restaurant: AquaKnox

You’ll never guess you are dining in the desert when you savor the culinary delights at AquaKnox, one of the most acclaimed seafood restaurants in town. Helmed by celebrated Chef Tom Maloney, AquaKnox at the Venetian features fresh fish flown in daily from around the world. With a design and ambience that reflects the vibrancy of the ocean and the sophistication of fine dining, this elegant eatery puts a new spin on seafood.At AquaKnox, traditional seafood dishes are served to perfection with inventive touches. This is one restaurant where you’ll want to get an appetizer. Bisques and salads are available to whet your palette, alongside appetizers such as Caviar and Clam Steamers. The shell dishes are also great for sharing, including the Sweet Shrimp Cocktail, Jumbo Prawns, and Seafood Plateau.For the main course, AquaKnox offers a selection of roughly ten seafood entrees, a number small enough to confirm that everything is prepared fresh. For a classic dish, try the Sautéed John Dory, a lobster succotash with sweet corn broth. Or, to taste one of Maloney’s culinary designs, try the Seared Maine Scallops, served with black truffle creamed corn, maitake mushrooms, chive-potato puree, and baby spinach. If everything looks too good and you’re not sure what to choose, you can’t go wrong with Chef Maloney’s Signature Fish Soup. A cornucopia of seafood, it features lobster, shrimp, John Dory, mussels, and clams in a tomato-saffron broth.In addition to the a la carte menu, AquaKnox features an excellent “raw bar.” Landlubbers will also find tasty options in the form of oven roasted chicken, prime rib, and filet mignon.AquaKnox’s cuisine is heightened by its pleasant design, which features cool colors, vibrant blues, and modern furnishings. A glowing seafoam bar along with additional blue and golden lighting accents lends the restaurant an under-the-sea feel, while a water-encased walk-in wine tower and a state-of-the-art open kitchen add elegant touches. Though the atmosphere is elegant, the ambience is casual and relaxed, as you’ll be able to tell by the sound of lively and talkative diners. For a tasty meal in an entertaining environment, AquaKnox won’t disappoint.