Las Vegas isn’t just a place to gamble, but has also become one of the foremost culinary destinations in the world. TravelingMamas.com recently visited this city that never sleeps and explored the variety of dining options around the city while on a Las Vegas girlfriend getaway.

One fine dining option in Las Vegas is Sage, a Shawn McClain Restaurant at ARIA Casino and Resort at CityCenter. Sage serves Contemporary American cuisine with an infusion of global influences in each dish. ThemeParkMom, MommyMusings, and myself enjoyed an early dinner before a planned show. The atmosphere of the restaurant is contemporary chic and the whole experience is more than just fine dining – it’s an event in itself.

Appetizers

CajunMama – I enjoyed the Foie Gras Custard ‘Brulee’ topped with Bing cherries, toasted cocoa nibs, and salted brioche. It was divine. Simply divine. It was a light, heavenly concoction that was buttery, creamy, and should be placed on the dessert menu. I felt like I needed to go to Confession after enjoying such a delightful experience.

MommyMusings – It’s not every day that Wagyu Beef Tartare is on my menu. I just had to try this starter, which was mixed with crushed caper aioli, pickled mustard seeds, crispy chocolate and topped with a slow poached egg. The combination melted in my mouth.  While my app. was delicious, CajunMama’s Foie Gras Custard ‘Brulee’ was the star of the show. The two bites that I had were pure indulgence.

ThemeParkMom – It’s hard for me to pass up risotto anywhere, and Sage’s version was studded with butternut squash, pine nuts and lobster mushrooms. It was a great mix of earthy, nutty and sweet flavors, and the risotto was perfectly cooked and creamy. I also tried the amazing Foie Gras Brulee that CajunMama ordered and was blown away. That has to be one of the absolute best things I have ever put in my mouth. I have literally dreamed about eating it again.

Entrees

MommyMusings – I couldn’t get enough beef and ordered the Mishima Ranch Kobe Flat Iron with blue cheese potato pave, glazed heirloom carrots and shaved black truffles. My steak was cooked a perfect medium-rare and was extremely tender. The baby heirloom carrots were the best I’ve ever tasted.

ThemeParkMom – I indulged in beef cheeks, which were served in a silver dish, braised with root vegetables. They were tender and well-seasoned. The dish was rich and comforting, like an over-the-top holiday meal.

CajunMama – Our server sold me on the ‘special’ of pasta in a cream sauce topped with freshly delivered white truffles after describing the dish in such an entertaining manner. I couldn’t imagine anything could top my appetizer, but after finishing the entire dish of pasta, I felt very expensive. I tasted both ThemeparkMom and MommyMusings dishes and the beef cheeks were so tender they melted in my mouth.

Dessert

ThemeParkMom – In keeping with the holiday meal theme, I ordered winter-spiced donut holes. They came hot and coated in sugar, flavored with spicy nutmeg and ginger. The donut holes came with a cranberry sauce for dipping and a tiny vanilla milkshake to sip. Forget pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving – I want more of those donut holes for dessert!

CajunMama – I don’t know if I should admit this, but I had a hard time going for something traditional like a bread pudding or something decadent and chocolate. I ended up with two desserts and a big smile on my face.

MommyMusings – Since I had two courses of beef, I was looking for a light dessert. I ordered the Lemon-Thyme Semifredo, which was silky and refreshing. A perfect ending to a decadent meal.

Recently Legalized Absinthe

Sage offers Absinthe served in a signature style. The Absinthe is prepared tableside in a manner worthy of the destination we were visiting. It was a show in itself and offered entertainment not just for our table, but for the entire restaurant. ThemeParkMom was our Guinea pig and we all sampled the prepared concoction which tasted like root beer candy.

Overall the experience of dining at Sage is not one we will soon forget. Our server was knowledgeable and attentative. I’d even go as far as to say he spoiled the three of us on our Las Vegas girlfriend getaway. We had faith in his wine pairing abilities and I wondered if he wasn’t really a sommelier after enjoying his superb selections.

The price is in keeping with the level of service and cuisine at other fine dining establishments in Las Vegas and there are even options to help diners stick to a budget. The Chef’s Menu offers a four course meal for $79 with optional wine pairings at an additional $30. If I have the chance to return to the area, I definitely have Sage on my list to visit again.

Special thanks to ARIA Casino Resort and Sage for hosting this outstanding meal.