Fish ‘n Chips Smackdown – RM v. CENTRAL
Do you like fish and chips? ELV does. He is drawn to the staple of English pub eats like an overstuffed moth to a fishy flame.
To ELV, there is something deeply satisfying about a piece of deep-fried fish. Especially when it comes slathered with tartar sauce and garnished with malt-vinegar-sprinkled french fries. Add a spot of good English ale and you’re good to go.
Something about cold weather also brings out the fried fish lover in us. So whether it’s Central’s version of crispy battered cod:
….or RM’s more classic beer battered, slightly-cured halibut:
…you can’t go wrong.
The differences you ask? Well, RM’s fish is firmer and fantastic, while Central’s batter takes the crispiness prize. RM’s batter is definitely bread-i-er, and you can taste the Stella Artois in the bread (this is a good thing), but the texture reminded us of a hush puppy.
Our staff prefers the more traditional chips at Caesars, but those deep fried home fries at RM are nuthin’ to shake a stick at either.
The tartars are a toss-up, with RM preferring more herbal notes (a nice touch of dill) while Central’s has a coarser texture befitting the chopped capers and pickles in it.
If they put RM’s fish in Central’s batter, things would be perfect.
As it is, we’ll just mull over all this fishy fantastic-ness over a bowl of Rick Moonen’s off-the-chain clam chowder:
…and be thankful we have two such superlative versions of one of our favorite foods at our doorstep.
The fish and chips at Central are $17 and RM’s version is $22 (both at lunch) . That clam chowder is $9 and would be worth it at twice the price.
Just thought you’d like to know.
CENTRAL
In Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702.650.5921
RM CAFE
In the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702.632.9300
Restaurant reviews, quips, picks and pans-with some seriously salivating history-from the man who eats his way through Sin City every day.
December 7th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
I’ve eaten those fish n chips from Central – on the evening of October 22nd – and I must say, they were simply the gumniest thing and the most flavorless thing I’ve ever eaten at Caesars. In fact, I was shocked at how bad they were. So bad that I wouldn’t ever consider eating at Central again.
Honestly, I’m glad someone else had a different experience. But this piece just brought it all back.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:51 am
I haven’t tried Central yet…but have eaten at RM Seafood many times and love the fish-n-chips. It’s also my Dad’s go-to pretty much anywhere we dine out. He said these were some of the best he’s had. Rick’s chowder is the best I’ve had outside of Boston. A few dashes of Tabasco and it’s perfection.