Haute Secrets Las Vegas: Tom Kaplan

Haute Secrets Las Vegas

Name: Tom Kaplan

The stats: Born in Newark, N.J.; living in Las Vegas 18 years; currently in Spanish Trails.

Favorite thing about Las Vegas: The mountains, parks and outdoor features

A Connecticut native, Tom Kaplan moved to Southern California in 1980 to pursue a career in architecture. Luckily for him and the countless satisfied by Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group restaurants nationwide, Kaplan decided to change paths and become the designer/manager of the fast food chain Croissants USA. The chain was later acquired by Ma Masion, where Wolfgang Puck was chef. The rest, as they say, is history as Kaplan and Puck have maintained a close and successful working relationship for 27 years. In 1982 Kaplan joined Puck for Spago’s opening in West Hollywood. Ten years later he moved to Las Vegas to open Spago at Caesars Palace in Sin City. In 2005 Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show named him Nevada Restaurateur of the year. Today Kaplan supervises 16 restaurants coast to coast, from Maui to Atlantic City.

Check out Tom Kaplan’s favorite haute spots in Las Vegas at Haute Secrets.