Jan 2014

Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak – Las Vegas (The Mirage)

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

Palm Springs is rad, San Diego is too, but Las Vegas is my favorite weekend escape from the L.A. grind. There’s something about the city’s lights, energy, and glitz that makes traveling four hours out of town feel like a trip to a whole different world.

At the tail end of last year, The Astronomer and I jammed to Vegas for a celebratory getaway following the release of Food Lovers’ Guide to Los Angeles. We stayed at Aria and gorged all over town. It was the perfect escape.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

Our first meal in the city was at Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak at The Mirage, the chef’s most recent Vegas venture. As luck would have it, the rodeo was in town the same weekend we were. We dined among cowboys this evening, gallon hats, serious boots, and shiny buckles…errywhere.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

The specialty here is meats prepared entirely over an open flame—from wood-burning ovens to charcoal grills. I admire that Chef Colicchio only sources antibiotic-free animals raised by purveyors committed to time-honored farming practices and heritage breeds.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

To start, warm thyme and rosemary rolls served with well salted butter.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

I selected the beef tartare ($18) for my appetizer. A welcomed departure from traditional French beef tartar, this version boasted pickled beech mushrooms, Thai basil, bok choy, and kimchi. The flavors here were awesomely bold and seriously spicy.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

I nudged The Astronomer toward the buffalo carpaccio ($22) with huckleberries, green olives, and arugula, which turned out to be superb. Who knew buffalo and berries paired so well?

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

For our main course, The Astronomer and I assembled a fantastic surf and turf from two menu items. First up was the “Spice-Roasted Lobster” ($52) served over white polenta with red mustard greens and fennel. The tremendously portioned tail and claws, rubbed with Old Bay, paprika, basil, and thyme, were perfectly snappy.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

For the turf portion of our feast: a gorgeous 18-ounce bone-in ribeye grilled over white oak and served with roasted potatoes ($61).

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

Cooked to medium rare, as requested, the steak was outrageously tender and as beefy as we hoped. Once you go grass-fed, you can never go back.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

The Astronomer insisted on a side of Brussels sprouts with bacon ($12) because he’s always looking out for our best interests.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

For dessert, we shared the “Chai Tea Semifreddo” ($14), which was perched atop pumpkin pound cake and topped with cinnamon whiskey froth.

Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at The Mirage - Las Vegas

Even better was the apple tart tatin ($14) served with scoops of vanilla ice cream and an apple cider sorbet with fire-roasted pecans.  It was so, so lovely.

Steakhouses are a dime a dozen in this town, but ones serving humanely raised meats and staffed by a sharp squad are much harder to come by. Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak is the perfect spot for discerning diners in the mood for meat.

Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak
The Mirage, 3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 702-791-7111

Don’t gamble with your stomach, eat here:

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7 thoughts on “Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak – Las Vegas (The Mirage)

  1. So funny that Vegas is your getaway of choice. Definitely lots of awesome dining options and this looks like a winner.

  2. Oh wow $61 for a rib eye. I haven’t been to Vegas in so long. I would usually only do the buffets all those years ago. But things are so different now – the restaurants there are so impressive. Have you ever met one of the famous owners/chefs when you’ve visited a restaurant in LV? I’m a big fan of Colicchio.

  3. Faye – The restaurants in Las Vegas are truly incredible! It’s high time you return.

    I’ve met quite a few celebrity chefs in Vegas when they were in town for Las Vegas Food & Wine. While I didn’t meet Tom Colicchio this evening, his staff informed me that he visits often to make sure that everything is in order. I can’t say that’s true for all celebrity chef-owned restaurants, but Colicchio doesn’t strike me as the type to expand beyond his staff’s capacity to deliver great food and service.

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