Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar
Champagne Smash – Prosecco, Bombay Dry Gin, Mint, Lemon, Lime
Iced Tea
Sourdough Bread – Butter
Griddled Burger – 8oz Patty, Thick Cut Bacon, Sharp American Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickle, Lettuce, Tomato, Hand Cut Fries, Ketchup
Wedge Salad – Egg, Bacon, Gorgonzola, Ranch, Onion
Bacon Roasted Tomato – Watercress, Olive Oil, Herb Salt
Peppered Duck & Goat Cheese Terrine – Apricot Mostarda, Toast
Baked Goat Cheese – Red Sauce, Fines Herbes, Garlic Bread
Smoked Salmon Caesar – Crispy Potatoes, Classic Caesar Dressing
Roasted Bone Marrow – Caramelized Red Onion Jam, Parsley Salad, Toast
42-Day Prime Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye – 22oz, Béarnaise, Steak Salt
Bavette’s Spiced Fried Chicken – Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Pea and Cipollini Gravy
Shortrib Stroganoff – Button Mushrooms, Hand Cut Fettuccine
Baked Sweet Potato – Butter, Brown Sugar
Truffle Mac & Cheese – White Cheddar, Black Truffles
Traditional Filet Mignon – 10oz Prime Beef, Béarnaise, Steak Salt
Brussels Sprouts – Dijon, Parmesan
Elote Style Corn – Chili, Lime, Cilantro, Parmesan
Chocolate Cream Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie
Carrot Cake
Hot Fudge Sundae Royale – Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Ice Cream, Pistachio Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Toppings, Goldbrick, Hot Fudge
Metropolis Coffee French Press
Familiar with Brendan Sodikoff’s Hogsalt empire, Au Cheval, Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf, Gilt Bar, Green Street Smoked Meats, The Doughnut Vault and others since shuttered all visited across the years, it wasn’t until Thursday that a need to visit Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar arose, and much like Chicago’s original the Park MGM Restaurant offers classic Food and Beverage in a room that is dark but otherwise impressive.
Now a part of the local dining landscape since late 2017, an under-the-radar opening that has nonetheless amassed good word of mouth despite minimal signage at the re-branded Monte Carlo, guests will find the Steakhouse approximately halfway between parking and Las Vegas Boulevard, eyes immediately in need of adjustment upon opening the door and peering into the foyer.
Self described as a “stylish departure from a traditional Steakhouse,” the feel of a Parisian Speakeasy evoked by polished surfaces, brick-red fabrics and dim-lighting cast by overhead baubles, it was arriving earlier than the rest of large party that seating was temporarily refused by hostesses, a Bar at room’s center instead suggested as a place to wait until “at least half the group arrives.”
Surprised by such halfhearted hospitality, a more Chicago than Las Vegas welcome to the Restaurant which was less than 10% full, it was as directed that leather stools provided comfort for the next thirty minutes, the middle-aged Bartender a pleasant and efficient guy who quickly poured Water as well as Tea alongside a copy of Bavette’s menu.
Informed that all items can be ordered throughout the space, though a true Speakeasy in back adds additional Cocktails, it was after receiving two warm slices of Sourdough that the decision was made to invest $25.95 in a “Griddled Burger with Bacon,” in other words the famous “Au Cheval” Burger featuring two juicy Patties on a fluffy Bun with American Cheese plus Fries at just eighty cents more than the impressive combo costs back east, and without the wait required in New York or Chicago.
Perusing the room surrounded by mirrors and Picasso-esque prints, a table of ten soon more than half full, it was after weighing likes and appetites that an order was requested in three courses, the $17.50 Champagne Smash unfortunately starting things off poorly by offering perhaps three good sips amidst a mountain of crushed Ice entirely overwhelmed by Mint.
Receiving another basket of Bread while waiting, several diners remarking on its supple crumb, it was that same Loaf – toasted – that arrived with two styles of Chevre, the first a sliced Terrine that tastes better than it looks thanks to Duck and cracked Pepper while the other is a more spreadable mixture of melted Cheese, bright Herbs and Tomatoes.
Further flooding the table with three $18-$19 “Whole” Salads, halves also available though only the thick-cut Bacon and thicker slices of Tomato stand out, it was much to guests’ surprise that $24 Bone Marrow featured six roasted pieces plus classic accoutrements and Toast, each component prepared beautifully and arguably on par with Jean Georges Steakhouse as Sin City’s best.
On the whole a fairly quiet room, though time and alcohol would slowly see that change, it was as jazz played overhead that Steaks and Sides arrived, the dry-aged Prime easily outperforming a smaller Filet just as Bavette’s triple-stack of Fried Chicken with Potatoes and thick Gravy demanded extra bites instead of Shortrib Stroganoff made with overcooked Pasta and too much Wine.
Perplexed by the price of sides, Pasta with good Cheddar and bits of Black Truffle only a dollar more than a simple Sweet Potato sold for $15, those seeking spice should consider Creamed Corn prepared “Elote” style with plenty of Chili while guests who cannot get enough green will find Bavette’s crispy Brussels Sprouts with Dijon and Parmesan unquestionably unique.
Rounding out the evening with all four Desserts, the fact that Bavette’s offers neither Espresso nor Drip Coffee equally frustrating as the Restaurant’s policy of offering only “natural” sweeteners, it was long-after first bites of Ice Cream had been taken that a French Press finally appeared, the “Hot Fudge Sundae Royale” fairly benign compared to what other local Steakhouses are doing while Carrot Cake and Lemon Meringue with an enormous top-layer take second place to Sodikoff’s Chocolate Cream Pie that needs every bit of the included Whipped Cream to temper its richness.
THREE STARS: Undoubtedly a beautiful Restaurant, and one where a delicious meal can be had by ordering wisely, Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar suffers from uneven pricing and occasionally questionable execution plus service that falls short of the standard set elsewhere in Las Vegas.
RECOMMENDED: Sourdough Bread, Griddled Burger, Bacon Roasted Tomato, Roasted Bone Marrow, Bavette’s Spiced Fried Chicken, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Cream Pie.
AVOID: Arriving early, expecting the desired Coffee service, Smoked Salmon Caesar lacking any taste of smoke or Salmon, Shortrib Stroganoff, 20x markup Sweet Potato, 50x markup Champagne Smash.
TIP: Servers won’t tell guests, even those taking pictures or straining to see menus, but the brightness of table lamps can be turned up by pressing a button on the bottom.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.bavettessteakhouse.com/las-vegas

