Everything at dinner was solid, but the following were the evening’s many standouts and stars (some of them recommended by Chef Reznik, Laurie Reznik and Samuel).
More: SMKD BBQ Hosts Ribbon Cutting on Feb. 19; Free Smashburgers for First 100 Guests – Vegas Publicity
Hayworth, the latest concept from Ogden Hospitality Founder and Executive Chef Alex Reznik, opened Thursday, Feb. 26, at Horizon Ridge Parkway and Stephanie Street in Henderson. After the successful debut of SMKD BBQ on Eastern Avenue in November, Reznik, alongside his wife Laurie Reznik and his partner in crime, Director of Operations Gene Samuel, are now running two Henderson hotspots.
Known as a “Top Chef” Season 7 alumnus and “Beat Bobby Flay” champion, Reznik was raised in an Eastern European and Jewish household where food was central to family, culture and tradition. The menu at Hayworth represents a personal and elevated expression of Reznik’s culinary journey offering refined yet approachable cuisine inspired by his heritage.
My brother Charles Chareunsy – who is often my dining companion in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Downtown Las Vegas and takes photos and record videos – and yours truly had an early reservation at Hayworth on Sunday, March 1. We have a special place in our hearts for the location of Hayworth, the former and beloved 138 Degrees steakhouse by Chef Matthew Meyer.
Hayworth has a similar elegant and cozy vibe, but the meat lockers are definitely gone, as are the crystal fireplace and divider in the main dining room, now creating an open and uninterrupted space. Our main server Mason was friendly and, with other team members, led us through a stellar dinner.
While steakhouse isn’t part of the name of Hayworth (although it’s paired with an illustration of a butcher knife), Hayworth does offer steaks, and we very much enjoyed the 18 oz. Wagyu New York Strip. Dinner also included warm brioche with a nice touch of schmaltz, a hearty farro “risotto,” roasted beets and Hamachi “gravlax,” all delicious.
Everything at dinner was solid, but the following were the evening’s many standouts and stars (some of them recommended by Chef Reznik, Laurie Reznik and Samuel):
- Two soups – Jerusalem Sunchoke Velouté Sorrel and Chicken Consommé with matzo balls – are both very flavorful while on opposite sides of the flavor spectrum.
- Sablefish glazed in apple honey with parsnip, beurre blanc and trout roe. Melt in your mouth, this gives Nobu’s miso-glazed cod a run for your money – and less money, to be sure.
- The charred cabbage is the best preparation of cabbage I’ve ever had, and why has it taken this long to devour a fired-roasted sweet potato stuffed with pastrami? Did I really just say that about cabbage?!
- Hayworth’s dessert program is led by Pastry Chef Miloš Babić, a Las Vegas-based chef known for his versatility across savory and pastry. His Chocolate Babka, with deep cocoa notes and old-world comfort, and sticky plum pudding, a customer favorite on social media, are divine.
- Two fabulous cocktails from Tim Bart Jr: Elvis Live at The Hayworth (a peanut butter twist on an Old Fashioned) and Vanilla Bramble (very pink and very refreshing).
“Every dish I make carries my family in it, our humor, our heart, our history,” says Reznik. “That’s why Hayworth is more than a restaurant. It’s the most important dining room in Las Vegas: a place where passion meets play, where the food hits your soul and where the only thing taken seriously is how good the food is.”
Taking its name from the Los Angeles street where Reznik once lived and welcomed his first child, Hayworth is rooted in family, friendship and community. And fingers crossed for Happy Hour and the 30-seat outdoor patio opening soon at Hayworth. Welcome to the Henderson neighborhood!
Hayworth is located at 1450 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson and open for dinner nightly and weekend brunch. More: HayworthLV.com and follow @hayworthlv.
