Restaurant Review: Mussel Bar at Revel

Everybody knows that my favorite hobby is to try new restaurants.  I would eat somewhere different everyday, if my budget allowed!  When Sugarland played Revel Ovation Hall a few weeks back, my husband and I decided to try Mussel Bar at Revel.  That was a good decision.

We didn't have reservations anywhere and it was a Friday night, so we weren't expecting much more than a taco from Jose Garces’ Distrito Cantina, a Mexican “take-out” window inspired by Guapos Taco Truck in Philly.  Much to our surprise, Distrito had a line the length of the casino….

So, we opted to wait for a table at Mussel Bar.  We figured we could have a glass of wine and survive the 45 minute wait.  Just as we got to the bar to order a drink, some cocktail seats became available, so we snatched them up.

The picture above is a view of the kitchen from our seats.

At a place called Mussel Bar, we figured we HAD to order some mussels.  So we did.  We got a half order (means they are served alone, not with frites) of mussels with wild mushrooms, applewood-smoked bacon and truffle cream.  We also got an order of the spicy gulf shrimp, they were good, but it was pretty damn hard to beat the mussels.

I don’t know where the mussels came from, but they were white, not orange.  I know you know what I’m talking about….  Maybe you don’t!  Anyway, I prefer white mussels to orange mussels…..

For our entrees, my husband ordered the Mussel Bar steak frites.  Because, why not?

I ordered the beef shortrib carbonnade.  According the menu, “Belgian beer braised shortribs, black kale, Gruyere grits and creme fraiche." Oh my.  This was heaven.

Everything was delicious!  Next time you're in the area, make a reservation at Mussel Bar, gamble for a few hours and then grab a taco from Distrito.  That sounds like a perfect night!