The Hopeful Traveler: Holsteins Shakes and Buns at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Holstein's located on the second level of The Cosmopolitan has two
entrances. This one leads to the main dining room.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

'The Rising Sun' Big Buns burger. (photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

A "simple" chocolate shake. (photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

There's something comforting about eating at Holsteins Shakes and Buns at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. With a focus on specialty burgers and the warm colors of the dining room, I knew I wouldn't be hard pressed to immediately find something I'd like on the menu.

But I almost suffered from a case of indecision upon choosing just one of the restaurant's "Big Buns" burger but narrowed my selection to 'The Rising Sun' ($17, Kobe beef, teryiyaki glaze, nori furikake, crispy yam, spicy mayo and tempura avocado; served with shoestring fries). A chocolate shake ($8) rounded out this decadent late night meal.

The burger would depend on the right blend of Asian flavors. My affection for teriyaki sauce is renewed for a flavor that has come to be associated with a low-end American versions of Japanese fast food. The brightness of the avocado and yam balances with the kick of the mayo and sauce and with the juicy grilled beef patty. The burger is quite filling and the pot of crispy shoestring fries could have been a great appetizer in itself.

It's been a long time since I've had a shake of any flavor outside of the golden arches or from that place with that guy in the clown's hat. So one forgets how delicious a great hamburger goes with a satisfying shake. It was all the dessert I needed to close out my meal.

Next time I'd like to order one of the restaurant's Bam-Boozled Shakes such as the The Almond Joy (with Amaretto, Malibu Rum, toasted coconut and candied almonds) or Blueberry Pie (Stoli blueberry Vodka, blueberry compote, brown butter crumble) both priced at $11 each. Among the Big Buns burgers my eyes strayed to the Gold Standard ($17.50, dry aged sirloin burger with smoked bacon, goat cheddar, tomato confit, arugula and garlic-chive aioli) and the Billionaire Burger ($28, Kobe beef, foie gras, port onion marmalade, frisee and truffle mayo). These would have to wait until next time.

The restaurant was near it's closing time but the staff was still attentive in their service. Never made to feel once I was dragging out their work day just because I showed up 30 minutes to closing.

Holsteins is a new burger concept from Las Vegas restaurateurs Billy Richardson and Chef Anthony Medenbauer of Block 16 Hospitality.

Click HERE for the menu. Visit holsteinslv.com for more information. Hours: Lunch (daily 11am-4pm); Dinner (daily 4pm to midnight); Late Night (Fri, Sat & Mon 12am-2am).