Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. If you have a shred of interest in dining out, you should be familiar with this dynamic duo; the former a linchpin of the Food Network circuit with his signature ponytail and orange Crocs, the latter a well-known wine impresario. The pairing has influenced the culinary landscape worldwide and in particular right here on the Las Vegas Strip.
While the majority of the pair’s empire has been focused on Italian cuisine—as evidenced by their trio of long-standing Las Vegas restaurants in B&B Ristorante, Carnevino, and Otto Enoteca & Pizzeria—their latest offering is just a wee bit different: B&B Burger & Beer at The Venetian. While it is certainly less Italian and more American, it is no less intriguing and certainly worth a visit while you’re in town.
It’s not all burgers and beer on the menu. As a fresh take on the ubiquitous starter, chicken wings are served atop house-made blue cheese dressing and soaked with Batali’s hot sauce. More flavorful than hot, these tasty snacks are among the Strip’s best renditions. On the vegetarian front, the pickles offer fried house-pickled bread-and-butter chips alongside a sampling of pickled vegetables. Beer-battered with local favorite Big Dog’s Brewery’s Line Cook Ale and served with garlic aioli, these are the epitome of addictive. And while the unfried mozzarella may be grammatical blasphemy, you won’t care when you’re downing the fantastically creamy cheese with a helping of garlicky marinara; it’s as Italian as the menu gets.
Of course, the primary focus of the B&B Burger menu is burgers, so you mustn’t overlook the five specialty burgers offered besides the build-your-own Bar Burger option. With in-house, hand-formed patties consisting of a secret brisket and chuck blend using the same meat as Carnevino, you can assemble yours to your liking with toppings such as Robiola cheese, heritage bacon and Chianti mustard.
Caramel swirl milkshake
Don’t feel like making decisions? Check out the Drive-Thru Burger—an upscale riff on the West Coast classic In-N-Out Burger Double Double—or the Morning After with truffle aioli, fontina and a sunny-side up egg. Either pairs skillfully with B&B’s selection of drafts including Brooklyn Brewery Lager, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Delirium Tremens.
But B&B isn’t only about the meat. The chop salad is a staple and is worth foregoing the sandwich; house-cured salami, beans, cubed provolone and cucumbers are tossed with a subtle oregano vinaigrette for a melding of textures and flavors. While the salad may not be as heavy as the Batali-inspired, hair band-heavy soundtrack transitioning seamlessly from 38 Special to Van Halen to Mötley Crüe, it’s so good you won’t care.
And what’s a burger without a milkshake? The caramel swirl is an adult twist on
the childhood favorite with vanilla ice cream and ginger snaps combined with a house-made Averna caramel. The mild Italian amaro contributes both herbal sweetness and bitterness along with alcoholic goodness for an unforgettable end to your meal. Even when
it’s not Italian, Batali and Bastianich succeed with a memorable dining experience.
The Venetian, 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. 702.414.2220
