Vic & I used to work in the Theme Park business. In several different states. And, of course, we worked with lots of people who became friends.
Two of those ‘theme park’ friends came to Las Vegas recently for a convention (I think everybody comes to Vegas for a convention sooner or later). We made plans to meet them for drinks one of the nights they were in town.
Flower Display at Four Seasons
I picked Charlie Palmer’s because I’ve walked by it dozens of times while visiting the Four Seasons Hotel on the southern end of the Strip and always wanted to eat there. Plus the cocktail lounge area of the restaurant looks inviting. Vaguely faux Spanish with large couches, club chairs and subdued lighting.
Charlie Palmers Steak
So we walked in about 8 PM, and had our pick of the seating as we were the only ones in the lounge.
Cocktail Lounge
The waiter came up as we were greeting each other and getting seated. He asked for our orders. When I visit a new bar, I love to try out the bar’s signature cocktails, so I asked what they had.
Me, “What are your Signature Cocktails?”
Waiter, “We don’t have any Signature Cocktails. But we have a full bar.”
Me, “ (trying to think quickly of a standard drink)……..OK, could I have a Sazerac?”
Which is not an unusual order. The only things the bar would have to stock would be Rye, anise liqueur, Peychaud’s bitters, simple syrup & Angostura bitters.
Waiter, “We don’t have the makings for a Sazerac.”
Me, ( giving up) “Could I have a Manhattan?”…please…
Waiter, “Certainly, we have a full bar.”
The others ordered beer, scotch & water, and a lemon drop.
Lemon Drop with Sugared Rim
My drink was good, made with Maker’s Mark as I asked, and strong the way a good Manhattan should be strong. Definitely a sipping drink.
Manhattan on the Rocks
After one round, one of our group ordered a couple of cheese plates. There were 6 of us so we thought with two orders we’d have plenty. Our mistake.
The plates were brought and set down with no attempt at explaining what the cheeses and the accompanying sliver of bread were. And it was very subdued lighting so it was hard to tell. I think a Humbolt Fog and a Mahon but that’s all I could distinguish. The slices of toasted bread that came with the plates were delicious—brioche?
Cheese & Fruit Plate
Napkin Wrapped Bread Slices
The cheese plates were good…what there was of it. Portions were tiny. And one paper thin slice of, what tasted like, fig bread per plate.
So, Charlie drinks were good. Scope of bar’s drinks menu only fair for the restaurant of this caliber. Service just OK, again for a place this well known.
Will I try it again? Yeah, probably go back in a few weeks to see if anything changes. Did we have a great time at Charlie’s —– absolutely.
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