Border Grill – Mandalay Bay

8 Reviews on “Border Grill – Mandalay Bay”

• Michael U.

  Last visited when scouting houses in September 2013, that morning compromised by a traffic cop clearly looking to fill a quota, it was alongside a friend met just a few weeks later that Brunch was planned inside Border Grill at Mandalay Bay on Saturday, the return of Chef Mike Minor to the kitchen seeing several new items added to the endless Brunch in addition to several old classics.Joined by a second location at The Forum Shops since that first visit, a pair of meals there plus one in Santa Monica providing a good frame of reference for Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Fenigers brand of Mexican cuisine, it was after navigating a good bit of the Hotel and Casino en route from Self Parking that guests were checked-in at the hostess podium, Chef Mike briefly seen greeting diners in the upstairs dining room before returning to the kitchen and later visiting downstairs patrons.Offering both an a la carte plus $38.99 all-you-can-eat option on weekends from 10am until three oclock, the ability to add bottomless Mimosas, Micheladas and Bloody Marys for just $20 clearly a popular choice, it was deferring Alcohol not once but *five* times throughout the course of the meal that the decision was made to partake in the AYCE Brunch, a basket of Guava Empanadas familiarly starting things off and as good as what one might find in Miami or Mexico while the housemade Tortilla Chips with four Salsas proved tempting throughout nearly two-hour meal.Receiving 14/16 of the menus diverse options during the course of the morning, service hit-and-miss with a youthful Hispanic gentleman a bit overzealous while his lanky Caucasian counterpart could not have been more blas if he tried, it was as Tortilla Chips were being presented that a vessel containing plump Shrimp and a vibrant mix of Vegetables arrived, a refreshing opening bite that quickly transitioned to medium-rare Skirt Steak atop crispy Potatoes with smoky Chipotle Sauce and a Sunny-side Egg.An enormous and intriguing space, the soaring ceilings and walls all painted with both indoor and al fresco seating, it was shortly after Steak that the Two Hot Tamales Shrimp and Grits came from the kitchen, the creamy base and Sustainable Seafood bolstered by Peruvian Pepper Paste while the Chilaquiles spoke well of Border Grills Chips which remained crisp despite several toppings.Going sweet for a moment, the coursing left to Chef Minor smartly using fluffy Cinnamon Pancakes to refresh the palate before offering up a fiery blend of Masa and Shredded Chicken, it was in follow-up that Border Grills Benedict proved to be one of the Brunchs most memorable items, a housemade Cheese Biscuit stacked high with Pork and Pickled Onions plus the expected Egg and Hollandaise.Adapting to current dining trends by offering a Power Parfait, the presence of superfood Chia Seeds on menus certainly not common in 2013 and neither adding nor detracting from a fresh Fruit and Coconut Milk in this creamy vegan concoction, it was again with senses freshened that Breakfast Fries and Sliders came next, the typically American pairing given a southwest spin by way fresh Salsa and dried-Pepper BBQ Sauce plus braised Meats including crispy Carnitas and tender Brisket.The rare everything to everyone menu that still manages to maintain its concept, Border Grills longtime success likely attributable to precisely that fact while several other Mexican or Latin Restaurants on The Strip have struggled, it was with Milliken and Fenigers comforting Bacon Jalapeno PBJ Sandwich followed by Marys Organic Fried Chicken atop a tiny Waffle soaked in 100% Maple Syrup that savories came to a conclusion, the ingredient quality never in question and frankly remarkable in comparison to Las Vegas other all-you-can-eat choices.Wasting nothing more than a few smears of Sauce to this point, Chef Mike complimenting the tables capacity when visiting guests around the room, it was with a sliver of Tres Leches Bread Pudding plus chopped up Churros in Caramel plus Passion Fruit that Brunch neared its finish, the addition of $9 Rice Pudding from the a la Carte Dessert Menu highly recommended, though the portion here seems a bit less bountiful than that served in the Forum Shops with a Pecans and Bananas.FOUR STARS: Happy to see Chef back in a kitchen showcasing his talents, the ingredient quality and cooking across fifteen plates speaking volumes about both ownership and the man at the stove, those looking for an upscale Brunch option that brings the heat while remaining accessible would be well-advised to stop by Border Grill at Mandalay Bay on weekends, though some consistency in service would make the experience even better. endoedibles.com

  April 3, 2020, 6:23 pm

  Log in to Reply