Even though Mal and I spent less than 24 hours at Mohegan Sun, I felt like we enjoyed a real vacation. We made the most of our time there and really lived it up, so our experience was the perfect little get-away.
After our Hotel Happy Hour, Mal and I headed downstairs to do some gambling at the Black Jack tables. Cameras are not allowed in the gaming area, so I didn’t snap any photos, but, honestly, you guys didn’t miss much. Mal and I played Black Jack for almost 2 hours. We had a blast testing our luck, but, in the end, the House always wins and we walked away losers. 
Thankfully, we had a dinner reservation at Bobby Flay’s new restaurant, Bar Americain, so it didn’t take long for my bummed-out mood to change.
I heard great things about Bar Americain, so I was really excited to dine there.
From the Bar Americain website:
Bar Americain celebrates America’s diverse culinary heritage, inspired by Bobby’s extensive travels throughout the country. His decidedly American menu is mirrored by the energetic fast pace of the time-honored European brasserie.
“I’m thrilled to introduce Bar Americain to Mohegan Sun,” said Bobby. “Here too I will celebrate the vast culinary traditions found in the US while also featuring dishes that showcase the wealth of ingredients and traditions of New England and, given our location, that of the Native American culture.”
Bar Americain is definitely a hip place. I especially loved the modern, sophisticated decor. It made our dining experience seem even more special.
The birthday boy looked very handsome at dinner.
To start, Mal and I each ordered a Dirty Martini with extra olives.
While waiting for our cocktails, a wonderful selection of dinner rolls with whipped butter was served to our table. I dug right in and helped myself to a piece of cornbread.
Then, we ordered a couple of appetizers to share: 1/2 dozen raw oysters and Hot Potato Chips served with Blue Cheese Sauce.
Mal loves raw oysters, so, of course, we ordered them for the birthday boy. 
So, I’m on the fence about raw oysters. I don’t love them, but I don’t hate them either. I’ll pretty much eat anything, so I added some hot sauce to mine and down the hatch they went. Hot sauce makes everything taste better!
The Hot Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Sauce came highly recommended, so Mal and I needed to see what the hype was all about. And, ohmigod, they were delicious. The blue cheese had a bold, sharp flavor, and the warm potato chips were thin, crispy, and a perfect compliment for a thick and creamy cheese sauce. I practically licked the bowl clean.
For my entree, I ordered the Asparagus Chopped Salad, which came with chunks of Vermont Cheddar and Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. I was actually a little disappointed by this salad because I thought it would be mostly chopped asparagus, but instead, it was predominately romaine lettuce with just three spears of asparagus on the side.
Taste-wise, this salad had a nice, strong olive flavor, which I really enjoyed. But, it was doused with vinaigrette, so it was a tad on the soggy side.
Mal ordered the Grilled Venison Strip Loin with Concord Grape Red Cabbage Bread Pudding. I’ve never had venison, so he shared a few bites with me, and all I can say is WOW! It was soooo tender and flavorful. The bread pudding was pretty amazing, too. It was soaked in Worcestershire sauce.
Dessert was outstanding: Pistachio Creme Brulee.
Mal is pretty much a Creme Brulee connoisseur, so he had really high expectations for this dessert. And, I’m happy to report that he absolutely loved the Pistachio Creme Brulee… and didn’t want to share. I had to fight for a few bites! The consistency was more like a mousse than a custard, and the pistachio flavor was really something special– bold and slightly sweet.
Delicious.
After dinner, Mal and I headed to Leffingwells Martini Bar to enjoy an after-dinner drink and watch the Celtics game. We also didn’t want the night to end!
Leffingwells is located on top of the casino’s Wombi Rock, a glowing three-story white onyx mountain. The bar has fancy, plush seating, intimate lighting, and the world’s largest indoor planetarium dome. It looks like the open sky is right above your head.
I ordered the most amazing Almond Joy martini. It was basically a second dessert made with Ciroc Coconut Vodoka and Absolute Vanilla Vodka shaken with Amaretto, Créme de Cocao, Baileys, and a dash of cream. Holy, holy yum!!!
It was heaven in a glass.
We spent a couple of hours at the Star Bar before heading back to our hotel room. Look what was waiting for us! Birthday cake! What a fun surprise! 
Mal and I were pretty full from dinner at Bar Americain, so we didn’t have any. We put the cake in the fridge to take home with us.
All in all, an AWESOME trip! Thank you, Mohegan Sun, for allowing us to enjoy a wonderful get-away at your wonderful casino. I can’t wait to visit again!
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I’m the first to comment because I’m up at a ridiculous hour on the west coast (3:30 a.m.!!!!) The pistachio creme brulee has piqued my interest! I looooove creme brulee but I’ve always been a fan of the traditional vanilla bean with a twist of lemon. The pistachio, however, sounds like an interesting flavor. I think I may have to find a recipe to try since I bought a kitchen flame and all… : P
The hot potato chips with blue cheese look divine. I love oysters, but I do prefer them to be baked or grilled.
How fun!
My husband also looooves raw oysters, but I’m with you… I could take ‘em or leave ‘em. The rest of your meal, however, looks delicious!
I adore natural oysters! In fact, I ordered them at my own fancy dinner out on Saturday, as well as blue cheese ravioli, and my dessert included pistachio ice cream. I think we both must have been channeling the same universal food cravings!
Glad you had a wonderful 24 hours!
Sounds like such an awesome night! I can only hope that you are not really up at 5 am putting up the recap haha.
Seriously though, I’m glad you wrote about this. I’ve been to Mohegan a few times for random different reasons and I really liked it but I’m not a gambler at all so I probably won’t think of just driving down for the night, but it seems like you didn’t really do THAT much gambling either and still had a great night so, thanks for sharing that with us!
Almond joy martinis are heaven in a glass. I never appreciated the martini until I discovered what a “dessert martini” is…
Looks like such a fun trip! I’m glad Mal had a good birthday!
ohhhhhhhhhh everything looks absolutely wonderful! It looks like they showed you guys a good time, the restaurant looks so shiny and bright
Awww, what a nice retreat for your guys! That sounds like a martini I can get on board with! I am glad you enjoyed the birthday weekend! Have a great Monday!
Oh my gosh it must have been so cool eating at Bobby Flay’s restaurant! I’ve always wanted to dine at any of the FN’s chefs, but to go to an Iron Chef’s restaurant, you’re gauranteed good food. Everything at Mohegan Sun is so beautiful!
That whole place looks SO COOL!! I’d love to go there! Love the cake too
but raw oysters?? Noo….they don’t sound good! Didn’t that make you sick!? (well, obviously not…).
I hope the beginning of the week doesn’t pale toooo much in comparison to your weekend
What a nice way to treat your guy on his birthday! I can’t take raw oysters, but love them steamed. I think it’s the slimy texture that gets to me. Anyway, you both looked like you had a fabulous time!
How fun! I am so glad you and Mal got some time away!
It looks like such an amazing trip all around!
im glad you had so much fun celebrating Mal’s birthday! We always wanted to try out Bobby Flay’s restaurant! Perhaps on our next vacation spot, we will!
Such a wonderful dinner! I’m glad you guys had fun. The whole restaurant looks really cool! And was that birthday cake complimentary? So awesome! XD
Happy birthday again to Mal!
Wei-Wei
It looks like you and Mal had a great time. The restaurant looks really nice and the food looks gorgeous too. I can’t believe you got a complimentary cake as well!
That sounds like a great trip. I have always wanted to try one of Bobby Flays restaurants. Its too bad you salad wasn’t as amazing as the rest of the dinner.
Wow– this looks like the perfect vacation!! So glad that y’all had a good time!
I had the same chopped asparagus salad that you had, but on Friday
I was also a little disappointed about the relative lack of asparagus! That being said, Bar Americain was such a cool place! Absolutely loved the vibe.
I’m glad you and Mal had such a great time! I firmly agree that Mohegan is the right way to celebrate a birthday! Thanks for your awesome recap of the weekend.
Looks like it was a lot of fun! I want to go to one of Bobby Flay’s restaurants so badly!
If I stayed at Mohegan, how would I get a free birthday cake? Do they know or do I have to tell them/pay for it? Cause that looks BIG and nice! (TWSS). BTW Bar Americain blew me away when I went to NYC!! I heart Bobby Flay!
I went to Bar Americain just a few months ago, and I had those amazing chips with blue cheese dip! Ahhhhh….brings back memories. I’m glad you enjoyed your meal there….I had the lamb for my entree, and it was incredibly amazing. I’m not a big meat person, but when Bobby Flay is the man behind your meat prep, you can’t really go wrong with choosing it. And I’ve been to that Martini Bar! Lol. It’s fun seeing your pics from these places I’ve frequented before.
Tina, that looks like such an AWESOME trip. It definitely seems like you were there for more than just one day. If I remember correctly, didn’t you and Mal get your picture taken in front of that Wombi Rock before?
When it comes to oysters, I’m not on the fence…I’m far over the fence…I already know I can’t handle ‘em! I think it’s a texture thing. Give me those chips with blue cheese sauce any day over oysters!
Glad you had so much fun! I hope your 30th bday is just as fun as Mal’s was this past weekend!
I love a dirty martini! Is there any better way to celebrate?;)
Happy birthday Mal!
What a meal!!! The almond joy martini…oh WOW!
Such a blast for you two! I really want to plan a Mohegan Weekend now!
Bummer about your salad though. I feel like you always order such random entrees and are dissapointed a lot of times. I’m picturing that crazy cactus dish at sol azteca. good for you for BRANCHING OUT. I am sorry it doesnt always end up worth your while!
Wow that is quite the swanky place! I’m glad you had fun!
OMG. Those chips look so good, and after all that good food you got a cake? Yum!
i would have died if i had those chips with the warm bleu cheese dip…HOLY HEAVEN!
What a fun night away for you guys!! Happy birthday to Mal
That looks like such a fabulous time! My husband’s birthday is next week, maybe we should go there. So much fun!!
Jenn
i’m very much on the fence about raw oysters too….the last time i had it i got very sick, but that is probably more from the open bar…
wow that place looks awesome. i love the lighting, so cool!
Oh wow! What a great trip. I need to spend more time in casinos I think
I’m feeling the vegas itch!
That almond joy martini sounds heavanly. What a great rest. my Flay has… Wish I could go there! Happy Bday Mal!!
Ooh la la. I am actually kind of drooling looking at the chips & blue cheese. What is the sauce that the oysters were served with?
That food looks amazing. I would eat the asparagus dish in 5 seconds.
Sounds like an absolute blast! Happy birthday, Mal!
Such a great weekend for you guys! I just went to Mohegan for the first time a few months ago and loved it! The almond joy martini sounds amazing. I’ll have to give it a try next time.
your recap sounds GREAT!! it makes me want to take a trip out there! you looked great, and it sounds like you guys had a ton of fun. i am a SUCKER for creme brulee, so i am only imagining how amazing that one was!
Yum! Everything looks delicious especially the dessert I love anything pistachio!
I’m on the fence about raw oysters too. I might like them if I could swallow them
. Slippery suckers! Looks like a great b-day celebration. Glad y’all had a good time even if it was short.
Those are some fancy looking places and food, how incredibly fun. Thanks for sharing
I just found your site from health.com and i love it!!!! it’s lovely! i can’t wait to catch up on more posts, so i can read it daily!
what a wonderful time!! the food looks amazing!!!
Looks like you guys had an amazing time! Great way to celebrate a birthday & great pictures!
what an amazing trip! glad you guys had fun. happy bday mal!!
I also hate when you order a salad that is a bit “skimpy” on the part that is the main draw for it. :/
What a fancy birthday for him! Looks like it was a good time.
Wowza, looks like you lived it up! What a great time.
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