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Cutting-edge décor, creative food, pedigreed chef, and see-and-be-seen ambience combined with A-list clientele gives these Best Trendy Tables the elusive “it” quality that has the in-crowd fighting for reservations.
Best Trendy Tables in....
Best Trendy Tables
Las Vegas
Alizé Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd., West Flamingo, 702-951-7000 alizelv.com
The Draw: It would be worth booking a table at Alizé, Andre Rochat’s French fusion restaurant at the top of the Palms, just for the views of the neon landscape below. All the better, then, that the menu and wine list are first-rate as well. The Scene: This romantic spot has been a top pick for special occasions since it opened, and it’s still the table to book. You’ll find plenty of couples holding hands and whispering sweet nothings, but you’ll hardly feel out of place if you’re not fawning all over your dinner date. Hot Tip: Nearly all tables afford excellent views of the Strip, though you should request a window seat if one is available. Also, bring your appetite (or wear something with a stretchy waistband). There’s nothing low-cal about the lobster, the foie gras, or the escargot in garlic butter.
Raku 5030 W. Spring Mountain Rd. #2, West Flamingo, 702-367-3511
The Draw: This tiny, 30-seat temple of Japanese robatayaki cooking has garnered national attention for its simple, perfectly executed menu. Even food critic Alan Richman noted that, thanks to places like Raku, Vegas is well on its way to becoming a top city for destination dining. Prices are reasonable, and there’s a well-edited lists of wine, sake, and sochu, making it one of the tougher restaurants in town to secure a reservation at. The Scene: This place is packed from its opening at 6pm until its closing around 11pm. After that, don’t be surprised if you bump into the city’s top chefs. Paul Bartolotta, Rick Moonen, and Kerry Simon, among many others of Vegas’ culinary elite, have all made Raku their after-service headquarters. Hot Tip: Nearly everything on the menu is excellent (even if your tastes don’t include pork cheeks and meat guts), and the homemade agedashi tofu ($9) is a must.
Strip House Planet Hollywood, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, 702-737-5200 striphouse.com
The Draw: With its sultry photographs of scantily clad women and crimson-and-dark wood décor, the steakhouse at the revamped Planet Hollywood has all the vibe of a gentlemen’s club. Executive Chef John Schenk combines reinvented old-school staples such as clams casino, Caesar salad, and shrimp cocktail with perfectly charred steaks. But save room for his 24-layer chocolate cake. Standing 8 inches tall, this chocoholic’s fantasy alternates moist cake with gooey filling, all of it topped with a semi-sweet ganache. The Scene: A favorite of A-listers from Lindsay Lohan to Bruce Willis, this celeb hotspot attracts a crowd that ranges from well-heeled 20-somethings to gray-haired bachelors. Wear your best sports coat or an appropriately skimpy dress and nab one of the red leather booths for prime people watching. Hot Tip: Try the house wine. Earlier this year, Strip House introduced its first private-label wine, a 2007 Napa Valley cab, specifically created to pair with the restaurant’s steaks.
