Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Barrymore, a Great Fine Dining Experience

Lumiere, the half man half candle from Beauty and The Beast said it better, "if you are stressed, it's fine dining we suggest."
I am not a food critique nor would I ever pretend to be one but if I was, here's my review of The Barrymore.
The quote fit the occasion for Melissa and I were due for a little one on one and since I had to work Valentine's we could not celebrate properly. The occasion presented itself with an invitation to try a fairly new restaurant far off the craziness of the strip but not so far that you needed a passport to get to the destination.
The Barrymore is a throwback to old Vegas. Ornately decorated with plush green oversized booths and movie reels lining the entire ceiling. The food and service fit the room. Rich and luxurious offerings that melt in your mouth. A great starter was the macaroni with lobster along with a generous serving of steamed mussels. A third appetizer was the Tuna tartare topped with creme fraiche. Even before we were sat, we began pour experience with a bottle of Shramsberg Mirabelle. A crisp and flavorful sparkling wine without the high price you might find at any other steak house along the strip. This bubbly was perfect for the flavors in our appetizers. Ever had bacon bread? It is part of the bread basket offering along with a freshly toasted baguette and Parmesan lavosh bread.
Our dining experience was capped by a tasting combination of Rib Eye steak, diver scallop and shrimp. A true surf and turf cooked just perfectly. The steak was a long section of the rib eye seared on both sides and cooked just slightly past rare. The meat was moist tender and full of flavor. The sauce accompanying the steak was made with bone marrow and the standard fare for a steak sauce. Scallops and shrimp were cooked just right without toughening the meat. All this sat over mashed potatoes and asparagus. Dessert was fairly standard with a generous serving of berry gelato and a deconstructed cheesecake so moist that it almost had the consistency of Panna Cotta.
I'll say that I can't wait to go back and try their Rib Eye for two, pethaps with a slab of Foie Gras. Their wine list had choices for every budget which makes it convenient for the wine lovers.
The service was professional and attentive without being intrusive.
The Barrymore, google it

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