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Alex, a Top Wine Restaurant in Vegas, Shuts Its Doors
Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning venue at Wynn Resort closes after six years
Alex, one of the most lavish restaurants in Las Vegas, will close its doors Jan. 15 after a six-year run at the Wynn Resort. Chef Alessandro “Alex” Stratta will remain at the hotel to operate Stratta, a more casual restaurant that focuses on wood-fired pizza and Italian-inspired cuisine.
The Alex wine list earned a Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2010. “All that hard work only for the restaurant to be closed,” said Danielle Price, wine director for Wynn and its sister resort Encore. “My disappointment is beyond huge.” The resort management plans to distribute the wines in Alex’s several cellars to other restaurants at the Wynn.
At Alex, Stratta combined ideas and ingredients from his Italian background with classic French dishes and techniques to produce a refined cuisine. It was served in a dramatic space where guests entered by descending a wide staircase. Apparently the space was in such demand for private parties that the resort decided it could be better used for that purpose. A brief statement, issued Friday, said, “Due to demand, the space will be converted into a unique setting for special events and parties.”
“The only ones happy are the rest of my wine team, as I will be dividing up the Grand Award collection amongst the other restaurants,” said Price. Three of the resort’s other restaurants have Best of Award of Excellence status—Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, SW Steakhouse and Wing Lei, a Chinese restaurant. Country Club and Okada both have Awards of Excellence.
The high-end Italian wines will go to Bartolotta. “The majority of the other wines from the cellar will be added to the SW Steakhouse wine list,” said Price. “Botero and Switch [at the Encore resort] will receive some of the wines.” Sommelier Paolo Barbieri, who was born in Rome, will most likely be moving over to Bartolotta, which specializes in Italian seafood.
Member comments 1 comment(s)
The closing of Alex is very sad. It was one of our favorite restaurants in Vegas. Better than Guy Savoy and equal to Robuchon. I will miss the Maderia cart and the attentive wine service. It had become increasingly difficult to dine at Alex due to the limited number of days it was open. But, I won't forget his wonderful participation at the Bon Appetit Vegas Uncorked last year. Pea Risotto! Clearly, hosting expensive weddings will generate huge income for the Wynn. I hope Alex finds a place to continue to create his wonderful cuisine in Vegas. Alex, and his team, will be missed.