Just a Spoonful of Sugar: Sucre

We were walking down Magazine Street when we happened upon Sucre, a sweets shop that offers macarons, cupcakes, chocolates, other baked goods and candies, and gelato. I really liked Sucre's window display and branding.

We couldn't resist getting some gelato, which we enjoyed while sitting at a small table on the sidewalk.

Paulette Perfection

Our dear friend Ms. Cruiser gave us this sleeve of Paulette macarons on Friday.

I clapped my hands with delight when Mr. Monkey handed me the box. No, really, I actually clapped my hands. I've mentioned it before. I have a serious macaron problem.

Look at these beauties: caramel, tangerine(?), pistachio, coffee, passion fruit, coconut.

Mr. Monkey and I shared each one, so both of us could savor every flavor.

Wow. WOW! So delicate. So beautiful. So perfect. So get in mah belly.

I favored the caramel, pistachio, and coffee. Mr. Monkey couldn't decide which he liked most. "I like them all. They're all awesome." It's true. They are indeed all awesome.

The current Monkey Macaron Standings:

Paulette > Payard > Jin Patisserie > Bouchon > Euro Pane >>>>> Bottega Louie

I have a new favorite macaron place, and I haven't even been there yet.

Thank you so much, Ms. Cruiser.

Brunch and Baked Goods at Bouchon

We had brunch at Bouchon at the Venetian during both our December and April trips to Las Vegas. This post memorializes both visits.

Note the Christmas tree in the background. Yes, it was December.

You will never forget where you are dining.

Every plate reminds you.

Beignets du jour -- house-made spiced doughnuts with Bouchon Bakery jam and Nutella spread ($7).

Enjoyable but nothing at all like the hot deep-fried wonders at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. As promised by the menu, these were "just" French spiced doughnuts. If that's what you expect, you'll be pleased enough. I used the Nutella liberally.

Omelette du jour -- spicy chorizo, spinach, cheese ($17).


Simple but lovely. No need for our usual Tabasco for this egg dish.

Steak and eggs Benedict ($26.95).

Morning decadence on an English muffin. Big fat meaty eggy yum.

Side of potatoes accompanying the Benedict.

As the Lucky Charms leprechaun would say, these were magically delicious. Like they're-always-after-me-lucky-potatoes delicious. Like oh-my-God-why-are-these-so-good delicious. Like facking-derishus delicious.

When the Oros said they had breakfast cravings during our April weekend together, we knew exactly where to go. Back to Bouchon!

Raspberry beignets ($7).


Fancy jelly donuts never tasted so good.

Omelette du jour -- Dungeness crab, cherry tomato, spinach, cheddar ($17).

Another hit, although Mrs. Oro did shake some Tabasco on it.

Breakfast Américaine -- two eggs any style served with bacon, country sausage, pommes frites, toasted brioche, choice of a breakfast pastry, fresh juice, and Bouchon blend coffee ($22). (Fries, juice, and coffee not pictured.)

Bouchon's version of a Grand Slam -- way more awesome than Denny's version, as it should be, given the price. We all shared Mr. Oro's strawberry croissant, which was more like a crumble than a croissant. Crumble, croissant, who cares? It was the equivalent of breakfast candy, and that made us all very happy.

Chicken and waffles -- roasted chicken, bacon and chive waffle, Tahitian vanilla bean butter, Sauce Chasseur, maple syrup ($25).

I liked Mr. Monkey's dish the most. The chicken was exquisite -- so juicy, tender, and well-seasoned. Loved it with the Sauce Chasseur, but it didn't even need it. The waffles were the star, though. Slightly salty and paired with Vanilla butter and syrup, they were perfection.

Oeuf du jour -- creamy grits, prosciutto, English peas, piquillo peppers, scrambled eggs, fine herb Hollandaise ($26).

When I see grits, I order grits. These may have been the hoity-toity-est grits I've ever had. And, in case you don't speak French, oeuf du jour means "egg of the day." Good stuff, but the chicken and waffles stole my heart.

Bouchon French toast -- bread pudding-style with warm layers of brioche, custard, apples, and served with maple syrup ($12).

You can get this as your meal, but we opted to share one for dessert. Genius! I think it would be far too sweet for a main course. Split between the four of us, however, it worked wonderfully -- a few sugary bites to cap off a splendid brunch.

After brunch, we headed downstairs to the bakery to pick up some goodies to go.

It's not hard to guess what was bought from this bakery.

Mandarin and Macaron Marvelousness

When I visited the Mandarin Oriental in New York City, I was blown away by its opulence. The new Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas also wowed me from its plush bench in the elevator to its hundreds of perfectly round hanging lights.

This place is the definition of luxury. No casino here, so no comped rooms.

Mr. Monkey walked right past the Carolina Herrera store, but I stopped to admire the shop of my wedding gown designer.

This dress reminded me of our pink and orange wedding, too.

Next door to Carolina Herrera was Amore Patisserie.

These pistachio and strawberry macarons were delicate wonders.

We ate them while we watched the Bellagio fountains from our room.

Enjoyable.