Monday, June 29, 2009

Mon Ami Gabi restaurant at Paris - lunch/dinner review







Mon Ami Gabi restaurant at The Paris Hotel & Casino is one of my favorite chain eateries in Las Vegas.

The only restaurant on the Strip offering both an outdoor patio and a view of The Bellagio fountain show, Mon Ami Gabi is a great place to have lunch, dinner, or just drinks, appetizers and dessert.

The restaurant opened at the same time the hotel and casino did, and it has become a must do for me on every trip since. The restaurant has its critics, but I love it because it's about as high-priced as I'm willing to go for restaurant dining - even in Vegas - in order not to break my dining budget. For years the restaurant has offered only lunch and dinner seating, but they recently added breakfast hours, too. I have only dined there for lunch and dinner as of this writing, but I'll be trying breakfast during my July trip.

It is a Parisian-style cafe' that serves classic French dishes, including soups, salads, meat and fish dishes, and signature desserts. A rolling wine cart will help you make your wine selection for any occasion, but the house wines listed on the drink menu are more affordable (and in my price range) than those offered on the cart.

The appetizers make it hard to choose just one: classic French Onion soup, sea scallops, oysters, and gratins are available every day, and different options are available seasonally. They even have a vegetarian sampler that will satisfy your craving to try different things if you can't choose just one.

Two of my favorite dishes are the Steak Classique served with herbed butter and pommes frites, and Gabi's Fish and Frites, served with homemade tartar sauce. These are two dishes that have not let me down yet, and if I can't make up my mind on what to have, I fall back on one of these. When dining with my mom and cousin (who are also frequent Vegas visitors), we often get the steak and the fish, plus a third entree, and split the three of them between us for our own little tasting menu. The waitstaff is always accommodating when we do this and will bring us extra plates or silverware if we ask, although it's usually not needed.

For dessert, I am partial to the Flourless Chocolate Cake or the gelato of the day, but I will not turn my nose up at a chance to have the Bananas Foster Crepes or the profiteroles with ice cream any time. If you try the Bananas Foster Crepes, please be aware that they are filled with vanilla ice cream and the order is very large, so sharing is advised unless you have plenty of room.

Prices for entree items such as the Steak Classique start at $23.95. A meal for two people with a glass of wine, dinner, and dessert each usually runs about $100 before tax and tip. If you have a Harrah's slot card, you can now redeem your Rewards Points for a certificate in any amount you choose prior to dining at the restaurant (as long as you have enough points available to use), and the amount will be deducted from your bill at the end of the meal.

Everyone from the hostesses to the waitstaff and bussers are always very nice and helpful, and the restaurant is always very crisp-looking and clean. Tables are cleaned immediately after guests depart, and plates and glasses are removed or replaced without anyone ever having to be asked to do so. The atmosphere is inviting and intimate, yet upbeat and fun at the same time. It's a great place for birthday parties, anniversary dinners, or just a relaxing bite to eat.

For all my dining experiences, I rate Mon Ami Gabi as a solid 9.75 on a scale of 1 to 10.

If you wish to dine on the patio, please be aware that you need to allow time for that seating request, as they do not hold patio tables as part of any reservation. Reservations are also encouraged on busy holidays and weekends, but dining earlier is an option to avoid the "usual" crowds at 12:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m.

Bon appetit!

Restaurant hours:

Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. daily
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.; 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
Dinner: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.; 4:00 p.m. - 12 a.m. Sat. & Sun.
Weekend Brunch: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sat. & Sun.

Full menus available here:
http://www.monamigabi.com/vegas

2 comments:

  1. Next time try the mac & cheese. OMG!

    ReplyDelete
  2. VW, I have had it before, and it is fantastic! It's one of those "side dishes" that can certainly stand on its own as a main course if you want it to.

    ReplyDelete

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