This past Thursday I decided to head over to Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 located inside MGM in The District, the casino’s shopping and restaurant section. Since it just opened this past Tuesday, I was able to try them out on only their third day of business.
Pub 1842 is billed as a gastropub, which is a fancy name the restaurant industry is using these days. Bottom line it’s a pub with good drinks and eats. But I agree, a gastropub sounds much better than just pub.
I arrived about 11:30 in the morning so it was still early for the lunch crowd and just opening. I wasn’t sure how busy they would be, but by 12:30 the place was packed.
The pub has an extensive menu so I had some tough decisions to make. I sat at the bar and watched a little afternoon baseball while pondering my lunch choices.
My waitress, Jennifer, was very helpful. Knowing they just opened I asked her what items she had tried. She said they got to try everything on the menu and shared with me her favorites.
Then I spotted an appetizer that looked good – Crab Louie Deviled Eggs, which I ordered.
These were traditional deviled eggs with Maryland blue crab on top. I have to say, this was an awesome appetizer as they were very cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. On my next visit I want to try the Lobster Corn Dogs appetizer.
Next up was my lunch choice. After several suggestions from Jennifer, she talked me into trying their signature burger – Peanut Butter Crunch Burger. It consists of a burger topped with peanut butter, bacon jam, pimento cheese spread and potato chips resting on top of the sandwich, all in a great poppy seed bun.
Before you say yuck – as I did when I read it – I must tell you, it really is quite good. The combination gives the burger a sweet but salty taste that works well together. The burger patty itself was very tasty and cooked precisely as I wanted.
Based on this burger, I will be back to try a more traditional one, but I can easily see the Peanut Butter Crunch becoming a cult favorite at Pub 1842.
My burger came with fries that were outstanding. I can be a bit anal when it comes to my French fries but these were exactly how I like them.
A few other items caught my eye on the menu, like their Lobster Roll served with jalapeno cream corn on a parker roll. They also had an entree called Double Dog Dare You, which was two bacon-wrapped “double barrel Wagyu hot dogs” served with pico de gallo and chicharones.
Jennifer asked me if I saved room for dessert, and I honestly had to say I was stuffed. As she got the bill ready I told her everything was very good and I would be writing about it in my column. She also brought me a dessert, her treat.
They have four signature desserts, all cakes and shakes. Yes, you get a piece of cake with a perfect companion milkshake. It’s like pairing just the right wine with dinner. Jennifer brought me the Lemon Chiffon Cake with the Orange Vanilla Frappe Shake. Wow!
Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 will do very well, especially located in The District, a hip place to hang out before or after a show at the Events Center. There are plenty of TV’s to watch a game while you chill with a cold drink and some good food.
I give Pub 1842 a rating of 3.75 Forks.
Marco D’Angelo is the senior handicapper at Pregame.com. He co-hosts FIRST PREVIEW every Thursday at 10 a.m. on ESPN 1100 AM/98.9 FM. Follow him on twitter: @MarcoInVegas. Contact him at [email protected].