• I tried the $1000 Beef Case at celebrity-favorite restaurant Papi Steak in Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
• The 55-ounce bowl of Australian wagyu, delivered in a diamond briefcase, has become a viral sensation.
• This was a genius business strategy for a Vegas restaurant, and the steak was delicious.

Moments after finding our table at Papi Steak, we arrived at the equally swanky Miami transplant. Fontainebleau in Las VegasAn EDM song blasts from the speakers. Our server politely excuses himself and answers the siren call.

There were people surrounding a nearby table holding strobe lights and chanting “Hey! Hey! Hey!” He joins the wave of waiters and dancers shouting. in perfect harmony. A woman leaves her dinner and waves her napkin to join them. We turn our heads to gape when a man presents us with a briefcase that sparkles gold every time he opens it.

Inside is 55 ounces of Australian purebred wagyu beef. Just then it is marked, a cloud of smoke rising above the diners’ heads, like the announcement of a new pope at the Vatican.

This is the $1000 Cattle Case and I was about to try it. (Business Insider paid a media fee for the meal.)

Your favorite celebrity’s favorite steak

You know the scene in “When Harry Met Sally” where Meg Ryan tries to prove her point? loud – At Katz’s Deli, an old lady turns to the waiter and says: “I’ll have what she’s having?” The Papi Steak Case is similar to this.

David “Papi” Einhorn, co-owner of Papi Steak, told me that the highest number of Steak Cases sold in one night was 78, and the restaurant broke that record. Super Bowl in Las Vegas. I counted 15 during my two-hour dinner.

This is an effective business strategy for a constantly working city. extravagance and spectacle. One table orders a Beef Crate and the rest falls like dominoes. You can almost see the high rollers looking and saying, “I’ll have what they’re having.”

But there wouldn’t be a $1,000 Beef Case without the original Papi beef, once a staple at Einhorn’s star-studded barbecues. The 32-ounce Glatt Kosher dry-aged tomahawk steak (and its dairy-free secret sauce) was all over Instagram and caught the attention of David Grutman, the Groot Hospitality investor behind Miami nightlife staples like Komodo and LIV.

“‘Why don’t you come grill at my house?'” Einhorn told me. he said. “So I flew all the meat down and made the secret sauce; Leo DiCaprio and all the celebrities were there and everyone went crazy for it.”

Grutman introduced Papi steak to Komodo’s menu in 2018, to critical acclaim. Einhorn said the Kardashians loved the dish so much that they were called into the kitchen to make it when they came to Miami.

A year later, Grutman and Einhorn opened the first Papi Steak restaurant in South Beach. When Fontainebleau in Las Vegas When they opened their doors in 2023, the duo knew they wanted to bring their concept to the West Coast.

Stars such as DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham and Tom Brady once again followed.

The food is as good as the atmosphere

The atmosphere at Papi Steak is pure Sin City. The tables are marble, the booths are red leather, and a blue chandelier shines in the middle. The wallpaper is black and there are fresh orchids everywhere.

Brave. It’s too loud. Very sexy.

I’ve visited Vegas more than 20 times and have seen my share of fancy restaurants. However, when I researched Papi Steak’s food, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that this steakhouse is not only easy on the eyes.

My boyfriend and I started with the $24 Caesar salad, which hit every note—crisp lettuce, a rich and tangy dressing, and some of the best croutons I’ve ever tasted. It had a satisfying crunch but was soft in the middle, revealing a delicious herby flavor with every bite.

When I told our waiter about this, he said that the croutons are always made to order.

We also opted for the $18 latkes, among Einhorn’s Papi Steak dishes inspired by his Jewish heritage.

The dish was unforgettable with its light but firm texture and satisfyingly crispy crust. Each latke was delicious and comforting, especially when paired with crème fraîche and fresh apple sauce.

We cleaned both plates completely. Then it was time for the $1000 Cattle Case.

What’s in the Cattle Case?

When Einhorn’s butcher salesman first offered him the 55-ounce Australian wagyus for Papi Steak, he said he had no idea what to do with it. The wholesale price is the same as the price of the most expensive steak on the menu.

Then Einhorn remembered a gift he had been given: a diamond briefcase with Papi Steak’s logo emblazoned in gold. He decided to put Australian wagyu in his briefcase and create the special, realizing he could turn Beef Case into a classic Vegas moment without the need for bottle service..

“A lot of people nowadays like to perform, but they don’t want to go to nightclubs as much,” he said. “With that, they take in the atmosphere, the music, everyone around them, they feel special, they feel important, they get a great meal, all of that coming together makes the steak a really special experience.”

Beef Case isn’t just literal smoke and mirrors. Our Australian wagyu, which can easily feed at least six people, was cooked to perfection after being branded with the Papi Steak logo and returned to the kitchen after the show.

I loved the perfectly charred edges that gave way to tender meat. The secret sauce had a surprising sweetness, while the chimichurri provided a fresh tang.

My boyfriend and I were in heaven with every bite.

It’s easy to act like you’re having a good time; That was the whole point of the “When Harry Met Sally” scene. And in a city like Las Vegas, many hot spots use their Instagram clout and A-list clientele to mask a subpar dining experience.

But there is food to support Papi Steak’s advertising. Moreover, the service was similar to what I have experienced in Michelin star restaurants. Even if the Beef Case isn’t in your budget, you can still have a great meal and have a good time.

Don’t be surprised if you turn to the waiter and say, “I’ll have what they’re having.”