8th Annual Epicurean Awards Given By Las Vegas Life

The current issue of Las Vegas Life magazine offers up its reader’s choices for winners in the publication’s “8th Annual Epicurean Awards.”

In a year where a lot of new restaurants opened in Las Vegas and many more were revamped, some categories had a lot of close calls when the final votes were tabulated.

The legendary Joel Robuchon won two awards: “Best Chef” for himself and “Best French Restaurant” for his namesake fine dining establishment at the MGM Grand.

Clearly the readers frequent TI (or Treasure Island, for the old school readers) as three eateries there walked away with wins. Though only opened a few months, the celebrity-studded Social House won “Best New Strip Restaurant,” while its downstairs companion Tangerine Lounge won “Best Lounge.” Rounding out the TI trio is Isla Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar which won, you guessed it, “Best Mexican.” That has to be a blow to Bobby Flay who owns the highly-touted Mesa Grill at nearby Caesars Palace.

N9NE Steakhouse at The Palms won “Best American,” but it was the SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas that won for “Best Steakhouse.” Also at the Wynn is the “Best Chinese” winner, Wing Lei.

One thing that can make or break a restaurant for me is the service, so next time I’m eating out in Vegas, I’ll have to check out Michael Mina at the Bellagio, which won the coveted “Best Service” award.

This is but a handful of this year’s award winners. But for those looking for memorable eating experiences in Vegas, this list is a great place to start at the top and work your way down. You can view the complete list online at lvlife.com or pick up the current issue on sale now.