Aviation-themed eatery comes in for a landing at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops….
In recent years, it seem like the chasm between affordable dining and high-end cuisine has gotten wider and deeper. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Las Vegas Strip. Thank goodness FLIGHTS has made a successful on-time arrival at Miracle Mile Shops of Planet Hollywood Resort. Dazzling, affordable and absolutely exquisite, FLIGHTS just may be the most memorable meal you’ll have on your visit.
Created by professional hockey player Alex Hult and wife Sarah, FLIGHTS was inspired by the popularity beer and wine “flights”. Those smaller-sized presentations seem to go hand-in-hand with tapas, small plates and family-style dining. Why not bring everything together into an airline-themed restaurant and pub?
FLIGHTS is a fully-realized experience that begins the moment you arrive at the “gate”. Costumed reservation agents will check you in, issue a boarding pass and escort you inside. Passengers are given the option to check in on social media to receive a free glass of champagne. Once seated, you’ll be greeted by flight attendants (servers) in retro-style outfits, many of whom remain in character throughout your trip.
Prior to take-off, you may wish to choose a Craft Cocktail or spirit/beer flight from the impressive beverage menu. Signature Cocktail Flights run $19 and offer exciting combinations of Mojito (watermelon/strawberry/classic), Cosmopolitan (cranberry/grapefruit/orange), Daiquiri (mango/lime/strawberry) and many more. Each flight will tickle your taste buds with a trio of fresh and exciting flavors.
The collection of Craft Cocktails offers something for every mood. From the light, bubbly Aviation (gin, creme de violette, luxard – $12) and Frequent Flier (Tito’s vodka, St. Germain liqueur, champagne – $12) to the smokey sultriness of Red Baron (mezcal, tequila, demerara syrup – $13), you’ll want to try them all. Fortunately, the flight attendant can be summoned at the touch of your own personal call button.
An absolute must-try is the Triple Threat ($22), the stunning union of a 22-oz. Prickly Pear Margarita, 7-oz. bottle of Corona Light and a vial of Patron Silver tequila. Served in a massive goblet, this party-in-a-glass should last you until the landing gear touches down. Amazingly, the Triple Threat (and all of the other flights and cocktails) are available for $10 daily from opening until 5 p.m.. This Happy Hour deal makes FLIGHTS one of the most outstanding bargains on the Las Vegas Strip.
But of course, cocktails are only one part of your in-flight service. A wonderful selection of small plates, entrees and desserts have been created in the galley by Chef Kyle Kingrey (M Resort, Palazzo’s LAVO). His beautiful and wonderfully-seasoned comfort food is presented family-style, so you’ll want to dig into several dishes.
Colorful APPETIZER FLIGHTS like Ceviche (shrimp/ahi/salmon – $16), Ahi Tuna (sashimi/tataki/poke – $19) and Stix (thai chicken/chimichurri beef/ancho shrimp skewers – $18) will compete for your attention with shareable BITES like Korean “Buffalo” Chicken ($12), House Made Meatballs ($14) and Steak Street Tacos ($13).
Entrees come in shareable portions on the dinner menu, too. Smoked Paprika-Dusted Salmon ($23), Crispy Chicken Breast ($22), Ancho BBQ Shrimp ($24) and Prime NY Steak ($32) are served on platters with a variety of sauces and garnishes. Vegan and vegetarian Sides like Roasted Mushrooms (with nori furkake and a miso ginger glaze – $7) and Mac & 4 Cheeses ($9) are so satisfying that two or three make a hearty stand-alone meal.
There are several individual salads and dishes offered on lunchtime flights. Outlandish sandwiches like the Chicken and Waffle (with maple syrup, red hot butter and house slaw – $16) and Beef Bahn Mi Sliders (with pickled veg slaw and miso mayo – $6 each) play nice with traditional entree-sized Radicchio-Romaine Caesar, Caprese or Mediterranean Salads ($11, add chicken/ahi/salmon/thai shrimp for an additional charge).
Even the most exclusive airlines often neglect dessert…but FLIGHTS has you covered. Reversed Cheesecake Flight ($11) includes three styles of the popular treat (strawberry/Oreo/mango) within glass jars topped and topped with crumbled crust. An authentic New Orleans-style Beignet Flight ($11) delivers a bowl of sugar-dusted pastries, served warm with vanilla creme anglais, chocolate and strawberry coulis dipping sauces.
Chocolate Dive Bomber ($12) fills a goblet with molten lava cake, vanilla ice cream and two different sauces. Even though it’s listed as a “shareable”, this writer recommends one Dive Bomber for each passenger…just to avoid the potential for any mid-air incidents.
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Photos: Sam Novak, FLIGHTS, FLO Advertising
VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak 