The 7 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2012

A quarter of the way into 2012, and it's time to check in on the seven most anticipated restaurant openings in Las Vegas for the forthcoming year. Well, at least the projects that have been announced to date. The trend — restaurants that already have successful operations elsewhere venturing into Vegas. Mizumi at Wynn Las Vegas, is an original concept just for Vegas, but then, it is a renovation with just a few menu changes and the same chef in place. And Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas is a first for the host of Hell's Kitchen. Take the tour and mark your calendars.

1. Gordon Ramsay Steak
Location: Paris Las Vegas
Chef: Gordon Ramsay/Kevin Hee in the Kitchen
Projected Opening: May 1
The British invade when Gordon Ramsay storms Paris as soon as May 1. A Chunnel moves guests from Paris to London. A Union Jack flies overhead with four wine cellars and two dining levels. Rumors keep circulating that this will be the first of two restos the Hell’s Kitchen host plans to open in Sin City.
[Photo: Chelsea McManus]

2. Mizumi
Location: Wynn Las Vegas
Chef: Devin Hashimoto
Projected Opening: May 2012
Okada closed in February to undergo renovations and a name change to Mizumi, a popular Japanese name. While the menu will remain relatively the same, the decor has undergone a softened feminine touch.
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3. Bagatelle
Location: Tropicana Las Vegas
Chef: Unknown
Projected Opening: Memorial Day weekend
The ONE Group, the peeps behind STK at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, plan to bring the champagne brunch, a dayclub and a nightclub to the revamped Trop. The space has been Nikki Beach and RPM Nightclub in the past year, so perhaps the third time’s a charm.
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4. Javier's
Location: Aria
Chef: Unknown
Projected Opening: Summer
Since announcing the project in February, Javier’s has been pretty closed lips about the import from Orange County except to say it has largest selection of premium tequilas in the OC. Look for regionally influenced home-style Mexican cooking. Javier’s will overlook the casino floor in the former Union Restaurant space.
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5. Culinary Dropout
Location: Hard Rock Hotel
Chef: Sam Fox
Projected Opening: Late July
This import from Scottsdale, Ariz., brings a day drinking, late-night snacking concept to the Hard Rock. Five-time James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur Sam Fox is behind the resto that plans to take up 6,000 square feet inside with an additional 3,000-square-foot patio that can seat 320.
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6. Nobu
Location: Caesars Palace
Chef: Nobu Matsuhisa
Projected Opening: Fall
Construction has been delayed on the Nobu Tower at Caesars Palace, but Nobu Matsuhisa will open an outpost of his sushi joint in the space across from Old Homestead Steakhouse. Last month, Nobu visited the rooms while he was in town with partner Robert De Niro.
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7. Hakkasan
Location: MGM Grand
Chef: Ho Chee Boon
Projected Opening: December
This joint venture from Angel Management Group and Hakkasan Ltd., which has outposts in Miami, London, Dubai, Mumbai and Abu Dabi, brings together a restaurant and nightclub, a first for Hakkasan. The space will be expanded to include an indoor/outdoor experience overlooking the Strip. It takes over the MGM Grand space.
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