Wynn Switcheroo One-Month Update
Started by JakeZ on Saturday, 21st January 2012 11:18 am
It's been nearly a month since Wynn completed their re-shuffling of, well, a lot. Here's a quick update of how things are going.
High-Limit Slots: More people are visiting HLS now than in the old location, but not for the reason you might suspect. No, more people are not going there to gamble. They're stopping by to take photos, especially of the fountain, and take a walk around the space. It's become such an issue that they posted a purple-jaketed security guard at the front, along with two signs telling people to go away, unless they're there to play.
Tower Suites Bar/Lobby: According to a bartender friend of mine who works in another Wynn restaurant, the TS Bar is not doing as well as they had hoped. In fact, it's performing way below expectations. Very few customers are stopping by. I have passed by it myself multiple times, and have rarely seen more than 8 to 10 people having drinks in the ENTIRE space. This could change if/when more promotion/advertisement of the space occurs, but then again it may not.
Tower Suites Cafe: With a pedestrian name, comes pedestrian food. (Actually, with the exception of Sinatra and The Country Club, it seems like each and every one of Wynn's restaurants are becoming more pedestrian, especially in the face of competition from Cosmopolitan and a resurgence in interest in Bellagio). I tried TS Cafe for lunch a few days ago, and it was hit and miss. Service? Great (what else do you expect from Wynn?) Food? Mediocre. The slightly-new room is certainly pretty, and the new painted chairs with the orange/yellow/white color scheme works beautifully. Too bad the food doesn't match up to such a wonderful space.
Encore XSplanade: So far, the hidden line system is working well. No complaints, no more clogged hallways, nice design.
That's all for now!
Malibugolfer responded on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Jake, I just got back from a TS stay and I will concur with your observations with a couple of personal additions.
I got feedback from a variety of people regarding the smoke prevelent in the TS bar as it affected the people waiting for the elevator. I don't smoke but don't have a problem but it was quite noticeable to anyone who had stayed previously.
The unfettered access is more convenient to the casino from the elevators (no need to go through the HL passway), but the additional traffic to the cafe caused them to put in the Encore card access in the Wynn TS also. People seemed to adjust and I didn't find it a problem.
I actually was surprised by how little the old Tableau space was changed. Their breakfast menu, service and food didn't seem very different to me at all.
Thanks for your continuous updates. They're great.
Geoff replied on Saturday, 21st January 2012
when did they start requiring you swipe your key in the elevator? i was there last weekend and this wasn't the case. they did have someone checking keys at the bottom of the elevators..
Had breakfast at tower suites cafe, it was pretty much the same as tableau. although i think the prices might have gone up a little for slightly less food. if i remember tableau correctly.
Malibugolfer responded on Saturday, 21st January 2012
First day of the requirement for TS keys was Monday the 16th. Caused some initial commotion but smoothed out by the next day.
JohnD responded on Saturday, 21st January 2012
True, a fair bit of dining at Wynn isn't great, but I think to not include Wazuzu and to an extent Botero is a bit of an oversight.
Wazuzu has kept up the quality of their output despite the fact that Chef Tila is in more of consulting position now. The restaurant is usually busy and energetic, even if the rest of Encore's offerings are not. Botero is sort of locked into the steakhouse thing, but their appetizers and desserts are just as good as anything else in Wynncore. Their staff has always been extremely friendly and helpful, they run a good restaurant.
JakeZ replied on Saturday, 21st January 2012
I agree about Wazuzu. For some reason I always forget that it's there.
However, I have had two very, very bad experiences at Botero. They served me rancid crab once, and on my second visit they gave me a good appetizer, but a bad dry, overcooked entree steak for an entree. The desserts are great though.
Misnomer replied on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
I really like Botero. Particularly their chimichurri steak offerings and their side items. I tend to order a smallish steak and several sides. The stuffed piquillo peppers are delish.
apollo28 responded on Saturday, 21st January 2012
In my opinion....the worst restraunt at wynncore is Switch
bigdaddyj responded on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Hmm, somehow I have a feeling Bartolotta will soon be going the way of Alex, to be replaced either by a new restaurant called "Wynn Esplanade Cafe" or perhaps by a new "daylife/nightlife experience" called "LaGoon!"...
DeucesWild replied on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
That would be a real shame. Bartolotta is fucking awesome.