Every once in a while the stars align, everything clicks, and all of those things come into play that evoke writers to use cliched phrases like “the stars align” and “everything clicks.”  Such was the case, on Saturday, February 01, on the Encore side of Wynn Las Vegas, when Chef Angie Mar (Restaurant Le B)—in town to host her fabulous Lunar New Year party in Delilah the following night—joined Casa Playa’s talented Chef Sarah Thompson (recently nominated by the James Beard Foundation as a semi-finalist for “Best Chef: Southwest”), Chef Jennifer Yee (Executive Pastry Chef, Wynn Las Vegas), and Mariena Mercer Boarini (Master Mixologist, Wynn Resorts North America), to present a spectacular 7-course meal for a small group of esteemed guests, in the coastal Mexican restaurant’s private dining room.  [Cue Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves by Eurythmics feat. Aretha Franklin]

And when I mentioned everything clicking, I meant everything.  The ambiance was lovely (I adore a flattering lighting story, and Todd-Avery Lenahan’s design of Casa Playa is just stunning); the conversation was sparkling (thanks to a fun mix of in-the-know locals and some fabulous guests from Los Angeles and New York who’d flown in for the weekend); the libations flowed freely, socially lubricating the guests; and the food was just sublime.

After congregating in the bar, the 28 guests were shepherded into the PDR at the rear of the restaurant, and seated around the large rectangular table, with the media and PR-types at one end of the table, some executives in the middle, and the out-of-town VIPs—including Sharon Coplan Hurowitz [art curator; art advisor; fashionista; author, John Baldessari: A Catalogue Raisonné of Prints and Multiples, 1971-2007; co-publisher, The Met 150; founder, Coplan Hurowitz Art Advisory] in original ‘90s-era Isaac Mizrahi; Bach Mai [founder/creative director, Bach Mai—a glamorous luxury ready-to-wear and made-to-order collection founded in 2019 in partnership with French fabric house, Maison Hurel—with current stockists including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Tootsies]; Blake Abbie [photographer; editor-in-chief, A Magazine Curated by; actor, Meteor Garden, Ming Tian hui hao de; cast of Bling Empire: New York]; with Christine Chiu [mom; couture collector; llama rescuer; managing director of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc., which she co-founded with her husband, Dr. Gabriel Chiu (a 24th generation direct descendant of China’s imperial Song dynasty, which ruled China from 960-1279); executive producer and breakout star of Bling Empire] across from me; Jessica Wang [mom; wife; top Chinese-American fashion KOL influencer and fashion content creator] to my left; and to my right, the iconic Dianne Brill [the designer/actress/model/author/businesswoman/It Girl dubbed “Queen of the Night” by Andy Warhol, whose 39-23-39 body was the model for a line of mannequins by Adel Rootstein].

With the chefs tag-teaming us course-by-course, here’s the menu of dishes upon which we supped, along with each course’s cocktail or wine pairing and my comments on each.

MADAI
Ossetra Caviar, Citrus Kosho
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV

Covered in a truly gobsmacking amount of Ossetra caviar and a citrus garnish, this dish featuring what the Japanese call “true sea bream” was a divine mix of flavors and textures.

****

HOKKAIDO SCALLOP
Honeynut Squash Aguachile, Persimmon, Asian Pear
Just a Dream (Código 1530 Reposado Tequila, spiced pear eau de vie, lime, chicha morada, egg-white)

Neither too fishy nor too fruity.  Call me Goldilocks, because I found this dish to be just right.

**** 

LOBSTER BLANQUETTE
Shellfish, Beurre Soy
Moillard Meursault VV 2020

Rich, delicious, and akin to consuming a very expensive hug, this hit all the right notes.  Why don’t more people serve potatoes with lobster?

****

AKAMUTSU
Ginger Mojo, Thai Basil, Crispy Garlic
S.A. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Old Vine GG Riesling 2015

If you’ve never had one of Sarah Thompson’s exquisite fish dishes—which this delectable preparation of blackthroat seaperch most certainly was—(a) you’ve got nobody to blame but yourself, and (b) what are you waiting for?

****

DUCKLING ROYALE
Jasmine, Pommes Purée, Cassis
Bouchard Santentay La Comme 2017

Chef Angie told us they prepared the ducks for this dish (and for the following night’s party) in New York and then flew them in. The result was one of the most incredible duck presentations I’ve ever had.  Full stop.

****

ROASTED DATE CUSTARD
Ruby Grapefruit & Pink Pomelo, Oleo Sacharum
Practical Magic (Código 1530 Añejo Tequila, medjool date, tahini, espresso, pamplemousse rose liqueur, Madagascar vanilla)

Light, creamy, lovely, and completely yummy.

****

MIGNARIDISE
Dark Chocolate & Tamarind Wafer

These little petits-fours looked delectable, but I was too full to eat another morsel.

****

I absolutely delight in dinners such as these. And while to my mind they’ve occurred far too seldomly until now, I’m pleased that—thanks in part to Wynn’s Connoisseur Series and great culinary marketing minds (like those of Elizabeth Blau and Phil Romeo and their respective teams)—we are able now to partake of them with greater frequency.

Casa Playa
Wynn Las Vegas
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#WYNN