When I knew that I was going to be billeted in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, one Michelin star L'Atelier was my first pick for dinner. Why? I was on a foie gras hunt ever since the California ban of the duck liver. Robuchon's signature dish, La Caille Farcie de Foie Gras et Caramelisee or the free-range quail stuffed with foie gras, didn't disappoint. It was small yet packed with all the juice of the quail and the rich and creamy liver. I must not forget the amuse bouche, which had a parmesan foam with foie gras at the bottom. Project hunt-for-foie-gras: success!

I don't think I could have asked for anything more with the subdued, cosmopolitan ambiance, attentive waiter and detailed presentation. However, one of my dining buddies complained that his belly was still not happy at the end of the meal. Don't expect a full-sized meal in a French restaurant...

Stuffed quail with foie gras

Small for an entree. Ok, this is a French restaurant with small servings but I was left wanting more sea bass.

Dining buddy's hanger steak. This is probably the smallest piece of steak I've seen. Compare it to the size of the small collard greens.