News for Restaurants in Las Vegas
July 2020 Archive

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If you haven't picked a place to eat tonight, you're in luck. Gayot has all the restaurant news for your area right here. Learn which new restaurants have opened in Las Vegas and which restaurants in Las Vegas have recently closed. Find out where your favorite chefs are cooking and locate special events.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

AREA15, the soon-to-open immersive entertainment, retail and dining complex located minutes west of the Vegas Strip, has announced the addition of Lost Spirits Distillery to its collection of interactive experiences and restaurants. Planned for an opening in late 2020, the 35,000-square-foot space will be a fully functioning distillery, designed to showcase a series of new spirits developed specifically for Las Vegas. The distillery’s location in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District has been described as a high-end Willy Wonka booze factory and an adult theme park, and the new Las Vegas location will mirror that description with a boat ride, simulated undersea train ride, holograms, a small restaurant and whisky and rum tastings. The distillery will join AREA15’s other attractions including Emporium Arcade Bar, Oddwood Bar, Dueling Axes, a culinary experience by Todd English and its anchor experience, Meow Wolf Las Vegas. Additional details will be announced in the coming months. Lost Spirits Distillery, 3215 S. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89102, 702-846-1900.

El Dorado Cantina will introduce the brand’s newest concept, The Lounge at El Dorado, set to open late summer/early fall 2020. Taking over the former Hamptons’ space at Tivoli Village, the new lounge will share the same courtyard and patio space as the neighboring El Dorado Cantina and maintain the same hours of operation. The combined 5,393-square-foot space will have a total of nine booths between the first and second floors, which gives the rooms ample social distancing naturally. Other details such as the menu and cocktail program will be announced at a later date. El Dorado Cantina was founded in 2014 by a private investment group led by Larry Rudolph, and is best known for being one of the first Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas to offer cuisine featuring organic, non-GMO ingredients; sustainably raised products free from antibiotics, pesticides and steroids; and an extensive menu featuring dishes inspired by regions across Mexico. The Lounge at El Dorado, Tivoli Village, 440 South Rampart Boulevard Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV 89145, no phone.

Lira Café opened for dine-in just two days before the statewide shutdown in March but remained open for curbside pickup and delivery. Now that dine-in has resumed the eatery is once again serving customers in the dining room. The menu features Mediterranean and Lebanese fare specializing in kosher and halal food, with the likes of chicken kabobs, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, kibbeh balls, paella, baklava, a roster of sandwiches and an Impossible burger. The kitchen is helmed by owner Oscar Sanchez, who previously worked on the Strip at Bellagio and Caesars Palace and off-Strip at Suncoast and Renaissance. In addition to the menu, hookah service is offered, in flavors of grapefruit, orange, lemon and apple. Lira Café is located in the Smith’s center at Silverado Ranch and Maryland Parkway and is open daily from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Lira Café, 9890 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89183, 702-550-3939.

Chef Marc Vetri’s pop-up Osteria Fiorella is now open at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, taking over the kitchen inside Terra Rossa. The new restaurant is serving an expanded version of Vetri’s popular Philly pasta bar Fiorella, which offers dishes inspired by his Italian-American upbringing in South Philadelphia and his expressions of elevated Northern Italian cuisine he perfected while living and cooking throughout Italy. The menu includes Neapolitan pizza, wood-grilled meats and fish cooked in a Josper charcoal oven, pastas and a signature dish: Sal’s meatballs with homemade ricotta. Other dishes include mortadella pizza with pistachio pesto, seafood salad with wilted baby kale, grilled veal tongue, veal chop with braised mustard greens and whole grilled branzino. Vetri is coming over to Red Rock Resort while his Vetri Cucina at Palms Casino remains closed. The “open-ended restaurant takeover” is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m. Osteria Fiorella, 11011 W Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135, 866-767-7773, 702-797-7777.

James Beard Best Chef Southwest finals nominee, chef/owner of Esther’s Kitchen and Ada’s James Trees, will team up with Top Chef finalist Bruce Kalman to open an old-school Italian restaurant named Scuola Vecchia (which translates to Old School). The chefs met while working in L.A. and plan to merge East Coast red sauce with classical regional Italian cooking, using fresh ingredients and making all the pastas in-house and with some high-quality steaks and chops on the menu. Expected to open in late summer or early fall, the new eatery will be located in the former Brio space in Tivoli Village, which is three times larger than chef Trees’ Ada’s, his Italian eatery which was located just across the way. Ada’s will reopen as a wine bar serving tapas and wine by-the-glass and is being renamed Ada’s Wine Shop. Scuola Vecchia, Tivoli Village, 420 S. Rampart Blvd., Ste. 180, Las Vegas, NV 89145, no phone.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has opened its newest location, situated within the Fabulous Freddy’s Car Wash in southwest Las Vegas. There are more than 500 unique sandwiches to choose from, all with colorful and fun names, such as the Spiffy Tiffy with halal chicken, grilled mushrooms, avocado, pesto, provolone and pepper jack; Tony Soprano with turkey, ham, salami, garlic & herb sauce and provolone; and Pilgrim with vegan turkey, cranberry, sriracha and Havarti. This new location is the third to open in Las Vegas and the group founded by Ike Shehadeh, which opened its first store in 2007, now has more than 55 in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, 4350 S. Durango Dr. Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89147, 702-367-2250.

Flamingo Las Vegas has opened its Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. The restaurant’s name is a nod to Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and business partner Meyer Lansky, who in 1946 opened the Flamingo, the first resort-style hotel on The Strip. The steakhouse offers a variety of atmospheres: an oval-shaped main bar with rich woods and flamingo artwork; patio dining surrounded by lush greenery; a main dining room with light and dark woods, and vintage black and white images of the Flamingo and Las Vegas; three themed private dining rooms; and a raw bar. Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse, Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-733-3111.

Chef Johnny Church is a well-known longtime Vegas chef who has held prestigious positions including corporate chef for Golden Gaming; executive chef roles at P.J. Clarke’s, RM Seafood and Aureole; won an episode of Chopped; and co-created MTO Café, RX Boiler Room and Artisanal Foods Café. Now the chef has gone out on his own and opened Johnny C’s Diner, which he boldly opened for takeout during the shutdown. The eatery is now also open for dine-in service, serving items such as creme brulee French toast, five cheese mac n cheese, Thanksgiving turkey Bob’s burger (with truffle-mushroom stuffing and cranberry mayo) and hen house fried chicken sandwich. Greens and herbs come from chef’s own garden, as well as local suppliers including Desert Bloom and Herbs by Diane. Johnny C’s Diner is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Johnny C’s Diner, 8175 Arville St., Las Vegas, NV 89139, 702-263-0146.

News Bytes

Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace Reopening
The over-the-top Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, launched in 2012 and reputed to have been the largest buffet in Las Vegas serving more than 500 items, has been closed since March. It is slated to reopen in late August 2020 after a multi-million-dollar renovation, but will be not be quite the same as it was before the pandemic. The company issued a statement saying: “Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace is currently undergoing a multi-million renovation, anticipated to be complete in late August. When complete—besides a spectacular, new modern design by Aoyagi Tetsuo of Muku Design, Tokyo—the buffet will offer more miniature composed dishes than ever before and all-new-table-side delivery of popular and innovative items like lobster bisque, Cajun seafood boil, foie gras PB&J and cheeseburger bao buns, to name a few." Bacchanal Buffet, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7928.

La Strega Serving 7-course Tasting Menu
Chef Gina Marinelli at La Strega has introduced a new tasting menu celebrating the Amalfi coast. The seafood-centric selection of seven courses is priced at $85 (plus tax and tip) and includes smoked white fish crostini; swordfish carpaccio with citrus olive oil, fennel and zucchini; grilled calamari insalata with shaved garden vegetables and ‘nduja vinaigrette; crab raviolini with lobster broth and Aleppo breadcrumbs; intermezzo of Aperol granita; seared diver scallops with cauliflower couscous and salmoriglio; and limoncello cannoli with white chocolate and candied lemon. La Strega, 3555 S. Town Center Dr., Ste. 105, Las Vegas, NV 89135, 702-722-2099.

Valley Cheese & Wine Welcomes Diana Brier as New Owner and Director of Cheese
Valley Cheese & Wine, Southern Nevada’s oldest cheese and wine shop, has welcomed Diana Brier as the new owner and director of cheese. The Texas native is a well-respected cheesemonger, artisan cheesemaker and affineur, and one of only 45 people in the U.S. to hold a Certified Cheese Sensory Evaluator Certificate from the American Cheese Society. Previous owner Solenne Peyronnin will stay on as director of wine to continue curating the shop’s wine selection along with providing wine education. Brier and Peyronnin will collaborate on classes and offerings where customers can learn about wine and cheese from the two experts in their respective fields. The shop will be adding an air purifier to provide antiviral proprieties and make the room safer and healthier for patrons and allow for a more accurate tasting experience. Valley Cheese & Wine is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Valley Cheese & Wine, 1570 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy #140, Henderson, NV 89012, 702-341-8191.

Old Homestead Steakhouse Offering Prix-Fixe Menu
Old Homestead Steakhouse at Caesars Palace is offering a prix-fixe menu, served daily from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Priced at $69.95 per person, the three-course meal includes Caesar salad; 10-ounce Black Angus filet, with an option to upgrade to a colossal shrimp scampi style for an additional $10; and dessert of crème brulée. Old Homestead Steakhouse, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7560; 702-731-7110; 877-346-4642.

Grimaldi's Offering Deals for National Parents' Day and National Red Wine Day
Grimaldi’s will celebrate National Parents’ Day on July 26 with its "Sweet Deal," which includes one 18" traditional cheese pizza, a small house or Caesar salad and choice of a slice of cheesecake or two mini cannolis for $25. On National Red Wine Day on August 28 the pizza restaurant will offer 50% off bottles with any carryout food purchase. In addition, every Tuesday its "Tasting Tuesday" features 50% off glasses and bottles of wine all day (excluding the house offering). Grimaldi’s, Boca Park, 750 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89145, 702-479-1351.

Prix-Fixe Menus at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesar Palace is welcoming customers back with a prix-fixe lunch and dinner menu. The lunch menu, offered Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m for $49.95, includes heirloom tomato and burrata salad or Caesar salad, main course of petite beef Wellington with potato puree and glazed root vegetables topped with a red wine demi-glaze and dessert of sticky toffee pudding. The dinner prix-fixe menu, offered daily from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. for $59.95, includes starter of heirloom tomato and burrata salad or Caesar salad, main course of beef Wellington or crispy skin salmon and dessert of sticky toffee pudding. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7373.

China Poblano and Jaleo Offering Deals to Nevada Residents
Both China Poblano and Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan are offering deals to Nevada residents. China Poblano’s deal, available Sun.-Tue., is a complimentary Salt Air or Classic Margarita with the purchase of a $35 Chef’s Tasting Menu (which features signature favorites such as traditional siu mai, tacos de carnitas, 20 vegetable fried rice and shrimp mojo). Proof of Nevada ID and the digital ad found at www.chinapoblano.com/locals will be required upon purchase. Tue.-Sat. from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Jaleo offers a complimentary glass of Sangría de vino tinto or Estrella Damm Lager with the purchase of a tapa. Guests will need to show proof of valid Nevada ID and the digital ad found at www.jaleo.com/locals upon purchase. Jaleo, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-698-7000.

The Vegas Buffet Lives On
With all the new restrictions brought on by COVID-19, it appeared the renowned Vegas buffets would go by the wayside. However, two buffets have reopened—The Buffet at Wynn and The Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan—both with self-service options eliminated, a two-hour time limit and seating limited to state-mandated 50% capacity. The Buffet at Wynn features a menu of 90 items, which are brought to diners’ tables by servers, with the option to reorder as many times as desired within a two-hour period. Items include double-cut lamb chops with truffle spinach, steak and lobster topped with a bearnaise sauce, Old Bay-braised shrimp and scallops with a spicy tomato compote, crème brulee and 13 flavors of ice creams and sorbets. The Wicked Spoon offers food stations for diners to visit, where guests are served individually plated items while diners are required to stand six feet apart while waiting to be served. Stations include Latin with ceviche, tacos and South American favorites; breakfast and brunch featuring scrambles, quiche, French toast and pancakes; Asian with duck wings, charred Korean short ribs and spiced Korean rice cakes; the grill with crab legs and a variety of meats; and dessert with a sizeable gelato selection. For reservations and more info on The Buffet at Wynn visit wynnlasvegas.com and for the Wicked Spoon go to cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.

Chef Shuffle

Chef Aaron Thomas has been appointed executive chef of Therapy. The career of the 34-year-old Wales, UK native has taken him to work in restaurants in the south of France, Paris, Bordeaux (where he worked with Michel Guerard, one of “the godfathers of French cooking”), Florence; and San Diego, California. Chef Thomas is involved in redesigning Therapy’s seasonal menus, has introduced a high tea menu and chef table menus with iconic movie themes. Therapy is located on E. Fremont St., just steps from the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas. Therapy, 518 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101, 702-912-1622.

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Las Vegas to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. Aristocrat, R.I.P.

Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo, one of Las Vegas’ premier celebrity chef restaurants, has closed permanently. The sports-themed eatery named for Emeril Lagasse, opened in 2009 and was known for its stadium seating, large-screen TVs projecting sports programming and an operating sports book, and for offering high-quality, approachable comfort food, which stood out from Lagasse’s other Las Vegas fine-dining venues. Lagasse is still operating his Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian and Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand. Lagasse’s Stadium, The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-607-2665.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Las Vegas

WINE OF THE WEEK

GAYOT's Wine of the Week is a Pinot Gris from old vines in New Zealand.

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WINTER BEERS

Check out GAYOT's list of Best Winter Beers to find good bottles for enjoying in chilly weather.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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News for Restaurants in Las Vegas July 2020 Archive

News for Restaurants in Las Vegas
July 2020 Archive