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.
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.