Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

July 5, 2005

Wine Spectator on Wynn Las Vegas

Posted by Hunter

Thanks to Detroit1051 for providing this.

Wine Spectator Feature on Wynn Las Vegas' Restaurants

The July 31 issue of Wine Spectator has its largest feature story on Wynn Las Vegas' restaurants, the on-site chefs and wine offerings.

The article is 15 pages of text and spectacular photography of the restaurants. The writer, Harvey Steiman, Editor at Large, interviewed the chefs before Wynn opened, and he followed up with visits two weeks after opening. Thus, it was written too early to provide reviews, but he explains in detail, Steve Wynn's and the chefs' concepts for each of their restaurants.

Wynn could not have bought better advertising for the property. Readers will want to visit the restaurants based on the word pictures and the photography. I have to assume the typical Wine Spectator reader is in the
demographic Steve wants to attract. Wine Spectator did a similar piece on Bellagio's restaurants shortly after it opened which must have been successful for both the magazine and Steve.

Although all the restaurants received favorable comments, it seemed to me the writer was most impressed with Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare for both the unique seafood and the cabana-style outdoor dining.

The only slightly less than positive comment in the article was the note that two weeks after opening, some of the restaurants had empty seats, raising the question as to whether Las Vegas can support the finest of fine dining. I don't believe that's an issue. Picasso at Bellagio and Alex Stratta's Renoir at The Mirage broke new ground, followed by other restaurants ar other properties.

The write noted a problem some of us have noticed, the traffic jam of people at the circular escalators which makes access difficult to SW Steakhouse and Daniel Boulud.

Investors in WYNN as well as food and wine lovers should be encouraged by this article. Subscribers received this issue last week. I bought it today at Barnes & Noble. The website, http://www.winespectator.com has not been updated with the new issue yet, and there is no certainty the article and
photos will be accessible online.

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Categories: Wynn Resorts


Comments

Read archived comments (5 so far)
July 5, 2005 2:20 PM Posted by tom

This is a great article. It is billed as a preview and not a review. I look forward to the reviews. I really like the restaurant photos. They are much better than anything I have seen on the web. The cabanas at Bartolotta's look very nice. A great place to enjoy an evening meal. One thing of note is that the chef hired to run the Country Club restaurant was fired 30 days prior to opening due to "creative differences". This usually is vernacular to two big egos who are at odds. Unfortunately, when you are the chef and SW is the boss, you lose. Dumb play by this guy(named Jimmy Sneed) who just blew a big opportunity. I understand the issue was he didn't want a hot dog on the menu. Maybe they can get Kobayashi to help out as a taste tester.

July 5, 2005 8:36 PM Posted by charlie

Hunter,

I'm hurt. I had thought I broke this story to you. :)

Shoot me an email - I'll discuss my conversations and correspondance with management based upon my stay opening weekend.

Take care and keep up the good work.

Charlie

July 5, 2005 8:52 PM Posted by Hunter

Charlie,

Yes, you were the first to mention it a few months back. Thanks again! Detroit actually wrote the piece above and we are grateful for that as well.

July 7, 2005 6:59 PM Posted by detroit1051

I keep hearing from a local that Wynn's restaurants aren't doing well. Has anyone heard otherwise? I want to try the better ones on my next trip. I sometimes get the feeling that some people like to spread negative rumors about Wynn either for investment reasons, or they just don't like the guy.
I really want Wynn to succeed. Las Vegas needs him and his properties. I'm hoping for great results when Wynn releases the Quarter's numbers at the end of the month. That would put the nay-sayers in their place.

July 8, 2005 7:47 AM Posted by Hunter

I don't have numbers but I've been told they are doing quite well and from occupancy levels I saw a few weeks back, even mid-week levels are good.