Spago Las Vegas serves up an unforgettable meal

Wolfgang Puck's Spago Las Vegas Dining Room. Photo Courtesy Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck's Spago Las Vegas, located in the Forum Shops at Caesars Las Vegas, embraces the luxury of Vegas without any of the pretentiousness. Wolfgang Puck's Spago is a contemporary American restaurant with global influences under the caring helm of Executive Chef Eric Klein.

The understated, casual elegance of Spago is a welcome respite in the mad rush that is Vegas. It represents the best of the dining renaissance in this sprawling city in the desert. It serves up food with heart and soul.

Chef Klein cooks from his soul and it's evident in every dish he prepares, particularly if you take the time to order the six-course tasting menu ($95 or available with wine pairing for $155; price may vary with season). The restaurant strives to serve as much fresh food as possible and makes as many items -- even cheeses and butter -- in house, as possible. Buying local, or even shopping the larger markets a few hours' drive away on the California coast, is a must for Chef Klein.

Klein works from a menu that constantly changes. "I'm always creating, always thinking about the next dish, the next day, the next tasting menu," said Klein. "I try hard each day to make a difference, to make everyone feel special and know that I care. For the most part, I grew up in Wolfgang's kitchen, so taking care of his brand and his reputation is paramount for me...I want my food to simply taste better than anything the guest has had before. I want it to be memorable, because I want them to come back."

When the outgoing, animated French chef served this writer Spago's tasting menu, it was definitely a memorable meal and the chef's tableside discussion of each dish, his passion for his art, his tales of his own childhood that accompanied a dish, helped make it even more of a treat. This was definitely one of the best meals to be found anywhere.

A sample 6-course tasting menu with wine-pairings from Wolfgang Puck's Spago Las Vegas:

First course: Flatbread with figs, topped with house-made cheese and 25-year-old balsamic vinegar. Paired with Henriot Champagne Souverain, Reims.

Second course: Yellowfin sashimi, avocado, daikon radish, and yuzu-wasabi. Hamachi, crispy rice cake, marinated cucumber, and hearts of palm with soy ceviche-ginger vinaigrette. Both were paired with Von Hoevel 2007 Mosel Reisling Kabinett.

Third course: Farmer's Market Bartlett Pear and Fig Salad with wild arugula, handcrafted burrata cheese, prosciutto San Daniele, ice wine vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil paired with Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose 2008.

Fourth course: Hand-rolled ricotta gnocchi in black truffle butter sauce paired with Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti 2004. Click here to read about the author's experience eating this course.

Fifth course: Alaskan Halibut with basmati rice and coconut-infused vegetables paired with Row Eleven Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2007.

Sixth course: Trio of meats: Red wine braised beef short ribs with roasted autumn vegetables and natural braising jus; Oregon free-range pork; and Mesquite-grilled prime New York striploin with bone marrow crushed fingerling potatoes, carmelized onions, and armagnac peppercorn sauce. Paired with Sonoma Cline Zinfandel 2007.

The evening's meal ended with a wonderful Hungarian dessert wine: Kiralyudvar Tokaji Cuvee 2002 Furmint.

SPECIAL FOR PHOENIX TRAVELERS!

Southwest Airlines now has flights for as little as $49 each way for flights between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Fly to Vegas for Valentine's Day weekend to enjoy a special meal at Wolfgang Puck's Spago, and you can book tickets on Southwest starting at under $150 per person round trip. Check the airline's website at http://www.southwest.com for details. (Note: there is no connection between Spago, Southwest or Examiner.com. The customer must make individual arrangements and prices will vary.)

While the cafe offers more casual fare from 11:30 a.m. daily, the main dining room at Spago serves the chef's dinner menu and the special tasting menu nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.