Jean Georges Steakhouse
Songbird – Absolut Elyx Vodka, Green Tea, St. Germain, Grapefruit, Lemon
Osetra Caviar – Egg Toast, Herbs
Brioche Bread – Herb Butter
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp – Avocado, Papaya Mustard
Wagyu Carpaccio – Gougeres, Lime Salt, Truffle Mayonnaise, Balsamic
Foie Gras Marzipan – Almond, Sicilian Pistachio, Rhubarb Jam, Shiso, Toast Soldiers
Pepper Crusted Foie Gras – Strawberry Jam, Marcona Almonds
Little Gem & Arugula Salad – Avocado, Radish, Spicy Corn Vinaigrette
Tomato Salad – Hearts of Palm, Coconut, Avocado, Coconut Vinaigrette
Iceberg Wedge – Tomatoes, Blue Cheese, Crispy Bacon
Prime Filet Mignon, Prime New York Strip, Bone-In Ribeye, Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye
Chimichurri, Housemade Hot Sauce, Soy Miso Butter, Béarnaise, JG Steak Sauce
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes, Chives, Beurre Blanc
Crunchy Organic Chicken – Spinach, Buttery Hot Sauce
King Oyster Mushrooms – Garlic, Jalapeno Peppers, Lemon
Black Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese
Truffle Mashed Potatoes
Sautéed Corn – Manchego, Chili, Lime
Double Espresso, Ice
Crème Brulee – Citrus, Orange Marmalade, Lemon-Mint Sorbet
Blueberry Cobbler – Blueberry Ice Cream
Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake – Vanilla Ice Cream, White Chocolate Piñata, Hot Fudge
Market Citrus – Yuzu Cream, White Chocolate, Strawberries
Although Las Vegas has no shortage of great Restaurants the last three Septembers have featured Jean George Steakhouse as the culmination of Olympia Weekend, and despite service gaffs occurring from entry to exit there remains no fault in the Steaks, Meats, Sides and Desserts prepared by Sean Griffin and his team in the kitchen.
Certainly not saving Las Vegas’ best Steakhouse for a yearly event, dinner on Saturday the thirteenth since Chef Griffin returned after a stint at PRIME, it was as a party of eight that deference was given to the kitchen in terms of menu, though an inexplicably lengthy wait at the hostess station delayed guests’ enjoyment of house Brioche and the first of several Cocktails highlighted by Vodka, Green Tea and Citrus inside a weighty brass vessel.
Featuring several changes since May, but not forgetting previously enjoyed classics, it was shortly after Brourbon requested “neat” arrived with Ice that an amuse of Eggs and Toast was served, the thin slices of Bread purposefully delivering Yolk and Caviar across two bites before spicy Shrimp and Jean Georges airy Gougeres draped with slices of raw Wagyu were showcased.
Onward with familiar favorites, the great debate between seared Duck Liver and chilled preparations again a toss-up when comparing Chef Griffin’s Pepper Crusted version with a creamy riff on Marzipan, Salads offered temporary respite between heavier courses, Produce predictably exemplary from Heirloom Tomatoes and Coconut to spicy Corn with Arugula or a Jean George’s Bacon-studded Wedge.
Stunned by additional service errors preceding Steaks and Sides, forgotten Drink refills and share-plates collected at inopportune times culminating with utensils that arrived only after a wooden board of Meat was placed at table’s center, it was after a brief description that everyone dug in, an absence of Sauces only remedied on request even though it was largely unnecessary considering the quality of cuts ranging from Filet Mignon to New York Strip and two-types of Ribeye.
Never slacking with sides, pressure-cooked Potatoes beneath a cheesy lattice and Sweet Corn made creamy with Manchego standing out while Sin City’s best Fried Chicken remains a silent stunner, it was in preparation for Dessert that Coffee readied the palate, an #instagram-friendly version of Jean Georges Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake speaking volumes about what “matters” in 2019 while Crème Brulee and Ice Cream disguised as Limes and Lemons were enjoyable, though lacking the “soul” of Jean Georges Apple Pie or its cast-iron stand-in of Blueberry Cobbler.
FOUR STARS: Still a great Restaurant, but on this night compromising Chef Griffin’s efforts with frankly poor service, one hopes this does not signal a decline for Las Vegas’ best Steakhouse or a turn towards the likes of STK and CUT where a certain “look” seems to matter more than taste or service.
RECOMMENDED: Foie Gras Marzipan, Pepper Crusted Foie Gras, Wagyu Carpaccio, Tomato Salad, Parmesan Crusted Potatoes, Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye, Prime Filet Mignon, Crunchy Organic Chicken, Blueberry Cobbler.
AVOID: N/A.
TIP: The Online Menu is perpetually out-of-date, and the Restaurant is maintained at 74ᵒF in case anyone wants to win an obscure bet that requires someone calling Aria facilities management after a few too many drinks.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.aria.com/en/restaurants/jean-georges-steakhouse.html
