Reviews of Bardot Brasserie, Makers & Finders and Gabriella’s Italian Grill

Reviews are rolling in for Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie, his new French restaurant at Aria. Brock Radke says, “It’s only February, but it’s hard to believe Las Vegas will see a better new restaurant this year.”

He calls the food “majestic” and touts the roasted chicken, escargot in puff pastry, confit duck à l’orange wings and roasted eggplant dip.

Last week, Al Mancini gave similar accolades, citing the “simplistic approach” to the heritage chicken, the chickpea fries with roasted eggplant dip and the duck wings. Seems they both had the same dishes. Mancini did complain that the foie gras parfait had “a bit too much sweet port gelée” and the potato gnocchi was “closer to Tater Tots than pasta.” [VS]

This week, Mancini went to Makers & Founders to try the Latin fare at the coffee shop. He recommends the shrimp ceviche (“straightforward as it gets”), chicken tinga empanadas, sofrito-spiced Angus beef sliders and the La Paisa arepa with shredded beef. [VS]

HKR heads to Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria and gives it an A grade for service and atmosphere, and a B grade for food for an overall A-. She said the restaurant had “great starters and entrees” but the “salads definitely are the weakest link.” [LVRJ]