My wife and I had dinner at Smith & Wollensky steak house recently. The restaurant is located just north of the new Hard Rock Café, north of the MGM Grand. Self parking is not really convenient, but they do offer valet parking at their front door.
The décor is unremarkable but nice. My wife said it reminded her of some restaurants wevisited in Wyoming. It does not create an intimate atmosphere, more open and friendly. There are carvings of cows hanging on the wall.
We arrived a little after 5:00 PM on a Sunday. We didn’t have a reservation and felt the earlier arrival would be better. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately, not brought into the lounge to hopefully spend a little more money on pre dinner cocktails. We were told our waiter would be Steve.
Steve came shortly thereafter and gave us the menus. He informed us his helper that night would be Bert. Steve spent a great deal of time going over the menu. Explaining in detail about all the entre selections. How the steaks were cut, aged, which were USDA prime, etc. There was a King Crab available that night. It could be served hot or cold or shared with a shared steak. Steve also pointed out the side dishes were intended to be shared and we should chose one starch and one vegetable. Everything is served ala cart, just a steak on a plate.
I decided on the Prime Rib (large bone in cut) while my wife went for the Cajun Marinated Rib Eye. We each ordered the split pea soup for starters, and one order of garlic mashed potatoes and one order of creamed spinach. I also ordered a glass of the S & W California Reserve. They were a little slow getting the drinks to us, but not bad. The wine was very good, a blend of cabernet (80%), merlot (13%), and cabernet franc (7%). It came across as full bodied, slightly fruit forward, and very smooth. I will drink it again.
Bert brought the soup out to us where it was served out of separate tureens and then garnished with croutons. The soup was thick and delicious. It was pureed so it was very smooth in texture. We both enjoyed it.
The entrees were brought out on a serving cart. My wife’s steak was uncovered and served first. It smelled wonderful. My mouth was beginning to water in anticipation of my big cut of beef. It didn’t disappoint. This piece of Prime Rib was a good two inches thick and cooked to perfection, medium rare ( I’m getting hungry again just thinking about it). It sat in a puddle of au jus and covered the whole platter. The side dishes were each in their own separate pots, and we were given side plates to serve them on. The Prime Rib was amazing. Every piece I cut was tender and juicy. The au jus had incredible flavor that enhanced the entire experience. The two kinds of horseradish served on the side made it heaven on a plate. Sadly, I didn’t eat much of the spinach or potatoes, but what I tasted was excellent. With that much meat in front of me, it gets all my attention. We brought the left over sides home. There was no Prime Rib left to take home. I devoured everything but the bone. I would have eaten that too if I thought I could digest it. My wife had some of her steak left, so I’ll get to try that today. After it was clear we were finished (a bare bone on my plate, and my wife looking full) Steve asked us if we would like some dessert. I told him if I had room for any more food, I’d get some more of that beef. Prior to this night, Lawery’s the Prime Rib was my favorite beef restaurant in Las Vegas. Now I am confused. I will just have to try it again.
Smith & Wollensky
3767 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-862-4100
By:
Michael Aschberger
|
|
|
|
|---|
