Sometimes it’s easy to forget how long celebrity chefs have made Las Vegas their home. The relatively recent arrival of Gordon Ramsay, David Chang and others has only strengthened our dining scene, but those at the vanguard came long before. Celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse, whose Delmonico Steakhouse has been a popular favorite for more than 20 years now. Make it a destination during this trip, and you’ll realize it’s lost none of its freshness or originality.
Weller's Bourbon
From décor to service and food, Delmonico still offers one of the classiest dining experiences you’re likely to enjoy on the Las Vegas Strip. Dark woods and white tablecloths provide a striking complement as you dive your way into the amazing cocktail menu (Delmonico prides itself, and rightly so, on its spirit selection, particularly the bourbon collection.) Highlights include the Citrus Paradisi, a refreshing blend of ruby red grapefruit-infused vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon and sparkling wine, and the Black Magic, a potent combo of Sazerac rye whiskey, dry orange Curacao, amer aperitif and bitters.
Appetizers are all delightful, but we particularly recommend the apple-cured Kurobuta bone-in bacon, drizzled with Abita root beer glaze and served with a pickled watermelon rind. Another must-try is the beef carpaccio, so flavorful and covered with Parmesan-reggiano, wild arugula, crispy capers and a roasted garlic emulsion. Vegetarians will love the vine-ripened heirloom tomato salad, piled high with burrata red onion and basil and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic.
Main courses are definitely meat-forward here, most coming from Creekstone Farms. Highlights include the 20-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye, 16-ounce Prime boneless New York Strip and the chateaubriand, a 20-ounce monster that’s sure to turn heads while it’s carved at your table, complete with asparagus and garlic fingerling potatoes.
Vine-ripened heirloom tomato salad
But you can also satisfy your seafood craving with Chilean sea bass, served with salt-boiled fingerling potatoes, marinated olives and a petite green fennel salad, or a roasted Maine lobster tail with grilled lemon. If your taste leans more toward fowl, the herb-marinated chicken breast is sure to satisfy, accompanied by a savory mushroom bread pudding, braised Southern greens and roasted jus.
Of the sides available, make sure you try the Delmonico creamed spinach, so decadent you’ll want it all for yourself. Other notable sides include the potato croquettes, served with bacon, Vermont cheddar, sour cream and chives, and the fresh creste de gallo pasta, smothered with fontina fondue and toasted bread crumbs.
By now, most of you know about the amazing Emeril’s banana cream pie, a caloric Mount Everest with caramel sauce, chocolate shavings and whipped cream, and we wouldn’t blame you for making this your dessert choice. But pecan pie is a very close second, served in an oatmeal shortbread crust and drizzled with caramel sauce to put it completely over the edge.
If you’re with a special someone, try the bananas Foster for two, served tableside and a great moment to get out the phone for some video.
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