California Vegetarian

There was a lot about Sin City that we didn’t really care for, but the food at Eiffel Tower Restaurant was wonderful!

When George and I decided to go to Las Vegas on a quick three-day/two-night mini vacation to see the Cirque de Soliel show “Ka,” George immediately started surfing the web to see if there were any vegetarian friendly fine dining establishments on the Strip. Eiffel Tower Restaurant was one of only two restaurants that clearly indicated that they could and would accommodate vegetarians. So, we booked a reservation for lunch the day of our show. What we got was a spectacular meal with picturesque views high enough above the Stripe to make me forget the things that I was finding less than pleasant about Vegas.

The Eiffel Tower Restaurant is located in the fake Eiffel Tower that you can see in any photo of the Strip. You access the restaurant through the Paris Casino, escorted up the elevator by a staff member who delivers you to the hostess to be seated. The elevator opens onto the kitchen, almost like it is a mistake and you have accidentally gone up the service lift, but it instantly becomes apparent that the point is to show you the inside of the facility (well, at least part of it). The counter separating the clientele from the kitchen is a large slab of white marble. I was made dizzy by the chrome and copper everywhere, and sent directly to my place of kitchen envy. The house lays out a little taster on the counter that the staff member who brings you up in the elevator invites you to taste (at least this was how it worked for us and the party that was arriving as we were leaving). A word of caution: be sure to ask what it is. The taster the day we visited was a meat dish. Even still, the charm of entering the restaurant through the kitchen remained for us, transporting us light years away from the bustle and degradation of the road below us.

I suppose that I have to admit there was one saying of Vegas (that highlights its degradation) that we decided to embrace for this meal—“It’s 5pm somewhere….” So, we began our beautiful noontime meal with mixed drinks that were to die for. Mine was called “the Mediterranean Breeze”; George’s was a “Pear and Rose Martini.” We decided not to have wine with lunch (I know, almost a sin itself), opting instead for a second mixed drink when the first round ran out. That second round was the house’s strawberry lemonade (with a little kick). All the drinks were superb. My compliments to the mixologist! Last on the beverage order was fizzy water—George loves the stuff, but he never orders it because I prefer flat. This time I was able to talk him into a bottle of Perrier, and to my surprise, I didn’t even think it was bad.

The kitchen started our meal with an amuse bouche of roasted red pepper flan. I know that it sounds a bit odd, but this tiny cup of orangish-pink goodness made me wish it had been more than an amuse, which I supposed is the point of a good one.

They served parmessano-reggiano cheese puffs with the amuse bouche, and I must say, they were so good we would have both made ourselves sick on them if we’d not had the will power to tell the servers ‘no’ when they tried to put more on our bread plates. Actually, we ended up just telling them to take the bread plates away since we were afraid if they asked again we’d not be able to say ‘no’ again. Yes, the puffs were that good! I recall that they said something about them being cooked in grapeseed oil and having caraway seed in them, but I was so intoxicated from the flavor that I failed to carefully note the ingredient list. Honestly, I think I’d go back to the Eiffel Tower Restaurant just for the cheese puffs.

We started the meal proper by sharing a blue cheese soufflé that was served with baby greens and walnuts, drizzled with an aged balsamic reduction ($10.95). When they set it on the table, we both instantly thought it looked like a biscuit with gravy on it, but it was far from a biscuit. Rich and silky, it was a perfect savory soufflé. It was so rich, in fact, that there would have been no way that either of us could have eaten one by ourselves.

We followed the soufflé with an heirloom tomato salad ($16.95). Again, we decided to share, and again, we were glad we did. The salad consisted of a variety of heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, avocado and radishes, topped tableside with tomato water with basil oil. This was another scrumptious item, a perfect balance of tastes, and a welcome light following to the soufflé starter. Indeed, I’d say the two items were perfectly matched although I have to admit it was an accident in the ordering.

We each ordered the vegetarian crepe ($16.95) as our main courses, this time, not sharing. The crepe was so good that we both cleaned our plates. I cannot say more about it. It was just great!

I had the Triple Chocolate Cake ($8.50) for dessert. It is made with Bitter Valrhona Chocolate and served with Crème fraiche. George chose a summer bread pudding of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in a framboise sauce ($8.50). Both desserts were outstanding. George had his with a cup of coffe ($6.50), which I think turned out to be the only thing that I’d say was overpriced in the meal, and I had a glass of Trim Framboise liqueur ($10). I have to admit the dessert beverage was not what I expected. Every framboise that I have had before was akin to a port. This one was more like a grappa. A shock to be sure with the first sip! But certainly not a distraction from an otherwise perfect meal.

Our server, Carson, did a stupendous job. I really liked him. He verified that everything we ordered was vegetarian as soon as we let him know that we don’t eat meat without me having to specifically ask about each menu item. And the support staff was also excellent. All in all, I’d say that we were attended to courteously, with our every need being met, but without feeling put upon.

As I write about this meal, I am reminded of why I like writing about what we have eaten. It is the simple joy of reliving the memory, of re-tasting the food, re-smelling the smells. This meal was worth remembering time and time again, and actually, it was worth re-creating on another trip to Las Vegas. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant was simply outstanding. Vegetarian and Omnivore alike will be happy here if they appreciate great food!