The Perq
Banana Monkey Bread
Bear Claw
Chocolate Cranberry Scone
Located just past the entrance of the new SLS and slinging LAMill Coffee from 6am until ten o’clock in the evening every day of the week it was largely a result of my early arrival for breakfast at The Griddle Café that brought me to the cusp of The Perq and although I knew the meal to follow was bound to be hearty I simply couldn’t resist the combination of warm pastries and welcoming baristas, the results a three part order tasted on site and finished later in the day with across-the-board impressive results. In some ways a bizarre space with a long bar juxtaposing the coffee counter and several small tables laid out beneath a textured ceiling gleaming with light The Perq concept is one set to evolve with progression of the day and reportedly baking fresh every ninety minutes (or faster as supply demands) with breakfast transitioning to lunch around 11:00am it was to nearly a dozen warm options that I was tempted at 6:15 and although a pair of fruit tarts beckoned along with a truffled Gruyere scone my order eventually settled on items far more sweet, the fresh scone pocketed with spots of sugar and dollops of butter alongside dark chocolate and bursting berries providing a lovely first bite before I delved into a well laminated bearclaw filled with dense yet subtle frangipane that stands tall alongside that of Henderson’s Friendly Donuts for best in the city, though the Strip based Casino admittedly commands nearly three times the price. Indulging last in a selection warmed-and-topped-to-order it was finally in The Perq’s caramel topped banana monkey bread that I partook and although rumor has it that lunch fares even better than breakfast with cookies, desserts, and gelato-panini taking center stage I’d be hard pressed to imagine any of them better than the textbook brioche pull-apart studded with caramelized bananas, though I unquestionably plan to return and find out, and next time with a cold-brew in hand.
FOUR STARS: Obviously trending a bit more expensive than mom n’ pop spots throughout the valley but no more pricey than Press, Bouchon, or Payard with pastries thus far on par with all of the above The Perq instantly ups the ante in the Vegas coffee scene by bringing in LAMill, an 18-hour cold brew option and no shortage of espresso, latte, and cappuccino options set to tantalize palates while those favoring tea will can also find their fix; at least seven varieties offered hot or cold with latte options including a Masala Chai I heard two women raving as they sat sipping at a table across the way.
RECOMMENDED: Bear Claw, Banana Monkey Bread, Chocolate Cranberry Scone.
AVOID: N/A, though I cannot yet comment on lunch items, gelatos, or items not procured mere minutes after leaving the oven.
TIP: The only location I’m aware of within the SLS offering all three forms of artificial sweetener those favoring the pink stuff would be well advised to swing by and grab a handful before heading to The Griddle Café; a large supply vessel can be found along the far wall along with simple syrup and several varieties of dairy and lactose-free creamer.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://slslasvegas.com/dining/the-perq
