Pearl   

Before opening Pearl, MGM representatives embarked upon a research trip to Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai in search of new culinary trends. The results of their findings can be found on Pearl's unique menu, which offers Cantonese and Shanghai specialties prepared in the traditional cooking style, but served with a Western flair in a modern, contemporary setting.Signature dishes include Asian bouillabaisse, shark's fin and lobster spring rolls, roasted Peking duck, poached soya-infused young chicken with rice crackers, braised pork spare ribs and Australian and Maine lobster. Special attention is paid to tea service, served tableside from a tea trolley where servers prepare each cup separately. This is done to keep the tea from turning bitter after settling in the pot. Several varieties are offered, among them the colorfully named superior dong ding oolong, jasmine pearls and monkey-picked tie guan yin -- feel free to ask them if it's picked by actual monkeys.Two private dining rooms are ideal for accommodating large groups. The 20-seat Momo room features a 300-pound lazy Susan in the center of the table, perfect for the ultimate meal-sharing experience. -- David Hofstede