A:
There's no list available of places in Las Vegas where you can order escargots and, although we like snails and have eaten them in numerous locations, it's not a formal survey we've ever underaken — until now!
Although they’ve been popular since Roman times and are enjoyed in Portugal, Greece, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, parts of Africa, and the Caribbean, snails, like frogs legs, are considered a quintessentially French dish. And it’s true that France is the biggest consumer of escargots in the world, chomping through some 40,000 tons of snails per year.
There are several different types of edible snail, but the famous French variety is the escargot de Bourgogne (Helix pomatia) from the Burgundy (French: "Bourgogne") region of France. Rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C, they're traditionally served as an appetizer à la Bourguignone, i.e., with a sauce of butter, parsley, and garlic. Other popular variations include a similar preparation baked with a crust of flaky pastry (escargots en croute or feuilleté aux escargots) and/or with mushrooms (escargots aux champignons or, conversely, champignons aux escargots).
Our research has shown that this hors d’oeuvre is much more widely available in Las Vegas than the last French dish we searched for, the elusive crêpes suzette dessert (QoD 11/06/2005). What follows is not an exhaustive list and we haven't yet sampled them all ourselves, so let us know how they were if you try any of these or if you find escargots on the menu elsewhere in town. In all instances, the dish is served as an appetizer.
- Hugo’s Cellar, Four Queens — Escargots Bourguignonne en Croute, sautéed in shallots, garlic, burgundy wine, and fine herbs. Topped with a light flaky pastry ($12).
- Alizé, Palms — Escargots de Bourgogne, traditional imported French escargots in garlic herb butter, served in crispy brioche with garlic chips and fried parsley ($16).
- Mon Ami Gabi, Paris — Escargots de Bourgogne ($9.95).
- André’s (original), 401 S. Sixth St. — Escargots de Bourgogne ($12.75).
- André’s (in the Monte Carlo) — Escargots de Bourgogne ($15).
- Top of the World, Stratosphere — Escargots Aux Champignons, simmered in Cabernet, then baked in mushroom caps with garlic herb butter ($16).
- Pietro’s, Tropicana — Escargots à la Bourgignonne, served with herbed garlic butter ($11).
- Fleur de Lys, Mandalay Bay — "Baeckeoffe" of Escargots de Bourgogne, with oyster mushrooms, celery, and garlic raviolis. (Prix fixe only for three, four, or five courses at $74, $82, and $94 respectively.)
- Michael’s, Barbary Coast — "Baked Escargots, Michael" (basically escargots Bourguignonne en croute) ($25).
- Pamplemousse, 400 E. Sahara — Escargots à la Bourguignone, with garlic, butter, and parsley or the "house recipe," sautéed with sliced mushrooms, garlic, shallots, red wine, cognac, and demi glace ($10).
- Ruth's Chris, 4561 W. Flamingo Rd. and 3900 Paradise Rd. — "Escargots," served the traditional way with butter and garlic. ($13.95)
Update 02 February 2010
NOTE: Since this question was originally address, a number of the restaurants listed have either closed or relocated, including Ruth's Chris West (only the Paradise location remains), Michael's (now at South Point), Josette's Bistro (closed -- now Las Vegas Rocks Cafe downtown), and Andre's Downtown (closed). Meanwhile, a number of new steakhouses and French restaurants have opened, so consult our
Dining section for up-to-date listings and, where available, menu links.
03/15/2007 LATEST UPDATE: Marché Bacchus restaurant, wine bar, and retail store (2620 Reggata Dr. #106), serves "Escargots Persillade," baked Burgundy snails served with garlic herb butter and toasted baguette crumbs, for $10.
UPDATE 01/17/2007: It's come to our attention that the
Golden Steer (308 W. Sahara Ave.), one of the few original surviving restaurants frequented by the Rat Pack, also offers a half-dozen Escargots Bourguignonne as an appetizer, for $14. It's a great room and definitely worth a try if you're looking for a taste of "old Vegas."
UPDATE 12/07/2005: Thanks to the reader who wrote in confirming that the
Carmel Room at the Rampart also offers snails as an appetizer. Their traditional Escargots en Bourguinonne is served with puff pastry medallions and the price is $9.
UPDATE 01/06/2006:
Le Cirque at Bellagio also has an escargots appetizer, served with goat cheese ravioli, garlic, herbs, Pastis, and Parma ham. The cheapest menu option is three courses for $98 per person.
UPDATE 01/23/2006:
Pasta Pirate at the California offers the cheapest escargots appetizer we've found so far, serving traditional snails in garlic butter for $6.95.
UPDATE 06/03/2006: Our new find,
Normandie Josette's Bistro, located at 4983 W. Flamingo Rd., serves excellent escargots with herb garlic butter for $8.
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