I was fortunate enough to go back home last weekend to see my family in Las Vegas. One thing Las Vegas is known for is its abundant options when it comes to excellent food and drink. When people think of these amazing restaurants, they mostly think of the strip. Being from Las Vegas, I am able to experience the great places to eat off the strip. There is a steakhouse down the street from my house that I got to try for the first time this past weekend and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is Harlo Steakhouse and Bar and this is my review.
Atmosphere
The most important thing about Harlo is that it is around 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. While this might be out of the way for tourists, locals can experience easy access to the restaurant with plenty of parking and constant availability to get reservations. The restaurant is in Downtown Summerlin, a premier outdoor mall gaining popularity for its popular restaurants and bars. For a local, this is the perfect place to have a nice meal without dealing with the chaos of downtown. When you walk into Harlo, you know you are not on the strip. The restaurant is quiet and dark, perfect for a date night with a significant other. I went with my parents, but this is 100% the vibe I got. I will say that the restaurant might be a little too dark, with barely any windows exposing the restaurant to outside lighting. This made it a little challenging to see the menu at times, but it was nothing too bad. The noise level was great, as I could converse with whomever I was talking to without interruption from outside noise. The inside of the restaurant screams luxury with fancy chandeliers and cool features hanging from the high ceilings.
Food and Drink
Ever since I turned 21 years old, I have made sure to get a cocktail every time I go out to a nice restaurant. For this dinner, I got the Playa del Carmen signature cocktail which includes charred pineapple patron reposado / amontillado sherry falernum / banana / toasted coconut / and lemon. When the drink arrived, it came on a stone platter with flowers surrounding the glass. The presentation makes you feel like you are about to taste something special. The drink itself did not disappoint. It was very well-balanced and had excellent flavors.
We did not order any appetizers, but they did bring dinner rolls and butter for all guests. These rolls are simply out of this world. They come super warm, so warm that the butter melts as soon as you spread it on. They were soft and fluffy; I could easily eat a million of them if I wanted. Then came the entrees. I ended up splitting a steak with my mom and ordering a side of rigatoni. We all split a side of the fried cauliflower. Starting with the steak was, without a doubt, one of my favorites. It was a 12oz skirt, wagyu. I got my steak medium, and it was cooked exactly that. Each bite was filled with flavor and very tender. The steak also comes with a selection of sauces. I chose peppercorn and complimented the steak beautifully, even though the meat was perfect on its own. The rigatoni pasta was also great. It was made with a spicy house-made marinara and topped with green onion and parmesan cheese. Interestingly, this pasta comes colder than typical pasta, and despite this, it was still terrific. Lastly is the side of fried cauliflower. The cauliflower was deep-fried with chili aioli drizzled on top. This side is so good that you forget that you are eating vegetables. I am typically not a cauliflower fan, but I loved this dish. We did not get dessert because we were all so full from the entree.
Prices
Harlo Steakhouse and Bar is not cheap but better than most upscale restaurants on the strip. The cocktails are around $14, and so are most sides. The rigatoni I ordered was $15, and the 120z wagyu was $46. The food and drinks, in my opinion, are worth the price.
Overall, Harlo Steakhouse and Bar is a great restaurant, perfect for a date night or any other significant occasion. If anyone visiting Las Vegas has the chance, I highly suggest making the trip to Harlo and trying it out.