The rock ’n’ roll lifestyle. It's what the Hard Rock Hotel is all about, and its interior serves as a showcase for that way of life, with celebrity memorabilia prominently displayed throughout the casino floor. While there’s a time and a place to party your heart out, sometimes circumstances dictate a more sophisticated, laid-back evening. So when the need arises, pay a visit to 35 Steaks & Martinis for a reprieve from all the hard partying.

The festivities begin with a presentation of a tray featuring the evening’s available cuts. Peruse all you want—you don’t necessarily have to choose exactly which cut you’ll be devouring, but it’s an appetizing harbinger of what’s to come.

Before the main event, sneak in a little healthy roughage with 35’s beet salad with colorful varieties of the root vegetable. Pepperiness from wild arugula is contrasted against a sweet honey reduction, citrusy ruby red grapefruit and tart Banyuls vinaigrette, plus creamy herbed goat cheese croquettes. The 35 tartare is an intriguing take on the classic dish.

Elsewhere on the menu lies an uncommon treat. It is rumored that forbidden rice earned its moniker because only ancient Chinese emperors were allowed to dine upon the delicacy, so consider yourself royalty when partaking of the seared diver scallops. Delivered atop a mound of the purple-black grain with glazed haricot verts and roasted tomatoes, the mild shellfish presents a foil to the nutty umami-rich rice. You’ll be glad you discovered this rarity.

But because you’re in a steakhouse, you must avail yourself of some red meat. If you’re not feeding an army, bypass the 35-ounce tomahawk and instead venture to either the New York strip, bone-in filet mignon or bone-in Kansas City strip which, like the tomahawk, is dry-aged for 35 days. Aging that much only intensifies the steak flavor while breaking down the sinew to reduce the chewiness. The strip, like other steaks on the menu, delivers on its promise as a carnivore’s delight. Try the mac n’ extra cheese to add to the richness of the plate.

But if you’re considering a different red meat, the lamb duo excels. One half of the pair is a traditional roasted chop, while the more irreverent second act is braised crispy leg converted into forcemeat and served wrapped in phyllo dough. While minted couscous and feta cream provide Mediterranean accompaniments typically associated with lamb, this exemplary presentation is nothing but unique.

Because man cannot subsist on food alone, delve into the diverse selection of 35 martinis offered at 35 Steaks & Martinis. Particularly memorable is the Spicy Serrano—Belvedere mixed with serrano chiles and fresh basil. Fresh basil provides a clean hit of flavor in this drink, which both heats and cools with each sip. Other options are equally refreshing.

Playing to the rock ’n’ roll vibe of the Hard Rock itself, you’ll find yourself humming along with a soundtrack of ’80s tunes, which ranges from Gerry Rafferty and Kenny Loggins to Pete Townshend. While not necessarily the heavy driving beats of some of the other acts that frequent the hotel, it makes for a perfect backdrop to your meal. Music and meat—what more could you ask for?

Hard Rock Hotel, 5-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 5-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., lounge 5-10:30 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Fri.-Sat. 702.693.5585