ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd wˈʌn, sˈaɪmən wʌz ɐpɹˈoʊtʃt baɪ ᵻlˈɪzəbəθ blˈaʊ ænd pˈiːɾɚ mˈɔːɹtən ɐbˌaʊt pˈɑːɹtnɚɹɪŋ ɪn ɐ ɹˈɛstɹɑːnt bˈɛɹɪŋ hɪz nˈeɪm ænd ʃˈoʊkeɪsɪŋ hɪz kwᵻzˈiːn, ɹɪzˈʌltɪŋ ɪnðɪ ɑːktˈoʊbɚ, tˈuː θˈaʊzənd tˈuː ˈoʊpənɪŋ ʌv sˈaɪmən kˈɪtʃən ænd bˈɑːɹ æt ðə hˈɑːɹd ɹˈɑːk hoʊtˈɛl ænd kɐsˈiːnoʊ.
In 2001, Simon was approached by Elizabeth Blau and Peter Morton about partnering in a restaurant bearing his name and showcasing his cuisine, resulting in the October, 2002 opening of Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.