Border Grill

Notes

Brunch: Sat & Sun, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Lunch menu also available)  

Additional locations in the Forum Shops (see listings), and in Los Angeles area.

LVA Review

This restaurant was re-reviewed in the May 2011 LVA; some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate. This one has a few interesting twists. For starters, it’s not a buffet. There are about 20 items on the brunch menu and everything is table service. Start with three selections, then reorder as many as you like. There are lots of interesting choices and the idea is that small-plate portions allow you to try several. But the portions aren’t that small, so choose wisely from the start. Our favorites were steak & eggs, huevos rancheros, machaca chilaquiles, chipotle shrimp BLT, and eggs Benedict. For $24.99 with unlimited mimosas, this would be a fantastic deal. Unfortunately, there’s a whole lot of funkiness going on with the pricing (this is why we go in and sample). We were certain from what we read that the $24.99 included mimosas, but the bill showed $29.99. Another in our party didn’t have champagne and his cost was $24.99. Fair enough, but that wasn’t the end of it. The non-champagne drinker ordered an orange juice. Throughout the brunch, when the waiters came around to fill the mimosa glass, they also filled the OJ, which resulted in a $12 charge for three juices. When we sat down, the waiter asked if we wanted some fresh guacamole. Why not? Because that resulted in another added charge of $9. There was also an extra 50¢ per person for “filtered water.” So it’s $29.99 for brunch and mimosas—as long as you stay completely on the menu (and don’t drink water). Balancing the add-ons was a 15% discount for being local, so make sure they know it if you live here. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm. This restaurant was reviewed in the September 2000 LVA; some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate. Know this going in: Mandalay Bay's Border Grill is not your typical Tex-Mex restaurant. No enchilada and taco combination plates here. Instead, you're choosing between plantain empanadas and Guatemalan tamales with chicken, raisins, and olives. It ain't cheap, either-guacamole is listed at "market price"-but if you're into eclectic ethnic, this is your place. The highlights for us were the appetizers and margaritas, which might be the best way to play the Border. We had wild mushroom quesadillas ($10.25), a tamale assortment ($11.75), and sea bass ceviche ($8.75). These were excellent, particularly the quesadillas and the ceviche. The margaritas are way expensive-$6 for the house brand and $8 to move up to the "Anejo." You've come this far, so don't scrimp; top shelf is well worth the extra $2. The main courses are all fancy schmancy, such as sauteed rock shrimp or gaucho rib-eye steak, and run from the high teens to the mid-twenties. The entrees are bigger versions of the appetizers, well-suited to be passed around for tastings. There's a daily vegetarian special for $15.50. One of the best features is the children's menu, with $2.50 quesadillas and $2 tacos. Very cool. You'll need that little price break. Our meal for five (one child) was $167 before tip. Best play: Appetizers and Anejo margaritas on the outside patio. It'll still run you a good $30 per person, but you'll book a memorable dining experience.