Opening this November, Lakeside Grill will bring a lively new dining destination to Wynn Las Vegas. Situated on the picturesque Lake of Dreams, Executive Chef David Walzog offers modern twists on classic American dishes in a striking and stylish setting. Lakeside Grill is the second restaurant at Wynn helmed by Walzog, who has garnered critical acclaim for his cuisine at SW, the resort’s signature steakhouse.
“I’m very excited about the opening of Lakeside Grill at Wynn Las Vegas,” says Walzog. “While SW offers a traditional steakhouse experience, Lakeside Grill serves contemporary American cuisine—what I hope will be a fresh approach to familiar food. Both are distinct destinations that will appeal to a broad range of guests.”
The menu at Lakeside Grill is inspired by the diverse array of popular dishes that have come to characterize modern American cuisine, to which Walzog applies an inventive touch. Appetizers include small plates meant for sharing, soups, salads and an expansive selection of hot and chilled shellfish. Dishes such as Strip Steak Sandwiches with caramelized shallots and truffled Robiola cheese; Garlic Bread Meatballs with puttanesca sauce and basil; and Tempura Maine Lobster Tail with sriracha aioli satisfy an array of cravings.
Entrees include pizza and pasta options such as Tomato Pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, pecorino and basil and a decadent Butternut Squash Agnolotti with sage brown butter. Main courses are divided by preparation—grilled, oven roasted, poached, braised and charbroiled—and include tempting offerings from the land and sea. Here, guests can try Walzog’s flavorful steaks, including a char-broiled 20 oz. Rib Chop and oven-roasted 21 Day Dry-Aged Smoke Prime Rib, along with seafood such as Crispy Dover Sole with melted leeks and confit tomatoes and a hearty Fisherman’s Pot with lobster, crab legs, scallops and shellfish cream. Entrees can be enjoyed along with a number of delicious side dishes such as Polenta Cakes with stewed peppers, Crispy Steak Fries with homemade ketchup or simple Roasted Autumn Vegetables.
Guests of Lakeside Grill can end their meal on a sweet note with desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Kimberly Valdez. A special “dim sum” cart offers desserts divided into nutty, chocolate, creamy and fruit categories—a playful approach that encourages conviviality among diners. Selections such as Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Hazelnut Bar Tart and French Toast Bread Pudding round out the menu of crowd-pleasing selections.
Located in the space formerly occupied by Daniel Boulud Brasserie, Wynn’s Executive Vice President of Design Roger Thomas has updated the interiors to lend Lakeside Grill its own distinct character, while retaining design elements such as the 17th-century mosaic-tiled floor. The restaurant is outfitted in white materials such as Carrara marble, metals and leather for a bright, modern feel, complementing the beautiful view of the Lake of Dreams beyond its windows.
“I wanted to illuminate the interiors through the use of various white textures, and by opening up the walls to bring guests closer to the nightly water show,” says Thomas.
The space marries contemporary and antique elements—vibrant orange lacquer and white acrylic surfaces juxtaposed with neo-classical sculptures and 19th-century falling angels adorning the walls. Strangler figs—vines that grow on tree trunks in tropical climates—festoon the interior and serve as the structural focus of the restaurant. Towards the back, a “peek-a-boo” wall provides a glimpse of the action in the kitchen.
Lakeside Grill offers an experience that blends fine dining with the fun and energy of a lounge setting, where guests can enjoy Chef Walzog’s imaginative takes on American favorites in a dynamic atmosphere.