Michael T.
Yelp
If you disagree with the rating, hear out my rationale.
If I'm rating the atmosphere and vibe, it's 5 stars.
If I'm rating the experiential aspect, including plating and presentation, I'll go 4 stars because while there are some stunning and novel elements, a lot of what they do to elevate isn't original or unique, which is what I anticipated when coming here, specifically in the cocktails.
If I'm rating the service, it's a 4-5. Servers are friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and willing to be there as you need.
If I'm rating the cocktails, I'm going 3.5 stars. While some were absolutely beautiful, I didn't find the drinks themselves to be as refined or complex as I expected from the menu description. In addition, the Sheep's clothing drink arrived with a sticky stem and glass two separate time, which feels like poor execution, and at the price point there isn't room for that. I felt the same about the spirit selections for many of the cocktails on the menu, in that the choice didn't match the price. If you're charging a premium it needs to be a premium drink, not just in terms of how it looks. $24 for a Dewar's cocktail? A Rittenhouse old fashioned at $19? A house old fashioned is $15, which isn't bad by most standards today, but $4 to call the spirit, which in this case is an inexpensive retail bottle of rye? Unnecessary.
And if I'm rating this on food (it is a restaurant after all), I can't get past a three. Everything is beautifully presented but overall, the menu lacks interesting dishes and culinary originality. You've got sliders, boneless wings, ahi tartare, dips and spreads, a $16 bread, and of course, the chips and caviar, just so you can live out your extra ness.
We tried the smoked boneless wings, which were good nuggets of actual fried chicken (a + for sure) but smoke was more an aroma than a flavor because the sauce was like Frank's red hot and it washed it away. Removing the glass cloche they were smoking in is hackneyed too.
We had the prime rib sliders which were basic at best. Larger than I expected, with two per order, but again, nothing special in the flavor or presentation. Same could be said about the ahi tartare.
For dinner I had the shrimp with calamareneta pasta. I'd never heard of this pasta but it looks just like rings of a calamari, and it had a great texture. The Argentine red shrimp were mushy and a bit fishy and the spicy tomato sauce was just that, spicy and acidic without balance. A disappointment overall.
We also had a filet and that was under seasoned, small, thin, and disappointing.
To sum it up... if you want to experience an epic vibe and over the top atmosphere, and you're cool with pricey drinks and average eats, then make a reservation and enjoy.
If you're in Tahoe and you just want to party and throwdown, this could be your spot too.
My expectations at celebrity restaurants are always the same, over hyped by social media in photos and videos and mediocre, and that's what I found here.
For me, this is a one and done.