A GRAND Tasting

In the three years I have been attending Vegas Uncorkd I always had gripes with the Grand Tasting at Garden of the Gods Pool Caesars Palace. Over sold, too crowded, poorly organized, too expensive.

Well I have to say that the cost of this event which has gone up $25 each year will hopefully stay at the current ceiling of $200(how about discounts for repeat attendees?) but this year the Grand Tasting was truly GRAND.

This Grand Tasting was far more wide open than previous years. The coordination of the restaurant's menus ensured that there was a balance of different types of food and not overly focused on one (too many desserts last year). With the addition of Jose Andres to the event I delighted in a scallop with light herbal decoration resting on a sweet & sour lime that you squeezed in your mouth after you tossed the scallop down there. Amazing melange of SSS - Sweet, Salt, Sour. I have to admit I was bit starstruck when I saw him.

How about a perfectly prepared Kobe Slider from STK? A nice balance of herbs and spices with a spicy sauce akin to roumalade. RM Seafood's "Dude Dog" a spicy seafood sausage with a lightly creamy sauce and cabbage. Julian Serrano's crab with cream cheese deep fried like a tofu square. The fabulous Jean George Kobe Beef Sashimi. Top it off with a chocolate covered square of delicate crisp wafer from Mix that reminded me of a the ultimate Butterfinger treat.

I am only scratching the surface as there are hundreds of delights at the Grand Tasting. My companions for the event raved about a number of other things that I didn't even get a chance to taste. In my mind the success of an event is the variety of tastes, the pleasantness of atmosphere, and the food coma. Check, check, check.

What about the wine? Well there were quite a few great wineries represented including Frog's Leap, ZD, Silver Oak, Ferrari-Carano, Ramey, and my personal favorite Paul Hobbs. Many of the wines I have had before and I think in the desert heat they did well to manage their temperatures. There was a delightful Ice Wine which I believe came from Yarden Wines that had a great acidity level to balance its sweetness.

Many thanks to all the people who put this event together and insured that in 2012 I'LL BE BACK!