Charlie Trotter takes 2nd gamble on Vegas

Chicago's own Charlie Trotter is throwing his toque into Las Vegas' fine-dining ring with Restaurant Charlie, slated to open at the Palazzo next month.

The 85-seat main dining room will serve seafood-centric dishes a la carte, while the intimate Bar Charlie will dish up sushi, sashimi and other surprises at a long counter seating 18.

"We're not trying to do what we do in Chicago -- the 3.5-hour, 12-course experience," Trotter said at the Palazzo's grand opening over the weekend.

While seafood is the focus of the new restaurant, Trotter has a treat for high-rolling carnivores. He plans to serve a richly marbled cut of Wagyu beef from an exclusive Japanese purveyor. The 4- to 5-ounce steak will cost about $250.

"We'll probably just give people a spoon to eat it," Trotter said.

Restaurant Charlie marks Trotters' return to the Vegas dining scene. He had an upscale eatery at MGM Grand in the mid-'90s, before all-you-can-eat buffets started to give way to haute cuisine.

For reservations at the dinner-only Restaurant Charlie, call (702) 607-6336.