Walking into the two-story restaurant, Echo & Rig, I was thrown off, you know? Impeccable master stairs with black rails swooped all the way to the noisy top that has my complete attention. “I’m going to excuse myself during dinner at one point. I need to know what’s the big deal upstairs right now!” There’s a contemporary take on a Gilded Age bar where people are eating and drinking from, no dining tables and chairs in sight — is the restaurant portion behind these stairs?– and then one of the hostesses stump my train of thought.
“Hello! Welcome to Echo & Rig. Do you have a reservation?”
“Hi, there. Yes, I do. Under Carra, please, at 7 p.m.”
“What is happening up there? It’s loud with laughter! Is there a party?”
“No, it’s just our upstairs dining area.” She smiles. “Right this way, please.” Up we go. Lucky me, I thought. Now I don’t have to pretend to know someone named John who was invited but became ill and sent me on his behalf.
The space is fair sized and intimate, which I love. Plus, you don’t see many restaurants who are this alive these days. Mostly because everyone is glued to their phones pretending to have fun for their Instagram-story. A tale that’s become as outdated as Snapchat. This is a problem for places that DON’T deliver an experience. But at Echo & Rig, cellphones are obsolete.
The main dining room is lit with tungsten lighting, candles, and it’s adorned with elegant leather chairs with the classic and timeless elegant dark hues often found in sophisticated steakhouses. It consists of dark chocolate tables and caramel-brown chairs, even the ceiling encompasses the same hues. Everything else is white and topped with the most magnificent chandelier entrapped in a metal spiral hovering gently by the staircase.
The general manager makes his way and very graciously introduces himself– what a sophisticated young man. He’s in his late 20s, married with children, by the way. Millennial men take note.
He leads the way to the dreamy balcony overlooking the twinkling lights of Tivoli Village in Summerlin and the staff at Echo & Rig are engaged with their patrons, smiling, and educating them on what’s on the menu. They’re fabulously well-mannered, too, poised and elegant, and their uniforms! A dream.
At the table behind the large sliding glass doors on the balcony past the plush, cushioned seating where I’m now situated is where it hits me that I’m not dining in Vienna at a AAA Five-Diamond hotel’s top-notch restaurant but atop an equally high-end restaurant only at a grand development center overlooking its luxury retail, office spaces, and where a large water fountain, surrounded by cobblestone roads, calls home.
Tivoli Village should be so lucky to have restaurants like Echo & Rig who serve sophistication with a down-to-earth flair (how they balance, I’m not sure) even with their menus like the crisp watermelon and tomato salad all year round. It pairs perfectly with their tangy and boozy “Black & Blue Mojito” served chilled over Atlantico Platino rum, blackberries, blueberries, fresh mint and lime juice, and sugar. A glass of rose would also work.
Now, turn your attention to the genius and cleverly named “Lamb Cigars”. They’re delightful crunchy and flaky rolls stuffed with savory lamb and paired with tzatziki sauce– a must order.
The shareable cauliflower golden to perfection, though spicy, is something you should try– health conscious or not. Even if you’re not a fan of spicy food, like me, give it a try. Did you know that the chile de arbol (translation: chilly grown from trees) is good for your bones?
Echo & Rig is a steakhouse after all, so there’s no shortage of unmatched steaks like their most notable succulent “Rib-Eye Cap” at only $29. There’s a wonderful surprise that awaits you, by the way, if you ask to see their selection of meats– take my word for it and ask. I won’t say more because the experience is is a must. Pair the rib-eye with their FABULOUS “Oaxacan Thymes” made with Mezcal El Silencio Espadin, Drambuie, becherovka herbal liqueur, peach bitters, charred lemon, and fresh thyme.
Now if you’re asking me for the best dish to order when dining at Echo & Rig, it has to be their…wait are you ready for this? Okay. Rewind.
If you’re going to order ANYTHING here, you CANNOT LEAVE without ordering their “Portobello Mushroom Fries”. When I tell you that they’re so juicy, crispy, buttery and that they melt in your mouth…mmm! I’m salivating just thinking about it.
Hey sweet tooth, order these three as well: any seasonal sorbet they have plus their
“Berry Shortcake” made with and “Caramel Turtle” sundaes. I’m not big on dessert but my GOD. It’s the best you’ve had in years– believe me.
By the way, Echo & Rig is also a fully-operational butcher shop.
Photo Courtesy: Echo & Rig
