Think about some of the best meals you’ve ever had. What was it that made them so amazing? The elegant atmosphere? A cocktail that made you close your eyes and smile? Service that made you feel like the most important person in the world? Dishes you enjoyed until the very last bite? Combine all those and you’ve got STK, easily one of the premier steakhouses on the Las Vegas Strip.
This concept is just aces in all departments. From the moment you enter you feel relaxed, a result of both the soft lighting and décor, which features curving, sloping architectural highlights. Add in a remix of some of your favorite pop hits from the last few decades and an energetic, accommodating waitstaff and you’ve got a recipe for your new favorite haunt.
I’m a huge, huge fan of Old-Fashioneds, so you can imagine my delight to discover that STK offers six different signature versions, each made with different spirits—Valencia Pig, made with Whistlepig rye, Honey Bee Spicy with Basil Hayden bourbon, and Smoking Agave, made with Casamigos mezcal, for example. Good luck picking a favorite! If your tastes veer more to something light, definitely try the Cucumber Stiletto, made with Grey Goose Le Citron, St-Germain, muddled cucumber and mint. And for a real cool taste, the Strawberry Cobbler comes with a graham cracker crusted rim to complement the Belvedere vodka/strawberry concoction within.
Another thing I love about STK: Its menu fits on one page, making selecting so much easier. But lest you think this menu is in any way limiting, think again: This may be a steakhouse, but there’s plenty here for vegetarians, including an intoxicating mushroom and truffle tagliatelle, which doesn’t skimp on the pecorino, braised mushrooms, baby spinach and shaved black truffle.
The Strawberry Cobbler cocktail at STK at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas
After sampling appetizers ranging from tuna tartare (here accompanied by taro chips rather than the usual potato chip, which makes a huge, delicious difference) to Lil’ Brgs (wagyu sliders with “special sauce”), you’re ready to check out the steak selection. Whether you opt for ribeye, dry-aged Delmonico, filet mignon or New York strip, you’ve gotta accompany them with any number of signature butters (I recommend truffle) and sauces. Red wine is sublime, but STK and STK bold sauce are also highly recommended. In addition, mac and cheese makes for a terrific side—there’s traditional, bacon and lobster (or, if you just can’t decide, a mac and cheese trio featuring all three).
Pescatarians will enjoy miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, served with sauteed bok choy, ginger, crispy shallots and Thai basil, which pairs wonderfully with sweet corn pudding, Parmesan truffle fries or Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.
Dessert here definitely deserves your attention. The maple-glazed STK donuts are irresistible (my dining companion finished them off before I could blink!), while the flourless chocolate cake, drizzled with chocolate ganache sauce, melts in your mouth. Is all this a bit expensive? Yes, but you won’t be complaining one bit. In fact, you may be planning your return trip as you say your goodbyes to the waitstaff.
The Cosmopolitan, 877.893.2001
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