Vegas is such a fluid city that it's impossible to know all the comings and goings, especially when it comes to restaurants. Establishments are opening and closing every day, but if Las Vegas has taught us anything about dining it's that not every restaurant is worth its hype. Openings in Vegas are huge, regardless of whether the restaurant's any good. There are three, however, that are not to be missed. Whether you're looking for French, Asian or Cabo cuisine, they have you covered.
Twist by Pierre Gagnaire
As of Dec. 8, 2009, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire was the newest restaurant in Las Vegas. It is situated inside Mandarin Oriental, a luxury hotel and residential tower that is part of the MGM-Mirage's 67-acre CityCenter. Twist features French cuisine, and emphasizes the pairing of this Old World cuisine with modern flavors. This restaurant is Gagnaire's first restaurant in the United States. Twist is on the 23rd floor of the Mandarin Oriental, which should give you great views of not only the strip, but possibly of Bali Hai Golf Club as well. The 74-seat restaurant features Gagnaire's signature dish, Lagoustine 5 Ways, along with a large wine loft that's suspended from the ceiling.
Twist by Pierre Gagnaire
Mandarin Oriental
3752 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 590-8888
Cabo Wabo Cantina
A flagship of Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina restaurants opened in Vegas in fall 2009. This restaurant resides in the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood. It features authentic Mexican-style food, taking its inspiration from its namesake, Cabo San Lucas. In true Vegas and Cabo fashions, it also serves a variety of drinks, most of which feature tequila, including the Caborita and the Cabo Bomba. This chain is extremely popular in its namesake, Cabo San Lucas, as well as in Lake Tahoe, its other location. The atmosphere is lively and loud with live music and dinner and drink specials every night. Cabo Wabo may not be the ideal restaurant to hit on your way to the range, but it's perfect after a tough round of golf.
Cabo Wabo Cantina
Planet Hollywood
3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109-4331
(702) 699-5525
cabowabocantina.com
Wazuzu
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas opened just nine days shy of 2009. When it premiered it ushered in five new high-quality restaurants to Sin City. One of them was Wazuzu, which features gourmet Asian cuisine in a casual setting. It is headed by Jet Tila, who creates a variety of dishes that combine Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Japanese and Chinese flavors. Wazuzu features high-end sushi and sashimi menus, along with bowls and noodles and rice dishes. While you're at the Encore and Wynn, you might as well take in a round of golf at the new Wynn Golf Club, which is on the site of the former Desert Inn Golf Club just behind the Strip and these two properties.
Wazuzu
Encore
3121 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 248-3463
About The Author
Nellie Day is a freelance writer based out of Hermosa Beach, Calif. Her work can regularly be seen on newsstands, where her specialties include weddings, real estate, food and wine, pets, electronics, architecture and design, business and travel. Day earned a master's degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California.
