Craftsteak is.. for the uninitiated, one of the Las Vegas strip's finest steakhouses. Located at The MGM Grand, I think it is better than Gordon Ramsay at Paris, on par with Jean Georges at Aria and the strongest challenger to the throne of my personal favorite, Carnevino at Palazzo.\n\nThe sexy, elegant, and modern lounge and bar give way to a beautiful and relaxing dining room featuring an open kitchen, comfortable banquettes, lovely booths and ambience to match. This could be a five star experience, however there were some service issues that bothered me.\n\nFor instance, while the service was good per se, and professional, it was also a little stuffy and curt. Again, I felt as if a case of reverse age discrimination was in effect just because me and my dining partners look young and were a bit rowdy and loud as the night wore on, we were written off as poor customers. Excuse me but between the eight of us we probably know more about wine, food and service than most working at Craft, but whatever. Just don't speak to me like I'm an idiot. Hate that.\n\nThere were several attempts at choreographed drops and pick ups of food at the table and all staff members were clearly not on the same page and it made for some uncomfortable glares across the table as well. Awkward. Really? Instead of just dropping my food when it's hot, standing there till everyone is ready? I get it, I really do, but it was a little much. \n\nIt's not a Justin Timberlake concert or the NYC Ballet, it's running food. Gimme it. Drop it. I'm hungry!\n\nFor a party of eight doing a tasting menu on a reservation, and having industry connections, I thought we would have been shown a little more hospitality as was the case up and down the Strip all month. I believe we all felt the experience was a little rushed.\n\n Not only did support staff hover around the table but before you could put your fork down from your last bite your plate was being whisked away and the next course being rushed out.\n\nAnother issue.. I don't know if this is just our server or everyone at the restaurant, but aggressively filling the bottled water and bring refills of cocktails without asking Is inappropriate. I've worked in Michelin starred restaurants, I've worked at a Texas Roadhouse. I don't care where you are, you ask before bringing it. Maybe I didn't WANT five Dark and Stormies?\n\nAnyway, aside from the rushed, curt service and blatant money grabs, the food was outstanding, the space is beautiful and that's why this place gets four stars. \n\nWe started out with six interesting 2006/8 Italian blends and a enjoyed a big, beautiful, Bordeaux for dinner, but we never saw the Som, or we probably would've ordered more. Again, was it our Age?\n\nWe all ordered the American Wagyu tasting menu. From the brief, rushed description by our waiter, we were to get three courses. \n\nFor the first course, appetizers disjointedly flooded the table, and I recall the Handcut Wagyu Tartar as a standout amongst them. I recall also, the risotto underwhelming most at our table.\n\nAs second course, I remember trying numerous salads.. my favorites being the Italian buffalo mozzarella, pork belly, and pan roasted red pepper. \n\nAs the steaks rolled out, so did that lovely Bordeaux.. I wish I could remember the name of it, but I was three or four dark and stormy's deep, not to mention all that wine?\n\nSteaks.. 14 oz pieces of marbled, juicy heaven from Snake River Farms, all varying cuts. As I mentioned there are a lot of places to get $150 steak in Las Vegas.. Carnevino, STK, Jean George's, Strip steak, Delmonico, Gordon Ramsay.. and of them all, Craft Steak is probably one of my top.. two or three.\n\nA bunch of the usual sides were at the table but all I remember are the white corn grits. Oh god.. white corn, bacon, Gruyere, and chives and oh my God I could've eaten four more bowls.\n\nAgain before I could even rest my fork, my plate was being whisked way and dessert was brought out. Awkward.\n\nA TON of delicious food hit the table for dessert, along with some nice Ruby Port. Cinnamon Monkey Bread, Vanilla Cheesecake, Farmers Market Fruit, Ice Creams, and Spicy Sorbet. \n\nWell, that was a nice surprise. So the meal ended up being a pretty good deal now that I think about it.. considering my steak alone would've been $105.00 plus the appetizers, salads, sides, and dessert. Well we ended up ordering ton of wine and a bunch of cocktails so I guess the restaurant made out well, too. \n\nIf Craftsteak figures out their service glitches and hires some people that want to sell instead of take orders and make sure the Sommelier hits every table, they'd have a five-star restaurant. For now four stars. This is a Tom Colicchio restaurant figurer it out.
places reviews