There’s a lot to be said for fresh fish.  Having spent most of my life in cities like Seattle, New York, and Honolulu, it’s always been par for the course.  But I never thought that one of the best places to get fresh-from-the-boat Hawaiian fish would be in Las Vegas.  Who knew?

Over at Wynn Las Vegas, noting the success of Chef Paul Bartolotta’s direct relationships with Italian fishermen (allowing for the forty varieties of fresh fish and shellfish flown-in from the Mediterranean to Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, daily), Executive Chef David Walzog decided to take a similar tack over at Lakeside, with the day-boat captains of Hawaii.  As a result, Walzog and Assistant Executive Chef Rene Lenger are able to offer their customers wild-caught Hawaiian fish that’s about as fresh as if you’d caught it yourself – no sunblock needed! 

When I recently dined at Lakeside, with the charming Dawn Hume, I was blown away.  Not normally one to order fish (unless deep-fried), I chucked caution to the wind, and ordered the Opakapaka (Pink Snapper) prepared with Citrus Segments, Herbs, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Dawn opted for the Shutome (Swordfish) prepared with Artichokes, Tomato, Celery, Olives, and Oregano Vinaigrette.  Both, I’m pleased to report, were sublime.

But it’s not all about our finned-friends flown-in from the Aloha State that make a meal at Lakeside so worthwhile (though that’s definitely a big part of it).  I had a Caesar Salad, with Tomatoes and Crisp Smoked Bacon, that was particularly snazzy.  Dawn swears that the Black Truffle Creamed Spinach was spectacular (you’ll have to take her word for it, though, as I’m not a spinach fellow; Popeye's example notwithstanding…).

But what I really found worth reporting to you was Lakeside’s spin on French fries.  The Harissa Spiced Fries with Ancho-Garlic Aïoli are, perhaps, the best French fries in Las Vegas.  I know that I’m rather prone to hyperbole, but these are no mere fries.  These are flash-fried and stay flavorful and crispy at the table, in the doggy-bag (or box, as the case may be), and from the refrigerator!  And when paired with that zesty aïoli, they deliver a one-two punch for the taste buds.

To cap-off the meal, we indulged in the Celebration Cake – an extravagant layered Chocolate Bailey’s Mint Cake with Dark Chocolate and Gold Glaze.  Light and fluffy and curiously refreshing (thanks, Bailey’s Mint!) the Celebration Cake is exactly what it claims to be – a decadent fiesta of flavor, and the perfect way to end such a delicious meal.

Lakeside
Wynn Las Vegas
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