Delmonicos, owned by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, is located in the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information or to make reservations, call (702) 414- 3737.
Food: Delmonicos steakhouse certainly delivers what it promises – incredible beef entrees. There are other selections, to be sure, with a daily changing menu to accompany the standard beef and lamb offerings, featuring interesting fare. We did try the beef, the buttery tender filet mignon ($38) and the famous and huge bone in prime rib steak ($44 and perfect!) with absolutely no regrets.
To start, we sampled the foie gras ($18), a more pleasant variation than that experienced at Bradley Ogden’s on a previous night, but less heavenly than that offered at Picasso (still our pick for best foie gras and best restaurant in Las Vegas). Our waiter suggested a pleasant Sauterne to accompany it, and it certainly fit the bill!
We had Caesar Salad for two ($22), prepared tableside, with a “Bam!” thrown in along with generous amounts of garlic and parmesan. The salad was particularly good, traditional and perfectly powerful.
Along with our beef entrees, we ordered sides to share: Country Smashed Potatoes ($7.50) and green beans (also $7.50). The potatoes were wonderful, sticky,creamy, and garlicky, and the portion was huge, even for sharing. The beans, sauteed in butter and garlic, were a bit on the undercooked and crunchy side, constituting the only (slight) disappointment in the meal.
For the highly unnecessary but scrumptious dessert, we tried the homey apple pie a la mode ($8.50).
Wine: David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 ($395). Probably too soon to drink, but then again, it was a pretty rare find! Incredibly big and bold, this deep red wine was over the top and wonderful for it.
Exceptional Features: Excellent service, attentive, friendly and very professional.
Service: Our server was attentive and offered good food and beverage pairing suggestions. When asked what he hears probably all too frequently, “So how much is Emeril actually involved in Delmonico’s?”, he patiently explained that Emeril visits Delmonicos at least once a year, and keeps abreast of major changes to the menu. He then supplied us with written information and small Delmonicos keepsakes. He even invoked Emeril Lagasse to some extent with a subtle “Bam!” as he added freshly ground pepper to the Caesar Salad he prepared tableside. Besides our main server, other wait staff insured that our bread basket was perpetually filled with warm rolls, and that our water and wine glasses were constantly replenished.
Décor: We were somewhat surprised by the décor of Delmonicos, our perceptions perhaps being prejudiced by the image of Emeril Lagasse’s brightly lit, rustic cooking show set. Delmonicos, by way of contrast, is dimly lit with low, vaulted ceilings designed to look like a wine cellar. The bone color of the ceiling keeps the room from feeling totally cavernous, however. Extremely comfortable brown leather chairs grace the tables. The overall effect is quite contemporary.
Dress Code: Business or resort casual is appropriate here. You may encounter the range in dress typical of Vegas, but most opt for this attire.
Price: Beef entrees hover around $40, and this is without accompaniment. Food is certainly worth it, but it does not come cheap.
Reservations: We would certainly recommend reservations for Delmonicos. Even with reservations, we waited for our table, albeit briefly, in the lounge. For reservations, call (702) 414- 3737.
Overall Dining Experience: 5 barrels (outstanding)