The Forum Shops, Simon's 675,000-square-foot retail emporium attached to
Caesars Palace, has long been closely linked with Las Vegas' dining
scene. Many locals credit Wolfgang Puck and Spago, which opened at the
Forum Shops in 1992, with kick-starting the Strip's dining evolution
from mediocre steakhouses and buffets to an eclectic array of
international and celebrity chef eateries at every price point.
So
it's fitting that another culinary icon will soon become Spago's
neighbor inside the massive mall. Next year, the Slanted Door will open
its first venue outside California at the Forum Shops. The San
Francisco-based restaurant is famous for its modern approach to
Vietnamese cuisine, using fresh ingredients and contemporary techniques
to build on traditional dishes. That approach has earned Slanted Door
owner and executive chef Charles Phan won the James Beard Awards for
Best Chef: Pacific in 2004 and Outstanding Restaurant in 2014.
"We
are excited to expand into the Las Vegas market," said Phan in a
statement. "The Forum Shops will provide unparalleled access to
residents, tourists and shoppers, and we look forward to creating the
kind of dining ambience that has been so warmly received in San
Francisco for the last 20-plus years."
The Slanted Door Las Vegas will live in an 8,200-square-foot space along Las Vegas Boulevard.
"With
its first-floor, high-visibility location, we are certain that it will
become an instant favorite for our shoppers and visitors to Las Vegas in
search of exceptional and unique dining venues," said Simon senior
executive vice president of leasing Vicki Hanor.
The Slanted
Door's expansion plans aren't confined to Las Vegas. A new location in
downtown Los Angeles is in the works and expected to open sometime this
year.