Top of the World
Bread Basket – Pretzel Bread, Fig Bread, Crisps, Parmesan Rolls, Brioche
Salted Caramel Pretzel – Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur, Monin Espresso Syrup
Elevated Margarita – Patrón Silver Tequila, Fresh Lime Sour, Cointreau, Salt Infused Foam
Midnight Dream – Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice, Cucumber
French Fries – Fresh Herbs, Truffle Aioli, Ketchup
Prime Beef Carpaccio – Pickled Shallots, Chives, Tomato, Shaved Foie Gras
Pork Belly – Butternut Squash, Cheddar Grits, Spiced Pomegranate Glaze
Stuffed Mushrooms – Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Truffle Cheese, Shaved Black Truffles, Butter & Herb Sauce
B.L.T. Wedge Salad – Baby Iceberg Lettuce, Smoked Blue Cheese, Egg, Tomato, Thick Cut Pork Belly, Herb Ranch Dressing
Lobster Cobb Salad – Romaine Lettuce, Radicchio, Pancetta, Avocado, Radish, Asparagus, Soft Boiled Egg, Louis Dressing
Calamari “Fries” – Sweet Soy, Spicy Yuzu Aioli, Crushed Peanuts, Tōgarashi
16oz New York Strip – Bacon, Onion & Mushroom Compote
Shellfish Linguini – Lobster, Shrimp, Crab, Linguini, Tomato Diavolo Sauce
Pan Roasted Sea Scallops – Carrot & Miso Purée, Citrus & Soy Butter
Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts – Parmesan Polenta, Toasted Pine Nuts, Balsamic, Fresh Herbs
Crispy Yukon Potatoes – Bacon & Blue Cheese Glaze
Double Espresso – Ice
Warm Butter Cake – Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Fresh Berries
Baked Alaska – Strawberry Ice Cream, Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, Brownie Ice Cream, Streusel, Meringue Brulee
21 Layer Chocolate Cake – Chocolate Ganache, Whipped Cream
Recently selected for a celebration in early October, it was alongside friends and family that dinner was enjoyed at Top of the World on Saturday, recently-appointed Executive Chef Chad Castanino debuting nearly a dozen new plates across two hours in a room well-designed for social distancing.
Still flying high amidst COVID-19 precautions, masked staff and half the number of tables creating an atmosphere that immediately feels more luxurious than nights with 500+ covers, it is after traveling 106 stories above ground level that guests are welcomed warmly, a four-top booth affording panoramic views of Sin City from Henderson to Red Rock.
Happy to see Golden Entertainment Corporate Executive Chef Brad Manchester on site, he and Chef Castanino each contributing ideas that date back to their tenure at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, it was not long before drinks were poured, a modernized Margarita joining the herbal Midnight Dream and Dessert-like Salted Caramel Pretzel.
Recently adding some neon to its interior walls, careful staff visibly working a small kitchen at the center of Top of the World’s rotating room, dinner began with Appetizers and a Bread Basket, the former all new and each exemplary from thinly sliced Beef beneath melting Duck Liver to thick-cut Pork and Mushroom Caps stuffed with slowly braised Short Ribs with Truffles.
Continuing with Salads, each amply portioned for sharing, there may be no more weighty Wedge in Las Vegas than this version at The Strat, while Seafood is prominently featured amidst a Lobster Cobb that works quite nicely side-by-side with Asian-influenced Calamari “Fries.”
Still sourcing great Ingredients, Nebraska providing 16-ounces of USDA Prime Beef cooked Medium Rare beneath reduced Bacon, Onions and Shrooms, fans of lighter fare should dive right into spicy Seafood and housemade Pasta or seared Scallops brightened by Citrus and Soy.
Harboring limited capacity after such a substantial meal, but thoroughly enjoying both Castanino’s Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts, Dessert consisted of long-time showstoppers such as Baked Alaska and 21-layer Chocolate Cake, while former Chef Pawan Pinisetti’s Butter Cake has only gotten better thanks to a whole stick of Butter dissolved in Sugar and Flour beneath a big scoop of Ice Cream.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: At this point best seen as ‘in transition,’ a new Chef and half the tables creating an opportunity to debut fresh ideas, Top of the World remains Las Vegas most impressive view with Food and service befitting the price point.
RECOMMENDED: Salted Caramel Pretzel, Prime Beef Carpaccio, Pork Belly, Stuffed Mushrooms, Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts, 21 Layer Chocolate Cake, Warm Butter Cake.
AVOID: N/A.
TIP: New menu is now live, as are those for the upcoming holidays.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.thestrat.com/restaurants/top-of-the-world

