Red 8 — Restaurant in Paradise

My father and I had a good experience dining at Red 8, located in the Wynn Las Vegas. However, we would rate it as a solid 4-star dining destination.

Red 8's decor is a feast for the eyes and creates a refined and culturally immersive atmosphere for diners. The decor seamlessly blends classic Chinese aesthetics with contemporary design. Rich, dark wood accents, intricate latticework, and ornate screens create a sense of oriental grandeur. The attention to detail in the decor is evident, and it enhances the overall dining experience. The choice of colors, primarily red and gold, adds a touch of opulence and auspiciousness, in line with Chinese culture. However, Upon requesting a table, I was informed that the wait time would be an hour and a half on a Monday evening, which appeared atypical to me. Despite the casino's relatively uncrowded state and the passing of peak hours, I had anticipated a seamless and expedited process for acquiring a table.

Onward to the food.

The Red 8 Combination Fried Rice was a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The rice was perfectly cooked, and the combination of different meats and vegetables provided a satisfying variety. It was seasoned well, and what I noticed was that it was cooked in pork fat that gave off an enticing aroma. However, I would have appreciated a bit more due to the portion size being inadequate for two people

The Hot and Sour Soup at Red 8 was a comforting start to the meal. It had a nice balance of spicy and tangy flavors, with a hearty portion of tofu and vegetables. While it wasn't the best hot and sour soup I've ever had, it was certainly above average.

The Minced Chicken Lettuce Wrap was a tasty appetizer option. The chicken mixture was well-seasoned, and the crisp lettuce leaves provided a refreshing contrast. It's a fun dish to share and a great way to kick off the meal, although I've had slightly larger lettuces to put the minced protein in.

The Kung Pao Chicken was a flavorful and satisfying main course. The chicken was tender, and the sauce had a good balance of sweet and spicy notes. The addition of peanuts and vegetables added texture and complexity to the dish. While it was enjoyable, it didn't quite reach the level of exceptional that would have earned this meal a 5-star rating.

Overall, my experience at Red 8 at the Wynn Las Vegas was above average. The food was tasty, the service was attentive, and the ambiance was pleasant. Although it was a good dining experience, the restaurant could have improved by adding more depth of flavor and innovation to some dishes. Additionally, the portions could be larger to make it more shareable for families. Despite these minor criticisms, it is still a great option for anyone seeking a fulfilling Chinese meal...

I dined here with my brothers and nephew during a visit to the Wynn for a convention and March Madness. We were starving at the time of our reservation and ordered quite a bit of food...too much... in waves. We were given a pager and told it would be 15-20 minutes but were buzzed within a few minutes and seated in a table that was vacated, bussed and set when we arrived initially. I found this to be the case in multiple restaurants when we did not have a reservation... even if there was availability, it almost seemed as if the restaurant didn't want you to think you could just walk in without one! Interesting though that this time, we had a reservation but got the same treatment anyway.

No big deal...we were in no rush. Our seating near the front, looking out into casino, was fine but it was half chairs and half sofa style without much of a back. I shouldn't have sat there with a finicky back but my bad. We started with steamed shrimp dumplings and barbecue pork or beef buns and pan fried pork dumplings.

Main course included the Red8 fried rice (shrimp, chicken, beef), Mongolian Beef, shrimp Pad Thai, Orange Chicken and an Eggplant dish not on main menu. The most flavorful item was the Mongolian Beef. There wasn't anything wrong about the food in general, we just found that there was no "wow" factor. Some dishes were surprisingly lacking in flavor...the Red8 fried rice and orange chicken and while did a great job eating what was in front of us, we did not return and Red 8 won't be on my revisit menu during me next stay.

Perhaps their specialties reside in the more exotic menu offerings (seafood dishes or Chicken Feet) but there is much better Asian food available (albeit even more expensive) within the Wynn. Speaking of expense, I did not find the pricing to be unreasonable. I will say that I really wanted to love it...as I wish to feel after any new dining experience but that...

In the grandeur of the Wynn, where opulence teases every corner, lies Red8 – a culinary journey into the heart of China. It's been a personal favorite of mine when I stayed at the Wynn; and my fellow Asian-Americans would say the same.

From the first step, the decor speaks a dialect of elegance interwoven with tradition. Bamboo motifs, striking art pieces, and intricate lattice work subtly gesture towards the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, rather than beating one over the head with it.

As for the menu, it's a symphonic ode to regional Chinese favorites, with each dish eloquently telling a story of its origin. The Cantonese dim sum, delicate and intricate, whispers of bustling streets in Guangzhou, while the Beijing duck, lacquered and luscious, sings a robust ballad of China’s imperial past.

However, what stood out in a manner reminiscent of Gold's affection for the underdogs, were the less heralded dishes. The claypot rice – a humble concoction, seemingly simple – danced with flavors both rich and nuanced, its crispy bottom a delightful surprise, reminiscent of the sought-after tahdig in Persian cuisine.

But beyond the dishes, it was the narrative of authenticity woven into the fabric of innovation that really struck a chord. At Red8, tradition isn’t rigid; it flows, evolves, and invites you in. It's a place where the warmth of familiarity marries the thrill of discovery – a culinary sonnet that's both homage and evolution,...