It’s “Pub Meets Diner” at Tom’s Urban

Kelly Lamrock reviews Tom’s Urban at NYNY…

The large martini glass on the casino floor at New York New York will tell you that Tom’s Urban is now open. Tom’s Urban is part of the new strategy at New York New York. Heavily-themed casinos like the South Strip trip of Excalibur, Luxor and NYNY have been de-theming lately, choosing to monetize space instead of filling it with whimsical touches like Nile rides and suits of armour. At the Big Apple-themed casino, MGM is trying a strategy that marries theme with maximum revenue – fill the place with places that are outposts of popular New York spots. The Hershey’s Store and Shake Shack are two such examples. Tom’s Urban is a bit less legendary, but it has had success with a casual atmosphere, and whimsical menu touches like the “Big Ass Egg Roll,” a burrito-sized egg roll-like creation that answers the unasked question “what would a $15 egg roll look like?”

I can’t tell you that, but I can tell you that this Vegas incarnation is well-run, fun, and may make a go in the cursed space that has seen the ESPN Zone and the Sports Zone crash and burn.

The space is still open and airy, with lots of TVs. We were greeted by friendly staff and seated quickly. The beer menu is quite expansive. I think foodies now say it is “well-curated.” The staff was either well-versed in the menu or great at feigning enthusiasm for a variety of beers, but either way, their advice turned out well. Both the Speakeasy Prohibition Ale and the Red Hook ESB were served fast, cold and were very good recommendations. (As an east coast guy, I was just impressed they had Red Hook, a brewery that is an important part of many a summer trip to New Hampshire for me).

Our server recommended the Prime Rib Philly Cheesesteak. This was a real indulgence, with nearly a pound of real prime rib sliced perfectly thin. This was no formed Steak-Um…it was truly roasted prime rib with a nice thick dip and horseradish cream sauce. The garlic fries were loaded with garlic and parsley and were quickly shared by the table.

My daughter ordered the seafood Mac and cheese, and it was equally impressive. The shrimp and scallops were of a good size, and they took the time to make a proper cheese sauce with a creaminess that suggested a bechamel base, not some godless plastic cheese creation. My niece ordered a “Damn Good Pizza,” which probably didn’t earn the superlative but did the trick.

Dessert was a piece of “Big Chocolate Cake.” I could argue if the pizza was actually damn good, but this was empirically a big chocolate cake. It was fresh, moist, and the frosting was more mousse than buttercream, which made it feel lighter than the calorie count surely was.

We left with the girls insisting we return to Tom’s Urban, and I wouldn’t mind at all. Some places with menus this varied don’t manage consistent quality, but this “pub meets diner” menu worked. It was high quality, reasonably-priced and the service team were real pros. I don’t know if I felt like I’d been to New York, but this spot may at least make this space at NYNY a restaurant success. If you make a bet at NYNY’s oddly-tiny sportsbook, this would be a fun place to watch the game unfold.

[Photos: Kelly Lamrock]

Kelly Lamrock

Kelly Lamrock didn’t see Vegas until he was 40. Now, he goes several times a year. When home in Atlantic Canada, he’s a lawyer, international consultant, and former Attorney-General. When in Vegas, he is consumed by the search for the best craft beer, the perfect sportsbook, and a post-show cigar. He loves Vegas because, as Jerry Seinfeld says, “wherever you’re from, Vegas is pretty much the opposite of that.”