Wynn Las Vegas Restaurant Awarded Five Diamonds

Alex, the premier fine dining restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas (3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-770-3300) is now internationally recognized by AAA as a Five Diamond restaurant, one of only three in Las Vegas. Named for internationally acclaimed executive chef Alessandro (Alex) Stratta, Alex offers refined French cuisine in one of the most luxurious and opulent settings at Wynn. In the 2006 Five Diamond list, AAA has added seven additional restaurants and six more lodging properties, bringing the total number of Five Diamond properties to 150, worldwide.

"It's extremely gratifying that Alex has been awarded a Five Diamond rating from AAA," says Stratta. "Our vision for Alex was to create an elegant and thoroughly gracious dining experience, a true convergence of classic cuisine, faultless service and genuine hospitality. This prestigious rating is a welcome acknowledgement of all the hard work by a terrific staff and we will continue to try to remain worthy of this honor."

Chef Stratta is no stranger to such accolades. Stratta was named "Best Chef Southwest" and subsequently one of the "Best Hotel Chefs," both by the James Beard Foundation, and was cited as one of "America's 10 Best New Chefs" by Food & Wine Magazine. While under his guiding hand, Renoir at the Mirage also received Mobil's highest five-star rating, one of only 14 restaurants in the United States to be awarded the honor at that time. During his six-year tenure at Renoir, the restaurant maintained its Mobil five-star stature as well as garnering AAA's Five Diamond award and Las Vegas's top culinary rating in the Zagat Guide.

At Alex, Chef Stratta has created a seasonal menu inspired by the flavors of the French Riviera, influenced by the ingredients and traditions of the regions of Provence and Nice, among others. In the hands of this gifted chef, even the simplest ingredients are transformed, elevated to the summit of fine dining. The chef's magnificent menu is served in an appropriately sumptuous setting.

For Alex, in-house Wynn designer, Roger Thomas created a space with a pronounced sense of theater and a luxe sensibility informed by haute couture. Influenced by classic designers like Balenciaga, Thomas evokes the drama and grandeur of a bygone era in a space that still manages to be warm and welcoming.

"Our goal for Wynn Las Vegas was to create one of the finest destination resorts in the world and clearly the Food and Beverage program played a very important role in the process," says Elizabeth Blau, Vice President of Restaurant Marketing and Development. "We are extremely pleased that the exceptional talent and artistry of Chef Stratta and his team have been recognized by AAA and feel that this acknowledgement substantiates our belief that Alex is not only one of the finest restaurants in the country, but one of the best in the world."