Chef Hubert Keller travelled to Spain, Italy, North Africa, South America, Asia and his homeland France for inspiration for his new restaurant, Fleur by Hubert Keller at Mandalay Bay. The lunch and dinner spot serves up gourmet small plates created by the former Bravo “Top Chef Masters” cheftestant.
Try the Kushi oysters topped with margarita sorbet and orange purée served on an illuminated block of dry ice that billows with a seductive cloud at the table; maple-glazed pork ribs hidden beneath a smoke-filled glass dome that when lifted, reveals the sweet and savory combination as smoke wafts out; and the Wagyu “Lava Rock” with tender slices of Wagyu beef and cooked to on a sizzling hot lava rock, then drizzled with wasabi-lime sauce.
Keller pays homage to his appearance on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” with his competition-winning “In The Shower” mac and cheese made with lobster and brunoise vegetables. Also featured is Keller’s signature $5,000 FleurBurger 5000, a remainder from Fleur de Lys, made with Wagyu beef, foie gras and truffle and served with a bottle of 1995 Château Petrus. D
For dessert, Keller serves up traditional French treats along with the Carnival of Desserts, an assortment of cupcakes, cotton candy and shakes and cheesecake lollipops served with a raspberry coulis dipping sauce. Try the chocolate soufflé, filled with chocolate ganache and paired with house-made ice cream. The chocolate lover’s treat is so addicting it will be featured on the Food Network’s upcoming series “5 To Die For.”
Look for cocktails infused with liquid nitrogen, which freezes the beverage into the consistency of sorbet, intensifies the flavors and results in a spectacular tableside presentation. Or check out the Fleur Flights, such as the Decadent Flight with white chocolate, chocolate coconut and espresso martinis.
Fleur also features one of Las Vegas’ largest collections of Absinthe, prepared traditionally or Russian-style: flambéed before guests’ eyes and served with passion fruit, orange juice and vapors. Tucked away at the top of the restaurant is the secluded wine room with more than 3,500 bottles of wine.
The restaurant took over Keller’s former Fleur de Lys space, adding an earthy color palette of warm greens, rustic reds and woody browns to transform Fleur into a cozy retreat. Iron branch-style chandeliers suspended from the ceiling create a tree canopy while the rosewood table tops in the dining room and the outdoor table tops are made from terrazzo and recycled glass.
You can sit out on the patio inside Mandalay Bay where 46 seats give you prime people-watching views. Inside, four semi-private cabanas enclosed by curtains feature tall wooden tables cut from one large tree and light fixtures reminiscent of lanterns. The wooden tables can be adjoined to create a larger communal dining experience seating parties up to 24.
Fleur is located at Mandalay Bay, 702.632.9400.
News
January 7, 2011Haute 100 New York Update: Jeff Koons
