Rare 120

Description:

• Rare's LA's Dolce Group's first Vegas outpost, a sensory overload mixing classic touches like exotic wood finishes and red-bulb chandeliers with the thematic excess of a cowhide-upholstered ceiling, plus the off-theme excess of graffiti-tagged white banquettes & armchairs, one wall completely covered by "living wallpaper" (a screen running shifting art-flick imagery), and another offering a floor-to-ceiling view of the pool -- hopefully populated by women who avoid steakhouses. The menu starts with the likes of Newcastle-braised Short Rib Sliders, Kobe Meatball Lollipops, Polynesian chicken wings, and a Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail in an Absolut Citron-based sauce; the smoothest meat option's the Rare Steak Trio, with Filet Mignon, New York Strip, and Kobe Flat Iron portions paired with all three mashed potato options: rosemary-parmesan, truffle and, for Surf & Spud fans, lobster. As for getting down to booze-ness, there are short-but-sweet Scotch and bourbon lists (including Glenlivet 18, Macallan 25, Baker's and Booker's), plus cocktails like the Bulleit/Cointreau "American Woman" and the drunken-Muppet "Chipotle Connection", whose combo of Patron Silver, Grand Marnier, agave/lime juice, and Tabasco Chipotle-marmalade will cause joyous rainbows to shoot out of your face. If you actually want to pass out, grab a bloat-tastic Ice Cream, stuffed with malted milk ice cream, and topped with vanilla cream, fudge, and fresh strawberry sauce -- whose lipstick-like effect will unfortunately attract tons of meat.
• © Thrillist 2013