Brasserie Daniel was packed with people when we visited, which is certainly encouraging given the fact that the fine wine and food business is estimated to be off by 30%-40% in Las Vegas. This was my first look at Daniel Boulud’s highly renowned and popular brasserie at the Wynn Hotel. We had an outdoor table on the terrace overlooking the artificial lake and huge waterfalls that dominate this open-air restaurant’s dining area. Little did I know that when darkness fell, a giant, robotic frog would creep up over the waterfalls and sing It’s a Wonderful Life. The wines began with a beautiful, crisp, mineral-laden 2007 Sancerre from Vacheron. That was followed by the best showing I have yet seen of the 2006 Barroche Pure Châteauneuf du Pape. It makes me believe that I consistently underrate this wine until it has been in the bottle for about two years. That happened with the 2005, and is happening with the 2006. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it occur with the 2007 also.

This may have been the finest food we had during our trip to Las Vegas. The freshest, most fleshy, rich, plump Kumomoto oysters (my favorite oysters in the world) were gorgeous. Although halibut is not my favorite fish, at Brasserie Daniel, it was served in a Provençal-like style, and was bursting with flavor. My addiction for fatty tuna belly (toro) was satisfied by the beautiful preparation at Daniel. It could have come from a top Tokyo sushi bar. Daniel Boulud’s famous short ribs of beef are hard to ignore as they are one of the most distinctive and pleasure giving presentations of long-cooked beef. His duo of beef, which includes short ribs and slices of beef is a tour de force for beef lovers. When served with some of the finest french fries I have ever had, the result is a superb combination, especially when served with the 2006 Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape Pure. I rarely eat dessert, but with the spectacular robotic frog musical, I decided to have a peach and apricot soufflé, and I wasn’t disappointed.

I highly recommend this superb yet casual French brasserie in the Wynn Hotel.