10/21/09

Not so much...

by fabufoodu

First, we made a reservation in person - they take your cc number and then if you don't show they charge you $50 PER PERSON for no show or party size change. Okay, a little ridiculous but we kept the reservation. We were seated promptly. Our server was great. He recommended a few dishes. We ordered apps - corn tamale and tuna/salmon tartar. Okay. Not great. Corn tamale was too sweet and void of any spice or flavor. For meals, we ordered the tortilla crusted salmon with capers, olives in a tomato broth. Best of the three meals. The other entrees were the Mango Chili Seared Tuna. Tasted like pine. The filet mignon was crusted in coffee. It was okay but frankly the sauce with the mushrooms was too salty. The goat cheese tamale we ordered as a side didn't have any goat cheese. Weird. We expected flavorful spicy dishes but seems the menu had turned more to a spanish/italian/mediterranean mess than what possibly would have been better executed as a nice Southwestern menu which is what Mr. Flay is ultimately known for. Just not a very good experience. Choose Sensi in the Bellagio instead. Much better dining experience there the next night.

• Pros: Good service, good wine
• Cons: Better food to be had

10/31/08

Well worth the expense.

by jmastera

While in Las Vegas not too long ago, my wife, sister in-law, her husband and I, as well as 2 friends of my wife decided to give Mesa Grill a try. First off, GREAT service, very knowledgeable and friendly. Great menu, very simple yet descriptive and more than enough choices. I was a little disappointed in the beer selection, while there were great beers listed, it was a little slim for me - and they were all priced way to high. Everyone loved the starters we chose - Roasted Pumpkin Soup (4) and the Baby Romaine Salad (2). When the entrees arrived everyone was impressed but how beautiful and tasty they looked. My wife had the Sixteen Spice Duck Breast and while she couldn't have been happier with it, I thought the portion was a little on the small side. Now I understand that Duck, being on the fatty side carries a little more weight and a smaller portion will fill you up, but for the price I thought there could have been a little more. Now my dish on the other hand, Fire Roasted Veal Chop, was HUGE. The portion of Veal was incredible and even more delicious that I could have imagined. I was torn between the Veal Chop and the Grilled Lamb Porter House Chop but the waiter recommended the Veal over the Lamb. I would go back just for the Veal 100 times. My sister in-law had the New Mexican Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin and it was also delicious although it was ordered Medium but came out a little bit on the rare side. This was perfectly fine for me, but some like their Pork cooked a little more. We were all so impressed with the starters and entrees that we had to have desert. I ordered the Warm Cornbread Pudding even though I am not a fan of bread pudding. If all bread pudding was this good I would eat it all the time. My wife and her sister ordered the Apple Cider Cake and while it was good, I think it could have had a little more Bobby Flay attitude to it.

4 out of 5 only for some minor details, maybe I am just too nitpicky. Give it a try. A+

• Pros: Great Menu, Knowledeable Staff, Amazing Food.
• Cons: Some portions are a bit small for the price. Beer selection is small and pricey.

08/16/08

Expectations were too high for us I guess...

by Ellenaa3aiPA

On vacation with our adult children and wanted to try Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, after watching him on Food show we thought it would be something we wanted to try! The service was excellent, the menu choices looked like we would love the things we picked out..there were 4 of us, we each ordered something different. I ordered a grilled fish and my son ordered the same fish but as a Taco.... my fish was over done and tasted dry, the sauce reminded me of hoisin sauce with lime or something which I found not tasty at all, the risotto was just okay...I did not finish it. . My son's fish taco he said was just Okay. Mind you we have had authentic fish tacos in Ensenada Mexico and was much more delicous, my son's girlfriend ordered a Halibut dish and said her fish was also dry and disapointed, My husband ordered a Hamburger which he said was just okay he ordered it pink and it came well done. I felt disapointed and expected a wonderful meal and was so disapointed and did not even order dessert.

We travel all over the world often and almost always read reviews before going... this place is seem to be more hype. I would not go back to eat there again. ...Sorry Bobby ...we expected more... time to check the Quality at the restuarant again....

Ellen from PA

• Pros: Good Ambience, good service, clean
• Cons: fish dry over cooked, beef overcooked disapointed - thumbs down

08/06/08

Sit at the bar, BEST bar tenders and service!!!!!!

by MsClassy22

We walked into the restaurant on either a sunday or monday afternoon not really expecting much but came out with the best dining experience we had ever had. Since we only had a party of three we decided to sit at the bar and were greeted by a very nice male bartender. The bartender over heard us talking about kir royals and recommended the kir royal on the drink menu. It was expensive but the tase of the rasberry liquor was worth every penny. While admiring the kir royal another bartender over heard us saying we liked chocolate and started concocting a delicious chocolate royal which he gave to us for free!! Not too long after, our order of the hamburger and fries as well as the tuna and salmon tartar came. The burger was EXCELLENT and the fries were the best all of us had ever tasted. Although the portions of tartar could have been larger the tuna was the best. We all walked away with the best dining experience we had ever had and although there have been some bad reviews, look forward to going back. Bobbly Flay really did an excellent job.

• Pros: Service, drinks, hamburger and fries
• Cons: none

08/01/08

BEWARE FOOD BAD

by JRincalif

Yep that's right. My wife and I ate there last month and both got sick. I ended up going to the emergency room. It ruined our vacation. The jerks at Caesar's did nothing about it. I will never go to Caesars Palace again.

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad food

07/02/08

ask yourself this: are you ready for a letdown?

by dallas_foodie

i am a huge fan of bobby flay so i had high expectations when i came here. unfortunately the inconsistency across the menu items did not merit the hype. to begin with, the tiger shrimp tamale was palatable, but the bbq duck pancake was sickeningly sweet. our entrees ranged from very good (lamb porterhouse chops) to mediocre (16 spice duck breast) as well. frankly, i could not taste one spice in the duck! service is attentive by vegas standards and the wine list has a good variety, but for a restaurant that charges $50 per no-show in a party i expected more.

• Pros: decent wine list, friendly staff
• Cons: inconsistency throughout the menu, $50 per person charge for no-shows (hence bad for groups)

06/22/08

Let Down

by raleighryan

I was sooo excited to finally get to my favorite FoodTV star's restaurant. I've been dreaming about this for years. We came across the country with reservations at Mesa and a $200 birthday check from my parents for my husband who is a big southwest fan. He had a shrimp tamale appetizer that he enjoyed. I had tuna and salmon tartare that could have used a bit more flavor. Husband enjoyed his salmon entree (so I can't totally complain), but I ordered a seared tuna entree that I couldn't finish. I am a huge tuna fan, but this was seasoned with some type of cinnamon/nutmeg spice. I just couldn't stomach a Christmas-y flavored tuna. Luckily we had the $200 from my parents, the bill with 2 drinks each and tip was $199.

The service was also slow and uncaring. It got to the point where I was turned around in my chair, staring at the kitchen hoping to get our entrees. Our waitress caught my eye several times and said nothing. It was a Wednesday night. I'm not the type to demand free things because of slow service or (to me) unpalatable food, but for a $200 dinner that I was so very excited about, I did have to say something.

Maybe it was just a bad night for me, but I just want to remind people that no restaurant is perfect. Keep your expectations in check.

-Bummed in NC

• Pros: sauces/cremas were tasty; margarita & chile relleno very good
• Cons: atmosphere was crowded; kitchen could be faster

01/30/08

Everything has some heat to it.

by redhunniedt

Walked into Mesa without a ressie, there happened to be three seats at the bar so we perched up there. The bartenders were excellent. Very informative and friendly. They were ontop of water and wine service and clearing stuff out of the way when finished with it. The filet portion was perfect for splitting with my mom. The goat cheese fundido was delish (just make sure a lot of cheese agrees with your stomach!), Everything here has some heat on it. lots of rubs and spices. If you don't like southwestern flair I would not recommend Mesa (except perhaps the Filet which is versatile). The side portions are plenty for at least 2-3. Next time I am cooking at home I will be trying to replicate their pesto mashed potatoes. They were excellent!

• Pros: Central location, priced accordingly
• Cons: if you don't dig Southwest and lots of anchos chiles...stay away

11/01/07

TASTE BUDS WATER AND I PRACTICALLY DROOLED

by thedong

MMMMMM! GREGORY ALAN WHEELER TIMMS CREATOR AND OWNER OF THE NEW CEASERS PALACE CASINO AND RESORT IS A SPLENDID CHAP SUCH A REFINED INDIVIDUAL ! HE HAS CREATED THIS RESTAURANT AND HAS DONE A TERRIFFIC JOB CREATING THIS MENU! ALL THE CREDIT GOES 2 GREG THE CULINARY WIZARD AND MASTER OF DESIGN! IVE EATEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES AND KNOW JUST LIKE MANY OTHER RESTAURANTS THE SO-CALLED FAMOUS CHEFS IS NOTHING MORE THAN PROMO GIMMICK FOR RESTAURANTS TO CLING 2 SOME SORT OF INDIVIDUALISM,REGARDLESS THE FOOD IS OUTSTANDING AS WELL AS THE SERVICE! MR.GREGORY ALAN WHEELER TIMMS YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

10/21/07

Avoid on Saturday nights!!!

by cybertuth

I just ate at Mesa grill yesterday and was very disappointed. The over atmosphere of the restaurant is ok. However, the food is very over priced and was served to us cold. Unfortunately, the wait staff was also slow and uncaring. I would say, avoid this place on Saturday night as they get overwelmed and you will get forgotton service wise. The portions are extremely small, so if you go, have a snack first. (Nice for 50 bucks per person!) If you do go, make sure you stop at the shadow bar directly across. It's very cool!

• Pros: Nice loscation, swank atmosphere
• Cons: Poor service, small overpriced portions