Las Vegas will welcome its first Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse this fall when COTE Vegas opens at The Venetian Resort on October 4, marking a significant addition to the Strip's evolving culinary landscape. The opening represents a personal milestone for founder Simon Kim, whose Vegas roots run deep. According to The Venetian Resort, Kim said, "I went to UNLV, and my first formative job in the world of hospitality was in Las Vegas, so opening a COTE in this entertainment epicenter is more than just any traditional opening—it's a triumphant homecoming."
COTE has earned recognition as America's first and only Korean steakhouse with a Michelin star. The innovative concept blends Korean BBQ's social dining experience with the refinement of an American chophouse, creating what has become one of the nation's most acclaimed dining experiences.
Award-Winning Concept Comes West
The restaurant has accumulated impressive accolades since its New York debut. As detailed by Wikipedia, COTE has received numerous James Beard Foundation honors including Best New Restaurant in 2018 and Outstanding Wine Program awards in both 2019 and 2020. The brand also operates locations in Miami and Singapore.
COTE Vegas will occupy prime real estate in The Venetian's Waterfall Atrium, with design handled by renowned architect David Rockwell and his Rockwell Group. The Neon Review-Journal reports that Clark County building records show an interior demolition permit issued with a project value of approximately $829,000.
Unique Dining Experience
The restaurant will feature smokeless grills at each table and premium cuts from COTE's in-house dry aging room. The menu will include A5 wagyu from Kobe, Sendai, and Miyazaki, along with steaks aged 45, 90, and 120 days. COTE's Butcher's Feast, Steak & Eggs, and Legend of the Seven Jades will also be offered. The Review-Journal reports that design plans show "a roughly concentric arrangement of bar, dining areas, wine room, aged-meat display, DJ booth and more," with renderings showing a space in earthy greens and golds, as per Neon Review-Journal.
Part of Strip's Dining Evolution
COTE is opening at The Venetian Resort in 2025, alongside other major restaurant launches. Patrick Nichols, president and CEO of The Venetian Resort, said, “COTE’s arrival further cements our position as the leader in chef-driven restaurants and world-class culinary experiences on the Las Vegas Strip and exemplifies a new era for The Venetian as we embark on our $1.5 billion transformational re-investment project.”
The opening represents the latest expansion for Gracious Hospitality Management, which has recently launched COTE Singapore and announced plans for a multi-level project at 550 Madison featuring an exclusive sushi restaurant led by Michelin-starred Chef Masahiro Yoshitake. For Kim, who was born in Seoul and moved to Long Island at age 13, the Las Vegas location completes a circle that began with his formative years in the city. The October 4 debut positions COTE Vegas as a cornerstone of The Venetian's ongoing $1.5 billion transformational reinvestment project, signaling the resort's commitment to attracting world-class dining concepts to the Strip.
