Old Homestead Steakhouse: Atlantic City Review [2]

This is for a series of posts for the Borgata Hotel & The Water Club including: Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Wolfgang Puck American Grille [2], The Cafeteria, Tony Luke's, N.O.W., N.O.W. [2], Metropolitan, Sun Room, Sun Room [2], Old Homestead Steakhouse, Old Homestead Steakhouse [2], Fat Burger, 28 West, Gelato, the Borgata Buffet, Izakaya, Bread and Butter, and Fornelletto. 

There are several options for steak if you're staying at the Borgata Hotel or the Water Club. But one of our favorites is definitely Old Homestead Steakhouse. In addition to a mammoth 34 ounce rib-eye chop, they've got some of the best steakhouse bacon ever. So on a recent trip back to the Water Club, I couldn't help but stop by again for some beef and bacon.

Juniper Breeze [$12]
Hendricks gin, limoncello, prosecco, zardetto

I was in a ginnish mood and enjoyed this boozy tipple. The limoncello was balanced by the effervescence of the prosecco, with the gin providing juniper undertones. Easy to drink in my book. 

Cucumber Cooler [$12] 
Grey Goose La Poire, St. Germain liquor, fresh mint, fresh cucumber, elderflower syrup
   

The GF's drink was light, subtly sweet, and nicely fizzy. Almost drank like a mojito. 

Bread Service
 

A runner stopped by to drop off some cranberry walnut bread, along with a pat of butter. 

Colossal Crabmeat Cocktail [$23]
 

The colossal crabmeat cocktail was literally just an entire plate of jumbo lump crab. And I was completely fine with enjoying the sweet simplicity of the crustacean, without any of the work. 

The crab was also accompanied by a tray of condiments including horseradish, a peppery aoili, and plenty of cocktail sauce. Simple, yet delicious. 

Heavy Cut Bacon [$12]
Vermont maple syrup
  

The previously mentioned bacon is a must order in my book. Unctuous, yet well crisped and glistening with juicy fat and sweet maple syrup, this plate is pure porcine paradise. Topped with shaved parm reggiano, it's savory to the nth degree. In fact, I'd almost recommend skipping the steak to indulge in 2-3 orders of this. 

Porterhouse for 2 [$99]

This being a casino-based restaurant, you'd expect most of the steaks to be wet-aged at best. If you're looking for a proper dry-aged steak though, I'd recommend ordering Old Homestead's porterhouse for 2. Certified USDA Prime and dry-aged for at least 14 days, this had that nice beefy funk you're looking for. The GF prefers medium-well so this was requested closer to medium than mid-rare. While they did a good job toeing the line, it definitely could have used more seasoning, especially considering the thick-cut nature of the steak. The jus underneath did help matters. Overall though, the 34 oz rib-eye chop wins out for me. 

Onion Rings [$13]
 

We also ordered the onion rings, which are always a good bet here. Crispy and hefty, these were the perfect textural contrast to the beef. 

So if you're looking for a good meal while staying or playing at the Borgata, I'd highly recommend Old Homestead. And don't forget to get that incredibly sweet and savory bacon! 

Wolfgang Puck American Grille Review [2]

This is for a series of posts for the Borgata Hotel & The Water Club including: Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Wolfgang Puck American Grille [2], The Cafeteria, Tony Luke's, N.O.W., N.O.W. [2], Metropolitan, Sun Room, Sun Room [2], Old Homestead Steakhouse, Old Homestead Steakhouse [2], Fat Burger, 28 West, Gelato, the Borgata Buffet, Izakaya, Bread and Butter, and Fornelletto. 

When I started playing at the Borgata regularly, one of the first restaurants I had wanted to try was Wolfgang Puck American Grille. Unfortunately for the GF and I, we had a horrible experience. I mean, I realize that any casino-based celebrity-chef sponsored restaurant won't typically be up to the standards one might expect from the chef's own restaurants. Regardless, missed orders, cold food, poor execution, and aloof service does not a good meal make.

It took a few years for us to even consider returning to give it another go. And this time around, we opted to be seated at the more formal dining area, rather than at the more informal tavern. Perhaps that makes all the difference because our experience on this particular night was a complete 180.

The Macallan 12 Year [$15]

 

I started off with scotch, neat. A simple, yet effective way to start my meal.

Cabernet Sauvignon [$9]

Wolfgang Puck, California 2013 

The GF decided to go with a nice cab, produced for the original celebrity chef himself. It had nice notes of fruit, with cherries and chocolate on the finish.

Bread Service

Bread service was a nice array of walnut raisin, caramelized onion focaccia, sourdough, and olive oil crisps, along with a pat of room temperature butter. Very nice.

Maine Lobster, Shrimp, & Crab Cocktail [$34]

Horseradish flan, avocado, tomato

  

The lobster, shrimp, and crab cocktail was beautiful, generously portioned, fresh, and sweet. To serve as a counterpoint to the sweet crustaceans and the creamy avocado, a horseradish flan showcased some technique, along with a bit of kick to each bite. 

Spicy Tuna Tartare [$22]

Avocado, cucumbers, crisp wontons  

The tuna tartare wasn't exactly spicy on its own, but was a wonderful melange of lightly marinated tuna and avocado, Ginger and wasabi was provided on the side to spice things up, though I would have preferred them to be integrated into the dish. 

This was all accompanied by fried wontons and a pat of wasabi mayo.

Five Cheese Agnolotti [$22]

Summer truffles, sage, Parmesan reggiano  

The pasta was an unexpected sensation. The fresh agnolotti were rich and bursting with cheesy goodness. The shaved summer truffles were wonderfully fragrant, especially when mixed with the warm pasta. A perfect portion for two, because any more would have been sinful.

32 oz. Prime Cote de Boeuf [$110]

Armagnac, bernaise, chimichurri, two sides

The USDA prime ribeye here is grilled and presented whole with a rosemary sprig, before being cut. It's offered with  a trio of sauces, as well as the choice of 2 sides. In deference to the GF, it was cooked to a nice medium, but overall, there was a general lack of seasoning, which was unfortunate. 

I'm generally not a steak sauce kind of guy, but the trio of sauces fit the bill here, with the armagnac and chimichurri being my favorites.

Parmesan Polenta

I'm glad we went with the polenta, which was creamy and rich.

Jersey Corn 

Tarragon

  

Seasonal at the time, the "al dente" Jersey corn was obviously local, and more importantly, nicely sweet. 

Baked Alaska [$12]

Vanilla cake, raspberry ice cream

  

I don't know why, but I have a fondness for this classic dessert. Perhaps it's all in the meringue for me, which was beautifully displayed here. Wonderful textures and plenty of sweet, I appreciated the vanilla cake, along with the tart raspberry ice cream.

While the steak could have been seasoned better, overall, the meal was well-executed and delicious this time around. The service was also a lot better in the formal dining area compared to the tavern. So if there's ever a question of where you should sit, I'd opt for the former. 

The Sunroom Review [2]

This is for a series of posts for the Borgata Hotel & The Water Club including: Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Wolfgang Puck American Grille [2], The Cafeteria, Tony Luke's, N.O.W., N.O.W. [2], Metropolitan, Sun Room, Sun Room [2], Old Homestead Steakhouse, Old Homestead Steakhouse [2], Fat Burger, 28 West, Gelato, the Borgata Buffet, Izakaya, Bread and Butter, and Fornelletto. 

Regular readers know that when the GF and I are looking for a quick getaway, a good bet is that we're at the Water Club. It's easily the best hotel in AC, with a bumping outdoor pool area and great dining options as well. In fact, even if you're looking for a quick bite, Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian has got you covered with his elegant creations at the Sun Room.

There isn't an abundance of seating here as it's more of a lounge area to grab a drink and small bites. It's beautifully decorated though with streaming lights among the trees and a fireplace out back.

The perfect spot to start your night out. 

Sunburn [$12]

Absolut mango, Grand marnier, canton de ginger

The sunburn was light and citrusy, with a subtly boozy undertone from the vodka. Easily quaffable.

Tuna Tartare [$19]

Avocado, grapefruit, edamame, shallot sofrito

The tuna tartare came a bit soupy for my liking, but the sweet acidity of the grapefruit was a wonderful pairing for the nicely chopped tuna. The shallot sofrito added savoriness, with texture coming from the edamame. The Tollhouse crackers threw me for a loop though, downgrading an otherwise elegant dish.

Rock Shrimp Tempura [$18]

Shishito peppers, chili sauce, sea salt 

Nothing wrong with the rock shrimp tempura though. Lightly crisped, the shrimp had a wonderfully snappy texture. The shishito peppers had great depth that paired wonderfully with each bite. A must order.

Maine Lobster BLT [$19]

While there was a bit too much mayo in the lobster salad, the crisp bacon paired well with the sweetness of the crustacean. This was all housed within a nicely buttered mini brioche bun.

Lobster Mac & Cheese [$21]

Maine lobster, elbow pasta, farmhouse cheddar

 

If there's lobster mac on the menu, you know I'll order it. While I could have done with a bit more salt in the dish, I enjoyed the creamy, sharp cheddar base and tender lobster chunks amidst the al dente noodles.

While there were some minor issues with execution (likely due to the fact that Chef Zakarian isn't usually at this casino-based lounge), it's clear that the Iron Chef has left an impressive imprint on the dishes he's created. It's a far cry from most of the food you'll find on the strip, that's for sure! 

Mesa Grill Las Vegas Review

This is for a 2015 Las Vegas trip including Bacchanal Buffet, Bouchon Bakery, Heart Attack Grill, Serendipity 3, Rao's Las Vegas, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, & Mesa Grill.

The GF and I were looking to indulge in a proper lunch before leaving for our flight back to Philly. So after checking out at Caesars Palace, we stopped by Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. While the original NYC restaurant is now closed (he's got Bar Americain and the recently opened Gato now), in Vegas, the Iron Chef is still able to showcase the Southwestern flavors and flair he's known for.

Located a stone's throw away from the opulent Omnia nightclub, Mesa Grill is sleekly designed with Southwest elements and colors. 

Bread Service
  

Bread service started us off with a nice variety of freshly baked sourdough, cranberry walnut, and a great blue and sweet corn muffin with a bit of jalapeno. Nice.

Goat Cheese Queso Fundido [$16]
Rajas, blistered serrano vinaigrette, blue corn tortilla strips

We had the goat cheese queso fundido, which was gorgeously creamy. It had some nice heat from the blistered serrano vinaigrette, which was accented by the roasted red and green chiles. The cilantro added a nicely fresh herbaceouness to each bite. The crispy blue corn tortilla strips were a great vessel to scoop up all the deliciousness.

Tiger Shrimp & Roasted Garlic Corn Tamale [$18]
Corn, cilantro sauce

Easily one of the best tamale's I've had, the creamy richness of the roasted garlic and sweet corn sauce on point. The tiger shrimp was supple, yet had good snap and the corn masa within was luxurious and not at all dry. The cilantro sprig helped to brighten up each bite.

Spicy Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash [$18]
Poached eggs, green chile hollandaise
 

The GF went with the spicy chicken and sweet potato hash for her main. There was a great lusciousness to each bite, with some texture from the sweet potato and the moist chicken.

The green chile hollandaise had a bit of heat to it, though very slight. The poached egg brought each bite over the top. 

Cornmeal Crusted Chile Relleno [$18]
Roasted eggplant, manchego cheese, sweet red pepper sauce, balsamic vinegar

My cornmeal crusted chile relleno offered great texture from the cornmeal crust, which cracked open to reveal a creamy manchego malenge with well-roasted eggplant. The green and red sauces emblematic of Bobby Flay were on display here and not just for show.

Along with the sweet notes from the balsamic, these sauces helped to providing some acidic balance to each bite. 

Overall, Mesa Grill was spot on in terms of execution and taste. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend stopping by, especially if you're looking for a glimpse into the flavors that are the foundation of Iron Chef Bobby Flay.

Rao's Las Vegas Review

This is for a 2015 Las Vegas trip including Bacchanal Buffet, Bouchon Bakery, Heart Attack Grill, Serendipity 3, Rao's Las Vegas, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, & Mesa Grill.

Living in Philly, I've never felt robbed of a proper Italian meal, thanks to the bevy of South Philly offerings and all that is Marc Vetri's pastas. But when I'm told I'm unable to gain admittance to one of NYC's stalwart Italian restaurants, I can't help but feel the need to sneak my way in. The original NYC Rao's has a 100+ year history in East Harlem and is a celebrity-laden experience that reserves tables for "members." So unless you're a "friend of a friend" as they say, you ain't getting in.

So what recourse does a regular Joe or Jane have? Take a flight to Vegas and stop by the Rao's at Caesar's Palace! The menu is virtually the same along with an attempt to provide the same "in the know" experience. It's also replete with snarky, but experienced servers - a classic old school Italian touch.

Bread Service
 

You start off with Italian bread, which wasn't served warm, but was plenty fresh. A nice spread of red pepper ricotta and olive oil spread came in place of just your typical EVOO.

Mozzarella Carrozza [$16 / $15 Total Rewards]

The fried mozzarella was smaller than they may appear, especially if you consider that each triangle was $8. Enough for four decent bites in sum. Still, they were perfectly and crisply fried, housing undeniably fresh mozzarella within. A pat of simply sweet and slightly tangy marinara accompanied the mozzarella.

Taglioline with Peas & Ham [$30 / $29 Total Rewards] 
Fresh made pasta, prosciutto cotto, sweet peas, light Parmesan cream sauce 

The GF went with the taglioline pasta, which was nicely al dente and fresh. The light Parmesan cream sauce was sweeter than expected, with what seemed to be the essence of corn. The cooked prosciutto provided light heft to each bite, though I think pancetta may have been better served to counter the sweetness of the peas. Still, it helped to make each bite not overly heavy for a cream-based pasta dish. 

Uncle Vincent's Lemon Chicken [$30 / $29 Total Rewards] 
Charcoal broiled, bone-in chicken, Uncle Vincent's famous lemon sauce 
  

I went with the famed lemon chicken, which featured wonderfully crisp skin and a juicy, moist bird. Keep in mind, there are plenty of bones to pick through with this dish, but hey - that's where the flavor is right? The lemon cannot be denied - sharp and bright.

Traditional Rao's Meatballs [$18 / $17 Total Rewards] 
Ground veal, pork, beef, Italian bread crumbs, marinara 
 

You'd be best served by trying their meatballs. In contrast with the fried mozzarella, these were huge. So big in fact that our party of five went with two orders, but one would have sufficed (that's with the belly of this pig in tow). Extremely moist and well-seasoned, there was also a great char developed on the exterior. Wonderful. 

We were actually in Vegas to celebrate the GF's brother's 21st, so our server, Russ, brought out complimentary tiramisu (light, with great coffee essence), along with his kazoo. A nice touch.

I'm pretty sure the fuss for the Rao's in NYC is more about the exclusivity factor. Sure, the dishes are very good, but there are plenty of great Italian options in the city without having to jump through hoops. That being said, I can see why members would return. So if you're craving quality Italian while in Vegas, I would definitely give the Caesar's outpost a try.