There are fancy French meals in Las Vegas, and then there are meals at Joël Robuchon. Nearly every culinary accolade in the world has been bestowed on Robuchon: He has 28 Michelin stars under his toque—more than any other chef in the world. He’s won the Meilleur Ouvrier de France for culinary arts, the highest honor given to French craftsmen. European guidebook Gault-Millau even created a title just for him, naming him Chef of the Century. All this is to say that your meal here will be worth the sticker shock.

The jewel box of a dining room features plenty of regal purple, fresh flowers, and a stunning crystal chandelier. It’s so formal that it can feel like eating at church, but once you get started on the exquisite, 18-course tasting menu, the over-the-top decor begins to feel appropriate. Each dish is a study in pristine ingredients and impeccable technique, combining flavors and textures in ways that only a chef of this caliber can imagine. Where else would you even consider eating a crab gelee or foie gras carpaccio? Having had the good fortune of witnessing the kitchen during service, I can tell you that the chefs back there are working silently, paying attention to the most painstaking details. This is how a chef earns three Michelin stars over and over again.