You can thank Steve Wynn who negotiated the deal that brought chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to this opulent waterfront-dining palace at the Bellagio. While Wynn has long since packed-up, this fabled eatery is still a tough-to-snag reservation for Vegas' fussier dining set looking to hobnob amongs visiting celebrities and some of the town's shrewdest socialites. Under cut-crystal Baccarat chandeliers, Las Vegas' fussiest steakhouse overlooks the erupting fountains of a faux Lago Como among a gilded dining room of deco '20s décor, dramatic pouf-curtains and tabletops of polished silver. To further enhance the experience, artwork is on display including three commissioned paintings by Carlo Maria Mariani, George Deem and Michael Gregory, as well as a water-themed canvas screen created by Joseph Raffael.
The Food
Saturday night is the best night to visit, as local diners ring on their department store stylists to assemble a one-night look for the entire town to see. Meals begin with chilled shellfish platters or sensational grilled foie gras with jalapeno marinade. Other appetizer standouts include tuna sashimi in ribbon cuts with ginger glaze or Dungeness crab cake with avocado cilantro salsa. Main steak course includes filet mignon, bone-in rib eye and porterhouse cuts with béarnaise or soy-rice sauces.
Last Word
If you can’t snag a reservation, hit the outdoor cigar patio with one of the best smoking scenes in the city.
