By Bob Barnes
In this weekly update, food and beverage reporter Bob Barnes fills us in on noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, special dining news and events and culinary news worth knowing about.
Upcoming Events
Eataly Las Vegas
August 4, August 11, August 18 and September 15
Eataly Las Vegas at Park MGM is hosting monthly classes on desserts and wines taught by Eataly’s chefs and wine experts, providing an in-depth education of the wines and specialty desserts provided. The classes are held at the Chef’s Table beginning at 5 p.m.
Upcoming classes are:
o August 4: Crafting the Perfect Cannoli— Armed with your very own pastry bag, you’ll learn the technique of filling the shells. During the class, sip on a glass of dessert wine perfectly paired with the cannoli by our sommelier.
o August 11: Making and Assembling Tiramisu—Our pastry chef will demonstrate how to make the perfect tiramisu from scratch. You will then be able to try your hand at assembling your own treat while sipping a glass of wine.
o August 18: Discover Piemonte— Discover the bold flavors and rich aromas of the Piemonte through a curated wine experience with six wines, cheese, salumi, and more.
o September 15: Discover Hidden Gems— Come on a journey of the hidden gems of Italy from unknown regions and varietals alongside a perfectly paired board of cheese and salumi.
The dessert classes are priced at $50 and the wine classes are $60. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
Beverage News
Frey Ranch Distillery
Introducing Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon
Frey Ranch Distillery was founded in 2006 by Colby and Ashley Frey on the Frey family’s 1,500-acre farm in Fallon, Nevada, where the Frey family has farmed since 1854. The state’s only distillery to grow 100% of its whiskey grains on-site, Frey Ranch Distillery has released a new permanent expression in its award-winning American Whiskey portfolio—Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon. Bottled at cask strength, the non-chill filtered, small batch whiskey is produced using 100% of the slow-grown grains that are grown, harvested, milled and distilled on the Frey Ranch farm.
At 124.3 proof (62.1% ABV) and aged for an average of five years, this bourbon utilizes the same mash bill as the Frey Ranch flagship four grain 90 proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 66.6% Dent Corn, 10% Winter Wheat, 11.4% Winter Rye and 12% Two Row Barley. The higher ABV allows for more robust notes of caramelized brulé, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and a finish with a subtle hint of smoke and black cherry.
Co-founder Colby Frey says, “Every time we blend a batch of our flagship Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon, we taste it at cask strength before we proof it down. That uncut liquid is always a big hit with our distillery team. We’re excited to now offer the Farm Strength version of the signature whiskey that put Frey Ranch on the map with our grain-forward approach. For the best tasting experience, we recommend a side-by-side comparison of our signature 90-proof against this new uncut version.”
Available in California, Nevada and at the Frey Ranch Tasting Room and online at www.freyranch.com, Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon has a suggested retail price of $79.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
Culinary News
Park on Fremont
Park on Fremont Completes Expansion of Patio and Refreshes Menu
Park on Fremont, the garden bar and restaurant located at 506 Fremont St., has completed an expansion of its patio and a refreshed menu in time for its 10th anniversary. The 2,200-square-foot patio is filled with lush greenery, irreverent artwork and is softly lit by LED string lights hanging over a secret getaway filled with hand-crafted baubles and curios. A new key feature is an intricate mosaic fire pit crafted with more than 400 handmade butterflies. Park on Fremont’s indoor space also features a collection of unique, weird and surreal artwork from notable artists such as Mark Ryden, Josh Keyes and Heidi Taillefer.
As for the refreshed food menu, new arrivals include elevated hamburgers and sandwiches by Executive Chef Daniel Arias such as Truffle Burger with muenster cheese, cornichons, caramelized onions and truffle spread; 50/50 Burger with pork chorizo and beef chuck angus with asadero cheese, jalapeno mayo and avocado slices; Hot Chicken Sandwich—crispy chicken tenders tossed in toasted chile arbol oil topped with jalapeno dressing coleslaw; and The General Sandwich—crispy chicken tenders tossed in the general’s sauce and topped with Asian slaw, garlic furikake and kewpie mayo. Each is served with a choice of fries (classic, BBQ and truffle styles) or onion rings and impossible burger and vegan cheese can be substituted upon request.
Brunch is available Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with choices including egg croissant sandwiches; the Chicken, Bacon and Egg Belgian Waffle; and cocktails like the Flower Garden with Butterfly Cannon Tequila, prickly pear, mandarin orange, lime, ginger and mint.
The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas
The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas Offering Seafood Spectacular
The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas is currently featuring its Seafood Spectacular menu, available through September 4 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The special offerings include more than 90 dishes with highlights including the Caviar Bar with Osetra, Salmon Roe, Hackleback, Flying Fish and Sturgeon; Mongolian Crab Live Action Station—chefs prepare Mongolian-style roasted whole crab legs, jumbo shrimp, fingerling potatoes, buttered leeks and spicy Louisiana butter; Asian specialties like honey walnut shrimp, tuna togarashi and miso cod; Sushi Station with a variety of fresh rolls and nigiri; and Cold Shellfish Station with lobster, crab, shrimp and marinated mussels and clams.
There are also several non-seafood options such as kimchi, garlic-infused Prime rib, brisket, ham and beef short ribs. The cost is $74.99 per person plus tax and ages 3 to 9 are half price. For more info, and to reserve, click here.
Deals for Locals
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar is offering its all-new “Summer in Italy” special to Nevada residents. Available through Thursday, Sept. 7, locals presenting a valid Nevada I.D. can enjoy a four-course dinner for $65 per person.
The offer includes choice of Antipasti with several options such as parma prosciutto with seasonal melon, Buffalo mozzarella and grilled vegetables and shrimp with white wine sauce; Primi like gnocchi with spinach puree, fettuccini with zucchini and basil and homemade spaghetti with clams and mussels; Secondi with the likes of chicken Milanese, eggplant parmesan and veal scaloppini; and desserts such as cannoli, tiramisu and gelato. Only one Nevada I.D. per table is required in order to receive the “Summer in Italy” special.
Dinner hours are Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For the complete menu options, click here.
