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Forte Tapas Restaurant and Bar
Categories: Restaurants Tapas Bars Restaurants Spanish Restaurants Ukrainian Tapas Bars, Spanish, Ukrainian [Edit]
4180 Rainbow BlvdSte 806
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Neighbourhood: Spring Valley
(702) 220-3876
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 5 pm - 3 am
Tue-Sat 3 pm - 3 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Forte Tapas Restaurant and Bar
Review Highlights
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"They make their own flavor-infused vodkas and absinthe too." In 4 reviews -
"...took second place to the biscuit cake which is described in..." In 2 reviews -
"Tapas menu has Russian, Mediterranean, and Spanish..." In 10 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from kayla b.
Las Vegas, NV
2/23/2012
I love this place! The inside decor is so fun. And we decided to be adventurous and explore the Bulgarian food. We were intrigued and delighted with the various dishes we ordered.
The owner also has an Eastern European charcuterie and the meats and sausages were obviously high quality and worth exploring.
re: complaints of smoking, yes, there was a table of women chain smoking. They were far enough away to not bother us and my BF is very smoke sensitive. Not sure why they are allowing smoking when it's now illegal in restaurants.
You can tell the owners put their hearts into this restaurant. -
Review from Veronika O.
Las Vegas, NV
Utterly delicious. Had the chorizo con vino, almond stuffed dates, herring and potatoes, jamon Serrano y Quezo, a few of the different dumplings, stuffed squid in its ink, stuffed grape leaves, these had a dill yogurt that I finished with the hot crusty bread, mixed spanish olives, and finished with a deliciously flaky baklava. Great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the food. Try the infused vodkas in the strange jars. Try the gypsy juice!
A bit divey but very cool -
Review from Jenny W.
Forte is called "Forte" because that's exactly what their food is filled with - strength. They're a strong restaurant. To hold their fort down, outside of the restaurant are heavy-duty patio furnishings and a green metal gate with two different entrances. Just hop right in whichever side, left or right, and open the darkly tinted door.
A server, Robert, greeted us and told us to choose a seat anywhere. There were candles to light the dining room. There was one other group that we saw and they were chatting in Russian.
Apparently, the dining room is split in half and there are other dining tables further back and to the left side of the restaurant because the server went back there several times with food and drink.
I highly recommend trying the Selyodka, Adjarski Khachapurri, Thracian Cheese Clay Pot, and their Pelmeni Dumplings.
Selyodka: definitely fish and potatoes done right with some olive oil, dill and great pairing of flavors that really wow you
Adjarski Khachapurri: Refer to Frank W.'s review for a description. It's a great description. This one was delicious and the bread just sensational
Thracian Cheese Clay Pot: brimming with seasoning, but not overwhelming. So delicious
Pelmeni Dumplings: European jiaozi... mmm...
Very European vibe... food was excellent. I will definitely be back again!Listed in: Shacking Up with a Snack
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Review from Garrett H.
Las Vegas, NV
4/8/2012
After reading about this fun new tapas place I convinced my finicky French fiancé to try it out, it took a lot of persuasion, but finding a new place that is open until 3 would be perfect for me and my friends because we work so late. Well this isn't the place to go because at 12:30 on a Saturday the week Forte was reviewed and recommended in seven magazine, they were closed. No sign, no notice just a waitress behind locked doors trying her best to ignore us. So we went to a chain restaurant, one that we knew would honor their hours. Boo on you Forte boo on you.
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Review from Holly C.
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Another tip from the safety girl. You need to walk through the patio to get into this place. The patio is too crowded with tables and umbrellas and you will need to step over the base of a very large umbrella to get across the patio and into the restaurant. Be careful not to trip!
Ok, now that we have our safety tip out of the way, onto the restaurant. There's a small bar towards the back with old school video poker machines along the wall. Not at the bar. It's more like the video poker set up you would see in a grocery store. Lots of smokers in this area. Interesting music videos on the TV screens. Don't expect sports here.
We came on a Friday night and there was one waitress so service was pretty slow.
We tried the mixed tapas plate, which was just olives, garlic cloves, cheese, salumi, and bread. Nothing exciting.
The Thracian with Lukanka was to die for. Sausage, feta cheese, vegetables all cooked in a clay pot. We had to ask for more bread to go with it and it took a while, but once we could dig in it was pretty good!
The blini with meat was also pretty good. It's a thin crepe with ground beef served with sour cream. Simple but good.
The portion sizes are big enough to share but small enough so you can try multiple dishes.
I liked most of the dishes but it took forever to eat here and I'm not grasping the ambience. Maybe I am not European enough but, then again, I'm pretty sure grocery store video poker machines are not European. Still, looking forward to giving it another try. -
Review from Alex S.
10/25/2011
The food we had was A-Ok! We tried a lot of Russian dishes, which are very starchy so be prepared, becuase I ate like 3 pounds of bread that night! And sorry, I can't remember the names of the dishes hahaha...so I'll try to describe them... oh yes and be prepared they use a lot of fresh dill in the russian dishes which I like but some people may not
*Bread with egg inside- delicious, fresh baked bread, but be warned don't try to eat the whole thing, SHARE this becuase after the 15th bite it starts tasting like an egg mcmuffin
*Tapas sampler- was dissapointed, was expecting tastings of the tapas but it was just like a mini antipasto platter, sliced meets with olives
*Tripe soup- delicious, especially with the vinegar garlic condiment
*Beef steamed dumplings- Yum! tastes exactly like a beef won-ton, but they put a lit of fresh dill and sour cream with it.
*Fried hollow pouch with a meat pate inside- Good, and crunchy!
*Another Fried thing with some semi sweet meat inside- good, and rich and yummy
*Stuffed grape leaves with yogurt sauce- I really really liked these, tangy yet rich and light with the yogurt sauce, delicious!
The chef / cook is a baker, so all the bread is made fresh. (except maybe the one they give for free, that didnt taste homemade) But anyway, order some of the russian / eastern european dishes, its authentic. Also they had good sodas ,but they're expired so I wouldnt reocmmend them.... although they still tasted OK to me. Try the desserts, just not the fried dough. Its not what you think it is.... its cold... and soaked .... and mushy. not like a doughnut ..
Anyway I would def. come back, but it takes a certain kind of craving , one that I dont get too often \
31/2 starsListed in: LATE NIGHT EATS
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Review from Westie W.
Kensington, CT
11/9/2011 8 photos
I was somewhat surprised to discover on entering that the interior was Spartan and more reminiscent of a biker bar than a fine dining establishment. Our waitress turned out to be very informative and helped guide us through the menu. We ordered Adjarski Khachapurri, Selska Ljutika, kiufte (sausage), Hungarian Goulash and a biscuit cake.
For those who have not been to Bulgaria or Russia recently, Adjarski Khachapurri is a boat shaped loaf of bread served directly from the oven with cheese and a cracked egg that are cooked and mixed together tableside. The Selska ljutika is a refreshing salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers tossed in olive oil. The Hungarian goulash over mashed potatoes was excellent, but took second place to the biscuit cake which is described in the menu as a liqueur dipped honey tea biscuit layered with creamy mascarpone, decadent espresso and chocolate
The rating is closer to 3.5 than 4. -
Review from Rebecca B.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2012
Really cool little European infused restaurant and bar. A rare gem in LV. Decor is so fun, gypsy juice is delicious, and a great environment for small and large parties alike.
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Review from Susan K.
Las Vegas, NV
8/20/2011
Be warned - their online menu is not accurate and probably half of those things are not available anymore. This was really disappointing to me.
I was part of April's party and she clearly paid more attention than I did so I'll just add my 2 cents. We tried this place based on a recommendation from my Russian realtor.
I tried the stroganoff and it was ok - not the best I've ever had but it wasn't bad. Oh - and the rose nectar vodka - that stuff was good but man it packed a punch.
I tried some sort of dumpling thing (what April mentioned, I think) and it was *really* good. I wish I had ordered one of those just for me. I tried the bread side dish (the description was similar to bruschetta) but it was boring and overpriced.
That dessert plate the waitress brought with the pastries was excellent. Those alone are reason to go back.
The decor is weird - it looks like a bunch of tables taken from peoples dining rooms. And the artwork is really weird too.
Overall I liked this place. Its laid back and has current music playing in the background. If you're looking for upscale this is not the place to go. If you're looking to hang out and have some good food its worth a try. -
Review from Kristopher J.
Oxford, OH
7/2/2011
I've been to Forte three times now and have not had a bad experience. Here's the deal though, going to Forte is a different cultural experience and is not going to be comfortable for people who are expecting an Americanized Eastern European restaurant.
What I like about this place is the great, very European vibe it has - pulled together, comfortable, eclectic, loungy. This place is very versatile with an ample porch, a great bar (I will say the bar stools are not great.) and a dining room with a variety of tables. The walls are covered with a variety of odd and, lets say, eclectic art that would make any hipster coffee shop proud.
I find the staff pleasant and helpful and always willing to give you a recommendation from a menu that is unfamiliar to most.
The food is very comfortable and, to my taste, good. Things Americans will perhaps know include Beef Stroganoff, Kebabs, and Hungarian Goulash. Things less familiar will be Plov, a dish of rice cooked with meat and carrots, and Katchapourri, a bread bowl with cheese and an egg.
The thing that gives this place the 4 stars, along with the atmosphere, is the bar. On tap, they have Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois, Sam Adams Seasonal, and Blue Moon for beers and a variety of Russian and others in bottle. The bar is extensive and all is quality - I don't think I've seen a mid-range bar without plastic-bottled well liquors or even lower-end standards, such as Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. Also, at Forte, they macerate a variety of fruits in vodka and brandy, and they are great! I particularly like the Sour Cherry Vodka and the Gypsy Concentrate.
One final note is the pricing, which is great! My last bill included two appetizers and two entrees, a draft, two double Knob Creeks, and four Sour Cherry Vodkas (full rocks glasses with ice) for a total with tip of $55. As much as I love Herbs and Rye and Nora's, the same bill would have been doubled.
So, if you're interested in a really good, pretty authentic Eastern European bar/lounge/coffee shop/dining experience, go to Forte. -
Review from Ryan D.
Las Vegas, NV
2/1/2012
Went here for a quick lunch a few weeks ago. Food was very good, cool atmosphere. It was my first time in a tapas restaurant and I'm eager to check out some of the others around town. I'd go back to Forte anytime.
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Review from Raven L.
New York, NY
Forte has an incredibly extensive menu that ranges from Spanish tapas to Russian and Bulgarian specialties, but I'll get to the food later because the MOST UNIQUE part of this restaurant are the numerous house Infused Vodkas:
The "Garden Vodka" when used as a substitute for every ingredient in your Dirty Martini excluding dry vermouth, creates an Exceptionally tasty yet one of a kind Cocktail. And I'm not afraid to admit that I am definitely a cocktail snob ;D
There is raspberry infused vodka, potato infused vodka, various Grappas... The list goes on- you need to check this place out if only to discover the rest. In addition they have Banana Sambuca, and while it isn't infused in house it's definitely going to be a pleaser for adventurous types. The bar is very well stocked from recongnizable alchohol to imported beers and wine, and especially imported vodkas; So don't be afraid to get obscure, like small village in the Ukraine obscure.
Service- One thing I couldn't understand are the bad reviews preceding mine! You cannot come here expecting your service to be like The Olive Garden or some other heinous food chain. Forte is definitely an intimate atmosphere if you go early or on a weeknight. Thursday night is quietest. Because like most Eastern European bars/ casual restaurants they like to get a little rowdy with music! It's apart of the culture. They are having Jazz on Mondays though FYI. Service is personable and casual, and perfect for what it is.
The food is incredibly fresh and delicious. The egg boat had a name I won't even try to pronounce (see pictures), and is a dish I've never come across before. So happy I did! My favorites were the almond stuffed dates (Rich and Delightful) and the Feta Burek with its flaky delicate crust and creamy center- Mmmm. For dessert we had the biscuit cake which reminded us of Tiramisu at first glance, but had this incredibly soft texture and taste that did not resemble Tiramisu, and it was a sumptuous finish to a quite filling dinner. They have flavored cappuccinos as well!
If I had to sum up this place in a sentence it would be:
Don't miss out!! -
Review from jillian p.
Las Vegas, NV
1/15/2011 ROTD 2/1/2012
Upon entering Forte on my initial visit, my first thought was that it was very European. This wasn't just because it was dead at lunch, as most restaurants in Europe are, but also because of the eccentric decor, dark lounge-like feel, off-the-beaten-path location, and genuine hospitality. That, and the fully stocked bar featuring very cheap glasses of delicious European wines (this I would find out later).
I've over-ordered Forte at twice now, and though I can't say everything on the small plates menu is a winner, I can say I will keep coming back due to the aforementioned charming qualities and a few unique, inexpensive food highlights.
The menu is broken down by European country (mostly Eastern) and their corresponding regional specialties. Under Russia, you won't find any caviar or borscht, but you will find adjarkski kachapurri, which goes down the hatch more easily than it rolls off the tongue ($6.99). This consists of a freshly baked bread loaf akin to a short, fat French baquette, that is hollowed in the center and stuffed with cheese, butter, and a raw egg. If I lost you at 'raw egg' then let me elaborate. The egg is mixed in table-side and is cooked by the heat of the bread, turning the dish into a protein-filled vegetarian friendly dish that will change your mind about Russian food. The flavor of the crusty bread combined with the egg and cheese reminded me of a quiche, yet this was unlike anything I've ever had. Extra (yet unnecessary) points for that!
The section from Spain features a variety of chorizo sausages, amongst other items. We had the chistora and bilbao (each $2.50) which were fantastically charred and of fantastic value. These rivaled the Polish links at Costco as far as sausage bargains go, and were much better in my opinion.
One note selections included the chicken skewers ($3.25 each), sauteed shrimp ($6.50), and the Bulgarian shopski served in an adorable clay pot ($6.99). Though there are a few minor flops, the thing I love most about this place is that you can try a lot of different foods you've probably never heard of, and, if you don't like them, you haven't spent enough to regret having given them a whirl.
Coming back to the wine, I ordered a glass of Spanish Cosechero Blanco, which I was told cannot be found anywhere else in Vegas. Guess how much? $4.50!! The owner of the restaurant, who was our waitress on my second visit, and a gem in and of herself, offered to sell me a bottle at wholesale cost when I mentioned I liked it. So, I got a bottle for later that cost me just $8.20. That pretty much sealed the deal for me!
This is a place you have to be experimental and open-minded to go to, but if you appreciate other cultures and want to join me on my mission to support the mom and pops in Vegas, then you'll have no trouble mustering the strength to go to Forte. -
Review from Gem V.
Las Vegas, NV
7/11/2011
We decided to have a late night appetizer so we decided to stop into this establishment. Upon entry we were welcomed by a sweet hostess and friendly waiter. They have a great variety of dishes to choose from, but we selected a few. We tried:
MIxed Tapas Plate
Pitcher of Sangria
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Chicken Shich Kabob
and for dessert...
Tiramisu with Baileys coffee easy whip ;)
I thought the Mixed Tapas plate was mediocre and not as exciting as the establishment's environment. The tasty kabobs, flavorful grape leaves and striking sangria definitely made up for it. I would go back to try other items on the menu, but would definitely order the sangria and grape leaves again! -
Review from Adam R.
Las Vegas, NV
4/13/2011
I had high hopes for this place based on the local press it has been getting.
Kind of funky interior, and definitely has a European feel to it
I spent some time with the menu and was a bit overwhelmed by all the dishes available
Finally ordered a few things, and while sitting at the bar ( keep in mind this is a non-gaming establishment ) I notice someone to my far left smoking and then after speaking with the waitress / bartender another guest starts smoking 2 seats down from me on the left. I overhear the waitress / bartender say something to the effect of "Smoking is ok at the bar"
No actually its not OK, you can't just make up you're own smoking policy. Its disgusting and I refuse to eat anywhere that smoking is permitted - legally or otherwise
Before my food arrived I left
I will not be returning under any circumstances -
Review from Alison S.
Las Vegas, NV
5/6/2011
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE!
Forte has an awesome euro-vibe: hip and so authentic. My husband and I go about once per week and we haven't even come close to trying everything on the menu. Some of our favorites...patatas bravas, tuna-stuffed tomato with hard-boiled egg, sofiiska baniza (feta-stuffed pastry), queso manchego canapes, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage... Actually, I could just go on and on...oh the lattes, too - fabulous!
Elizabeth M. really captured the spirit of Forte in her review so I won't repeat, but I agree with everything she's written. And after reading Adam's review, I am thrilled that he won't be at Forte when I go tonight!!
I am so glad we discovered Forte. It is our favorite place BY FAR to just go hang out and casually enjoy a delicious meal. -
Review from April D.
7/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really can't say there wasn't a thing I tried that I didn't like. We had a group so we were able to sample alot of dishes.
Cute small restaurant with bar area and outside seating, interesting artwork on the wall, and mismatched chairs adds to the charm.
Staff was helpful, the place was pretty empty so we got good attention.
Alot of us started with a Rose nectar juice vodka, it was light, and strong. We all sucked those down. A few others got sangria or wine.
We got complimentary bread with oil and vinegar, the bread was great, airy and chewy, crisp on the outside.
A vegetarian friend got the Shopska Salad and she loved it, it was smothered in feta!
We got the Mixed Charcuterie Plate, which was different salami, pepperonis and such. Not worth the price.
The Marcona Almond Stuffed Dates, Wrapped In Bacon were Yummy with a capital Y!
We tried the Adjarski Khachapurri upon recommendations of a fellow Yelper, The bread was hot, it magically cooked the raw egg before our eyes. Delicious!
Beef Stroganoff over rice, I'm used to it with noodles but this version was okay, maybe a bit salty, but good.
Pelmeni, beef dumpling, it was okay, the meat was very peppery, which turned me off, very doughy but done nicely.
Blini W/Meat was good, a bit on the plain side.
Vareniki with Potato, reminded me of a pierogi, which I grew up on, very good rendition.
We dared to try the Stuffed Squid In Its Own Ink, it was good, tender, had a salty briney taste, I was pleasantly suprised.
The owner was nice enough to throw in complimentary pastries at the end. They were light twisted puff pastries with red jelly inside sprinkled with powdered sugar. Thank You! They were perfect.
I'd love to go back and try something else, most of what I sampled I grew up eating(except the squid), so I felt right at home. -
Review from Dean A.
Las Vegas, NV
10/11/2011
WOW! what a fantastic night with friends spent exploring the foreign tastes of eastern Europe. A typical Russian feast, first satisfy your thirst, three rounds of Gypsy juice (house infused vodka w/ secret ingredients) and 16oz bottles of Bulgarian lager did just the trick. We ordered practically the entire menu, so I will inform you of only the most cherished dishes from the evening. Selyodka (salty fish with mash and a pickle), Squid in its own ink over rice, Bilini (crepe stuffed with meat), Pelmeni (meat dumplings best with sour cream). Needless to say it was a party, the only downside to Bar Forte is that you can smoke inside. I really cant stand smelling smoke when I eat, but if you get drunk enough you wont even notice.
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Review from Lauren A.
Claremont, CA
8/3/2011
Terrible service, and the food was just as bad. Description of the food was way off, and the amount they give you is below menial. I don't know why they never paid attention to us, but when they did, it sucked.
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Review from Jason B.
Las Vegas, NV
8/23/2010
I don't like wobbly chairs and tables and that's what they have here. Menu doesn't explain well what stuff is and I came for tapas but tapas that I like not to try some new form of meat. Waitress was real pushy to have me get things she liked and I said no and she said "I thought you came here to try something new" and I said "not at all I came here to get food that I know I like and want".
The food I ordered was pretty good but what a painful process to get it.
I may come back but not without trying other tapas in the area first. -
Review from April M.
Las Vegas, NV
5/16/2010
My BF and I discovered this place accidentally, and loved experiencing the Russian (and nearby) cultural impact on their food and drink offerings. It's not all swanky-looking inside, and I liked it better that way. It was just very genuine. We'll be going back!
Tapas menu has Russian, Mediterranean, and Spanish influences - quite a wide range.
They make their own flavor-infused vodkas and absinthe too! -
Review from Elizabeth M.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2011
Okay, I feel like I have been doing a disservice to this establishment and to my fellow yelpers. It's been a minute since I've been to this place. However, here it is and I'm going to put it down for this place as best I can remember, and since I'm reverting back to my Vegas experiences, this place is definitely memorable. Let me tell you, asides from a Brazilian churrascaria, which is a whole category in itself in which I will eventually have to review at a later date, places like this really make it hard to stick to a raw/vegan diet !
Now, I'll have to disclose, that if you are adventurous, and you like to try new foods and being out of your comfort zone, then this is the place for you. It was like an adventure.
Location: Away from the strip, there are a lot of strip malls. This restaurant is in one, and you have to look closely because if no one is outside on the patio, then it appears that it's closed. Don't be fooled, just be open and trust that this place won't disappoint.
Decor: a hodgepodge of segunda (second-hand) furniture mixed with a touch of "Design within Reach."
Ambiance: Riveting, yet intriguing. It gives you a feeling of ambivalence because you're not sure what to expect, especially when you get the menu. At least that's the way I felt, but things changes when the food was presented, then consumed.
It was my second time in Vegas as an adult. I was able to drink and enjoy all the pleasures of Vegas as an adult, and it was the first time I was actually taken to a local spot by a local, my bro. Personally, I like Vegas for the buffets, but now, this place gives me more of an incentive.
Food: Here at Forte they offer a more eclectic European tapas from Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Mediterranean in addition to some staple Spanish ones. They also offer Spanish style sandwiches such as Jamon & Quesa Bocadillo, pizzas such as Lox and Red caviar , different soups such as your classic Russian Borsht, and salads such as Shopska which is a Bulgarian salad containing tomato, cucumber, green onion, roasted red peppers,topped with imported Bulgarian feta. Unfortunately, I don't have much more of description of the other tapas that we ordered since I waited so long to review, but this place was without a shadow of a doubt a place that needed props being that there are so few reviews. Due to hard times, I know there are leery restaurant goers, however, this place left such a great impression on me that I still had to bring awareness the wonderful experience that I had here.
Anyways, with all the countries that I have mentioned, you can imagine the layers of flavors and textures that this restaurant works with offering a cornucopia of European cuisines. One of my most memorable tapas, which I do not remember the name of, was a German dish. It was a beef stew loaded with onions. German food if you are not familiar, is hearty feel-good food, tasty, and filling. This was all of that and more. Could have had another dish of this, but if I did, wouldn't have had any more room to taste the other delicious dishes that we ordered. Everything ..... well, all I have to say is by the time we were done, the plates were licked clean.
Great place to experience foods not usually offered at those trendy, expensive restaurants on "the strip," good for sharing, great international wine selection, service is very hospitable, and food and wine priced very affordable. You will will leave feeling "completely" satisfied and with a broader food repertoire. With this kind of place, it enables people to appreciate different foods that we are missing out on unless you are an avid world traveler.
Be daring, try new food, appreciate the global fares Forte European Tapas Bar & Bistro offers, and most of all,
Enjoy! -
Review from Kevin S.
Las Vegas, NV
8/9/2010
Disgusting and soo unpleasant! Was dragged here with my girlfriend after a couple of my friends raved about it. I don't even know where to start.
Atmosphere: Inside kind of looks like a bar/lounge. Outside is a patio. We sat inside as it's so hot out. Unfortunately, on Fridays and Saturdays it turns into a 'club'. Although the only people there were about 5 or 6 at the bar and our table of 6, the DJ still played the loudest, most irritating techno music throughout the whole meal. We couldn't even talk to each other.
Food: Almost inedible! I've had delicious mediterranean food before. The food here was terrible. The bread was hard. My girlfriend called it poor man's bread. We split the stuffed peppers and some garlic fries with herbs. The fries were ok had they not been drenched in oil. The peppers were so gross. They had such a nasty flavor and were stuffed with some kind of mystery meat/rice mix. It was all covered with a terrible white sauce with a weird dill flavor. Our friend had a feta cheese stuffed pepper and it also had that nasty white sauce. We ordered the tres quesos pizza for the table and it was too cheesy and way too salty. I prefer chuck e cheese over this! Another one of our friends got the cheese in a clay pot and I can't even understand how that was edible. It was hard chunky cheese and eggs with some veggies in there. So gross.
At one point, I had to go to the bathroom because I thought I was going to throw up. The loud music mixed with the disgusting tasting and smelling food just put me over the edge.
We will NEVER go back again! -
Review from Beth F.
Las Vegas, NV
8/28/2010
I've been wanting to try this place for a couple months, so when I got an email from http://restaurant.com advertising a $25 coupon for $2 it seemed like the perfect time to finally check it out. The bf and I went on Friday night around 8pm and when we arrived there were a couple people at the bar, and that was it. Eating in empty restaurants makes me pretty uncomfortable, but we are always looking for places with a little character (and not part of a chain) so we wanted to give it a shot. After we sat down, the girl that was behind the bar came and took our drink order and gave us menus. There was no actual drink menu, which seemed strange for a place that supposedly has all kinds of infused vodkas and intl beers. Anyway, a couple more people trickled in and it seemed like they were all regulars. The bartender/waitress came back and took our order, but didn't write anything down and after I rattled off a few things she asked if we just wanted to start with that. Um, ok, but it's tapas and I'm hungry! There were a couple other things we had already decided on, but whatever. She did mention the portions of some of the things we ordered were small, which I expected from tapas, so we definitely wanted to order more. It's a pet peeve of mine when waiters don't write down orders--I'm sure some people really have fantastic memories, but 98% of the time I've had a waiter not write down an order it's gotten messed up in some way. This time was no exception. We were brought 2 different things that we hadn't ordered and had to remind her a couple of times what we had actually ordered. For a while it seemed like the girl was the only person working and since some of the people that had arrived after us were sitting out on the patio, she was a little all over the place and clearly needed help. A bit later another girl showed up (and FINALLY refilled my water) and things were slightly smoother after that. They were both really nice so I hate to complain, but they were just not on top of it.
On to the food....first, we ordered a manchego, piquillo pepper toast which was ok, an eggplant dish that really needed bread or something since it was basically a dip (they did bring us bread when we asked for it), shrimp in garlic and olive oil and a Spanish tortilla. Everything had a bit too much oil (except the tortilla) and felt like it was just missing something. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either. The tortilla was more like a frittata with potatoes than a traditional Spanish tortilla. We also ordered manchego on grilled toast (I looooove manchego cheese) and a pepper stuffed with feta--I think it was called burek on the menu. I didn't realize it was going to be battered and deep fried, so it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The breading was a bit thick for my taste, but the melty feta inside was good. I wasn't really sure what to make of the creamy dill sauce it came with. It looked like it was going to be tzatziki, but it most certainly wasn't. Oh well.
Since we had the certificate from http://restaurant.com our total bill (food, 2 beers and 1 cocktail) came to right about $30. That also included 18% gratuity (calculated on pre-discounted check per the certificate) so it was pretty reasonable. However, it bums me out when I use a certificate that requires gratuity to be automatically added and I receive shitty service. I think if we hadn't used a certificate and paid $55 for our meal I would've been more unsatisfied. I really want to give 2.5 stars, but I'll bump it up because I think this place has potential and I want them to succeed. I would try it again...but maybe just to have a couple drinks and a snack instead of a full dinner. -
Review from Iulia P.
West Hollywood, CA
11/13/2011
what a cool place. food is amazing, really delicious!! house infused vodkas.. what can i say? the best vodka I've ever tried, and I'm Russian, I do know whats good :)) Anyways, i live in LA, but everytime I'm in Vegas, this is the place where I meet with all my friends! Love this Bar/Restaurant!!
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Review from P H.
New York, NY
3/16/2011
Russian and Bulgarian foods and if that is not enough some Spanish Tapas. This place is as good as it is diverse. The food is delicious and they have a great selection of affordable wines to go with the meal. I highly recommend the Spanish Chorizo Plate. Delicious. The salads were great and the Pita bread that comes with the meal is great. Just go easy because you will need your appetite for this meal. Share some plates and enjoy.
