Bardot Brasserie
Le Peche Mode – Hennessey V.S.O.P. Cognac, Crème de Peche, Lemon, Ginger, Mint
Bardot Baguette – Butter
Deluxe Shellfish Tower – King Crab, Maine Lobster, Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp, Tabasco, Mignonette, Drawn Butter, Rouille
Charcuterie Board – Prosciutto di Parma, French Dry Salame, Country Pâté, Pork Rillettes, Cornichons, Mustard, Country Bread
King Crab & Endive Caesar – Alaskan King Crab, Parmigiano Reggiano, Caper Aioli, Herbed Bread Crumbs
Pop Tarte Flambé – Raclette Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Smoked Pork, Sauce Bechamel, Crispy Bacon Lardons, Puff Pastry
Seared Foie Gras Rossini – Celery Root Custard, Baby Spinach, Beef Bourguignon, Black Truffle, Sauce Bordelaise
Bay Scallop Raviolis – Nantucket Scallop Dumplings in the style of Alain Senderens, Cantal Cheese, Porcini Mushrooms, Thyme, Champagne Beurre Blanc
Foie Gras “Butter” – Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine, White Chocolate, Ruby Port Gelee, House Brioche
Onion Soup Gratinee – Classic Beef Broth, Baguette Crostini, Cave-aged Gruyère Cheese
Maine Lobster Bisque – Brandy, Tomato, Fennel, Tarragon, Puff Pastry Lattice
Beef Wellington for Two – 20oz USDA Prime Filet, Prosciutto di Parma, Puff Pastry, Mushroom Duxelle, Foie Gras-Madeira Veloute
Black Truffle Pommes Puree
Pot-au-feu – Prime Beef, Carrots, Turnips, Leeks, Cabbage, Onions, Oxtail, Bone Marrow
Le Steakburger – Prime Rib Patty, Comte Cheese, Garlic Aioli, Watercress, Bordelaise Onions, Hand Cut Fries
Heritage Chicken Roti – Bobo Farms Chicken, Mushroom Bread Pudding, Green Beans, Sauce Vin Jaune
Parisian Gnocchi – Semolina Gnocchi, Ash Rind Goat Cheese, Honeynut Squash, Fried Sage, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, French Winter Truffle, Roasted Garlic Velouté
Macaroni & Mimolette Gratinee – Sauce Bechamel
S’mores – Chocolate, Sable, Grand Marnier, Anise, Marshmallow
Baked Alaska – Banana Rum Ice Cream Cake, Roasted Pineapple, Pineapple, Toasted Meringue Flambéed with Cognac
Apple Tarte Tatin – Warm Caramelized Apple Tart, Puff Pastry, Vanilla Ice Cream
Espresso Crème Brulee – Warm Madelines, Turbinado Croquant
Chocolate Macaron – French Chocolate Cookie, Gianduja Chocolate Mousse, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Candied Orange, Chocolate Ganache
Having asserted several times that Bardot at Aria is America – if not the World’s – most innovative Brasserie, it was as a group of eight that dinner was enjoyed on Tuesday evening, Chef Josh Smith rolling out some new ideas along with several classics for returning guests and first-timers alike.
Now a five year Strip-veteran, no small feat in a city where constant turnover is standard, it was just prior to 6:00pm that guests were led from hostess podium to the table at room’s center, a familiar waiter with his thick French accent assisting with Beverages including the cleverly named “Le Peche Mode” which sips like a more complex Tiki drink thanks to Cognac, Crème de Peche, Lemon and Ginger.
Deferring Carte Blanche to the kitchen over the past twenty visits, trust that has been earned time and time again, it was with confirmation of no allergies or intolerances that dinner began with Bread, Bardot’s Baguette predictably warm and crunchy with house Butter while a Shellfish Tower and Charcuterie Board showed off sourcing and classic technique, respectively.
Next presented with two of Chef Smith’s recent signatures, his King Crab & Endive Salad winning “best dish of the night” accolades from one guest, it was after dividing two modernized Tarte Flambé that attention turned to all-new Ravioli, a tip of the hat to Nouvelle Cuisine yielding Scallops inside the Pasta with Mushrooms and Herbs decorating delicate Beurre Blanc on the plate.
Thankful that Nevada does not feel so strongly about Foie Gras as New York or California, a hot and cold duo embracing decadence by offering the first with Black Truffle plus Bordelaise while the second sees a Terrine transformed into “Butter” by White Chocolate, Soup next arrived as a not-so-subtle reminder that French Onion and Lobster Bisque are oft overlooked but timeless.
Offered more Pasta with upright Macaroni and seasonal Gnocchi, the latter utilizing Dan Barber’s shrunken Squash smartly to sweeten Goat Cheese, Mushrooms and Garlic, it was by request that “Le Steakburger” from Bardot’s Happy Hour was served next, its grind easily one of Sin City’s most luxurious and the flavor predictably rich but gently reined in by Watercress.
Debuting another concept next, France’s national dish presented tableside with hot Broth cooking thinly-sliced Beef amidst Root Vegetables and Bone Marrow, savories concluded with two can’t-miss plates, Bardot Brasserie’s Wellington unparalleled since the day it debuted and Chef Smith’s Heritage Chicken Roti yet another reminder that even simple plates can be exquisite when superior Ingredients are treated with care and respect.
Transitioned to sweet by cheffed-up “S’mores,” their eventual place on the menu not yet determined, Pineapple Tarte Tatin has given way to seasonal Apples that impress in their range of texture and temperature while Bardot’s photogenic French Cookie now tastes better than ever thanks to Gianduja and candied Oranges.
At this point finding almost every guest waiving their napkin like a white flag, but still willing to enjoy a few bites of Espresso Crème Brulee and Madelines Proust would likely admire, dinner came to an end with tableside flames, Bardot’s Baked Alaska a rare case where Passionfruit is not overwhelming thanks to roasted Pineapples, Banana Rum Cake and charred Meringue.
FIVE STARS: Having repeatedly challenged fellow gourmands to name a better Bistro, Brasserie or Café in North America than Bardot none have yet stood up to the task, and while some may believe that a Restaurant doing big volume cannot possibly compete with a place that seats fifty I’ll simply say I’ve done the legwork and this one does.
RECOMMENDED: King Crab & Endive Caesar, Foie Gras Rossini, Bay Scallop Raviolis, Pop Tarte Flambé, Le Steakburger, Beef Wellington, Heritage Chicken Roti, Gnocchi Parisienne, Macaroni & Mimolette Gratinee, Baked Alaska, Apple Tarte Tatin.
AVOID: Pot-au-feu, Foie Gras Butter and S’mores are as-yet off-menu.
TIP: Offer still stands, if anyone can name a French Bistro or Brasserie outperforming Bardot in North America (and back it up with evidence) I’ll fly there within 6 months to find out for myself.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/las-vegas/bardot-brasserie/

