Jean Georges Steakhouse
Lychee Raspberry Bellini – Astoria Prosecco, Lychee, Raspberry
Watermelon Gazpacho – Basil Oil
Brioche Bread – Herb Butter
Osetra Caviar – Meyer Lemon Gelee, Creme Fraiche, Dill
Beets & Strawberries – Summer Greens, Red Chili, Pistachio, Mint
Pepper Crusted Foie Gras – Rhubarb Jam, Marcona Almonds
Wagyu Carpaccio – Gougeres, Lime Salt, Truffle Mayonnaise and Balsamic
Crispy Sushi Sampler – Salmon, Tuna, Hamachi, Crispy Rice and Chipotle Mayonnaise
Lemon Sorbet
JG Cheeseburger – Truffle Mayo, Brie, Yuzu Pickles
Roasted Salmon – Corn, Scallions & Fragrant Lime-Corn Broth
Steamed Halibut – Green Olive Dressing, Spring Onion & Spinach
Bone Marrow – Toast, Parsley Salad / Greely 32 oz Bone-In Chateaubriand – Garlic Confit / Mishima Ranch Smoked Wagyu Brisket – Black Pepper Lacquer, Soy and Fermented Bean Sauce
Crunchy Potatoes – Chili, Yogurt, Herbs
Mashed Potatoes – Butter, Lobster
Hand Cut Fries – Black Truffle
Mac & Cheese – Black Truffle, Bread Crumbs
Sautéed Corn – Manchego, Chili, Lime
Chimichurri, Housemade Hot Sauce, Soy Miso Butter, Béarnaise, JG Steak Sauce
Double Espresso – Ice
Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake – Vanilla Ice Cream / New York-style Cheesecake – Sour Cherry Sorbet / Market Apple Pie – Maple Pecan Ice Cream
Now an annual tradition in its fourth year it was on Saturday night that six guys sat down to Steak, the second consecutive at Jean George Steakhouse and a tasting proposed by Chef Robert Phillips not quite as epic as meals past, but continuing to show why Aria may just posses the best Steakhouse in America directly next to a Brasserie deserving similar accolades.
Always a busy room on weekends, though on this particular night quiet early as other Las Vegas visitors tuned into GGG versus Álvarez part two, it was at precisely 7:30pm that the party was greeted by hostesses, a confirmed reservation leading to seats at a semicircular banquet just outside the Restaurant’s private dining room where music plays less loudly than elsewhere.
Noting both new and old faces amongst a well trained front of house, this evening’s waitress a middle-age Woman whose knowledge of Bourbon went over well with connoisseurs, it was after Water and Drinks were served that palates were readied by seasonal Gazpacho, the up-front Fruit and linger of Basil expectedly refreshing and leading well into warm Brioche meant to be slathered liberally with Herb Butter.
Served family style following a second Amuse of Golden Osetra Caviar atop Meyer Lemon Gelee with Creme Fraiche, approximately three spoonfuls of luxury leading many to wonder whether this or last year’s Egg Toast was better, it was not long after that course one arrived family-style, Foie Gras plus two each of Jean Georges Crispy Sushi and Wagyu Carpaccio gone almost immediately while Salads featuring sweetness, earth, heat and Mint seemed a bit too busy and were decidedly less popular.
At this point slowing down, spoons of Lemon Sorbet offered to cleanse the mouth in preparation of a second course that combined what has typically been offered as separate rounds of Fish and heavier Meats, it was by request that one of JG’s juicy Cheeseburger’s fortified with Wagyu Fat was divided by six, all agreeing that taste and grind rank high amongst the best there is while Sean Griffin’s current Salmon set-up including Citrus and Corn comes across more cohesive than steamed Halibut that is beautifully prepared but a little overwhelmed by intense Green Olive Dressing.
Working with a full table at this point, no new Sides on display but all the old-favorites offered as good as ever with Summer Corn, Crunchy Potatoes and Spuds enriched with Lobster most noteworthy, it was largely passing on Sauces save for Vongerichten’s Soy Miso Butter that Smoked Brisket and Chateaubriand took center stage, the former still turning heads even without tableside carving and remaining unmatched in terms of texture while two Bone-in pounds of Beef from Colorado did not lag far behind as presented medium-rare.
Certainly not missing out on Bone Marrow, two roasted Femurs finished on Toast by those with remaining capacity, it was with Coffee that Dessert was presented, a special request seeing two of the Steakhouse’s world-class Apple Pies arrive on a lengthy plank alongside Jean Georges signature molten Chocolate Cake plus a round of Cheesecake served to the right of a cylinder containing Sour Cherries and smooth Sorbet.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Not as majestic a feast as some at the Aria’s second floor mainstay, stunted pacing and a lack of novel sides making one wonder if Chef Griffin’s time away opening MGM Springfield may have hampered creativity during Las Vegas’ slow season, Jean Georges Steakhouse remains a destination for anyone visiting Las Vegas, though one hopes the team hasn’t let their foot off the gas just because their greatest competitor recently shuttered.
RECOMMENDED: Pepper Crusted Foie Gras, Wagyu Carpaccio, JG Cheeseburger, Bone Marrow, Smoked Wagyu Brisket, Sautéed Corn, Crunchy Potatoes, Market Apple Pie.
AVOID: Beets & Strawberries needs to lose at least one ingredient while the subtleties of Steamed Halibut get a little lost in the herbaceous Dressing.
TIP: Online Menu is currently up-to-date though with Autumn upcoming changes are likely soon to arrive.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.aria.com/en/restaurants/jean-georges-steakhouse.html
