Vigne Cafe

Thursday, June 05, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Eat: Recommended Restaurants

Burgeoning scene

3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 967-7999

$$-$$$; Smart Casual/Trendy

Following the lead of the famed Buddha Bar in Paris (the city), this new eatery in Paris (the resort) combines an energetic restaurant and sexy lounge (Risqué) into a nightlife draw that already attracts the young and restless. Ah Sin features multiple rooms showcasing delicious Pacific Rim/Asian cuisine (sushi, noodles, Korean barbecue) and an expansive dining patio with great views of the Bellagio fountains.

Bradley Ogden

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 731-7413

$$$-$$$$; Smart Casual

San Fancisco chef Bradley Ogden, a champion of high-end noveau cuisine, recently opened his ninth eatery right here in Las Vegas. Located just outside Celine Dion's Collosseum (supposedly, if you can pay the price for Celine, you can afford Bradley's), Bradley Ogden has quickly caught the attention of the power lunchers with its clubby atmosphere and closely attended menu (Ogden is currently hands-on at this location).

Caspian Sea

2101 S. Decatur Blvd.; 259-8500

$$; Casual/Smart Casual

A dining room that gestated from the success of the adjacent Caspian Market, specializing in Mediterranean foods. Almost too new yet, the Caspian Sea is still working out the kinks, but is trying to be a bit more refined and upmarket than its spritual predecessor, the University District's Mediterranean Cafe. The menu is similar, but the emphasis is on entrees (lamb), rather than mezza (delicious falafel and hummus) and salads.

Panevino Ristorante

246 Via Antonio; 222-2400

$$$; Smart Casual

Architecturally impressive yet comfortable, Panevino features an open dining room with an expansive curving wall of glass with impressive views of the Strip, a seemingly unending bar punctuated by a comfortable lounge around a blazing fire, and a delicious menu of upscale Italian comfort food. Start with mozzarella campagnola, continue with insalata esotica (spinach, avocado, hearts of palm), and wrap it up with freshly made pasta (gnochetti, lobster ravioli) or risotto.

Prana

3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 650-0507

$$-$$$; Smart Casual/Trendy

Prana is a feast for the senses, an elaborately designed room festooned with semi-private opium beds as booths, elegant hardwoods, and more than a hint of French colonial Vietnamese decadence. Such impressive design usually threatens to overwhelm the menu, but not at Prana, where the Euro-Asian food (delightful crab puffs, sake marinated halibut) fits the atmopshere nicely. After 10:30 p.m., dancing gets under way downstairs, fulfilling the hedonistic expectations set forth by the dining experience.

Simon

4455 Paradise Road; 693-5000

$$$; Smart Casual/Trendy

The hot new spot for the underdressed and overtressed, Kerry Simon's Palm Springs-styled eatery is where beautiful design feeds the eye while good food satiates the palate. The comfort food trend launched years ago in New York and London makes old Vegas new again with super steaks, seafood and pasta. Meanwhile, signature desserts like freshly spun cotton candy melt in your wet, lip gloss-covered mouth.

Tre

1050 S. Rampart Blvd.; 946-6200

$$-$$$; Smart Casual/Trendy

Tre--from New York's famed Maccioni restaurant family (Circo)--is among the most impressive off-Strip eateries in Vegas. A freestanding Summerlin building, Tre is modern Mediterranean--Arabesque, Moorish, Italianate--with an inspired menu to match. Happy hour sports a busy bar, and Tre is the west end dinner spot for those accustomed to the style and service of the Strip.

Vigne Cafe

12261 S. Eastern Ave.; 269-8463

$$; Smart Casual

If upscale off-Strip restaurant menus follow a pattern, it's contemporary American, and Vigne, a recent addition to Green Valley, does it well. Vigne's chef, a veteran of Wolfgang Puck's Postrio, presents items such as duck and mascarpone agnolotti with roasted squash and sage brown butter--an item with a style familiar to anyone who enjoys Rosemary's. A particular attraction of Vigne is that it serves a special late menu until 2 a.m.

The Mercury wants you to EAT! We're compiling a special installment of EAT, one that will be written primarily by you, our readers. Please e-mail the name and phone number of your favorite restaurant, as well as a quotable paragraph or two about why you love the place (food? atmosphere? service?), to jpreza@lvcm.com. Ownership, management, staff and PR, please refrain from sauteeing your own beef. Not all submissions will be used, so get over it.