(Photos by Encore)
Everything about Wynn’s Encore Las Vegas Resort is special! We chose the
Botero Steakhouse, an elegant, richly decorated dining room which lulls diners into a sense of tranquility. When you walk into the Botero Steakhouse, look at the
anti-gravity bottle shelf beginning at the wall behind the bar and extending across the ceiling over the cocktail lounge. Notice the colorful floor tiles and other interesting designs around the dining room. The steakhouse was named after the famous Columbian artist Fernando Botero. One of his works, the huge bigger-than-life Fertility Goddess Statue in the center of the room immediately attracts your attention. The room also displays two of his sculptures and three paintings.
Seeing their cuisine is almost as exciting as eating it! Executive Chef Mark LoRusso presents his original creations in a playful-style. Although Botero is a classic steakhouse, Chef Mark adds PZAZZ to the dishes. Some of the appetizers arrive to the table in mini-Lazy Susan tiered plate sets. His Tasting of Crab has roasted Alaskan crab with scampi sauce, Dungeness crab salad with avocado and bacon, and wild mushroom tart with Gruyere cheese. Chef Mark’s Crudo Tasting includes tuna, halibut, salmon and hamachi with four provocative sauces. What a unique combination of flavors! I must also mention the Shellfish Tower filled with oysters, gulf prawns, Maine lobster and crab.
I enjoy the tasting selections because they give us a chance to savor more than just one of his delicious dishes. You can choose any two of Chef Mark’s Tasting of Soup, the carrot-ginger, lentil, cumin, or Yukon potato-leak soups. Then there are the Kobe Steak Tartare, Hudson Valley Foie Gras with caramelized apple topped with Calvadoa sauce, and other surprises.
Dining is really dining at the Botero Steakhouse, there is no rush, just relax and indulge yourself. They place two or three flickering candles on each table to add to the atmosphere. Encore calls them “beyond the curve” steaks. Now it is time to try Steak Your Way choosing Pepper Steak, Chimichurri, or the traditional- style. Chimichurri is a popular Latin American sauce which originated in Argentina. Depending upon your appetite, steaks range from 8 and 12 ounce filets, 16 ounce dry aged New York strip, and the lion-sized 22 ounce bone-in ribeyes. Their steaks are UNBELIEVABLY tender! And you can “add on” to your steak with Alaskan king crab, half-Main lobster or Hudson Valley Foie Gras.
Botero’s menu offers a wide variety of selections beyond their steaks which allows everyone to be able to order what they prefer. Try the olive oil poached halibut, whole roasted European loup de mer, dayboat scallops, or whole roasted lobster Oscar-style, Dover sole. Chef Mark’s pinwheel of wild salmon is served two ways with butternut squash and apple risotto or roasted cauliflower puree and lemon caper emulsion. I do not usually see Kobe short ribs or Bricohe crusted Colorado rack of lamb on menus, in fact many of this Chef’s dishes ARE NOT FOUND in other restaurants! Even his sides are different! Chef Mark’s original truffle macaroni and cheese, vanilla scented yams with marshmallow, and fire and ice carrots sound delicious. I like the way the baked potato and wild mushrooms are served in their own individual skillets which keeps them hot and is perfect for sharing. The three types of large cut-mushrooms are saut©ed in red wine.
Desserts are a celebration at Botero’s Steakhouse. Created by Pastry Chef Patrick Florendo, choose from Botero ice cream cupcakes with childhood favorite flavors, crispy classic cheesecake topped with shaved pineapple and chocolate sauce, Valrhona chocolate souffl©, PB & J brioche doughnuts, milk chocolate bon bon lollipops with hazelnut praline,
Their wall of floor- to- ceiling windows bring natural light into the room with views of nature. You can walk in the adjacent garden around the pool before or after eating. Executive Chef Mark LoRusso and nightclub owner Victor Drai opened Botero next to XS, the nightclub. You can’t have a more romantic setting and place to go to continue the evening at XS.
Bodero Steakhouse is located inside Wynn’s Encore Las Vegas Resort, 3121 Las Vegas Blvd., South, across from the Fashion Show Mall. www.wynnslasvegas.com
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