Celebrity Chef Restaurants on the Vegas Strip: A Food Adventure

Jul 2, 2024

Celebrity Chef Restaurants on the Vegas Strip: A Food Adventure

Overview

Safiya and Tyler embark on an adventure to visit and review celebrity chef restaurants on the Vegas Strip, focusing on the Jonas Brothers. This video is their part two where they target restaurants they missed the first time.

Key Points:

  • Las Vegas is known for its entertainment and restaurants.
  • High-profile chefs have their own signature Vegas restaurants.
  • Safiya and Tyler love Vegas but not necessarily for gambling or partying.
  • The first video covered 12 celebrity chef restaurants; this one aims to catch what they missed.
  • One exception: Including the Jonas Brothers' Nellie's Southern Kitchen.
  • Eating at these restaurants can get expensive.

Criteria for Selection

  1. Chefs must be central characters in their own show, movie, or long-form content.
  2. Content should focus on them being chefs or running restaurants.
  3. Only one restaurant per chef.

Martha Stewart's The Bedford at the Paris

Martha Stewart: Background

  • Lifestyle influencer and former model and stockbroker.
  • Has her own TV shows, magazine, and HomeGoods lines.
  • Served time for insider trading; has embraced it for her brand.

Restaurant Details

  • Opened in 2022; first restaurant by Martha Stewart.
  • Modeled after her home in Bedford, NY.
  • Incorporates her love of French cooking and gardens.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Big Martha’s Pierogies: Comforting, with amazing brown butter potato inside.
  • Honey Nut Squash Salad: Autumnal with nice scallion action.
  • Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms: Very floral and herbaceous.
  • Roasted Chicken for Two: Tableside carved with great herby stuffing.
  • Upside Down Lemon Meringue Pie: Light, fluffy, with a hint of lemon.

Jonas Brothers' Nellie’s Southern Kitchen at the MGM Grand

Background

  • Jonas Brothers are a famous musical trio.
  • Not chefs, but their dad, Kevin Sr., is the driving force behind this restaurant.
  • Second location after the original in Belmont, North Carolina.

Restaurant Details

  • Decor: Hipster modern country with plenty of bird decor.
  • Focuses on Southern comfort food.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Southern Rolls: Giant egg rolls with mac and cheese, chicken, collard greens; very good.
  • Shrimp and Grits: Cheesy grits but tastes like pizza Goldfish.
  • Chicken and Dumplings: Soothing but plain without much flavor.
  • Cup of Joe Dessert: Basically a tiramisu a la Jonas with a fudgy chocolate layer.

Bobby Flay’s Amalfi at Caesar’s Palace

Background

  • Longtime Food Network personality known for competitive edge in shows like “Beat Bobby Flay”.

Restaurant Details

  • Coastal Italian cuisine inspired by Bobby’s time on the Amalfi Coast.
  • Eyecatching decor with a fish market inside.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Secret Menu Item: Focaccia with Ricotta Dip: Simple but flavorful.
  • Tuna Tartare on Crispy Rice: Fresh and well-executed.
  • Charred Octopus: Tender with smoky charred flavor; standout dish.
  • Squid Ink Fettuccine: Goth pasta with tasty seafood components.
  • Pistachio Sundae: Very pistachio-forward, a little too salty.

Roy Choi and John Favreau’s The Chef Truck at the Park MGM

Background

  • Roy Choi is a pioneer in the food truck movement with Kogi.
  • John Favreau caught the culinary bug from starring in the movie “Chef”.

Restaurant Details

  • The Chef Truck mimics the El Jefe food truck from the movie.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Cubano: Fusion version with eggplant, tofu, and portobello; mild tasting.
  • Medianoche Sandwich: Mojo pork, ham, cheese; very good and flavorful.
  • Shrimp Po'boy Tacos: Nice and tangy spicy mayo aioli.
  • Spicy Watermelon with Kimchi Paste: Cool and refreshing.
  • Beignets: Light, not too sweet; accompanied by perfect whipped cream.

Lorena Garcia’s Chica at the Venetian

Background

  • Venezuelan chef known for various Latin cuisines and TV segments.

Restaurant Details

  • Elevated street food focusing on various Latin American cuisines.
  • Vibrant, club-like atmosphere even during brunch.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Buñuelo Doughnuts: Soft, light, fluffy and buttery; a standout.
  • Arepa Basket: Dense, warm, filling; great for soaking up booze.
  • Chilaquiles Rojos: Flavorful with a zesty punch.
  • Wagyu Quesa-Birria Tacos: Crunchy, cheesy, tender meat; very good.
  • Flaming Skull Dessert: Visually impressive but mouthfuls of rum surprise.

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s International Smoke at MGM Grand

Background

  • Ayesha Curry is a chef and entrepreneur married to NBA star Steph Curry.
  • Michael Mina is an accomplished chef and restaurateur.

Restaurant Details

  • Focuses on wood-fired, grilled, and smoked dishes from around the world.
  • Sports-bar vibes with fiery dĂ©cor.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Peking Pork Belly Bao Buns: Smoky flavor.
  • Ayesha’s Fresh Baked Cornbread: Simple presentation.
  • Tokyo Fried Chicken: Crunchy, flavorful breading with creamy sriracha aioli.
  • Caribbean Spice Chicken: Sweet and plantain-y.
  • Ribs from the Smoker: Vinegar-y sauce, meat falls off the bone.
  • International Smoke S’more: Campfire taste with molten chocolate cake.

Wolfgang Puck’s Spago at the Bellagio

Background

  • Original celebrity chef popularizing Californian and modern French cuisines. Long time restaurateur and caterer.

Restaurant Details

  • Offshoot of his original Spago restaurant with a view of the Bellagio Fountains.
  • Californian fare with modern techniques.

Dishes Reviewed

  • Truffle Pizza: Expensive but flavorful fresh cheese and truffle.
  • Prosciutto and Mozzarella Balls: Giant bite of garnished cheese balls.
  • Hand Cut Fettuccine Pasta: Heavy on the shallots and garlic.
  • Lamb Chops: Smoky grilled with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
  • Kaiserschmarrn: Fluffy scrambled sweet pancake; very light and eggy.

Final Thoughts

Best Overall Experience

  • Martha Stewart’s The Bedford: Great vibes, fresh dishes.
  • Bobby Flay’s Amalfi: Tender tentacles and great seafood.
  • Lorena Garcia’s Chica: Flavorful dishes, colorful environment.

Best Dishes

  • Charred Octopus at Bobby Flay’s Amalfi.
  • Buñuelo Doughnuts at Chica.
  • Kaiserschmarrn at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.

Best Ambiance/Decor

  • Bobby Flay’s Amalfi: Breezy and airy.
  • The Chef Truck at the Park MGM: Cool food truck vibe.
  • Martha Stewart’s The Bedford: Cozy and homey.

Overall, the video provided a comprehensive and fun look at some of the top celebrity chef restaurants in Vegas, showcasing each restaurant's unique atmosphere, specialty dishes, and overarching themes.

Full transcript