TRAVEL WEEK

What an adventure.  This August, I spent a week in Las Vegas, connecting with other travel professionals, spending time with hoteliers and chefs, and generally immersing myself in all things travel, all things luxury.  One of the highlights of Travel Week was an invitation from Mario Leon, president of MJL Select, to dinner at the Mandarin Oriental.  The restaurant, Twist, is perched above the city on the top floor of the hotel, with a spectacular view of the Vegas skyline.  Pierre Gagnaire, the restaurant’s celebrated chef – and a fellow travel enthusiast – prepared delightful, imaginative cuisine, and the wine list was one of the most impressive I have seen.  Last winter, I had the good fortune to dine at Chef Gagnaire’s restaurant at Les Airelles.  Included among the group are hoteliers from the Hotel du Palais, Les Airelles, the Negresco, and Les Prés d’Eugénie, as well as Mario Leon in the front, and me at the opposite end of the table.