Where April Eats: Mesa Grill

Mesa Grill, Las Vegas
Ceasar's Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109-8924
Phone Number:  (702) 731-7731

I was so excited to eat at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.  Being a Food Network addict and impressed that Bobby Flay is an Iron Chef,  I was thrilled to eat here. I can't really say a whole lot about the decor, atmosphere, etc at the Mesa Grill.  I can't really say that anything stands out about it.  To me, it just looked like any other restaurant.

Scott and I ordered the Smoked Chicken and Black Bean Quesadilla ($14.00) as an appetizer and Scott also bought a "special" margarita ($10.00).  I was so excited for the quesadillas because I always heard these chefs talking about creme fraiche and I felt a little hoity-toity to finally know what it is that they were talking about it.  Creme fraiche is just buttermilk and whipping cream that is concocted together (this does not sound as nearly impressive) but it has a slightly sour flavor to it and buttery at the same time.  The margarita was terrible.  I mean absolutely awful.  It tasted like they had poured some tequila in a glass, topped it off with some lime juice and forgot the sweet and sour.  AWFUL.

I ordered a 16 spice-rubbed filet (around $30) but when I went and looked on the menu it doesn't show it.  I'm wondering if it is one of those seasonal or rotational things?  Anyway, the 16 spice filet was very interesting.  It reminded me so much of a pot roast.  The outside was crusty, seared and carmelized but the inside of the filet pulled apart like a really tender, moist pot roast does.  You know, fork tender.  I have never had a steak like that before or since.  I kind of remember that it came with a side or maybe we split a side but apparently it wasn't very memorable.

I remember being somewhat disappointed after eating at the Mesa Grill.  I thought it was good but not that good.  The pot roast like filet, creme fraiche and the crappy margarita are what I remember about it the most.  I guess I was expecting to be blown away since it is Bobby Flay's restaurant but I really wasn't.

Let me know if any of you have been or if you go in the future. I'd like to hear what other people think about the places that I love.