At the beginning of March, Brooklyn Bowl, the famed New York concert venue, opened the doors to its Las Vegas outpost in the newly christened Linq between the Flamingo and The Quad. As the name would suggest, besides housing concerts, you can roll for 300 on any of the venue’s multitude of lanes—even while catching a show.
At nearly 80,000 square feet, the venue sprawls across three levels, with dining on the second floor. Aim for the main dining area to get the best views of the stage and partake of one of the Strip’s most exciting and approachable menus, from brothers Bruce and Eric Bromberg of Blue Ribbon fame.
Having gained cult status with their Blue Ribbon restaurants in New York, the Brombergs have compiled a boardwalk-inspired menu to transport diners to Coney Island. Harkening to the venue’s New York roots, Brooklyn Bowl serves what may be the valley’s best potato and onion knish. And the subtle smoked fish spread is another item that is as comfortable here on the Strip as it would be in the Big Apple. What would be a little less likely on a New York deli menu would be the rock and roll fries; however, that doesn’t make them any less appealing. The rendition of Canadian poutine blends aged cheddar (endowing it with a surprisingly nutty undertone) with the gravy and provolone for gooey goodness.
The Brombergs are probably most famous for Blue Ribbon’s wasabi fried chicken, and while you won’t find that particular dish on the menu, Brooklyn Bowl’s fried chicken dinner may very well make you forget its more acclaimed brethren. The fowl manages both crispiness and juiciness with each expertly seasoned bite; for an even more divine experience, ask for some honey to add sweetness into the mix.
But don’t fill up on the soon-to-be-famous chicken, as more culinary treats await. The egg shooters are a good example of why deviled eggs are experiencing somewhat of a renaissance; the dish delivers well-balanced salt and heat with each bite. Ask for the off-menu fried oyster-topped egg shooters instead—you won’t be disappointed with the upgrade.
And in a nostalgic nod to your childhood, Brooklyn Bowl serves French bread pizzas. But I bet your Mom never baked up anything as good as the San Gennaro, where sausage, mozzarella and peppers mix in the invocation of a classic pizza combination. The crisp French bread serves as an optimal vehicle for the flight of flavors.
If you’re dining during a show you won’t be shuttled away. Rather, the venue welcomes people to grab a table for dinner with a show as a backdrop. Come for dinner and stay for a show? Why not? With Brooklyn Bowl’s fare and outstanding concert lineup, that’s an easy proposition.
The Linq, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Fri.-Sat. 702.862.2695
