Since 1995, John A. Curtas has been commenting on the Las Vegas food scene
and reviewing restaurants for Nevada Public Radio. 
He is also the restaurant critic for KLAS TV, Channel 8 in Las Vegas,
and his past reviews can be accessed at KNPR.org
 

Pamplemousse ''le bistro'' Monday to Saturday for Lunch
Pamplemousse '' le restaurant'' 7 days a week for diner

Pamplemousse Business Overview

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Company Information: Las Vegas favorite French Restaurant " Pamplemousse le restaurant - now open for lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner seven days a week Las Vegas -

Pamplemousse le restaurant, just off the Strip on East Sahara and Paradise, celebrates its 35th birthday this year and some exciting changes are afoot.
Founder George LaForge hand picked Jean-David Daudet and his wife Lee Ann to join him in the operation and ownership of the 85 seat restaurant.

Daudet hails from the Burgundy region of France, where he owned and operated his own acclaimed restaurant, Le Trou Poinchy, for twelve years before moving to Las Vegas as the Executive Chef for Drais at the Barbary Coast. Daudet began his career training under Marc Meneau of LEsperance " long known as one of Frances culinary institutions.He spent four years with Meneau as his 2nd in command, and another five years combined as chef at the Michelin starred restaurants La Bergerie and La Gaichel in Luxembourg.

 Daudets wife Lee Ann is an American who is fluent in French after time spent in Europe as a film producer and casting director. She also works as the Director of External Affairs for Blue Man Group.

What Georges LaForge created in Pamplemousse is a very special place where friends gather and enjoy great food. My goal is to keep all that is wonderful about the restaurant " the charming candlelit rooms, the waiters reciting the menu, the classic dishes like Duck, the Lamb, and the Veal, the crudités basket, olives and French bread that we deliver to each table.

Daudet has added a few of his own specialties including a Chilean Sea Bass cooked with soy and ginger, Salmon with Spinach in a Puff Pastry, a Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarte and some new deserts including a Chocolate Volcano Fondant and a Grand Marnier Soufflé. Were using a greater amount of organic ingredients, and have expanded the wine list “particularly the wines from France and California.

The restaurant is now open for lunch Monday through Friday with a special bistro menu that includes classics like the Croque Monsieur, Moules Frites and Coq au Vin, as well as a variety of salads and soups.

Located two blocks east of the Las Vegas strip at 400E. Sahara, Pamplemousse le Restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner from 5:30 " 10PM. Lunch is served from 11:30AM " 3PM. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (702) 733-2066 or via email at pamplemousserestaurant.com. The restaurant is also available for private parties and weddings. For more information please contact us or refer to the attached links: #

Hours of Operation: Monday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Tuesday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Wednesday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Thursday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Friday 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Saturday 12:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Sunday 5:00 PM - 11:00 AM

Categories: French Restaurants

Review by Greg Thilmont

Cuisine: Continental, French, Gourmet, Seafood, Steaks
Average cost: $35 or more
Payment types accepted: AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, CASH
Hours: Daily, 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Dress code: Dressy or nicely casual.

Reservations: Reservations Suggested

Pamplemousse Review:

Two blocks east of the Las Vegas Strip you'll find Pamplemousse, vintage '76. Founder Georges La Forge was chef to celebrities including Frank Sinatra and crooner Bobby Darin. La Forge created his house specialty fettuccine for Ol' Blue Eyes. Darin himself suggested the restaurant's appellation.

Pamplemousse, French for grapefruit, is a name that fits. Its décor is a classy but funky blend of Gallic élan and Vegas brassiness, all bathed in pink-toned light. There are hordes of classic photos about –-
Dine surrounded by knockouts like Lana Turner and entertainer extraordinaire Debbie Reynolds.

Managing Partner and chef Jean- David Groff-Daudet embraces La Forge's legacy. Groff-Daudet and wife Lee Ann keep today's Pamplemousse tight to its fine cuisine origin. "We work with the best produce. Everything is homemade," French- born Groff-Daudet said.

"It's classic auberge-style. The atmosphere, the food ... Pamplemousse is really a charming and true French experience," he said.

There are no printed menus at Pamplemousse. Your impeccable waiter will recite and consult with you on the night's selections. The crudité basket that accompanies every dinner speaks for itself, though. It's a huge, unforgettable selection of fresh vegetables served with vinaigrette, olives and baguette.

The appetizer menu includes fare like traditional french onion soup gratinée, frog legs Provencale, escargots "a la bourguignone", tuna tartare, crab cakes and an heirloom and mozzarella tart.

Pamplemousse's entree choices are splendid, with roasted duckling, veal medallions, lamb, filet mignon and seasonal seafood featured.

For dessert, consider profiteroles, souffllés, crème brûlée and other sweet delights.

Pamplemousse is truly one of Las Vegas' culinary treasures.

-- Review by Greg Thilmont
 

944 LIFE

PAMPLEMOUSSE
Central
Pamplemousse is the French word for “grapefruit,” and according to the restaurant’s owner Georges La Forge, his good friend Bobby Darin thought it was the most beautiful word in the French language. La Forge and Darrin had planned to open a restaurant together in Beverly Hills, but the singer died before it happened. As a tribute to him, La Forge kept the name for his Las Vegas establishment.

Darrin may never have gotten to enjoy Pamplemousse, but plenty of other celebrities have over the last 30 years, ranging from Rat Pack legends to stars of today, that dine on the cuisine of Executive Chef and Managing Partner Jean-David Daudet. Located in a converted private home on East Sahara, the restaurant has a cozy feel that’s made it a local institution, and consistently wins accolades as one of the town’s best and most romantic restaurants.
Don’t expect to look at a menu here. Rather, the wait staff recites it for each table from memory. Offerings change daily, but you’ll find plenty of classics like escargot, frog legs, osso bucco, and soufflés. House specialties include one of the leanest ducklings you’ll ever encounter prepared either au poivre vert-style or in a cranberry-raspberry sauce, and the Fettuccini à la Georges (created by La Forge specifically for Frank Sinatra).
400 E. Sahara Avenue | 702.733.2066

VEGAS OF YORE

Pardon Pamplemousse’s appearance from the street. Pamplemousse is, indeed, a romantic French restaurant, and not a massage parlor as its garish pink sign suggests.

Three decades before celebrity chefs Guy Savoy, Joel Robuchon and Daniel Boulud brought $60 bowls of soup and triple-digit tasting menus to Las Vegas hotels, Georges La Forge planted his French fine-dining flag in the desert, in a low-slung stucco house a few blocks off The Strip.

Pamplemousse still touts Old Las Vegas’ salad days. Fettuccine a la Georges, I was told, was created in honor of Frank Sinatra, featuring cream sauce and prosciutto. The remainder of chef Jean-David Groff-Daudet’s menu is trés French (mussels steamed in white wine, frog legs, escargot, filet mignon, rack of lamb) – and recited from memory by waiters who wear coats and ties.

I ordered duck two ways: slices of ruby-red breast and a leg of confit. The confit was lean and meaty, but slightly dry. The breast, however, was tender as filet mignon.

Ambiance is romantic and cozy, with a pink grapefruit hue providing intimate lighting (Pamplemousse means grapefruit in French). Service was polished, beginning with a basket of fresh crudités (broccoli, cauliflower, endive, carrots) and right on through to the genteel piercing of the Valhrona chocolate soufflé, gingerly filled with house-made vanilla ice cream and luscious whipped cream.

Pamplemousse serves lunch and dinner daily.

Pamplemousse, Le Restaurant   -  Las Vegas, NV

If you're looking for a true dining experience in Vegas with a France flair you need to try Pamplemousse Le Restaurant which is one-of-a-kind.

The restaurant has undergone a series of changes under the management of Chef Jean-David Groff Daudet, the individual running the day-to-day business for the owner. Chef Jean -David Groff Daudet is a renown chef that brings tremendous culinary expertise to this restaurant. At Pamplemousse you’ll see Chef Jean -David Groff Daudet throughout the facility, not just in the kitchen, as he is the one orchestrating every aspect of the businesses tremendous success.

From the outside the establishment it’s fairly unimpressive. Once you step into the foyer you immediately realize you're in an old unique eatery rich in history and elegance.

We were greeted by Prince Keifer, our waiter, a native from Hawaii. Prince Keifer made our experience an excellent one.

A unique offering at Pamplemousse is the verbal menu, that's right, no individual review of the menu or the pricing. It actually works quite nice, but expect some extra listening time. If you're worried about the cost, you're in the wrong restaurant.

What did we enjoy?

Crudités supplied to every table as a starter...
Classic French Onion Soup with bubbling cheeses on the top...
Roasted Duckling with a cranberry and Chambord French raspberry liquor sauce

Pork Chop & Ribeye

To top it all off… amazing Soufflés: Grand Marnier, Chocolate and Orange Flavors

Give it a shot, you’ll not be disappointed!

Georges La Forge's
Pamplemousse Le Restaurant
Tel (702) 733 2066
Fax (702) 733 9139
400 East Sahara Avenue,
Las Vegas, NV 89104

TRAVEL GUIDES
 

Frommer's Review

Pamplemousse

GAYOT.COM

Pamplemousse 400 E. Sahara Ave. (Paradise Rd.) las Vegas, NV 89104 702-733-2066

the legendary Pamplemousse has stood the test of time, continuing to captivate its loyal aficionados with its romantic, candlelit, old-world fine dining experiences.

This cozy 85-seat converted home features the charm of a French countryside inn, an impressive wine cellar just inside the entrance, small private dining nooks, subdued lighting and soft hues. Tables are set with pink cloths, burgundy napkins, flowers in burgundy glass vases and elegant white-on-white service plates. Waiters describe the preparation of the evening's fare. Hot crusty bread, hard-boiled eggs and individual crocks of the house vinaigrette accompany a handsome basket of lettuce and crudités. Try the jumbo shrimp appetizer with sauce diablo, or the escargot with Burgundy wine sauce, mushrooms and garlic. Specialties are rack of lamb with pistachios, grain-fed roast duckling and New York prime filet. Luscious desserts such as profiteroles, soufflés and coupe maison with fresh berries complete the romantic French dinner.

 

 

VEGASLIVING
Pamplemousse
QUALITY OF FOOD AND PREPARATION ****
 

Reminiscent of a cozy French countryside inn, Pamplemousse offers an intimate dining experience. Nooks decorated with copperware and provincial pottery adorn the walls, while rough-hewn wood beams hang overhead. Classical music or light jazz playing softly in the background to complete the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. There is no printed menu, therefore your server will recites the menu which changes nightly. Dinner begins with a large basket of crudites, a large bowl of olives and a basket of hard-boiled eggs. For the entree, there is always a choice of steaks or rack of lamb, as well as the daily offerings. Desserts are richly extravagant and worth 'saving room for.' An extensive, though pricey wine list, compliments to any food choice. Open for dinner only, offering two seatings daily; 6-6:30 p.m. and again at 9-9:30 p.m. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling 702-733-2066.

 

 

SIDESTEPS.COM.
Expert Reviews

Pamplemousse

A little bit off the beaten path, Pamplemousse is a long-established Vegas restaurant that shouldn't be overlooked in the crush of new high-profile eateries. Evoking a cozy French-countryside inn (at least, on the interior), it's a catacomb of low-ceilinged rooms and intimate dining nooks with rough-hewn beams. It's all very charming and un-Vegasy. There's additional seating in a small garden sheltered by a striped tent. The restaurant's name, which means "grapefruit" in French, was suggested by the late singer Bobby Darin, one of the many celebrity pals of owner Georges La Forge.

The menu, which changes nightly, is recited by your waiter. The meal always begins with a large complimentary basket of crudités (about 10 different crisp, fresh vegetables), a big bowl of olives, and, in a nice country touch, a basket of hard-boiled eggs. Recent menu offerings have included out-of-this-world soups (such as French onion and cream of asparagus) and such appetizers as shrimp in cognac-cream sauce or Maryland crab cakes with a macadamia-nut crust. Recommended entrees include a sterling veal with mushrooms and a Dijon sauce, and an even-better rack of lamb with a pistachio-nut crust and a rosemary-cream sauce (all sauces, by the way, are made with whatever the chef has on hand that evening in the kitchen). That's not to mention fabulous desserts such as homemade ice cream in a hard chocolate shell.

Frommer's

 

 

BusyBee Creation. Pierre-Jean LaForge.
 

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