André Rochat
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André Rochat is a retired[1] French chef and restaurateur best known for his Michelin-starred Las Vegas-based restaurants Andre’s and Alizé.
Born in the French Alps, Rochat learned about the food business from his family, who owned a meat preparation business, in the village of La Rochette in Savoy, France.[2] Rochat left France in 1965 and moved to Boston. He worked in various East Coast hotels including Boston's Charter House and the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. as well as a stint as an in-flight chef for United Airlines.[3]
In 1973, he opened his Savoy French Bakery in Las Vegas on the corner of Flamingo and Maryland Parkway.
Andre’s
In 1980, Rochat opened Andre’s, a French restaurant located in Downtown Las Vegas. The restaurant would feature a rustic ambiance. Andre's would go on to receive Michelin one-star ratings in 2008 and 2009 (the only two years the Michelin Guide rated Las Vegas restaurants) as well as AAA four-diamond ratings. The downtown location would close in 2009. Upon closure, Rochat commented, “Real nice place…Wrong location.”[4]
Andre’s Restaurant & Cigar Lounge opening at the Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip in 1997. Andre's had a cigar bar and lounge with a library featuring Rochat's collection of hundreds of cookbooks.[5][6] It contained a large wine cellar, as well as what the restaurant called "one of the widest selections of cognacs, armagnacs and after-dinner drinks in North America." The restaurant would be a multi-year recipient of the AAA 4-diamond rating. The Monte Carlo location would close in October 2016.[7]
Alizé
Rochat opened Alizé at the Palms Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip in 2001. A fine dining establishment that served French cuisine would be located at the top floor of the casino/hotel. Alizé would go on to receive Michelin one-star ratings in 2008 and 2009 (the only two years the Michelin Guide rated Las Vegas restaurants). The restaurant would close in 2017.[8]