When Thomas Keller, one of the greatest chefs in the American pantheon, decided to open a restaurant in Las Vegas, rather than try to replicate his famed French Laundry in Napa Valley in a field already crowded with 4-hour fine dining experiences, he brought this relaxed bistro instead. “Relaxed” is a term we use loosely, as there are still white tablecloths and impeccable service to go along with the stellar food. The classic French brasserie setting, with brass rails and dark woods, is lightened up by natural sunlight that streams in through the big windows that open to a private courtyard. Set in the exclusive Venezia tower, it’s one of the few places where you can eat on the Strip and not feel like you’re eating on the Strip. The fare is straightforward, traditional French bistro dishes, like roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables, steak frites with herbed hotel butter, and trout almandine. But you don’t have to necessarily go big to enjoy a meal here. Grab a seat at the raw bar along the side to slurp down some of the most pristine oysters you’ll find anywhere in the city, or dive into a selection of hors d’oeuvres like the lovely salmon rillettes served from a jar, or a classic quiche du jour. Though the food is seemingly simple, you’re paying for the painstaking attention to detail that goes into making the most humble of dishes taste divine.