What Happens in Las Vegas Stays on My Nutrition Blog

by Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

June 27, 2011 • 7 comments

I arrived home Friday from Dallas with just enough time to pack and take off early Saturday morning for a quick wedding weekend in Las Vegas. I now have three different suitcases in my bedroom that require unloading. I need one of P. Diddy’s assistants to help me unpack. Can you help a sister out?

My sister, Lauren (the bride), held an intimate wedding reception at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Summerlin, a beautiful suburb of “Sin City.” Lauren is an amazing cook and very food-connected (according to the execs at the Food Network, the term “foodie” is out), and she planned a fabulous menu for the evening.

The servers passed champagne and hors d’oeurves for the first hour, and this little box of love held tempura rock shrimp with spicy Sriracha mayonnaise. I’ve been watching this item pop up on Japanese menus everywhere. The best I’ve tried were from Morimoto Napa. Red Rock’s could have benefited from more sauce. I ate almost half of the shrimp.

This may be the largest shrimp I’ve ever consumed. Or maybe it just looked bigger because of the small dish backdrop. Regardless, it was clean, fresh-tasting, and delicious.

Ahi tuna tartare with crème fraiche on a won ton crisp.

Bibb lettuce tossed with blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, and bacon. And a Monroe-jito to complement it. A server took away the remaining half of my drink when I stepped away for a minute. What a shame, since that was one of the best mojitos I’ve ever had. Not too strong. Not too sweet. Just perfect. I also ate an exquisite little crab cake.

The dinner buffet provided assorted cheeses, of which I savored a truffled manchego and a nugget of blue cheese.

I loved their fresh take on this vegetable crudités platter. I helped myself to a handful along with the dip, which was to die for. I think it was white bean-based, and was perhaps a twist on romesco sauce.

I snagged pieces of Parmesan and mozzarella, and a few olives from this display. I also enjoyed food from the hot line, including two slices of medium rare beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce, accompanied by a glass of pinot noir delivered promptly. I selected a whole-grain dinner roll with butter, and a bite of rosemary chicken. Oh yes, and how could I forget the mashed potatoes with cheese and green chiles. I devoured a small spoonful of that too.

Then the dessert table rolled in. These airy lemon meringue shots were most welcome on a warm evening.

Of course I had to try a chocolate covered strawberry, especially one dressed in a tuxedo.

The piece de resistance: red velvet wedding cake. It tasted even better the next morning with my coffee. I got a head start with a cup of cappuccino that evening to keep my jet-lagged eyes pried open.

And don’t you think it is so much nicer when the bride and groom delicately feed each other cake, rather than smashing it into their faces? I believe this a beautiful start to a happy marriage.

Estimated calories: 1,620 (dinner), 290 (drinks)

Have you ever attended (or been in) a Vegas wedding? How did it compare to this one? Do you even remember?

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