Did you miss me?

Don’t answer that.

You may have noticed I was absent from last week’s food page, and that’s because I was on vacation in Las Vegas, the land of fame and excess. And while I was there to see the fabulous Britney Spears — don’t judge me; she’s amazing, OK? — I was also treated to the culinary sojourn of a lifetime.

They say, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” but I absolutely have to tell you all about my trip. The food in Las Vegas is some of the best in the world, and I must thank my sister, Jamie, for flying me out there to sample it with her.

Where do I even begin?

First was lunch at GIADA, the newer restaurant by star chef Giada De Laurentiis, located in the Cromwell Hotel along the Las Vegas Strip. I grew up watching Giada on Food Network. Her show, “Everyday Italian” was influential in developing my own cooking style, and to walk into her restaurant — styled after her pristine southern California home with views of the fountains of the Bellagio Hotel — was out of this world.

Lunch was simple, yet exquisite. My sister and I split a plate of gnocchi pomodoro. Rich and buttery, the tomato sauce coated each little, perfectly plump dumpling in velvety goodness. We also split a farro salad with mint, goat cheese and arugula (plus wine, of course). It was the perfect light lunch to prepare for a day of exploration.

After seeing the sights, we took off for downtown Las Vegas for happy hour before hitting up Lotus of Siam, a revered Thai restaurant located in the most unassuming of strip malls. I can only describe the food with one word: amazing.

Perfectly seasoned and sauced pad see ew came to the table piping hot with lots of spice. Mi krop, a unique appetizer I haven’t found in any restaurants in Maine — although with which I’m familiar from a scene of “Sex and the City” — a mix of fried, crisp noodles dressed in a sticky-sweet sauce, was unexpected and utterly delicious. A shrimp curry, dressed lightly in a clear sauce, rounded out the meal with a tangy, complex flavor.

It was the perfect pre-Britney meal. I’m still thinking about it.

I could go on and on about the little meals we devoured along the way, including a spectacular brunch at Honey Salt — which included cinnamon monkey bread, a delicious fried chicken sandwich with sweet and tangy slaw served with a Caesar salad  — but the main event came Sunday night.

After a quick glass of wine at Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Grand, Jamie and I went across the hallway for dinner at the self-titled restaurant by Joël Robuchon, who, with more than 30 Michelin stars, is one of the most famous chefs in the world.

I could tell I was in for a serious treat when the waiter presented us with a display of black truffles, for show, before bringing an amuse-bouche of foie gras with a parmesan foam. Our menu allowed each of us to choose two appetizers and two entrees — splitting a bottle of wine between us.

I selected both warm and cold appetizers. The first, a tuna belly confit served over cool avocado surrounded by a tomato culée, was both rich and light. The second, a cold salmon carpaccio drowned in olive oil and lemon, was out of this world.

My two entrees were arguably the best I’ve ever eaten. The first, a grilled pork loin with a soy glaze, topped with mustard and surrounded by a parmesan foam, was — honestly — the best thing I’ve ever tasted. My steak, seared medium rare with cracked peppercorns, au jus and creamy potatoes was a close second.

We had just enough time to devour cute little canelés of ice cream and cookies, and down a couple of scrumptious pear vodka martinis before we were treated to a chance encounter with the all-star chef himself.

They may say what happens in Sin City stays there, although I could go on for inches about my experiences there, culinary or otherwise. It was truly a long weekend of excess and, while I’m glad to be home, I’m excited to get back in the kitchen bring my experiences with me.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.