The Besh Steakhouse at Harrah's Casino
8 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504)533-6000
Rating 90
ATMOSPHERE
There's clearly a hurdle for the Besh Steakhouse to clear when it comes to atmosphere. It is in the middle of a really noisy casino. That being said, the decor is first rate, the restaurant is very comfortable and the bar is great. It can get really crowded, both in the seating area and the bar, which is something that one expects in the casino setting.
SERVICE
I found the service both at the bar and in the restaurant to be first-rate. The staff was friendly and helpful but not overbearing. The bartenders were outstanding both in their service and their craft and the same can be said for the waiters.
FOOD
I've made several trips to the Besh Steakhouse before writing this review. I've had the opportunity to sample most of the steaks, as well as several of the seafood entrees. I've also had a chance to work my way through the appetizers, which is where I'll start. Not many weak spots here. Very generous, almost entree sized portions. As a matter of fact, I've stayed on the appetizer side of the menu on occasion and never left hungry. My recommendations are the barbecue shrimp, the oysters Bordelaise, and the crabmeat stuffed shells. All feature the highest quality ingredients and first rate preparation. From the soup portion of the menu, I recommend the duck and andouille gumbo. Its delicious, although the portion could be a tad larger. Salad choices are few, but one cannot go wrong with the bleu cheese and bibb lettuce salad. It's big enough for two and is covered with delicious, high quality chunk blue cheese.
Enough about the appetizers. One comes to a steakhouse of this quality (and price point) for the steaks. This is one of the few rooms in town that features dry aged beef. This is first rate beef and it shows. You really cannot go wrong selecting between the prime rib, filet mignon, New York strip, or for a lesser appetite, the tournedoes of filet. The huge double cut pork chop is also outstanding. I would avoid the humongous cowboy steak and the Kobe beef offering as they simply don't stack up with the first mentioned steaks. I've not tried the venison yet and I doubt i'll ever try the Besh cheeseburger (too many better choices and $25 bucks is ridiculous for a burger). Each steak dish is paired with a particular side. I am most fond of the crabmeat orzo risotto and the Bearnaise sauce with crabmeat and tarragon. I have found that the staff is very flexible in this regard, allowing you to swap and choose any sidedish. There are a few seafood dishes on the menu as well. I've enjoyed the Gulf shrimp with andouille grits. I've not had either fish dish. But if you go to Besh, get a steak. Finally, the liquor and wine selection are what you would expect from a restaurant of this quality and price.
VALUE
Make no mistake about it. The Besh Steakhouse is very expensive. An appetizer, salad and entree, coupled with a few beverages will easily approach one hundred dollars per person. One should have gotten the hint when I mentioned the $25 hamburger earlier. If there is any value on the menu, its the prime rib, which comes in right under $30. I really enjoy this restaurant, as I imagine you can tell, and its only the noisy casino and the really high prices that keep the rating from being even higher in the 90's. Highly recommended.
Rating 90
ATMOSPHERE
There's clearly a hurdle for the Besh Steakhouse to clear when it comes to atmosphere. It is in the middle of a really noisy casino. That being said, the decor is first rate, the restaurant is very comfortable and the bar is great. It can get really crowded, both in the seating area and the bar, which is something that one expects in the casino setting.
SERVICE
I found the service both at the bar and in the restaurant to be first-rate. The staff was friendly and helpful but not overbearing. The bartenders were outstanding both in their service and their craft and the same can be said for the waiters.
FOOD
I've made several trips to the Besh Steakhouse before writing this review. I've had the opportunity to sample most of the steaks, as well as several of the seafood entrees. I've also had a chance to work my way through the appetizers, which is where I'll start. Not many weak spots here. Very generous, almost entree sized portions. As a matter of fact, I've stayed on the appetizer side of the menu on occasion and never left hungry. My recommendations are the barbecue shrimp, the oysters Bordelaise, and the crabmeat stuffed shells. All feature the highest quality ingredients and first rate preparation. From the soup portion of the menu, I recommend the duck and andouille gumbo. Its delicious, although the portion could be a tad larger. Salad choices are few, but one cannot go wrong with the bleu cheese and bibb lettuce salad. It's big enough for two and is covered with delicious, high quality chunk blue cheese.
Enough about the appetizers. One comes to a steakhouse of this quality (and price point) for the steaks. This is one of the few rooms in town that features dry aged beef. This is first rate beef and it shows. You really cannot go wrong selecting between the prime rib, filet mignon, New York strip, or for a lesser appetite, the tournedoes of filet. The huge double cut pork chop is also outstanding. I would avoid the humongous cowboy steak and the Kobe beef offering as they simply don't stack up with the first mentioned steaks. I've not tried the venison yet and I doubt i'll ever try the Besh cheeseburger (too many better choices and $25 bucks is ridiculous for a burger). Each steak dish is paired with a particular side. I am most fond of the crabmeat orzo risotto and the Bearnaise sauce with crabmeat and tarragon. I have found that the staff is very flexible in this regard, allowing you to swap and choose any sidedish. There are a few seafood dishes on the menu as well. I've enjoyed the Gulf shrimp with andouille grits. I've not had either fish dish. But if you go to Besh, get a steak. Finally, the liquor and wine selection are what you would expect from a restaurant of this quality and price.
VALUE
Make no mistake about it. The Besh Steakhouse is very expensive. An appetizer, salad and entree, coupled with a few beverages will easily approach one hundred dollars per person. One should have gotten the hint when I mentioned the $25 hamburger earlier. If there is any value on the menu, its the prime rib, which comes in right under $30. I really enjoy this restaurant, as I imagine you can tell, and its only the noisy casino and the really high prices that keep the rating from being even higher in the 90's. Highly recommended.
posted by Editor | 11:29 AM
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