Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla Open Andiron In Las Vegas to Rave Reviews.
In current times being a restaurateur is not easy. Just having one successful establishment is a feat in itself. Working long hours, weekends and holidays away from family as well as financial worries is not for everyone. The odds are that most will fail. However, some rise to the top, have the right stuff and are truly a rare breed.
We have been fortunate over the years to bear witness to a special partnership that assembled a team and have opened not one, not two, but three successful restaurants. Their venues are not a chain, rehashing and copying the first success. Each one of their restaurants are unique and unlike their sister venues. Three concepts and three successes.
Who are these people that defied the odds and certainly have proven they have the right stuff you may ask? Who else would it be than renowned restaurateurs Elizabeth Blau and her husband Chef Kim Canteenwalla. They are the great minds behind Honey Salt and Made L.V. located in Summerlin and of course Buddy V’s Ristorante in the Palazzo Resort.
The Food and Beverage community waited with great anticipation for their newest and most ambitious venue yet, Andiron Steak & Sea located in Downtown Summerlin. The wait is over! We attended the VIP opening along with a whos’ who of local and national journalists, Chefs and stars from every universe you could imagine. Impressive to say the least, Andiron is simply breath taking. Designer Thomas Schlesser really went all in the interior décor of the main dining room, a very sexy lounge and bar as well as a relaxing patio where guests can dine Al Fresco.
Elizabeth and Chef Kim know it takes a team to be a success and named managing partners Stephen Jerome and Chef Joseph Zanelli to lead the Andiron operations. They both have been on the team all along the journey, from both Honey Salt and Made L.V.
With the opening of Andiron Steak & Sea, this dynamic team have introduced Fine Dining at a whole new level of sophistication not just for the very swank Downtown Summerlin but for Summerlin over all. It’s been a long time coming.
Andiron should be visited on multiple occasions to get a true feel for the restaurant and mixology. Start your experience off with a tasty Little Gem Salad with maytag blue cheese, vine ripe tomatoes and maple glazed thick cut bacon. Next up, enjoy a Yellow Tail Crudo to get your palate ready for some gastronomic fun. We enjoyed Steak Tartare, a nice blend of grass fed tenderloin, capers, Dijon mustard, quail egg and grilled bread to top it off. Don’t forget to order the Hudson Valley Foie Gras with huckleberry jam and toasted brioche. This is only a start!
Looking at Entrés we suggest you do some exploring. For the carnivores, dive into a 36oz Tomahawk Chop for two. You can’t go wrong with a Creek Stone Farms 18oz Bone In Rib Eye cooked medium rare of course. For a little bit lighter fare enjoy a 9oz Wagu Skirt Steak.
From the Sea, we enjoyed a Scottish Salmon with serrano ham crust, shaved brussels sprouts and cipollini onions topped off with a peruvian chili glaze. Andiron’s Grilled Whole Branzino with roasted peppers ragu, capers with wild fennel & pine nuts was suggested by Chef Kim. Also we can say is perfecto!
For the vegetarians, how about a steak? Their Roasted Cauliflower Steak with cauliflower puree, king trumpet mushrooms and pickled fresno pepper vinaigrette is sure to please.
For a great finish, don’t be shy order of few of these tasty treats. Bite into Ashley’s Crème Brulee Donuts featuring a rich vanilla custard or a nice Warm Pecan Carrot Cake with bourbon cream cheese and pineapple currant compote. Hungry yet?
On our visit we enjoyed some excellent choices from their impressive wine list. The lounge features the classic Andirion Martni with stoli elit vodka, vittone bianco vermouth and stuffed olives. The Midnight Rambler is a Chef Kim original and a personal favorite featuring bulleit rye, maple syrup and angostura bitters. The Pineapple Bump with absolut elyx, pineau des charantes, pineapple, apple vinegar, fresh lemon sour and club soda has been creating quite a buzz as well.
What can we say to Elizabeth, Kim and their team but congratulations once again and you will see us often.
