June '08 Entertainment—Celebrity Chef Connection Column

The Riviera Hotel and Casino has been around for over 50 years and this casino still retains its wonderful old school charm while offering great food and entertainment. One of their great restaurants has been serving Las Vegas, both the locals and tourists, for 20 years and that is Kristofer’s Steak House.

During the past 20 years, Kristofer’s Steak House has served nearly 1.5 million guests, with one of the highest percentages of repeat diners for a Las Vegas Steak House. This iconic Las Vegas steak house opened its doors on April 1, 1988 and became a Las Vegas institution, renowned for its first-class service and top-quality fine dining.

There is an open kitchen and everyone from the hostess to the wait staff is very friendly and entertaining. They create a dining experience combining warmth, charm, good food, and wine in a very comfortable open room decorated in classic Mediterranean décor. In fact, many managers, chefs and wait staff at Kristofer’s have been with the restaurant for decades and you can tell by the way you are treated. Even though this is considered fine dining, it is also very family friendly and a great to introduce children to a fine dining experience.

Kristopher’s Steak House incorporates the way Las Vegas used to be, where everyone was part of the city, whether they lived here or were just visiting, with the trends of today. “In a city that tends to implode its history, we, at Kristofer’s, embrace it,” said Room Manager, Christine Chapman, “With a longstanding tradition of excellent food and service, Kristofer’s was synonymous with Las Vegas fine dining long before the city became the culinary capital of the country.”

As for history, over the years, the restaurant has served many celebrities, including, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Mickey Mantle, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Magic Johnson, Courtney Cox and many more.

About the food, this is a steak house and the prime cuts of steak are cooked to your liking with big a helping of sides. I enjoyed the Midwestern prime rib of beef, and radio hosts Baby and Schree enjoyed a Chargrilled Hanger Steak and New York Steak. But there are other entrees to enjoy such as Baby Back Ribs, broiled chicken Breast, Frenched Stuffed Pork Chop, Grilled Cajun Tenderloin Tips, Southwestern Mahi Mahi, Broiled Atlantic Salmon and Shrimp Scampi, just to name a few. Their wine list is one of the most affordable, with a great selection of specialty wines starting at $24. Their Spinach and Artichoke Casserole was a great starter but there is also Beefsteak Tomatoes with Buffalo Mozzarella and Sweet Onions, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Oysters on the Half Shell to try.

The desserts are incredible with their Baked Alaska, so light, and New York Style Cheesecake, which is so rich and creamy. From a serious coffee drinker, Kristopher’s Steak House offered some of the best with my dessert.

For a very intimate but not intimidating fine dining experience, whether it is with your family or just the two of you, you need to dine at Kristopher’s Steak House. You will then experience why they have been in business for over 20 years and are still one of the best places to eat.

Kristofer’s is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Kristofer's Steak House

Riviera Hotel and Casino

2901 Las Vegas Blvd S

Las Vegas NV 89109

702-734-5110