Martha-Ritas, Snoop Dogg, and Smashed Potatoes with Caviar: We Went to Our Founder's Restaurant Opening in Las Vegas
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The moment has finally come: Martha's first-ever restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart, is officially open for business! Over the weekend, our founder debuted her eatery—modeled after her Bedford Farm estate—at the Paris Las Vegas hotel in Nevada. In typical Martha fashion, the grand opening was an elegant, elevated, and star-studded celebration. "[I'm] very excited to see the excitement of all of the guests that have been invited and hear their comments," Martha exclusively told us on the red carpet. "Do they like the restaurant? Do they like the food? The night's kind of an eye-opener for me, I want to see the excitement that's within."
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Our founder—who donned a floor-length yellow gown from Valentino for the occasion—says it took lots of hard work to bring her restaurant to life. "It's a very hard job to develop, design, execute, and actually open a restaurant such as this," she says of debuting her near 200-seat establishment. "It is a challenge, and it is, for me, pleasurable." The secret to juggling this new restaurant along with her other business ventures? She says hiring good people helps her balance it all.
With all of the buzz surrounding The Bedford's debut, many of us are wondering if a new restaurant could soon be in the works. "Skylands, my home in Maine, would be a fabulous fish restaurant," Martha told us. For now, Martha is simply relishing in The Bedford's moment in the sun: "Let's get this one off the ground."
Related: Martha's Three Rules for Success for Starting, Building, or Managing Your Own Business
A Star-Studded Affair
Martha's nearest and dearest were in attendance on the big night, as were her most famous friends: Her best pal, Snoop Dogg, made a surprise appearance (she had no idea he would be there!) and actress Ellen Pompeo also joined the festivities. During the event, Snoop toasted to our founder with a glass of his 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Red ($15, 19crimes.com), while Martha sipped some of her 19 Crimes Martha's Chard ($15, 19crimes.com).
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Close-to-Home Design Inspiration
Ahead of the restaurant's debut, Martha explained the inspiration behind the space's design—which drew heavily on the colors, motifs, and rooms of Bedford Farm, her main estate. "We have worked tirelessly to bring my farmhouse in Bedford, N.Y., to life in Las Vegas, and I think visitors will be enchanted by what we have come up with," our founder said in a statement, noting the menu is just as personal. "These are the same dishes that I serve to family and friends in my own home."
The goal was to make guests feel as if they were transported to Martha's residence, something our founder achieved with several strategic details: Collections of copper pots (culled from Martha's just-debuted Martha by Martha Stewart cookware collection) line shelves in front of the kitchen; faux bois accents, one of our founder's favorite patterns, can be seen throughout the space; and a neutral color palette ties everything together. One of the restaurant's sections even resembles the Brown Room, our founder's dining room at Bedford.
Related: Martha Reimagined and Updated Her Bedford Home During the Pandemic—Take a Look Inside
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A Personal Menu
Martha and her team curated a complete menu of flavorful, favorite dishes that are all filled with locally sourced ingredients. Each meal draws inspiration from French cuisine—and spotlights Martha's most beloved recipes. As for the dish that she considers a must-order? Big Martha's Pierogies, which are served with caviar. Another fan-favorite option is the smashed potatoes, made tableside, they are topped with crème fraiche, chives, and bacon lardons (you can add Golden Osteria caviar to these, too, if you'd like!).
The drink menu also received rave reviews: The Pomegranate Martha-Rita, pictured above, is one of the restaurant's signature sips that made the rounds on opening night. Complete with squeezed lime juice, tequila blanco, all-nature triple sec, and pomegranate concentrate, this sip (which is Martha's creation!) comes with a sea salt-coated rim.
Bring the Bedford to Your Kitchen
While dining at The Bedford is a one-of-a-kind experience, Martha made sure to put dishes that are familiar on the menu—and you can even make some of them at home. Round up the ingredients for these starters, mains, sides, and desserts to recreate the restaurant's elevated cuisine from your own kitchen—but don't forget to reserve your spot at The Bedford to experience Martha's culinary magic in person.
Nicoise Salad
Packed with a healthy helping of Bibb lettuce and green beans, this fresh Nicoise Salad is the perfect first course. The classic dish is made with olive oil-rich tuna, haricot verts, vermouth-dressed potatoes, and a hard-cooked egg. An anchovy vinaigrette adds a savory finish.
Eric Asimov
Whole Roast Chicken with Herbs
When guests order the Whole Roast Chicken with Herbs at The Bedford, a tableside carving experience is included. Bring the fun to your dining room by making this simple recipe. First, fill the poultry with a delightful blend of rosemary, thyme, garlic, and lemon. Then, place the chicken on a large pan and roast at 425 degrees for one hour, gently brushing the poultry with butter, salt, and pepper as it cooks for flavor and browning.
Smashed Potatoes
Smashed Potatoes are one of Martha's specialties—and another on-menu option that involves some tableside flare: The potatoes are smashed and prepared on marble-topped carts right next to your station!
Thankfully, Martha has mastered a unique technique so you can recreate the delicious side. She boils whole, multicolored baby potatoes in salted water for eight minutes until they are tender, and then lets them cool for another 10. Then our founder smashes each small potato with her hand onto a pan lightly coated in olive oil until they are flat. As for the seasoning? Martha dusts salt, pepper, thyme, and a touch of olive oil on each spud and roasts them in the oven at 425 degrees for 25 minutes until the potatoes are crispy.
Ryan Liebe
Upside-Down Lemon Meringue Pie
What's dinner without dessert? Martha's Upside-Down Lemon Meringue Pie, served at her restaurant, mirrors the recipe she developed, which consists of a crisp meringue crust, tart lemon filling, and a whipped cream topping. When you make it at home, be sure to add finely-grated lemon zest on top for a tart touch to your palate.
Visit caeasars.com for more information about The Bedford by Martha Stewart, and to make a reservation.
