LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30, 2013) – Emeril Lagasse’s Las Vegas restaurants, Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian Las Vegas, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand and Table 10 at the Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian I The Palazzo, is introducing its first hand-selected, private bourbon whiskey exclusively offered in the three locations. In addition to being served straight-up or on the rocks, Max Solano, beverage manager for Delmonico Steakhouse, created three seasonal cocktails with diverse flavor profiles using the bourbon to be featured at all three restaurants.
“With more than 550 whiskey selections from around the world, Delmonico Steakhouse has always had one of the top and most extensive programs in the region, and our other restaurants carry a wide range of the spirit as well,” said Eric Linquest, president and COO of Emeril’s Homebase. “Our beverage team is constantly setting the bar higher, so we were ready to take our commitment to whiskey-based products to the next level with our own exclusive selection making us the only ones in the entire world with this particular barrel.”
Solano and Linquest traveled to the renowned Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, Ky., and blind tasted 12 barrels in order to have the most unbiased opinions – three Buffalo Trace, three Eagle Rare 10 year, three Rockhill Farms and three Elmer T. Lee spirits.
After scoring each of the whiskies, Solano and Linquest deemed a single barrel of Eagle Rare as their favorite. Solano scored the barrel highest out of all 12 because it stood out as the most balanced with a flavorful depth that intensified as the whiskey opened up. He described the initial bouquet as slightly floral, followed by sweet corn and vanilla notes; and as it had time to breathe, tobacco and leather scents became more noticeable. Banana and butternut squash were also in the initial flavor profile as hints of vanilla came through, before the subtle rye spice rounded out the flavor.
Emeril’s restaurants are now featuring seasonal cocktails with the private whiskey: Kicked Up! Bourbon Milk Punch ($14), made with St. Elizabeth allspice dram, Monin Organic vanilla syrup, whole milk, cayenne pepper and garnished with freshly grated cinnamon and a cinnamon stick; the Autumn Pomme ($14), made with fresh apple cider, fresh lemon juice, grade A 100% maple syrup and garnished with a red apple slice and freshly grated cinnamon; and the NOLA Mule ($14) made with Marie Brizard Pear liqueur, fresh lime juice, Fever Tree ginger beer and garnished with a fresh pear slice and mint sprig.
Delmonico Steakhouse is located at The Venetian Las Vegas and open daily for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner on Sunday through Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-10:30 p.m. For reservations, please call 702.414.3737 or visit emerilsrestaurants.com/delmonico-steakhouse.
Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House is located at the MGM Grand and open daily for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. For reservations, please call 702.891.7374 or visitemerilsrestaurants.com/emerils-new-orleans-fish-house.
Table 10 is located in the Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian I The Palazzo and is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. For reservations, please call 702.607.6363 or visitemerilsrestaurants.com/table-10.
About Emeril Lagasse
Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 13 restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, Bethlehem, Pa. and Charlotte, N.C. As a national TV personality, he has hosted more than 2,000 shows on the Food Network, and is the food correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Lagasse is also on his third consecutive season of Bravo’s hit food series, Top Chef, as one of the show’s main guest chefs and restaurateurs at the judges’ table as it travels to New Orleans. His latest show, Emeril’s Florida, premiered January 2013 on the Cooking Channel. Lagasse is the best-selling author of 18 cookbooks, including his latest, Cooking with Power, released in October 2013. Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands in 2008; Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO) acquired the assets related to Emeril’s media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, the emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. In 2002, Emeril established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support children’s educational programs that inspire and mentor young people through the culinary arts, nutrition, healthy eating, and important life skills. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $5.5 million to community organizations in New Orleans, Las Vegas and on the Gulf Coast.
About Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Restaurants
Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 13 award-winning restaurants, including three in New Orleans (Emeril’s, NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico); four in Las Vegas (Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Delmonico Steakhouse, Table 10 and Lagasse’s Stadium); two in Orlando (Emeril’s Orlando and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop); three in Bethlehem, Pa. (Emeril’s Chop House, Burgers And More by Emeril and Emeril’s Italian Table) and one in Charlotte, N.C. (e2 emeril’s eatery). Lagasse opened his first restaurant, Emeril’s New Orleans, in 1990 to national acclaim. He opened his first Las Vegas property, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand in 1995, followed by Delmonico Steakhouse in The Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino in 1999 and Table 10 at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian l The Palazzo in 2008. Lagasse’s restaurants consistently win critical praise and top ratings. Delmonico Steakhouse has received the prestigious “Grand Award” from Wine Spectator magazine every year since 2004.