  So, we had to come up with a Plan B and instead of a graduation party, we would let the graduate chose a restaurant to celebrate at.  So far, neither of the two have selected Picasso, but we still have three out there to go. The first graduate wanted us to choose, and so we selected a nice idyllic setting on the water in Las Vegas.  We went to Marche Bacchus, and the second graduate had no idea, so we repeated with Marche Bacchus again. 

We chose the restaurant, for several reasons.  It is on the water, it is a wine shop and they sell the wine at retail and then apply a corkage fee, and it is a French Bistro, which is different from the restaurants that they would normally go to.  It is located in a little strip center in the middle of an older, established residential neighborhood, that is totally devoid of any of the trappings one would associate with Las Vegas. The current owners purchased the restaurant in 2007 from another couple from Burgundy and they just maintained the quality and the style that was already there.  We also wanted him to try some dishes that he might have a chance to try.  We ordered for the table Beef Tartare, with hand cut Tenderloin, Capers, Shallots, Cornichons, Egg Yolk, Dijon and Brioche Toast Points.  We also selected an order of Seared Foie Gras with Almond Butter, Vegetable Jam, Torched Grapes, Pistachios and Toasted Croissant.  Now, I ask you, what kind of grandfather would I be, if I didn’t have the graduate try a little Sauternes with the Foie Gras.  Much to my Bride’s rantings that I will get the restaurant closed down for serving a minor, I don’t even think that they could possibly have a magistrate that stupid that would disagree with a grandfather attempting to have his grandson appreciate the finer things in life.  So, we indulged with some Chateau Lapinesse Sauternes 2018 from Vignobles Siozard. It began in the mid-19^th Century; and is managed by twin brothers that represent the Sixth Generation of the Siozard family.  The wine is pure Semillon is grown on a 2.5-hectare plot of red soil that is manually harvested until all of the botrytised grapes have been picked.  The maceration and fermentation are done at cool temperature and then the juice is aged for twelve months in Stainless Steel tanks.  A pretty gold color with notes of quince, melon, apricots and exotic florals.  On the palate a rich taste of candied fruits and nectar of flowers, with a nice finish of fruit and the desire for another sip. I have tried many wines over the years with Seared Foie Gras and I think that Sauternes is the best choice.