Lotus of Siam
Thai Coffee
Chicken Tom Kha Hot Pot – Chicken, Lemongrass, Galangal, Mushrooms, Coconut Milk, Lime Juice
Larb Plar Dook – Catfish, Onions, Cilantro, Green Onion, Chili, Rice Powder, Lime Dressing, Cabbage, Cucumbers
Nam Kao Tod – Crispy Rice, Sour Pork Sausage, Cilantro, Green Onions, Dry Chilis, Ginger, Peanuts, Lime Juice
Nam Prik Hed – Mushrooms, Green Chili, Garlic, Onion, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Carrots, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Cucumbers, Pork Rinds
Squid Garlic – Garlic Pepper Sauce, Fried Garlic, Cilantro
Koi Soi – Issan Style Steak Tartare, Fresh Herbs, Fresh Chilis, Dry Chili Rice Powder, Seasoned Sauce, Lime Juice
Garlic Crispy Prawns – Deep fried Prawns with Shells, Garlic Sauce, Black Pepper
Chicken Pad See Ew – Chicken, Wide Rice Noodles, Eggs, Chinese Broccoli, Black Soy Sauce
Pork Khao Soi – Egg Noodles, Coconut Cream, Red Onions, Lime, Mustard Greens
Pineapple Fried Rice – Yellow Curry Powder, Pineapple, Shrimp, Chicken
Crispy Duck Chu-Chee – Red Curry, Fingerroot, Bell Peppers
Grilled Ribeye Panang – Fresh Chilis, Dried Chilis, Coconut Milk, Thai Basil
Short Rib Yellow Curry – Curry Powder, Turmeric, Coconut Cream, Potatoes, Onions, Carrots
Coconut Tapioca – Butterfly Pea, Passion Fruit, Mango Sorbet / Deep Fried Banana Roll – Banana wrapped in a Rice Paper Crepe, Honey, Coconut Gelato / Green Tea Flan – Lychee Cream, Black Sesame Tuile / Chai Tart – Whipped Cream, Cardamom / Thai Chocolate Cake – Cinnamon, Cardamom, Vanilla Gelato / Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Shredded Coconut, Coconut Gelato, Maraschino Cherry
Already the rare Las Vegas recipient of a James Beard Foundation Award, Chef Saipin Chutima named Best Chef: Southwest in 2011, Lotus of Siam needs no introduction – though its recreation on Flamingo and fanciful digs at Red Rock suggest the Chef’s children have bigger things in mind about the Restaurant’s legacy going forward.
Having visited the unassuming icon of Thai Food thrice prior, a lunch in 2012 and two dinners separated by five years, Tuesday evening found the concept from Tao Group owner Lou Abin and Lotus of Siam’s Bua Food Group at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa as busy as it is beautiful.
Built out of former Buffet space, lanterns and hanging vines creating a vibe across spaces from bar to the back, it is with a truncated version of Chutima’s Northern Thai traditions that Lotus at Red Rock pays homage to the original despite somewhat stiff service and “running out of Ingredients” including signature Issan Sausage by 6:00pm on this particular night.
Requesting everything level five of ten, Thai Coffee a prudent choice for those looking to quell the fire, Dinner began with a hot pot of Chicken Tom Kha alongside funky Catfish Larb and flawless Nam Kao Tod with just the right amount of acid.
Replacing the Sausage with Garlic Squid, a new item that delivers on its name, round two found Nam Prik Hed face-to-face with fiery Steak Tartare teaming with Chilis and Garlic Crispy Prawns that earn “Mom’s Highlights” status with edible Shells still on.
All in on Noodles and Curry, Chicken Pad See Ew well executed but lost in the wake of creamy Burmese Khao Soi, Pineapple Fried Rice also found itself forgotten as served in line with Crispy Duck Chu-Chee, Panang Curry with medium rare Ribeye and aromatic Short Rib Yellow Curry.
Not exactly “known” for sweet stuff, though the Red Rock iteration seems intent on correcting that, Dessert arrived as a platter featuring everything from time-honored deep fried Bananas to Coconut Tapioca, Chocolate Fondant and Pineapple Upside Down Cake served warm with Coconut Gelato.
www.lotusredrock.com

