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Find steaks, seafood and sophisticated fun at STK

One of the most recognizable steakhouse brands in the United States is STK.

By Teresa K. Traverse
STK—an abbreviation for steak, as you likely guessed—started out as one location in downtown Manhattan back in 2006. Then and now, STK offers a modern, more feminine take on steakhouses, which are typically more masculine environments. The spin on steakhouses worked. Since its initial founding 17 years ago, STK has blossomed. The steakhouse has a total of 18locationsin the United States and 10 abroad. “STK offers fine dining at its finest. It has a sexy, sleek interior, elevated culinary selections and world-famous cocktails with live music by renowned DJs,” says Clayton Gibson, the senior director of operations for STK. STK’s Las Vegas location opened in 2010at the ultra-hip The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection. In keeping with STK’s chic lounge like feel and The Cosmopolitan hotel’s luxe atmosphere, the Vegas location includes high ceilings, white chairs and booths,an abundance of white flowers displayed throughout the restaurant and two sleek bars. STK is located on the third floor of the swank hotel. The dining room is raised and two private spaces are located behind it. STK and Vegas have proven to be a great match for one another. “It fits the Las Vegas market amazingly. It’s a circular laid outroom where everybody can be seen and enjoy the entertainment of the DJs,” says Gibson. “It definitely provides that late-night experience earlier on in the night that people go to Vegas for… We pride Vegas as being one of the flagships stores of the brand and what we want to offer to guests.”
Executive Chef Stephen Hopcraft leads the kitchen. Hopcraft’s background is impressive. He has appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and on Food Network’s “Chefs vs. City.” Hopcraft credits his mother’s cooking style—she would craft traditional Midwestern dishes with a mix of unique ingredients—with inspiring his overall approach to cooking, according to a profile of the chef posted on Three Square Food Bank’s website. He moved to California and met Chef Thomas Vinolus, owner of Bittersweet Bistro. Vinolus inspired Hopcraft to enroll in California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Next, he got an internship with notable Chicago Chef Charlie Trotter. Hopcraft then worked for renowned Chef Michael Mina for 10 years at Mina’s restaurants like Arcadia, StripSteak and Seablue at the MGM Grand, before joining STK in 2010.Next time
you’re at STK, you just might spot this prominent chef who’s worked with some of the biggest names in the food world. “He’s out on the floor.He’s working with the front of the house and checking on the guest experience. So you might get a celebrity chef sighting if you come in.He’ll come say ‘hi’ and check on you,” says Gibson. STK’s Vegas dinner menu features a variety of steaks like filet, strip, ribeye and porterhouse. Gibson tells us that STK is very well known for its Kobe selections and ribcap too.Guests can order small, medium and large cuts of meat.The menu is completed by fine seafood dishes like Oysters Rockefeller, oysters on a half shell, Alaskan king crab, miso glazed Chilean sea bass and tuna tartare. Sides include hearty options like Yukon gold mashed potatoes, parmesan truffle fires and a variety of mac and cheese variations like bacon and lobster mac. STK’s Vegas spot also features a handful of dishes exclusive to that location. A few highlights are short rib ravioli, dover sole, spicy king crab rigatoni, ora king salmon, yellowtail crudo and ora king salmon.

The dessert menu includes four options:

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STK donuts

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flourless chocolate cake

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apple pie

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warm chocolate chip cookie.

The donuts are one of the most popular dessert choices. The STK Sweet Potato Donuts with maple glaze and candied pecansare exclusive to Vegas. Gibson acknowledges that sweet potato donuts aren’t common, but it just works. “It’s just kind of like an explosion that youhave,” says Gibson. “You’re not expecting to get this light airy donut from the sweet potato, but it just goes great with the Chantillycream.”No story about STK would be complete without mentioning the stellar cocktail program. One of the best-known libations is the Not Your Daddy’s Manhattan, Woodford Reserve, Carpano Antica Sweet vermouth angostura and peychaud bitters. Gibson tells us that it’s a classic spin on an Old Fashioned. On the sweeter end of the spectrum are the Cucumber Stiletto, Grey Goose Le Citron, St. Germain, muddled cucumber and mint, and Spiced Watermelon, Patron silver tequila, St. Germain, cold-pressed juice wtrmln wtr, lime and jalapeno. STK ‘s Vegas location launched brunch in April of 2021. Served on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., brunch-goers can order bottomless mimosas or bloody marys. In addition to the steaks and chops STK is well known for, guests can delight in decadent brunch fare like lobster and eggs benedict, hot chicken and waffles, cinnamon French toast and avocado toast. Although fine dining can have a somewhat stuffy atmosphere, STK seeks to buck that trend. That can especially be seen in how the brand approaches service. “We want to bring a fine dining experience, but still have a relaxed, personable atmosphere so our staff can really be themselves and create an experience for the guests based on what their needs are,” says Gibson.

STK’s Scottsdale location debutedat the Scottsdale Waterfront in 2021. STK also opened STK Rooftop in Scottsdale in early 2023. The rooftop location is located just a few floors above STK’s main location and features an open-air settingand overlooks the waterfront and many of Old Town’s shops. The space is cozier. When the weather’s nice, guests can enjoy their food alfresco when the large doors are open. No matter what location you choose, STK’s blend of high-quality steaks paired with a lively, stylish atmosphere have proved to be a winning combination.

“The overall experience that we offer is much different than anyone in the market,” says Gibson. “That’s the main thing that leaves people wanting more to come back,for sure.”