RV Trip 2018 - Part 6: Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse

Leah and I had an amazing time at Emeril's on the strip at Universal Studios Orlando a few years back. We also knew we wanted to have a nice steak dinner while in Las Vegas, so we decided that our last meal on the trip would be at Emeril's Delmonico.

Delmonico Steakhouse
The Venetian, 3355 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
venetian.com/restaurants/delmonico-steakhouse.html

RV Trip 2018 - Part 1: Kabuto Edomae Sushi
RV Trip 2018 - Part 2: Misc. Dining
RV Trip 2018 - Part 3: Camping Food
RV Trip 2018 - Part 4: Oak & Ivy
RV Trip 2018 - Part 5: é by José Andrés

This restaurant has been open for 20 years, and honestly it showed when we visited. The decor was kinda drab and tired-feeling. Plates and utensils showed their wear. The walls needed painting. More than anything, the restaurant just wasn't very popular - it was huge inside and only filled about a third of the way even during the evening's peak hours.

As of this writing in late 2019, I see that they're closed for (much needed) renovations, which is nice to hear.

Smoked Salmon Mousse

Cucumber, Chive

This little canape spoke volumes about the restaurant's general feeling of being outdated. I know a lot of these classic 1970's dishes are back in a sort of ironic way (i.e. baked Alaska), but this didn't really feel that way. 

Popover

The same might be said about these popovers (served in place of bread), but they were so damn good that I had no complaints.

Cocktails

I can't remember what we had, but they were pretty decent, if not especially inventive. We were disappointed because we had just missed a big bourbon event they were holding by a just a couple months.

Stuffed Dates

La Quercia Prosciutto, Blue Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Balsamic Reduction

Things moved in a much better direction from here. This classic dish was really delicious.

Kurobuta Bone-In Bacon

Apple Cured, Pickled Watermelon Rind, Abita Root Beer Glaze

This was pretty good, but it sounded better on paper. The flavors were great, but about a third of the bacon was very tough. I remain mystified as to what bone exactly was still attached to the belly - would it have been a bit of floating rib? I'm no butcher, so maybe someone will enlighten me someday!

More Cocktails!

Caesar Salad For Two

Here's a classic I don't mind still appearing. I love a good Caesar salad (as this was), and the kitsch of having it prepared table-side is still a lot of fun to me.

Prime Bone-In Ribeye

20 oz Dry-Aged Creekstone Farms, Foie Gras "Butter"

Country Smashed Potatoes

Creamed Corn Gratinée

The main event (and prime reason we visited) was quite spectacular. The steak was wonderful and perfectly cooked. We loved the "gilding the lily" approach of adding slices of foie gras, which slowly melted like butter atop the warm meat. The sides were also fantastic, especially the creamed corn, which we had ordered per a number of online recommendations.

Overall a really good meal, just not up to current Vegas standards. We ordered a wedge of their famous banana cream pie which we ate the next morning for breakfast before catching our flight home. Quite a trip!