Yardbird Southern Table

Yardbird Southern Table might have been the foodie highlight of my Miami trip.  I was super excited to find out they opened a post in Las Vegas.  I was wary though.  Sometimes the quality can falter when places expand to Vegas.  I feel like chains/restaurateurs/chefs just expand to the Sin City for the sake of having a presence in the city.  It doesn't help that Vegas is known more for its gamblers and gluttons, rather than its foodies and Michelin stars.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to find the quality here is spot on and might just outshine the original.  On a revisit, I would normally try to branch out and order some different things, but even Anthony Bourdain ordered all the same things when he visited the Miami location.  So why fix it if it ain't broken, right?

Decidedly Undecided and Rock Dweller both came to the independent observation that the joint looks a lot like a Restoration Hardware.  I remember the Miami spot had a lot more windows and sunglight. The thing with Vegas hotels is that they never want to show you any windows.  They never want you to know that you've just spent the day gambling from sunrise to sunset.  As a result, Yardbird Vegas relies on cool light installations like this mason jar fixture to keep the place bright.

More cute decor!  I wonder if they people who designed/decorated Public House had a hand in the style at Yardbird too?

Blood Mary

It's a meal in a cup!  Can't Hang and Big Head Talks Alot partook in this feast.  I think Big Head spent more time talking off Can't Hang's ear, than drinking the darn thing.  His looked pretty melted and unfinished by the end of our meal.

Chicken Liver Toast grilled country bread, cuke and fresno chili relish
They slathered a generous helping of the pate here.  While it would be cool if Rock Dweller and Can't Hang got excited over charcuterie the way Lo-MaLinda and I do, splitting this toast 4 ways instead of 6 ways made for a much more enjoyable experience.  Miami vs. Vegas = 0 for 0.

Fried Green Tomato BLT pork belly, green, tomato jam, house-made pimento cheese

Just as good as I remember. Miami vs. Vegas = 0 for 0.

'77 Elvis Pancakes chocolate chip pancakes, banana compote, bourbon maple syrup, 'peanut butter'

Miami's version was more chocolately and banana-y.  These tasted more like regularly pancakes.  I'd give it to Miami.  Miami vs. Vegas = 1 for 0.

Butter Lettuce & Grilled Mango Salad smoked pecans, benne seed vinaigrette

This was a much more generous portion than Miami, but only $1 more.  I think I was the only one enthusiastically chowing down here.  I love citrus, acid, tart brightness.  Someone might have suggested a salad with some creamy dressing but I vetoed that one teehee.  Miami vs. Vegas = 1 for 1

Buttermilk Biscuits fresh house baked biscuits, honey butter, seasonal house jam 

We did not order the biscuits in Miami so I guess there's no comparison.  Delicious biscuits for sure.

Chicken 'n' Watermelon 'n' Waffles 'old school fried chicken', honey hot sauce, chilled spiced watermelon, cheddar cheese chow chow waffle, bourbon maple syrup

I was a bit disappointed with this dish in Miami.  The chicken seemed dry and the watermelon was bland since it probably was not in season.  This time around, the chicken was moist and juicy, and that's just based on the white meat too.  The watermelon was sweet but not noticeably spicy.  The waffles were whatevers.  I give it to Vegas for sure.  Miami vs. Vegas = 1 for 2

Shrimp n' Grits florida shrimp, crisp virginia ham, nora mill granary grits

My companions complained that this dish was too salty in Miami.  Here, there just wasn't enough oomph.  The shrimp seemed undercooked.  Don't they look a little too translucent?  The grits didn't have enough fat or flavor.  We were told they use a completely different grit here.  Not sure if that was it.   Miami vs. Vegas = 2 for 2.

I guess in the end Miami and Vegas are tied, but because they did the chicken and waffles better, I'm gonna give it to Vegas.  Plus, given the lack of equivalent options in Vegas, Yardbird is even more special.  Also, its good to know that the prices here aren't jacked up by virtue of its location in The Venetian and in the strip.  The prices are pretty much the same as Miami.  Most times, you're probably too hungover or too busy to think about where to brunch it up in the Sin City.  Most times, you'd probably want to eat buffet.  But if you're looking for solid quality with a southern flare, that isn't all-you-can-eat Yardbird gets my two thumbs up!

10 - You NEED to eat here 

9 - Awesome! 

8 - Very good
7 - Good 

6 - OK

5 - Average
4 - Not bad

3 - Not good

2 - Terrible

1 - Do NOT go here