Las Vegas Weekly

October 28, 2008 · 3:09 PM

Culinary revolutionary Puck re-opens Postrio at The Venetian

By Robin Leach

Photo: TVT

Wolfgang Puck.

Single-handedly, since opening Spago in Caesars Palace back in 1991, superstar celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has revolutionized the Vegas fine- dining scene. As the first starchef to arrive in town, he led the invasion of other big-name culinary kings who followed him slowly to Sin City. He opened follow-up restaurants all over the Strip, including Chinois, also at Caesars Palace; his bar and grill at MGM Grand; Lupo at Mandalay Bay; the Puck Café at Springs Preserve; and the newest, Cut steak house at Palazzo.

I haven’t forgotten Postrio at the Venetian -- because its one of my all time favorite dining spots. It opened back in 2000, when movie superstar Sophia Loren first cut the red ribbon at The Venetian -– and its been a hangout for stars ever since. Wolf opened it after the success of the same-named restaurant he ran in San Francisco -– but decided earlier this year to give it a top-to-bottom makeover.

A few days ago, he came to town to officially reopen it after a monthlong closing -- and it is spectacular. He even managed to have the bar free-flow right out of the restaurant into the main St. Mark’s Square, and its large enough to enjoy a meal there, too. Just behind, is a large chef’s table to seat 12 guests in one grouping or 12 single diners who want to make new friends over a magnificent meal. His menu that marries Mediterranean influences with seasonal American fare also got a new look and the restaurant design and decorations are all new, modern, upgraded and hip.

“It was time to modernize it,” Wolf told me. “I am thrilled the way it turned out. We managed to keep the outdoor café open while we did the interior construction -- and amazing in this day and age we only ran one week late with our new-look project!”

Photo: Courtesy

Postrio.

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