By Cathy Burroughs
Looking for a fabulous hotel goes beyond the destination and the staff, a great hotel restaurant should be part of that equation, too. With awesome menus and not to mention awesome celebrity chefs, this list highlights ten of the best hotel restaurants.
1. The Bazaar – SLS Hotel Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills, California
Named “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation in 2011, Chef José Andrés is the head chef and visionary for this marvelous hotel restaurant. True to José Andrés’ cultural, the Spanish cuisine is excellent from tapas to traditional dishes featuring a modern twist. The Los Angeles Times Restaurant Review has rated this restaurant with four stars and The Bazaar was recognized by Zagat Los Angeles as “Top Newcomer” in 2010.
2. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill – MGM Grand Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the most recognized names in the culinary industry, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is filled with signature comfort food. The California – inspired cuisine has favorites including Prime Burger with Vermont Cheddar and Onion Marmalade and Wood-Oven Pizza. Awarded the Wine Spectator Award in 2011, you can have wonderful food and marvelous wines while enjoying the ambiance of this bar and grill.
3. B&B Ristorante – The Palazzo | Las Vegas, Nevada
Originally based in New York, Chef Mario Batali and his partner/winemaker Joseph Bastianich brought their award winning Italian restaurant to The Palazzo. With traditional Italian décor including Italian marble, dark maple wood and leather banquets and surrounded by music imported from Mario Batali’s music collection, creates a luxurious dining experience. The menu has signature favorites with Beef Cheek Ravioli with Black Truffles and Crushed Duck Liver or Whole Grilled Branzino with Summer Squash and Salsa Verde.
4. Café Boulud – The Surrey New York | New York, New York
This Upper East Side restaurant in The Surrey Hotel has sophistication and features a menu inspired by Chef Daniel Boulud French muses. With an upscale Manhattan Café type interior, the menu offers wonderful dishes from the Belgian Waffles caramelized with bananas, vanilla bean and Chantilly to Grilled Leg of Lamb with garbanzo beans, red peppers, merguez sausage and natural jus.
5. Bourbon Steak – Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale, Arizona
Named “Top Arizona Steakhouse” by The Arizona Republic, Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak restaurant brings and upscale yet contemporary dining experience to Scottsdale’s Fairmont Scottsdale Resort. With a modern menu, some desired items feature the finest cuts of beef, poultry, and fish grilled and finished over seasoned wood-fueled flames and served with modern classic American side dishes.
6. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon New York – Four Seasons Hotel New York | New York, New York
Located in the sophisticated and elegant Four Seasons Hotel New York, L’Ateluer de Joel Robuchon brings a taste of excellence to this hotel. Joel Robuchon’s classic dishes infuse a modern take on American favorites. The famous foie gras burger with caramelized bell peppers is a guest favorite.
7. Bluezoo – Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort | Orlando, Florida
Winning the 2010 Culinary Hospitality Santé Award for Innovation – Southeast Region, Chef Todd English brings fresh seafood and amazing architect to Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort with his restaurant Bluezoo. This award-winning restaurant offers exceptional food and service for adults and children, alike. From the dirty south swordfish to the two-pound Maine “Cantonese” lobster and raw bar, this restaurant is perfect for the seafood lover.
8. Craft – W Dallas – Victory | Dallas, Texas
Culinary expert Chef Tom Colicchio offers a remarkable dining experience at The W Dallas hotel with his restaurant, Craft. All dishes are placed and presented in Tom Colicchio’s signature culinary style. As a recipient of the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant nationwide in 2002 and Outstanding Chef award in 2010, Craft provides excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With dinner served family-style, this restaurant experience makes guests feel right at home.
9. Matsuhisa – Belvedere Mykonos | Mykonos, Greece
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings the concept of New Style Japanese cuisine to the Belvedere Hotel in Mykonos, Greece. Pulling from different international cuisine, mainly from South America with a strong emphasis on sea food, Matsuisa’s traditional Japanese cuisine incorporates diverse culinary influences from South America, Alaska and the West. The award-winning wine cellar offers over 250 different wine bins from France, Italy and Greece.
10. The Tavern – Princeville at Hanalei | Hanalei, Hawaii
One of renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi’s newer restaurants, The Tavern, located at the beautiful Princeville at Hanalei Resort in Hawaii with wonderful views of golf courses, has a moderately casual atmosphere with terrific food. Guests can partake in a range of classic menu items including escargot or a delicious grilled ribeye steak to Tavern shrimp scampi and desserts.
