Las Vegas Weekly

July 28, 2009 · 9:06 AM

New Treasure Island restaurant to feature Phil Ruffin’s jade collection

By Robin Leach

Phil Ruffin, shown in a 2003 Las Vegas Sun file photo.

Photo: Marsh Starks

Hotel mogul Phil Ruffin has set an Aug. 10 official opening date for his new Asian-themed restaurant Khotan at Treasure Island, which he acquired from MGM this year in a $750 million purchase. Khotan takes the place of the recently departed celebrity hotspot Social House.

Since Khotan translates to “city of Jade,” Phil has decided -- exactly as Vegas DeLuxe first reported -- to decorate the restaurant with his own large collection of exquisite jade sculptures and ivory antiquities. I’m told the loaned collection is worth more than $30 million and is the largest private one of its kind in America.

Included in the more than 20 rare and valuable pieces are two 5-foot, hand-carved jade jars and a 35,000-year-old ivory tusk adorned with an intricately designed Asian village.

The Pan-Asian restaurant’s executive chef will be Craig Taylor, with Apiruk “Lou” Hansrisuk as chef de cuisine.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Share This