While on business earlier this year with some colleagues, we decided to dine at Lupo by Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas — especially as we were staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas or the Delano Las Vegas properties and were not in the mood to venture too far away as we were all tired from a long day.
Lupo by Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas. Restaurant Review.
The restaurant was still popular after we arrived at 9:15 in the evening, as all of the tables were occupied. Our reservation was at 9:30 in the evening because that was the earliest time at which we could be accommodated for dinner; so we waited until several minutes after 9:30 for a table.
We were then seated at our table in the restaurant, which is located inside of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas property. The cover of the menu itself looked stylish. We all eventually placed our orders.
The Caesar Salad was good, but not outstanding. The croutons were too large. Some of the lettuce greens were on the verge of showing their wear and tear of not being as fresh as possible. I prepare a much better Caesar salad dressing myself, if I do say so myself.
The Wild Arugula Salad, Radicchio, Endive, Dried Cherries, and Candied Walnuts in a Balsamic Vinaigrette was equally as good as the Caesar Salad; but also rather ordinary and just misses the mark.
The portion of toasted bread with olive oil and garlic was rather small. We thought it was delicious and wanted more. The staff was rather hesitant and stingy with bringing more out upon request — even though we offered to pay for it.
Although they had a nice flavor and were prepared well, the potatoes in the Crisp New Potatoes, Taleggio Crema, and Oregano dish were not crisp at all.
The Brussels Sprouts were decent but bland — and nowhere nearly as delicious as what I deemed to be the best Brussels Sprouts I have ever had.
The Linguini alle Vongole, Manila Clams, Roasted Garlic, White Wine, Calabrian Chili, Parsley, and Lemon entrée was “super flavorful”, according to one of the diners at the table. Five mussels rounded out this dish.
The Lobster Fra Diavolo, Squid Ink Torchiette, Fennel, Tomato, Basil, and Pepperoncino entrée was also quite tasty, with the pasta cooked to almost the right degree of al dente.
A thick pan seared veal chop was the star of this dish, which was served with a mint pesto sauce.
The vegetables of this dish were forgettable enough that they were not even consumed. The chop initially looked great. I tried a bite of it and found the flavor and texture to be underwhelming…
…but at least a third of the chop was inedible bone; and a significant part of what was edible was undercooked. The person who ordered this entrée said that he did not enjoy it at all.
For this chop, undercooked is a euphemism for raw, which is ironic when viewing this video of Wolfgang Puck himself being served a raw veal chop and not being happy about it. Is this a case of “do as I say and not as I do”?!?
The Tiramisu was comprised of Mascarpone Mousse, Espresso, and Ladyfingers.
The Torta Caprese is a sort of Italian brownie in which Valrhona Chocolate was an ingredient. A Pistachio Gelato and a chocolate sauce accompanied it. Although no fresh raspberries or Mascarpone whipped cream were served with it, the Torta Caprese was still a satisfying end to the meal.
Final Boarding Call
After having been open since 1999, Lupo by Wolfgang Puck is now permanently closed as of September of 2023, as it will cede to a new concept by Wolfgang Puck after a complete renovation of the restaurant space itself. The Lupo name will switch to another restaurant in the community of Summerlin in Nevada.
Although not nearly as bad as Robert Irvine’s Public House, Lupo by Wolfgang Puck was not of celebrity caliber. The portions were small; the prices were expensive; and even though the food was good overall, it was not outstanding, in my opinion. Had it remained open, I would not have recommended it and told you to save your money.
In a city where many upscale restaurants are available which offer very good to excellent food, the forgettable experience at Lupo by Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas will not be missed by me.
All photographs ©2023 by Brian Cohen.
