Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer
Iced Tea
Fried Mozz – Smoky Chipotle Tomato Sauce
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders – House Buttermilk-Dill Dressing, Korean BBQ Sauce, Lime Honey Mustard
The Vegan Nashville Hot – Breaded Portabello, Nashville Hot Sauce, Coleslaw, Vegan Potato Roll, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, French Fries
The Impossible All American – Impossible Burger, American Cheese, Special Sauce, Vegan Potato Roll, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, French Fries
Beer Hall Chicken Sandwich – Pretzel Breaded Chicken Breast, Black Tap Beer Cheese, Bacon, Pickled Jalapenos, Mayo, Potato Roll, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, French Fries
Wagyu Wedge Salad – Bibb Lettuce, Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bacon, Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Scallions, House Buttermilk-Dill Dressing
Seared Miso Salmon Salad – Wild Caught Salmon, Baby Spinach, Quinoa, Pomegranate, Avocado, Apples, Scallions, Cilantro, Spiced Glazed Pecans, Lemon Miso Vinaigrette
The Cookie Shake Vanilla Cookie Shake – Vanilla Frosting, Cookie Crumbles, Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, Chocolate Chips, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Drizzle
Want The World Red Velvet Cake Batter Shake – Chocolate Frosting, Hershey Kisses, Red M&M’s, Two Tier Red Ombre Rose Frosting Cake
Opened in early 2018, and recently completing the wholesale renovation from B&B Burgers & Beer with a decorative outdoor patio, it was on Veterans Day that two guests sat down at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer inside The Venetian, the holiday’s special Shake sold-out several hours prior but several new menu items poised to expand the concept.
Born in Manhattan, previously Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori having departed the world of hotels and fine dining to focus on a casual concept close to his heart, it is immediately on approach of the Las Vegas location that guests are greeted, the sights and sounds emanating from inside a combination of sports television, neon and tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Featuring bars, booths and tables, alcoves carved out next to the Shake station coveted for their comfort and privacy, it is upon seating that diners are presented with a two-side laminate, the first entailing Salads, Snacks, and Sandwiches while Shakes, Beer and Booze dominate the backside.
Upscale-urban in atmosphere, but service-oriented such that diners are never for want even with the Restaurant near-capacity, it was after several minutes perusal that focus fell on previously un-tasted items, dark-brewed Ice Tea proving better than most with bitterness that helped refresh the palate between bites.
Sourcing Beef from the legendary Pat Lafrieda, and enjoyable-to-excellent across several Burgers in the past, it was with “Fried Mozz” that dinner got started, the Chipotle Tomato Sauce mostly like creamy Tomato Soup with a bit of smoke while Chicken Strips veered southern thanks to Black Pepper in the Batter behind a trio of Housemade Sauces.
Already a successful brand from New York to Downtown Disney, Black Tap Las Vegas no exception, it is apparently in hopes of attracting additional clientele that two new Vegan options have been added, “The Impossible All American” taking America’s newest fad and offering it with Big Mac-style accoutrements while “The Vegan Nashville Hot” spins an idea that is both literally and figuratively scorching in a new direction with fried Mushrooms and Slaw.
Revisiting Black Tap’s Buttermilk-Dill as Dip for crispy French Fries, and again as Dressing for the “Wagyu Wedge” which recreates Chef Isidori’s famous Greg Noman Burger as a Salad, those in-search of more Beef-free options will find them in the form of Miso-glazed Salmon atop a sweet and savory mix or the exquisite “Beer Hall Chicken Sandwich” that first coats a generous Breast in crumbled Pretzels before frying it and adding Bacon, Jalapenos and Beer Cheese.
Not about to depart without Dessert, and again seeking novelty over past favorites, it was after a lengthy delay during which no less than nine Cake Shakes were constructed that two audacious options were offered, The Cookie Shake augmenting a creamy Vanilla base with Chocolate Chips, Syrup and Crumbles while “Want The World” places a two-tiered Red Velvet Cake atop the creamy Pink concoction for $35.00…or $20,000.00 for those who take the name seriously and add a diamond bracelet.
FOUR STARS: While many will argue that there is nothing quite like a classic Burger it would be hard to claim Black Tap is not dedicated to their craft, and although their Patty of Prime Beef from Pat LaFrieda is great a new collection of items looks to target consumers seeking alternatives. From a damn fine Fried Portabello to the Pretzel Crusted Chicken this is “have it your way” as it should be.
RECOMMENDED: Iced Tea, The Vegan Nashville Hot, Beer Hall Chicken Sandwich, Wagyu Wedge Salad, French Fries, Want The World Shake.
AVOID: The Impossible Burger contains roughly 21-Ingredients not accounting for “Natural Flavors,” and for anyone but ardent Vegans the $19 tab seems wasteful when LaFrieda’s single-ingredient Prime Beef is only $17 in its simplest form on the menu.
TIP: Open 11am until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 2am on Friday as well as Saturday.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.venetian.com/restaurants/black-tap.html
