Umami Goes Vegas (2010): Day 3: Joe's Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Day 3 Dinner was at Joe's Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab in the Caesar's Palace Forum Shops (Las Vegas Boulevard End, Street Level, at the base of the spiral escalator).   Joe's Stone Crab opened in Miami in 1913 and in Las Vegas in 2004.  The restaurant serves steaks and fish, but is famous for stone crab.  So that's what Umami has!

But first, a salad . . . This is the Vegetable Chopped Salad, with Farmer's Cheese & Joe's Vinaigrette.  It's cool and crisp, with hearts of palm, celery, and radish adding some texture and and a little bite.  The cheese is unobtrusive and the vinaigrette subtle.  It's a really good salad ($9.95).

Next, seven medium stone crab claws ($34.95) and an order of hashbrowns ($7.95).  Joe's used to do a lunch special of three stone crab claws, hashbrowns, coleslaw, and key lime pie for $29.95 (I think), but no more.  They do, however, do a special of five jonah crab claws, hashed brown, sweet corn, and key lime pie for $21.95.  And a $21.95 Filet Mignon lunch special as well, both of which are options for another day.

But these are the stone crab claws.  They come cracked with a delicate horseradish mustard sauce.  The meat is firm and sweet, and doesn't really need the sauce.  Umami really likes the mustard and, therefore, uses it.

The hashbrowns are incredibly good, with a crunchy crust and decent amount of salt.  In fact, while Umami might bypass the stone crab in order to try other items, he's not compromising on the hash browns!

Here's a shelled claw.  It's funny that these pics have come out so dark, because the seating area is actually just outside the restaurant proper, in a "patio" that's basically a small section of the mall.

It's okay to sit outside, but inside is probably better, since it's got a steak-house-dark-wood" vibe that's more appropriate to the fare.

Finally, this is the key lime pie ($6.95), which was served very chilled to the point of being practically frozen, which was rather disappointing.  Umami thinks they don't really pay enough attention to the pie, just kind of cutting it, casually plating it (isn't it a little off center?), and storing it too cold.  Too bad, too, because the flavor of the pie itself is refreshing, especially after the crab and potatoes.

In sum, a fun option for lunch (because you get to eat with your hands!), with solid food, in a convenient spot to sit down after a morning of running around Caesar's.



Joe's Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Forum Shops @ Caesars (Las Vegas Blvd End, Street Level)
3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 792-9222

JoesLVCS@leye.com

www.joes.net/las-vegas