SW Steakhouse @Wynn Fall 2012

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It’s Steve Wynn’s Steakhouse, that’s what the SW stands for, in the property named after the man. How could it be anything other than one of the best in Vegas?  Located off of the casino floor to the north of the property, SW Steakhouse is, in a word, elegant.

The goal is simply to create the best steak dinner possible and it’s won numerous culinary awards for their efforts.  The space is comfortable but formal.  Offering both indoor and outdoor seating.  The whole experience will make you feel in exclusive company.  Completing the illusion, the outdoor seating offers some of the best views of the Lake of Dreams attraction available.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 Chips

Mark and Keren Rating - 4/5 Chips

Tropicana Fall 2012

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In 1955, an executive of the Fontainebleau in Miami purchased a 40-acre plot of land on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Bond Road with the intent on building a resort with a sheik Cuban ambience.  While it never competed with the higher end properties it intended to, its success can be measure simply by the fact that the Bond road was later renamed Tropicana Avenue

While they weren’t high end, Tropicana received their share of visitor’s disposable income.  In 1977 they added the 22-floor Tiffany Tower and in 86 the Island tower, both still there today.  However time and constant changes in ownership allowed this property to fall to levels comparable to the lowest and most run down on the strip.

Enter Alex Yemenidjian, the man who helped Kirk Kerkorian grow his MGM Empire.  In 2009 Alex took over as CEO and invested $165 million into renovations.  The result is impressive to say the least, perhaps the greatest renovation to a Vegas property in history.  The renovations, subtle in many cases, took this property from being the Vegas equivalent of a run down abandon shopping mall into a property that now competes as a mid-tier property and again, offers a sheik Cuban ambience.

Vegas Mate - 3/5 chips

Mark & Keren - 5/5 chips