First look: Art, champagne and patio views at Mr Chow

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The long-awaited Las Vegas location of famed Beijing hot spot MR CHOW is nearing completion in its stunning poolside perch at Caesars Palace. Located in the former Empress Court space, the restaurant is set to debut mid-December, just in time for the holidays. A few members of the media and I were lucky enough to get a sneak peek tour of MR CHOW, which I found to be replete with the kind of gluttonous glamour you’d expect in Las Vegas.

For one, the restaurant is located on the second floor of the two-story venue—a setting that bolsters the impressive patio views. The first floor comprises a reservation check-in desk, dedicated elevators to the upper-level restaurant and a posh champagne lounge that only serves fine bubbles by the glass. Though there are six other MR CHOW restaurants worldwide, the grand champagne bar arrival experience is exclusive to the Las Vegas location. Guests awaiting tables can either hang there for a drink or head upstairs to the waiting lounge.

The jaw-dropping Las Vegas restaurant is circular shaped, half of which looks out to the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis. The private dining room is large enough to be utilized as one venue with a separate reception area and dining space, or divided into two completely different rooms, one with its own terrace.

The beautiful main room, which seats 180, is crowned by a kinetic sculpture, also unique to this location. The impressive, disc-shaped showstopper was designed by Tait, the same team behind that other awe-inducing chandelier at nearby OMNIA Nightclub. The 3,800 pound, all-white mass of aluminum, fiberglass and lacquer is part of the restaurant’s upscale, yet interactive vibe—it twists and turns like a moving piece of art, sure to impress diners feasting below.

Guests will enjoy this nightly “entertainment” as they peruse the menu of Ma Mignon, green prawns, chicken satay (word is, diners order it because of the delectable accompanying peanut sauce) and other dishes such as MR CHOW noodles with vegetables. The menu’s signature—Beijing duck—is personally hand-carved by the chef tableside for every order, as is the branzino. In addition to a dessert cart presentation, a stylish roving champagne cart offers premium champagnes such as Dom Pérignon. About halfway through the night, expect the pasta chef to come out of the kitchen and do a lively presentation demonstrating how to make hand-pulled Chinese noodles.

If you’re just craving cocktails and small bites, sit at the bar near the patio. It’s decorated with huge windows and the curtains all automatically rise when the sun goes down, giving way to the starlit outdoors. Color-changing LED lights encircle the wall below the sculpture and reflect off the white surfaces in soft waves of color. The “white” theme is even reflected in the white tablecloths and tuxedo-clad staff, including European-style positions of Maître D’ and Captain. (Fancy!)

MR CHOW is the last jewel in Caesars Palace’s crowning collection of trendy, famous and celebrity chef-centric restaurants. Joining others such as Nobu, Brian Malarkey’s Searsucker and Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, MR CHOW will add even more fine dining flair to the iconic resort—just in time for its golden anniversary kick-off.