Nas marked the Las Vegas debut of renowned NYC steakhouse Cote at the Venetian Resort on Friday, joining forces with restaurateur Simon Kim for the hotspot’s Western expansion. The hip-hop luminary, known for lyrical feuds, toasted the occasion over premium Wagyu alongside guests including Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak (who spun a DJ set), Steve Aoki, fashion power players like Laura Kim and Eva Chow, plus rap figures such as N.O.R.E., Havoc of Mobb Deep, and DJ Whoo Kid.
The event embodied classic Vegas flair with showgirls, roaming magicians, and a luxurious claw machine. The Venetian, undergoing a $1.5 billion transformation under CEO Patrick Nichols, now hosts Cote’s exclusive “Blackjack” sandwich featuring A5 Wagyu – a highly sought-after addition requiring reservations.
For Kim, the launch carried personal significance, as his hospitality career began in Las Vegas two decades ago. After working at his family’s Tribeca restaurant, he studied at the University of Nevada in 2005, later managing venues like Shibuya before collaborating with chefs Jean-Georges and Thomas Keller. His 2017 launch of Cote, blending Korean barbecue with steakhouse traditions, earned a Michelin star and has since expanded to Miami, Singapore, and now Vegas.
Nichols praised Cote’s arrival: “This partnership isn’t just raising the bar; it’s rewriting the standard for dining on the Strip.” The opening also drew architect David Rockwell, pianist Chloe Flower, model Soo Joo Park, and magician Shin Lim, among others, underscoring its cross-industry appeal.