Best Tables

Culinary Bliss

Botero delivers contemporary steakhouse fare in a seriously sexy setting

Named for Colombian neo-figurative artist Fernando Botero, the sultry steakhouse at Wynn's Encore resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, showcases a sensuous, nude, larger-than-life fertility goddess, The Seated Lady, in the centre of the art-adorned circular dining room. Martinis from the floating bar are served in gold-stemmed glasses and it also serves a stellar Champagne cocktail: The Seated Lady, which fizzes with Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé, elderberry liqueur, rose nectar and a crystallized rose petal garnish.
The playfulness and innovation of executive chef Mark LoRusso is evident in the diverse menu, including crispy frog's legs, deep-fried onion tangles of polenta and leeks, shrimp n' chips and a steak-your-way menu - with your choice of preparation: pepper steak, chimichurri or traditional. In addition to meat options, you can surf with slow-poached halibut in olive oil, pinwheels of wild salmon and a two-pound Maine lobster, roasted to perfection. Desserts are a spin on the classics - the Valrhona chocolate soufflé comes drowned in a luxurious coffee anglaise; a vanilla ice cream palette is painted with chocolate pearls; and very-adult PB & J brioche doughnuts with Concord grape jelly.
Botero's round shape gives guests a 360-degree view of the multi-million-dollar nightclub, XS. It spills outdoors, where Botero's tables overlook the European-style swimming pool, where topless sunbathers must cover up before sitting down at alfresco blackjack tables. This is Vegas, baby. (Kasey Wilson)

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV, USA, 702-248-3463, encorelasvegas.com

Secret Society

Society Dining Lounge

Oversized glasses filled with pink cotton candy, two grandiose pink faux-Murano chandeliers, French brasserie chairs and black walls with peek-a-boo cut-outs. Enter the world of Society Dining Lounge, where opposites attract. Against this brand-new creation of youthful allure in Vancouver's Yaletown, chef Brandon Thordarson serves plates of down-home comfort food that he has given a complete make-over. Redesigned to tantalize, the menu announces martinis and milkshakes, baked mac and cheese with winter truffles and shepherd's pie with buttery lobster. For dessert, go wild and indulge in the Junk Food Platter - cotton candy, chocolate cupcakes, Rice Crispy squares, doughnut holes, caramel corn and ice cream sandwiches. (KW)

1257 Hamilton St., Vancouver, B.C., 604-629-8800, society-grg.ca    

Last Tango in Mendoza

Francis Mallmann's 1884 Restaurant

Housed in a Romanesque former winery, chef Francis Mallmann's 1884 Restaurant in Mendoza, Argentina, was voted among the top 10 places to eat in the world by the London Times in 2009. A wood-fired mud oven and barbecue in the winery's courtyard is used to prepare rustic and refined food - superlative breads, empanadas, roasted vegetables and meats. Start in the El Bar with house-made breadsticks and a glass of 1884 viognier from the adjacent Escorihuela winery, before moving into the dining room for crunchy nuggets of sweetbreads in a tomato and Bibb lettuce salad, baby goat from the clay oven;and a giant charred bisteca (rib) coated with chimichurri. If Mendoza isn't in your travel plans, pick up Mallman's cookbook, Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way. (KW)

1188 Belgrano, Mendoza, Argentina, 54-261-424-2698, 1884restaurante.com.ar

Pop Culture Club

Kultura

Kultura calls its restaurant concept "social dining," and that moniker's apt. As soon as you walk in, you're in the bar with its lively social scene and pulsating music. Walk upstairs, with dim lights and candles lighting your way. Those who wish for an intimate setting gravitate to the back room with its high ceilings, exposed brick and small bar area. Banquets line the east wall and small wood dining tables are dotted about for those who wish to eat - and they should. Food under executive chef Roger Mooking and chef de cuisine Stuart Cameron embraces all cultures and encourages sharing plates. Ponzu poached salmon, Mediterranean samosas, tandoor pork, scallops gow gee and spicy tuna rolls are all inventively delicious. Add to that a good martini selection and more than 180 labels on the wine list. (Margaret Swaine)

169 King Street E., Toronto, ON, 416-363-9000, kulturarestaurant.com

What Comes Around Goes Around

Circa 59

Located in the luxurious Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Spa, Circa 59 is all glamorous retro chic that harkens back to the year the famous resort opened. Dine alfresco under the palms with a view of the pool or in the lavish, '60s-inspired dining room. Executive chef Bradley Manchester's contemporary menu offers a generous list of "sharables," like grilled New Zealand lamb chops, crispy oysters, chorizo-stuffed dates and the much-ballyhooed crab cakes with lemongrass lobster sauce and tomato jam. Mains include twists on traditional steakhouse fare like veal rib eye-Oscar, and wild salmon and shrimp scampi. Circa 59 also has a 50th anniversary prix-fixe menu for couples (with optional wine pairings) that offers such culinary throwbacks as crab Louie, beef Wellington and an ice cream sundae for dessert. (Jennifer Hamilton)

1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, USA, 760-327-8311, psriviera.com