Brooklyn Bowl
The Classic – Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil
The Theresa – Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic
Basket of Smoked BBQ Wings
Fried Chicken Platter – 8 Mixed
Mac & Cheese – Baked with Bread Crumbs
Veggie Buster – Roasted Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, Red Peppers, Artichokes, Eggplant, Olive, Arugula, Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Vinaigrette
Bourbon Street Shake with Nutella and Bourbon
Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and Hot Fudge
Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes
Knowing full well that testing a restaurant during its early days is always a risky proposition the visit from three friends, all music fans and two vegetarians, made Brooklyn Bowl an irresistible destination for Saturday Night; a night not without mistakes – but not a single one of them involving the food. Over 80,000 square feet and opening nearly 20 minutes late as staff scrambled and soundcheck overran it must be said that the new Linq locale is beautiful, the dining area, stage, and lanes all up a gleaming escalator and with clever bowling-hip décor used to divide but not occlude each area from the next both the energy and the volume were high, even with the lanes not opened for “unexpected” reasons. Settling into our seats, five of us in total, and provided the Blue Ribbon crafted menu service was decidedly rough around the edges – dishes misdescribed, crib notes clearly used, tickets incorrect, and delays plus dropped plates common – but with grace and humor plus a good environment most was forgivable…at least for now. Moving on to food and beverage, a total of four beers and two milkshakes complimented six plates plus two desserts and with the Bourbon Street Shake and Cookie Dough disguised as French Toast “bread pudding” shining brightly amongst the sweets it was the savories that all wowed; ‘bar’ or ‘bowling-alley’ food only in spirit. Beginning first with toasty pizzas featuring immaculate produce over thick toasted bread and moving on to smoked chicken wings so moist as to fall off the bone without a hint of grease it was what followed that most diners will come for, and with good reason. Considered by some to be the “best” fried chicken they’ve ever tasted an 8 piece mixed plate was ordered and delivered alongside breadcrumb crusted macaroni that could certainly generate similar praise the matzo-crusted, brined bird truly was remarkable – just enough spice and salinity in the golden coat plus a chicharone-esque crunch to each bite bringing the quality of the moist bird to the fore. Already running an impressive kitchen in a venue primed to make a big impact in the local music scene it should only be assumed that service and timing will improve and while the ‘best’ debates will surely continue I know for a fact this was not my last visit to Brooklyn Bowl – gutter-balls and Black Label Society followed by a Banana Split and Molten Chocolate Brownie anyone?
http://vegas.brooklynbowl.com/
