Review of Bradley Ogden Las Vegas – A Restaurant in Caesar’s Palace Hotel
Bradley Ogden is located in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada. For reservations or for more information, call 1-877-DINING-CP (1-877-346-4642).
Decor: The tone is subdued, with brown earthy tones and low lighting. Artwork in the main dining area follows this theme with muted brown on cream colors. The seating arrangements create a cozy, intimate feeling especially with the several, semi-circular cushioned booths. The total effect is contemporary but very understated; strikingly different than the ostentatious décor of the Caesars Palace casino.
Food: To start, we sampled the foie gras with persimmon and candied fruit. The foie gras itself lacked the melting, buttery quality we’ve enjoyed in the past (it certainly did not live up to the “gold standard” of foie gras served at Picasso’s in the nearby Bellagio Hotel.) and it was served with a puzzling wheat-like wafer that did not seem to fit the dish. We also tried Bradley’s Caesar salad, which seemed to forego the usual generous helping of garlic in favor of a lighter, more refreshing taste. Since we happen to love garlic, the salad, though enjoyable, was not quite what we were expecting.
Following our server’s recommendation, we had the Pork Chop entrée. This was something to remember! First of all, the pork was prepared perfectly; it was hot, juicy and incredibly flavorful. Second, it was brilliantly paired with the wholesome taste of apple-smoked bacon, crumbled generously on top and thin apple slices. Third, the accompanying touches were terrific as well: beautiful, slightly crispy potato croquettes, red cabbage infused with an apple taste and (perfectly) wilted greens. This dish definitely testified to Bradley Ogden’s skill with “farm fresh” ingredients. For dessert, we had a pleasant assortment of cheeses accompanied by a slice of honeycomb dripping with fresh honey.
With the exception of the entrée, the food was not as spectacular as we had hoped. Perhaps our feelings about the menu were affected by the less-than-polished service we received (see below). As one of Caesar’s Palace finest restaurants, we were expecting more.
Wine: The wine list was very thin, both literally and figuratively, and our server had limited knowledge about it, which was disappointing.
Our server was visibly nervous and seemed inexperienced. For example, she had difficulty pronouncing some of the words of menu items, and had never heard of our wine selection. This was all quite likely due to inexperience. To her credit, our server made the excellent recommendation of the pork chop entrée and she was certainly attentive to the important matter of food allergies. However, overall, we expected a greater level of professionalism from a restaurant whose prices and promotional materials position it as fine dining establishment.
Dress Code: Business or resort casual wear was sported by most guests. Jackets are not required, but would hardly be out of place.
Price: Expensive, with entrees in the $30 range. While the entrée was notable, the appetizers were a bit disappointing for the price, and the service was far from outstanding.
Reservations: Reservations are recommended. The restaurant seems to be a popular dining choice for those planning to catch the spectacular Celine Dion “A New Day” show housed in the Coliseum across from the restaurant after dinner. For dining reservations, call 1-877-DINING-CP (1-877-346-4642).
Overall Dining Experience: Very Good.
