Bavette’s Steakhouse and & Bar is located in the relatively newly renovated Park MGM Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.  Park MGM used to be the Monte Carlo Hotel and got a much needed, massive facelift between 2016-2018, including adding a bright and airy Eataly out front.  I love staying at the Park MGM because it is new, fresh, mid-range price, and the casino is non-smoking.  It is also in a very good, pretty central location on the strip.  

Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar is an outpost of Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf located in Chicago.  I have had the privilege of dining at Bavette’s in Chicago, and it was absolutely wonderful.  It is still difficult to get a reservation there, so book far in advance!  Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar in Las Vegas is also excellent, easier to get a reservation for, and probably my favorite steak house on the Strip.  I have now been here twice and it does not disappoint.  

The occasion this time was Mother’s Day and it was also a celebration of my Dad’s 75th birthday.  The atmosphere at Bavette’s is that of an old French steakhouse with large, curved leather booths for seating along at least half of the perimeter of the restaurant with lots of tables with very cushy chairs in the middle. There is also a massive bar which is centrally located in the restaurant with dark wood paneling and antiqued glass.  We enjoyed sitting off to the side in one of the large booths.  The place is pretty dark, though not as dark as Bavette’s in Chicago.  You can actually read the menus here with the light provided, though some might need assistance.  They are playing old standards and jazz music and it fits the atmosphere perfectly.  It is chill, and not that loud.  

The food, especially the steaks are the star of the show here, although the service was excellent as well.  The servers, servers’ assistants and bussers were very attentive, although not overly annoying, allowing us to enjoy the evening at our own pace.  We never felt rushed, nor did we ever have to wait too long for the next course – perfect.  I personally get very annoyed with less than stellar service when I am paying almost $200 per person for a meal, and the fact that I do not have much to say about the service here means it was pretty right on.  

Back to the food!  We were initially brought some house-made sourdough with salted butter which was very light and fluffy, with just the right tinge of sour, and a very nice crust that was crunchy, but not crumbly and messy.  For my Dad’s birthday, they brought us each a complimentary glass of champagne served in an old-school coupe glass – a nice touch. We ordered baked goat cheese for an appetizer which was delivered with a generous number of slices of toasted Texas toast, more than enough to sop up all of the goat cheese and tomato goodness.  It was easily enough for the four of us to share.  The food portions are generous here, which may be an understatement. 

For the main course, I split a 20 oz. dry aged ribeye with my brother, medium rare, which was cooked perfectly with the right amount of sear and crunchiness around the edges.  The steak was served with a sweet and tangy bordelaise sauce.  They also bring out a tiny bowl of spices that I highly recommend you sprinkle on the steak for a bit of extra kick.  We also ordered four sides – truffle mac and cheese, french fries, brussels sprouts and button mushrooms.  The sprouts and fries were great but the button mushrooms served in a creamy sauce with some caramelized onions was the stand out here.  Additionally, I am a sucker for mac and cheese of any kind, but I feel like there could’ve been a bit more truffle with this one.  Most probably my only criticism of the entire experience.

I ordered a 2019 Hirsch Pinot Noir for the table and we drank up two bottles.  Hirsch is consistently one of my favorite domestic Pinots which is saying a lot, because there is so much excellence coming out of California and Oregon these days.  If you prefer your Pinots more earthy, mineraly, or barnyard-y I would stick with Burgundy. But if you like a nice dose of cherry fruit, with a light body, nice acidity and ultra smooth tannins, Sonoma Coast wines are the ones for you.

Finally, they brought my Dad a cup of chocolate ice cream with a candle in it for his Birthday!  It was ultra rich and creamy.  We also ordered coffees and ONE slice of carrot cake to split.  It was certainly enough for the four of us and also one of the best carrot cakes I have ever had.  I absolutely love anything with cream cheese frosting, and this one was a great consistency and not too sugary.  The cake had just the right balance of raisins and nuts and was extremely moist.  

There were no complaints at the table during or after the meal.  We all agreed it was one of the best steakhouse experiences that we have all had in Las Vegas.  The gambling that ensued afterwards…. a different story!