BESO STEAKHOUSE @ CITY CENTER… “I’ll Have Another Sangria, Please!”

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED.

The name simply means ‘kiss’. And the experience will virtually overwhelm your senses. Tucked within City Center in Las Vegas among the magnificent Crystals Shopping Plaza, you will find Beso…a Latin-infused steakhouse owned by Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria. What will you discover here? Try intrigue, romance, a supreme waitstaff, cutting edge cuisine and an ambiance so enthralling that you’ll think you’ve fallen into a dream. A very good dream.

The entire restaurant is phenomenal. From the prestigious exterior of the glass wall of windows to the luminous shimmering chandeliers dangling from the ceilings inside, this finely detailed dining establishment will envelope you with its unmistakable charm, its intimate setting and it’s obvious attatchment to all things beautiful.

Above, the cozy lounge beside a trendy back-lit bar is inviting and tempts patrons with delicious and unique cocktails and standard favorites, views of the enchanting interior of the restaurant decor, and a bright pop of color outside via the red lounge chairs on the Beso patio featuring outdoor heaters that possess the appearance of larger-than-life lamps!

Below, inside Beso in the main dining room, the back-lit bar as you enter the front door, another burst of ruby color in the open kitchen, the dramatic crystal chandeliers falling in cascades from the ceiling, and one of the cozy steakhouse-style booths along the perimeter of the dining room.

Below…the best white sangria I’ve ever experienced. The Pear & Elderflower Sangria ($15) at the Vegas Beso. I’ve enjoyed this light delightful cocktail on numerous occasion over the years, and it’s still the same crisp, alluring and seductive libation as it’s always been. Made with Sauvignon Blanc, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Cointreau, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, White Cranberry Juice and served over ice with a garnish of fresh mint, raspberries and blackberries. In a word…breathtaking. I especially LOVE the 24 ounce Bordeaux wine glass this refresher is served in. No wonder this is Beso’s number one selling cocktail in Vegas! Each trip we take to Vegas, this is a mandatory ‘to-do’ on our list. Even if we’re just having drinks there…I HAVE to have my Pear and Elderflower Sangria! It’s just not Vegas to me if I don’t.

Below, an interesting modern and tech-savvy approach to the traditional wine and champagne menu…it’s all on an iPad! How clever is that? We also indulged in warm fresh-baked bread and chilled butter while sipping on a couple of glasses of Champagne before ordering dinner.

Every last detail was pondered and carefully brought to fruition here. Take a look at the following photos of Beso’s cocktail napkin with it’s signature kiss imprint (I love this!), the black suede dinner menu covers that feel incredible when held, and of course, the Beso logo so craftily created in a classic scripted font…

Ready for something to soothe your appetite? Well, we’ve got you covered! Here, we ordered Beso’s Iceberg Wedge Salad ($11) and an order of the Guacamole ($10). The Iceberg Wedge was chilled and crisp with bacon, tomato, and Shaft’s Blue Cheese Dressing creatively presented. On the guacamole front, this is Eva Longoria’s signature recipe and is served in an oval container with thin crunchy tortilla chips.

Iceberg Wedge Salad & Eva Longoria’s Signature Guacamole

After having the Wedge Salad and the Guacamole as our appetizers, we decided to share the Chopped Salad before receiving our entrees. This incredible chopped salad was comprised of an Iceberg-Romaine mix, carrots, celery, avocado, cucumber and tomato then was tossed in a spectacular avocado dressing and topped with crumbly cheese and tortilla strips. Trust us…you can definitely split this amply-portioned item.

Beso Chopped Salad

My husband enjoyed the Sesame Crusted Halibut ($36). Served with grilled cactus relish, spring onions and containing a mole sauce, this menu item offered a bit of heat to it. However, the succulent tender meat of the fish offered a savory flavor sensation with the cactus relish and spring onions as a whole.

Sesame Crusted Halibut

Sharing any of the sides here is definitely a good idea, as they are enormous in size. Below, we ordered the Au Gratin Potatoes, and this massive dish of cheesy goodness appeared before us…

Au Gratin Potatoes

I decided on the Pan Roasted Diver Scallops ($36). Though served with Adobo spice, this dish was not spicy in any regard. Joined by a corn-spring vegetable ragu, peppered bacon, tomato confit and a balsamic reduction, prepare yourself for being flabbergasted by this incredibly ambrosial and tasty option.

Pan Seared Diver Scallops

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our many visits to Beso in Las Vegas. Whether there for a long, relaxing, romantic dinner, entertaining business associates or just sipping on cocktails at the bar and on the outdoor patio, we have always had an enjoyable time.

  • ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Enormous crystal chandeliers tumble from high ceilings above dining patrons and the cozy seductive lounge, while flickering candles and wall sconces enhance the already alluring environment. A burst of the eatery’s signature red flashes from the open preview kitchen as well as on the outside patio’s seat cushions. Prepare for enchantment, romance and a trendy upscale vibe at this fine dining establishment.
  • FOOD / DRINK: Exquisite preparation, creative selections, outstanding unique cocktails and intriguing visual display of all items offered.
  • LOCATION: Beso is located at 3720 South Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, NV 89109 in the Crystals Shopping Plaza inside the renowned City Center next door to the Aria Hotel & Casino.
  • HOURS: Beso Steakhouse in Las Vegas is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5PM – 10PM, then on Fridays and Saturdays from 5PM – 11PM. Reservations are recommended.
  • SERVICE / STAFF: Camacho was our server the last time we dined at Beso. Just as his stellar service and kind demeanor was appreciated, we’ve also been happily satisfied with past service from all other servers and bar staff.
  • PRICE / VALUE: Considering the quality and proportions of what we ordered, we feel that we received a fair value.
  • CORKAGE FEE: $35 per bottle! But it’s Vegas…and it’s a steakhouse. Both of which tend to drive the corkage charges higher than normal.
  • CONTACT INFO: This restaurant is no longer in business.
  • PARKING: Valet service is available at the front of the establishment in the rounded entry drive in front of Aria Hotel & Casino, which is immediately next door to Beso.
  • TOTAL BILL: We ordered a Pear & Elderflower Sangria, two glasses of Champagne, the Iceberg Wedge Salad, the Signature Guacamole, a Chopped Salad, the Sesame Crusted Halibut, a side of the Au Gratin Potatoes and the Pan Seared Diver Scallops, which brought our grand total to just over $160. Well worth the splurge, and most certainly well worth the visit!

Beso (Crystals) on Urbanspoon Beso  Restaurant Reviews

* Menu and prices subject to change without notice.

BLU JAM CAFE… “Jam On With Succulent Cuisine In A Relaxed Atmosphere!”

It’s not often that a place known for it’s sensational breakfast dishes and lunch sandwiches and salads can pull off delicious dinner entrees in addition to their morning and noon fare, but Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose Avenue has definitely nailed it! This cafe boasts scrumptious cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes its customers in with open arms. We had to return to this location again recently to try other items on their extensive and multifarious menu…and were we impressed! (Unfortunately, Blu Jam Cafe is no longer serving dinner. However, breakfast and lunch are now available all day, seven days a week, from 8 AM – 5 PM!)

With attractive and comfortable seating indoors and outside in a quaint railing-enclosed patio perfect for people-watching, Blu Jam Cafe offers an array of items on their all-day menu. Now open from 8AM to 5PM, you can not only order your favorite breakfast items, but also anything on the lunch or dinner menus as well. Sauteed Salmon with String Beans and Mashed potatoes at 8 AM, anyone? What an ingenious idea!

The interior colors are warm, vibrant and there is a sense of energetic whimsy about this place. You will feel welcome the moment you walk inside this establishment. In fact, you may never want to leave. The dark glazed mahogany tables coordinate nicely with the brick wall behind the bar, the raw finish of the exposed pipes and rafters overhead lend itself to a bit of a rustic feel and the amazing customer service and delightfully sensational menu options tie everything together to top off a neighborhood eatery with so much to offer…

California Omelet

My husband and I first visited Blu Jam Cafe for lunch a few weeks ago. Our selections included the above California Omelet, which is comprised of a three egg omelet with crispy smoked bacon, fresh tomato, avocado, sour cream and cheddar cheese served with potatoes and toast. All I witnessed was a very happy man across from me at the table as I watched this dish get devoured down to the very last bite.

Below, I appreciated the Warm Mushroom Salad with sauteed fresh mushrooms, organic mixed greens, chopped tomatoes, goat cheese, chives and a delicious balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I not only delighted in the union of savory flavors while feasting upon this item, but I was also enchanted by the visual presentation as well…

Warm Mushroom Salad

On our most recent trek to Blu Jam Cafe, we elected to sit indoors. The mood of the evening was a bit more calm and the busy breakfast crowd had long since simmered down. We began this dining experience by trying one of the Red Wine Sangrias made with fresh juices, cinnamon and sparkling wine…

Red Sangria

…both a little tart from the wine and a little sweetened by the fruit juices and fresh orange wedge affixed to the side of the glass, this was a very refreshing take on a classic summer drink…

Burrata & Strawberries

This choice from the Soups & Starters section of the menu (pictured above and below) is Blu Jam Cafe’s Burrata and Strawberries appetizer… succulent fresh strawberries topped with creamy Burrata (means “buttered” in Italian. Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream…the outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside consists of mozzarella and cream) then topped again by wild arugula and a balsamic syrup on top of crunchy crostinis. The below picture is a close-up of this delectable dish…

Burrata & Strawberries Close-Up

For my entree, I went simple with a panini. Served on pressed focaccia bread with a side of organic mixed greens, the Turkey Pesto Panini was bursting with astonishing flavors from the combination of the oven-roasted turkey breast, refreshing tomatoes, house-made pesto and provolone cheese…

Turkey Pesto Panini

The following photo is a close-up view of the sandwich…

Close-Up Photo of the Turkey Pesto Panini

My husband ordered the Sauteed Salmon. And yes, it did taste as incredible as it looks in this snapshot below! This grilled salmon dish was served with green beans, mashed potatoes and a lemon-caper sauce that was to die for…literally!

Sauteed Salmon

Stepping out of our normal routine a bit, we decided to order dessert. Yes, we know it’s a strange occurance for us, but for one reason or another we were both craving a little bite of something sweet. Problem was, we wound up eating the entire thing! We chose a piece of the Tres Leches Cake topped with a fluffy whipped topping and fresh seasonal berries. In a word, it was heaven…and very beautiful to behold.

Tres Leches Cake

We love this place! And here’s something else to love…Blu Jam Cafe serves organic produce, free-range meats and some of the freshest seafood you can get your hands on. Additionally, kudos to this terrific eatery for their support of the local economy by its purchase of meats from farms local to the area like Jacob Farms, Rodoni Farm, Riverdog Farm, Terra Firma Farm and Niman Ranch. What’s not to love about that? In fact, what’s not to love about Blu Jam Cafe…..quite simply, not a thing!

  • ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Outdoors, a quaint patio with a terrific view of passers-by. Inside, a trendy ambiance with rustic touches that is warm and inviting.
  • FOOD / DRINK: S-A-V-O-R-Y!!! Everything is savory here from the chilled beverages to the creative starters to the crisp salads to the succulent entrees and indulgent sandwiches and paninis!
  • LOCATION: Blu Jam Cafe is located at 7371 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, CA 90046.
  • HOURS: Now open daily from 8 AM until 5PM.
  • SERVICE / STAFF: Both Alex and Jesse waited on us during our most recent visit to Blu Jam Cafe. Their professional demeanor and friendly positive attitudes are just one more reason you’ll enjoy dining here!
  • PRICE / VALUE: Great value, terrific prices and two very satisfied customers and fans here!
  • CORKAGE: $14 per bottle, however the establishment does serve beer, wine, and Jesse at the bar can make a pretty mean Sangria!
  • PARKING: Metered street parking is available along Melrose Avenue and the surrounding side streets.
  • TOTAL BILL: On our first visit, we ordered the Californian Omelette and the Warm Mushroom Salad, which came to a total of $31.37. On our more recent visit, we selected one of Blu Jam Cafe’s Red Sangrias, the Turkey Pesto Panini, the Sauteed Salmon Entree and a square of the unbelievable Tres Leches Cake. After following Blu Jam Cafe on Twitter, they e-mailed us a 30% off coupon for our next trip there. We used that promotional discount on our last visit, which saved us $12.87, bringing our total to exactly $33.78. Just amazing!

Blu Jam Cafe on Urbanspoon

Blu Jam Cafe  Restaurant Reviews

* Menu and prices subject to change without notice.