Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t dance. You’ll never see me dancing because I have two left feet. I may bob my head but that’s about it. So to have me dancing and singing from my seat (take my word for it) that the “All That & Dim Sum” dinner party at Hakkasan Las Vegas is literally all that and dim sum.
1. Hakkasan Las Vegas Venue Highlights
I was directed to the side of the MGM hotel and was hyped to find that Hakkasan restaurant had its own secluded and complimentary (HUGE plus) private valet.
The exclusive private entrance to the restaurant is the bossiest thing to walk through because it feels like one of those underground tunnels where celebrities travel through to go unseen. I live for iconic moments like that!
The restaurant is literally one door into the expanded. I loved that the room was dimly lit because it adds to the mystery of “I wonder who is eating here tonight?” Because in Vegas you never know!
2. A Very Honest Review On The “All That and Dim Sum” Menu & Price
People think fine dining is incredibly expensive, but that’s not the case.
Even if it was, what does “expensive” actually mean to our generation who spends $5,000 for a festival experience?
Or $35 a month for meal subscription plan? Or $300 for makeup and that must-have new James Charles eyeshadow palette?
It means you can afford a $70 dining experience because it’s also great content for your Instagram.
The menu starts off with salt and pepper tofu (one of my faves!), stir-fry mushroom lettuce wraps, spicy shrimp with a puffy mantou (so bomb!),
Then, crispy duck canape, dan dan noodle, vegetable rice paper roll.
Next was pan-seared Shanghai dumpling, scallop shumai, and more mushroom dumpling.
Finally for dessert, ice cream shots and animal shaped macarons (so cute!) created by Chef Julia.
3. Culture Appreciation
I appreciated that Hakkasan cared enough to honor traditional cantonese plating. They could’ve easily just appropriated the cuisine like we’re used to seeing in hospitality without any cultural references, but they kept it classy. It shows why they’re a Forbes approved restaurant. I also appreciated the vegan options. There’s nothing worse than wanting to go out for dinner and not having a vegan/vegetarian option.
4. The Drinks Were So Good
How good?
SO good.
I’m seriously not kidding.
I have gone from hardly ever drinking to tasting cocktails for food reviews nearly all the time now, so I’ve had my fair share of drinks to compare to.
Hakkasan has hands down moved up to my Top 5 Best Places In Vegas For F**cking Bomb Cocktails.
Their cocktails are only $18 (!!) and they’re some of the best in town.
I had all four (it’s for research): American Blossom, The Chinese Mule, Luchee Martini, and The Hakka which was my favorite one!
It’s made with Tito’s Handmade vodka, Itami Onigoroshi Junmai sake, coconut, lime, passion fruit, and lychee.
5. Okay, Let’s Talk About The Vibe & Hype Of “All That and Dim Sum”
I was having way too much fun dancing from my seat (re: first paragraph– I never dance!) and singing to throwbacks like Ashanti and 2pac to contemporary hits from that Canadian rapper you love so much and J Cole that I was the last one eating, LOL.
DJ SHR3D was playing hits after hits. It really is a whole vibe. He really makes the experience what it is with fire bops he played.
They picked the right person to pass the aux to.
6. All Of The Exciting & Surprising Moments At Dinner
Every time the gong went off I actually chugged the whole shot of sake because those were my servers instructions and I was not about to disrespect his professional advice (sacrifices people!).
Towards the end of the dinner party, Chef Julia’s ice cream shot glass and cute animal macaroons made there way to the table and they were so bomb and interesting to eat because you had to use your hands!
And then comes this beautiful dragon that reminded me of Mushu from Mulan with more shots.
Ya’ll…I couldn’t
…I shouldn’t…
but I DID.
The lady next to me was eyeballing every plate that was being brought out to my table and she asked the server (lowkey) what we were having.
BUT!
When she saw the smoking dragon come out she couldn’t help but squeal at me with questions.
Her and her husband took out their phones and recorded the whole thing!
7. Overall Review & Thoughts
I loved that a Forbes-rated fine dining restaurant didn’t take itself too seriously in creating “All That and Dim Sum”.
All I kept thinking while eating and dancing from chair to songs like “Candy Rain” (which I haven’t heard in like FOREVER) was “I wish my friends were here!”
The “All That and Dim Sum” dinner party takes place on Thursday’s only at 10PM, which is kind-of-a bummer but also a good way to start the weekend.
If you’re anything like me who enjoys working on the weekends, it’s even better to celebrate life during the weekday. There’s something very rock-n-roll about it.
I do hope that they eventually extend it to Saturday for those of you who aren’t able to make it.
I think it’s great that they offer expedited entry to the club portion of Hakkasan after dinner because I SERIOUSLY was thinking about asking them if I could go to the club next.
But, maybe next time for my birthday coming up.
I can’t wait to go back with the crew!
Oh, and this is one of the songs the DJ played that night. A. Vibe!
Press Play: “Candy Rain” by Soul For Real
Photo Credit: Hakkasan Group
