The Venetian Palazzo resorts over the last several years have enjoyed summer with their renowned carnevale celebration. This one-of-a-kind celebration is a combination of food and wine in Venetian carnevale style with jugglers and all kinds of interesting characters, even walking trees are seen entertaining the guests all over the renowned resorts. This year has been no exception.
In true carnevale style, a renowned winery came to town. Yes, that lovely Italian icon of a winery, whose wines have stood out for generations, Antinori, has joined with the festivities to provide world class wines for the Celebration. This Antinori wine dinner event was hosted by the one and only Sebastian Silvestri, Vice President of Food and Beverage as well as Alessia Botturi, the president of the North American Sommelier Association and a renowned authority of Italian Wines. Upon entering the private dining venue Sebastian greeted every guest with his usual class, charm and bright smile along with a lovely glass of champagne in hand to get the evening started off on the right foot. At the helm of the kitchen is the admiral himself, Venetian / Palazzo Executive Chef Olivier Dubreuil, who created a work of art pairing these classic wines with imaginative dishes.
- Executive Chef Olivier Dubreui
After mingling with our fellow guests, we were escorted to the dining room adorned with white table cloths and crystal glasses; a sea of sparking glass on every table . A big smile came over our faces as we anticipated the lovely night ahead. After a brief tour of the kitchen, which was abuzz with preparatory activity, it was time to take our seats and get ready for the evening
In classic French style we started with an AMUSE BOUCHE. This was our signal that we were about to experience true artistry from the kitchen and the glass.
We started right off with Antinori Prunotto, Moscato D'asti, Tuscany, Italy 2011, which was bright and crisp and reminded us of a summer day in Tuscany. Out of the corner of our eyes, we see it! A beautiful plate approaching us, our eyes dart with anticipation, and yes, it is the holy grail of French food, a lovely Foie Gras. Placed in front of us with Chef’s touch of port wine and parmesan foam just to tantalize us as we dive into the king of French cuisine
Amuse Bouche
Foie Gras, Port Wine and Parmesan Foam
We started right off with a dish fit for Napoleon himself, this was just the first course and yet, here we begin with another lovely dish! It’s a Red Endive Mango salad with capers blue cheese and candied pears that provided layers of flavors featuring citrus, creamy classic blue cheese and the sweetness of lovely candied pears as we get us ready for our next course.
Salad
Red Endive Mango Salad with Capers, Bleu Cheese and Candied Pecans
Antinori, Castello Della Sala, Chardonnay, Umbria, Italy 2011
Its summer in Las Vegas, so it’s 115 F in the shade and we are indulging in Soup! The Lobster Bisque soup a light, lovely summer creation swimming with tender chunks of lobster. We dove in with great joy with our tasty refreshing glass of Antinori, Castello Della Sala, Chardonnay, Umbria, Italy 2011. Chef’s lobster bisque soup with Green Pea and Micro Tarragon was a delightful version of a classic dish. . The lobster, succulent, sweet and savory with green pea and Tarragon added to the end for a lovely liquid finish and paired perfectly with the Chardonnay.
Soup
Lobster Bisque Soup with Green Pea and Micro Tarragon
Antinori, Castello Della Sala, Chardonnay, Umbria, Italy 2011
We were waiting with eagerness the minute we saw the menu for the next course. We would have the opportunity to enjoy two Classic Wines from Antinori ! . Our glasses full of two iconic wines, Antinori, Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 2003 Antinori and Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 2006 we were at the ready for what was next from Chef.
Yet another French classic was on our plate, of course, Quail, but this time with Black Truffle Risotto and mixed herbs. Does it get any better than this? You combine a dish like this with these beautiful Wines and there is nothing to say but thank you Chef for giving us yet another dish that marries food and wine together. We thought the Roasted quail was a period on a lovely, dinner however we were wrong, and gladly so because there were a two more Iconic Antinori wines for us to savor for the next culinary master
Poultry
Roasted Quail with Black Truffle Risotto and Mixed Herbs
Antinori, Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 2003
Antinori, Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 200
We have had an Amuse gift from the Chef, salad, soup, poultry and so now it must be time for beef of course. A Beef Cap Steak with shishito peppers Dijon mustard and sautéed parsley. The beef was cooked to rich, juicy perfection with the peppers adding a hint of spice accented with savory Dijon mustard and sautéed parsley. This dish was the outstanding favorite of the night.
Beef
Beef Cap Steak with Shishito Peppers, Dijon Mustard and Sautéed Parsley
Antinori, Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 2008
Antinori, Tignanello, Tuscany, Italy 2009
No dinner of this caliber is complete without a dessert. And we had one that was a sight to Behold. It looked like a work of art and it was glowing with an artfully placed candle in the center to illuminate each facet of this dessert presentation! Worthy of placement in the Louvre and tasty too! This dessert plate featuring, warm chocolate lava cake accented with gold flakes exploded with richness the minute the fork pierced the crust. The lemon cantaloupe granite helped refresh and cleanse the palate.
Warm Chocolate Lava Cake and Lemon Cantaloupe Granite
Antinori, Muffato Della Sala, Umbria, Italy 2007
You don't have to go to Italy to enjoy great wines and classic French cuisine. Italian wine, French cuisine combined together for a palate pleasing experience can be found at the Venetian/ Palazzo resorts. Let carnevale 2013 continue! We already have our reservations made for 2014 but there is still have more to come from carnevale 2013 this summer featuring the best in food, wine and entertainment.
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