Les Artistes at Paris Hotel and Casino is probably not too long for this world. It has been said that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is going to put a signature restaurant of his own in the current spot (which is right next to the High Limit Slots), so check it out while you can.
When I made the reservation, the lady said the dress code was "casual", but I wasn’t comfortable with “casual” for a 4-star restaurant dinner, so I went with evening wear, instead. There were people wearing shorts and people in full, formal evening wear, so I think anything fits the bill here.
I ended up chickening out on the food photos because the lighting was very, very low, and I would’ve had to use a flash. It felt too hoity-toity for flash photos, so you won't find any good pictures of the inside of the restaurant in this review, sorry.
The walls of the restaurant are decorated with reproduction paintings and stained glass, and it’s really pretty inside, but very dark, too. The main part of the restaurant is open to a second "floor", so you get the feeling you're in a much larger restaurant. There are probably about 30 tables on the main floor, and there were never more than 10 tables filled during my visit.
Once seated, you're served a basket of assorted breads and fresh butter, which gives you plenty of time to ponder hard food choices. They have quite a few appetizer options on their menu, and I had a very large gift certificate to use, so I wanted to make the most of my visit.
For an appetizer, I chose the Garbage Salad - shrimp, salami, egg and olives on field greens with a light vinaigrette dressing. Good, but definitely an unusual combination. At least now I can said I tried it.
The waiter recommended the Chef’s Special for the main course: Filet Mignon and Scallops Au Gratin, served with garlic mashed potatoes and French string beans. For whatever reason, he sold me on it, and I didn't have to worry about making a choice for myself. I ordered the steak cooked medium, which turned out to be a little too pink for me, but it was a very good cut of meat. The waiter offered to take it back for me, but I just ended up eating all the way around the outside where it was crispier. Even the edges had a great flavor! The scallops were buttery and the size of silver dollars, covered in delicious Parmesan cheese. The green beans had crispy edges and were very fresh-tasting, which is just how I like them. The potatoes were sinfully good in their garlic creaminess, and I used extra bread to make sure I got every last bite.
Everything got washed down with a nice California Pinot Noir recommended by the waiter. Even though I only ate about a third of the steak, it was still too much for one person to eat, and it was the beginning of my gross over-eating for the trip. I didn't even order dessert, and I should have; I could have taken it up to my room and eaten it later. The waiter also offered to choose a bottle of wine for me and open it (they can't let you take it closed), but I thought that'd be a little too much for me to finish off before I left.
My total with tax was $95, and I left a generous tip in cash because I was using the gift certificate and felt more than a little guilty for it...why, I don't know. I have guilt issues in strange situations.
It was a good experience overall, and I would give it a 7 out of 10 rating. The atmosphere would be nice for a romantic meal as long as it's open, but I don't know how long that will be.
For reservations or to view their menu online:
http://www.parislasvegas.com/casinos/paris-las-vegas/restaurants-dining/les-artistes-steakhouse-detail.html
Nice article, thanks for the information.
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