Photo by: Kelly Puielo
Few things are more enjoyable than a nice evening out with friends or family at a great restaurant where the ambience and food pair perfectly with engaging conversation. No one understands this more than Michael Mina, a chef whose reputation worldwide is well-deserved, thanks to his emphasis on great food and a real sense of fun and adventure at every restaurant he opens. But add in a partnership with restaurateur and television personality Ayesha Curry, and you’ve got something truly special: International Smoke, a celebration of fire—the start of all cooking. From that launching point, Mina and Curry introduce one of the more engaging and exciting menus on the Las Vegas Strip in quite some time.
So much of Mina and Curry’s menu feels as it ought to be shared, and that’s intentional; both chefs see food as a unifying force, something to bring people together. It starts with appetizers, and no matter what you choose, your tastebuds will thank you. Start with Ayesha’s fresh baked cornbread, which you can top with Thai red curry butter. Mama Mina’s falafel is served with some of the best hummus we’ve ever tasted, but Mina adds in cucumber, endive crudite and tomato jam to put the whole thing on another level. And the Tokyo fried chicken is amazingly tender and juicy from a ginger-soy marinade, served with sriracha mayo and furikake, a Japanese seasoning.
Photo by: Kelly Puielo
If there was any doubt this restaurant’s theme is smoke, the debate is settled once you order a cocktail, specifically the cold smoked Old-Fashioned, arriving in a smoked-filled, sealed glass box. The presentation alone is reason to order this flavorful classic, made with bourbon, cardamom syrup and Corazon bitters. Another quirky and fantastic presentation is the Lilikoi Mai Tai, prepared with SelvaRey rum, Goslings, lilikoi, pineapple and lime and served in a Spam can.
Smoke is on full display in the main courses, particularly the smoked St. Louis cut pork ribs, created with three distinct spice blends and served with your choice of international sauce: American barbecue, Vietnamese chili-lemongrass, or Korean sesame-gochujang. And, of course, the smoky flavors dominate the steak menu, where your choices include an 8-ounce center-cut filet mignon, a 14-ounce New York strip, or a 16-ounce Delmonico ribeye. We recommend the crab fried rice and the roasted broccolini as your sides.
MGM Grand, 702.891.3922
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