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Viva Las Vegas

by Kipp Downing

A few of Kipp's can't miss favorites:

Wynn Hotel Daniel Boulad Brasserie Daniel Boulad Ristorante Di Mare Paul Barolotta Alex Alex Rivera Belaggio Le Cirque Maccioni Family Prime Jean-Georges Vongerichten Michael Mina Michael Mina Picasso Julian Serranos Venetian Bouchon Thomas Keller Delmonico Steakhouse Emeril Auqaknox Tom Moloney Caesar's Palace Bradley Ogden Bradley Ogden Mesa Grill Bobby Flay

One of the joys of being a restaurateur is that it gives me a great excuse to travel and do "market research." This has taken me to some of the best restaurant cities in the country with visits to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco to check out not only highly touted cuisine, but the architectural interiors of famed dining environments. I enjoy these "research" trips, but it can be hard to get away more than a few times a year. Over the past decade however, Las Vegas has become the "one stop shop" dining experience to taste and see it all; and, as it is only an hour away by plane, it's easy to visit, whenever the mood strikes.

In the past few years I've found many favorites. All feature top chefs from all over the country. Lured by mega hotel owners with large landlord capital contributions, a talented pool of employees for staffing, and a seemingly endless stream of hungry diners and hotel VIPs, it is hard for talented chefs to say no, when Vegas beckons.

Although the food is the primary draw for most of these restaurants, it is the design and atmosphere that most entices me to visit. Money never seems to be an object, as the latest in lighting, fabrics, furnishings, and tableware are continually updated. Each restaurateur and hotel tries to one up each other to draw the attention of the discriminating diner. Vegas is literally a feast for the eyes and the palate with no end in sight, as restaurants come and go, and new hotels are built each year. However be forewarned, bring your credit card. You may get "sticker shock," because in Vegas prices for food and drink are through the proverbial roof, as much as 50% higher than you are used to in San Diego. But I think it is well worth it!