Cravings - Get Your Steak On

Cravings

Get Your Steak On

Satisfy beef cravings at these area eateries

Story by Bob Gourley

Steak is back in a big way. The valley is the home of some of the best steakhouses anywhere. Here are five choices that will definitely satisfy your need for 'sizzle':

1. James Beard award-winning Chef Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak at the MGM Grand offers an outstanding collection of entrees that appeal to aficionados of great food. They use only the finest ingredients from small family farms. Simple preparation is the key. An 18-ounce ribeye is dry aged and served with the bone-in. Tender filet mignon is represented with a 10-ounce Black Angus edition. A half-dozen potato/grain sides include potato gratin with roasted garlic cream and white corn grits with bacon, Gruyere and chives. An award-winning wine list with an emphasis on California varietals is offered along with over 200 bourbon and scotch labels.

2. The menu at Wolfgang Puck's Cut at the Palazzo is a creative collection of steak options and creative sides. Both domestic and Japanese Wagyu beef are offered along with U.S.D.A. Prime Nebraska corn-fed selections that are dry aged for 35 days and grilled over hardwood and charcoal and then finished under a 1200 degree broiler. Delicious homemade sauces include a house-made steak sauce and wasabi-yuzu kosho butter. Yukon gold potato puree is a tempting side along with creamed spinach with fried organic egg or soft polenta with mushrooms. Fitting appetizers include Wagyu beef sliders and tuna tartare sandwiches.

3. Fleming's Prime Steakhouses have a great reputation throughout the United States and the Las Vegas branches certainly continue the trend. Not only are there tempting appetizers like baked brie (puff pastry, candied walnuts and sliced gala apples) and sweet chili calamari, but the chilled seafood tower for two with lobster, shrimp and crab is not only delicious but artfully presented. Popular small plate versions are highlighted with boneless short ribs of beef accompanied by arugula and spinach with natural au jus. Classic large dishes include three savory filet mignon versions and a peppercorn steak with black and white peppercorns, steak sauce and French green beans. Spiced chipotle macaroni and cheese and rosemary and garlic cipollini onions are worthy sides. Chocolate lava cake with a molten center of Belgian chocolate is a sweet ending.

4. Steaks and other American fare with a Southern twist await your visit to Emeril Lagasse's Table 10 at the Palazzo. Chef de Cuisine Tim Doolittle has crafted an innovative "Snacks" appetizer menu that includes roasted beef marrow bones with toasted brioche and sea salt. Midwesterners will be ecstatic with tastes of fried Great Lakes smelt delivered with lemon mayonnaise. Beef carpaccio is served chilled with truffle toast, arugula and aioli. Beef cheeks are accompanied by wild mushrooms and Weiser Farm carrots. Colorado filet mignon is prepared with or without the bone with red wine sauce. Silky potato puree and spinach are alongside. Two must-try desserts are berry cobbler with crumble topping and vanilla ice cream and Emeril's banana cream pie with chocolate shavings, caramel sauce and freshly prepared whipped cream.

5. A steak lover's choice downtown is Triple George Grill next to the newly opened Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino. The décor will remind you of a traditional east coast eatery, complete with coat racks on the walls. It has been voted "Best Place for a Power Lunch." Starters include baked goat cheese marinara, spinach and artichoke dip and oysters on the half shell. One of the signature dishes is a pan-seared porcini crusted ribeye. A traditional filet Oscar is topped with béarnaise sauce. Also on the plate is a crab cake and asparagus. A recent special featured a 16-ounce New York steak with an Asian twist, yuzu sauce on the top and Wasabi-infused mashed potatoes. Another favorite is chicken potpie with tender breast meat and assorted vegetables in sherry herb cream sauce.

Craftsteak, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

3799 Las Vegas Blvd., S.

702-891-7318

www.craftrestaurantsinc.com

Cut, The Palazzo

3325 Las Vegas Blvd., S.

702-607-6300

www.wolfgangpuck.com

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

8721 W. Charleston Blvd.

702-838-4774

6515 S. Las Vegas Blvd. in Tow Square