Wynn Las Vegas welcomes guests to Safta 1964 by Chef Alon Shaya (Safta 1964), a celebrity chef residency from restaurateur Emily Shaya and James Beard Foundation Award-winning Chef-Partner Alon Shaya of Pomegranate Hospitality. Open for dinner Thursday-Monday nights and located within Jardin at Wynn Las Vegas, Safta 1964 serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and is the prequel to Safta (Hebrew for “grandmother”), the Shayas’ Michelin-recommended restaurant in Denver.
Safta 1964 is named for Grandma’s fictional heyday, long before she became a grandmother, and tells the story of Safta’s journey to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, cruising in her sparkling white 1964 Thunderbird convertible. The wind tousled her wavy hair as she navigated the open road, a thrilling adventure beyond city limits. This wasn’t just a road trip; it was a moment for her and her recipes to shine.
Like its muse, the residency evokes 1960s-era Las Vegas Vegas with a bold, retro color scheme, floral touches, and glitzy details. The menu channels her spirit with favorites from Safta’s Denver location alongside new offerings that are exclusive to Las Vegas. Highlights include a Salatim Platter featuring Chef Alon’s curated tasting of dips, spreads, vegetables, and fresh milled wheat pita; Lamb Ragu Hummus with crispy garbanzo beans; Ora King Salmon with red beets, tahini, coriander, and dill; and, Dover Sole Schnitzel with tzatziki and pickled shallots. Luxurious add-ons—Osetra caviar for Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Hummus and Beef Tartare; black truffle for Duck Matzah Ball Soup and Prime Bone-In Ribeye—create an exciting new experience for guests, while a signature Tableside Jelleaux Service featuring layers of cherry-berry, elderflower yogurt, and limeade gelatin presented with a colorful array of accoutrement; Chocolate Tahini Pie with sesame and toasted marshmallow; or an assortment of Safta’s Sweets.
Thoughtful cocktails weave in the flavors and influences that appear on the plate, as in the Dionysius Revival with El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde Liqueur, cucumber, lime, and Aleppo pepper; and The French Butterfly with Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka, Aperol, and citrus, topped with vanilla egg white clouds. A stunning Gazoz Tower, sure to be the centerpiece of any table, overflows with sparkling cocktails that showcase seasonal fruits, herbs, and flowers, from Cucumber to Blueberry Sage.
“Vegas is the city where I got my start as a young chef, and my own safta helped me fall in love with cooking from a young age, so I’m excited and honored to pay tribute to her with this culinary residency at Wynn Las Vegas,” says Shaya in a statement. “With Safta 1964, we’re traveling back through time, imagining the kind of magical dinner parties that she would have thrown in the 1960s. We’ll be bringing out all my favorite ingredients and some fun tableside touches for the ultimate celebration.”
