A good wine bar serves a wide spectrum of customers, from neophytes who can't tell the difference between a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc to experts who wants to try a glass of a new release before buying a few cases for their cellars. At these top 10 wine bars in Las Vegas, presented in alphabetical order, you'll find a good selection of wines as well as knowledgeable staff and, where available, some well-paired food.
A good wine bar serves a wide spectrum of customers, from neophytes who can't tell the difference between a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc to experts who w... more
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1
Aureole
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89119 / 702-632-7401
Sure enough, the wine here is the attraction. But how can you handle 60,000 bottles of the precious elixir? Building a tower---42 feet of glass and steel storing 10,000 bottles---was the solution of restaurant designer Adam Tihany who, upon the request of Charlie Palmer (of Aureole New York fame), created a restaurant for the century. The centerpiece of this modern-age, sleek-and-chic black, white and metallic gastronomic temple is this monument dedicated to the glory of wine. The main room, the more intimate Swan court overlooking a fountain and a pond and the three private rooms can seat 300 diners. A full house of hungry patrons represents quite an undertaking for executive chef Vincent Pouessel and his team. He succeeds in maintaining the refinements at the expected level for such a prestigious name, even for so many guests. This appears in the celebration menu of great American food, a prix-fixe offering composed of seven courses starting with a duo of ahi---tartare over pear chutney and seared tataki with ginger cilantro. Next is three-cheese ravioli with Dungeness crab, simply grilled escolar and Sonoma squab Rossini with seared foie gras, followed by a beef duo---seared filet mignon and shepherd’s pie. Take a breath before the tasting of American cheeses presented with cinnamon-swirled brioche, and finish with the autumn pear tarte Tatin with chocolate fondue. Or opt for à la carte choices such as Charlie’s onion soup---beef consommé with onions, foie gras, truffles and Gruyère puff pastry. Main courses include fennel-steamed Alaskan salmon with organic green asparagus and tomato-spiked herbed hollandaise and pepper-crusted Prime New York sirloin with sautéed pea shoots and horseradish potato clouds. For the finale, pastry chef extraordinaire Megan Romano offers eleven beautiful desserts, including a black Mission fig with a ricotta cheesecake tart and maple-fig ice cream, and pistachio crème caramel with a fudge brownie. Wines can be paired with individual dishes, but if you wish to make your own selection, don't expect to peruse the wine list, at least in the traditional form. An electronic slate brought to your table will, at the touch of your fingers, converse with you even if you are not wine-savvy.
2
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Barcelone Plaza, 8721 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89117 / 702-838-4774
Fleming’s proclaims that “food and wine become partners every night of the week” in its stylish 260-seat steakhouse. Supporting the wine end of that promise is a massive wine cellar that emphasizes boutique vineyards from around the world as well as the big names, plus a reserve list, an extensive selection of dessert wines and 100 wines available by the glass. Fitting complements for the cuisine. The grilled Prime steaks are hand-cut daily; imaginative kitchen creations include beef Flemington---filet wrapped in puff pastry with mushroom duxelles and Madeira sauce. For starters, we like the bruschetta with smoked Norwegian salmon, dill cream cheese and sun-dried tomato relish; and wicked Cajun barbecue shrimp marinated with garlic and spices. Top meat choices include eight- and 12-ounce filet mignons, 16-ounce rib-eyes and New York strips, and a 14-ounce broiled veal chop with béarnaise. The tuna mignon is seared rare with poppy seed au poivre and tomato-sherry vinaigrette; the New Zealand king salmon filet is flavored with Cabernet-butter sauce; and the seared scallops come with lobster cream sauce and a puff pastry of sautéed vegetables. Among sides are the scalloped potato with cream, jalapeño and cheddar cheese. For dessert, indulge in the chocolate lava cake or Tahitian vanilla bean crème brûlée.
3
Marché Bacchus
Lakeside Ctr., 2620 Regatta Dr., Ste. 106, Las Vegas, NV 89128/ Lakeside Ctr. 2620 Regatta Dr., Ste. 106 Las Vegas, NV 89128 702-804-8008
A massive wine shop leads guests to a romantic, dimly lit dining room and a tiered lake-view patio. Among Sunday brunch specialties are eggs Benedict; and blueberry, banana, white chocolate or walnut pancakes. Brunch and lunch favorites include traditional quiche Lorraine plus a grilled chicken sandwich with roasted red pepper, Gruyère and Caesar dressing. Offered for brunch, lunch and dinner are platters to complement wine choices---l'assiette de fromage (cheeses with grape chutney), l'assiette de charcuterie (pâté, French salami, prosciutto and red onion confit) and the Bacchus grazer (cheeses, meats, lobster salad, smoked salmon, olives, fruits and onion marmalade). Popular entrées include salmon en papillotte with new potatoes and root vegetables and hachis parmentier (seasoned ground beef, onions, carrots and parsley layered with Swiss cheese and mashed potatoes). At dinnertime, French onion is the soup of choice. We like the St. Jacques appetizer, a sea scallop gratin in puff pastry; and the chopped mesclun salad with prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, toasted pine nuts and goat cheese. The Atlantic salmon filet with grilled sea scallops, Dauphinoise potatoes and garlic-Dijon mustard cream is a work of art, as is the pan-roasted snapper with candied ginger-pineapple chutney and orzo risotto. For hearty appetites, the herb- and mustard-crusted rack of lamb with Gorgonzola risotto croquettes is a winner. So are the tarte Tatin and chocolate mousse with almond cookies.
4
Mix IN LAS VEGAS
THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89119 / 702-632-9500
Owner Alain Ducasse may very well be the most famous chef in the world. Mandalay Bay honored him with a $14-million restaurant, which boasts a $2-million kitchen. Ducasse only visits Las Vegas periodically, but French chef Bruno Davaillon sees to it that the master's handiwork is not compromised. Avant-garde designer Patrick Jouin creates eye candy with his chic, Jetsons-modern dining rooms and special effects that shine, like the half-million-dollar Champagne bubble chandelier. Reserve a balcony table for the best Strip view in the city. Then dig into Ducasse's classic duck foie gras terrine with pineapple chutney; potato gnocchi with fresh morels and asparagus; roasted Maine lobster au curry with coconut basmati rice; and bison tenderloin with sauce au poivre and a MIX of vegetables. The baba au rhum, a specialty of Ducasse's Monaco restaurant, is fabulous, as is the MIX candy bar. So are the after-dinner drinks such as Far Niente “Dolce” Napa 2003 and 20-year Port Tawny Fonseca.
5
Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria
Rampart Commons, 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89128 / 702-940-6672
The first restaurant in Las Vegas with an Enomatic wine-tasting system, Nora’s offers a wine list with 350 choices, 60 of them also by the glass. Honoring matriarch Nora’s tradition, the appealing Italian fare is served family-style. Bruschetta with an array of toppings is among lunch and dinner favorites, as are cicchetti (small bites) such as eggplant cakes with tomato chutney and cheese, and Parmesan-filled dates wrapped in applewood bacon. We also like the antipasti platter of romaine, olives, onions, tomatoes, mozzarella, provolone, salami and ham; pasta e aïoli served tableside; smoked salmon pizza with chive sour cream; roasted tomato and basil cappellini; and veal Marsala. Among entrées served for dinner only is seafood couscous with diver scallops, shrimp, mussels, sea bass, roasted tomato and fennel. Worth the splurge are chocolate ravioli with hazelnuts topped by acacia honey and panettone bread pudding with candied fruit and vanilla sauce.
6
Rosemary's
8125 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117 / 702-869-2251
Michael and Wendy Jordan honed their culinary skills during their years as chefs de cuisine in some of New Orleans' finest eateries before moving to Las Vegas when Michael was named executive chef for the new Emeril's New Orleans Fish House. Their own restaurant features autumn-hued walls hung with local artists' paintings. The 30-seat full-service bar at the entrance, complete with tapas-style fare, is a popular gathering spot. Guests also enjoy dining at the eight-seat counter looking into the gleaming open kitchen. The intriguing menu features the freshest products from purveyors, ranchers and farmers in the Southwest. Among specialties are beef and Maytag blue cheese carpaccio with arugula, Granny Smith apple salad, candied walnuts and port wine drizzles served for lunch and dinner; buttermilk onion-crusted halibut with garlic spinach; pan-roasted sea scallops with apple cider beurre blanc and parsnip potato purée; and roasted rack of lamb with rosemary bordelaise sauce and kalamata olive mashed potatoes. Desserts include coconut bread pudding with coconut sorbet and dark chocolate sauce, and lemon ice box pie with raspberry sorbet. The extensive wine list and fine selection of beer complement the creative cuisine.
7
Smith & Wollensky
3767 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109 / 702-862-4100
This three-story freestanding replica of New York's steakhouse seats 500 in its versatile rooms. Wollensky’s "famous" split pea soup is a favorite. Among popular lunch entrées are the Wollensky burger, lobster and shrimp roll, mixed green salad with filet mignon and lobster, thin-crusted pizzas and Park Avenue meatloaf. Chilled asparagus and crab meat with pink grapefruit wedges, Maryland crab cakes, lemon-pepper chicken and Gorgonzola-crusted filet mignon are winners at both lunch and dinner. So are the grilled fish selections---sushi-grade tuna, Alaskan halibut, Indonesian shrimp and wild salmon---served with the choice of two sauces such as lemon zest-olive oil and wasabi-lime mayonnaise. In addition to the classic steaks for dinner, we like the veal rib chop and Cajun-marinated rib-eye. Among our favorite sides are the potatoes whipped with black pepper, chives, balsamic vinegar and basil oil. The all-American wine list nicely complements the cuisine. Save room for the carrot cake with walnuts and raisins layered with sweetened cream cheese.
8
Viaggio Italian Cuisine & Wine Shop
11251 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson, NV 89052 / 702-492-6900
Viaggio raised the bar for Italian cuisine complemented by a notable wine list and friendly service in the suburb of Henderson. Its dazzling view of the Strip from its second-story perch, plus wine classes and wine-pairing dinners, set it apart. We like the goat cheese salad with fresh spinach, roasted onions, dried cranberries and walnuts tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette. Phyllo- and prosciutto-wrapped prawns stuffed with aged Gorgonzola in a walnut-brandy sauce, and freshly made pastas such as penne tossed in a light, creamy vodka sauce with pancetta are favorites, as is chicken Viaggio---chicken breast layered with prosciutto and cheese topped with a mushroom-Marsala sauce. Meat-eaters like the veal Sinatra---veal cutlets sautéed with roasted peppers, portobello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp and jumbo lump crab meat in a Marsala sauce, and filet mignon with Gorgonzola in a Barolo wine sauce. Save room for the tiramisu. Saturday is Jazz Night. Children under eight eat free on Sundays. Viaggio's casual Downstairs Bar serves small plates and quick bites.
9
Vintner Grill
Hughes Plaza W., 10100 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135 / 702-214-5590
This casual but elegant bistro has become a Summerlin favorite with its standout American cuisine---with French, Italian and Spanish influences---complemented by a friendly ambience and a 120-label wine list spanning ten countries. The lounge is a popular gathering place, while the ten-seat chef’s table has the best view of the cheerful open kitchen. The private room houses a glassed-in wine cellar, and banquettes against the walls of the dining room circle tables set with white linens. A lush garden is the setting for the striking patio. Created by chef/co-owner Matthew Silverman, whose goal is to feature the freshest ingredients available, Vintner Grill’s menus change a bit on a daily basis. For starters, we like the tomato relish bruschetta with spinach, shaved Asiago and avocado oil or the pan-seared crab cakes with tarragon cream and roasted peppers, offered for both lunch and dinner. Among lunch sandwiches is the Prime wood-grilled burger with pancetta and Sonoma garlic jack cheese. Entrées served for lunch and dinner include free-range half chicken with Asiago-potato gratin and bouillabaisse with clams, shrimp, snapper, calamari, scallops and saffron broth. Vintner Grill desserts are created exclusively by Vosges Haut-Chocolat---save room for the array of exotic truffles.
10
Wine Cellar & Tasting Room
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89103 / 702-777-7962
Las Vegas's leading wine bar, tasting room and wine shop raised the bar for wine imbibing when it opened in February 1997. Master sommelier Barry Larvin, the Rio's then-cellar master and president of the Court of Master Sommeliers, combed the U.S. coast-to-coast, as well as countries worldwide, to realize his goal---making the Rio the valley's finest wine venue. He succeeded. From its 50,000-bottle collection, the cellar's wine bar---which opens weekdays from 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at noon---offers up to 30 tasting flights a day, as well as wines by the glass paired with various spreads and breads, plus cheese and a decadent chocolate tasting. The elegant Wine Cellar can accommodate private wine tasting parties and ship wine purchases to most cities across the country.
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