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 Dining News and Events
Laguna Pool House & Kitchen
Thursday, July 20
The Laguna Pool House & Kitchen on the 6th floor of Palms Place is bringing a Polynesian vibe to the restaurant with “Pool House Social Club,” a chef pop-up hosted every third Thursday of the month.
Launching July 20, the first guest chef will be Crystina Nguyen with her MamaSan concept from 7-10 p.m. Offered will be the PuPu Platter by MamaSan (feeds 2 for $60) with Boneless Char Siu Kurobuta Pork, Five-spice Chicken Wings, Egg Rolls filled with celery & char siu pork, Beef Teriyaki Skewers and Crab Rangoon accompanied with fresh duck sauce & Chinese hot mustard. There will also be specialty Don Q Tiki cocktails prepared by Javier Ramirez available for purchase. To reserve, click here.
Heritage Steak
Wednesday, July 26
Heritage Steak at The Mirage will host a five-course wine pairing dinner featuring Orin Swift Wine with dishes curated by Executive Chef Creon Mallet.
Courses are Tuna Conserva with ciabatta, caper berries, white beans and piquillo peppers paired with Orin Swift Mannequin 2021; Chorizo Croquettes with herbed garbanzo purée and Manchego matched with OLG STA Rita Hills Pinot Noir; Spanish Octopus Carpaccio with cucumber, frisee and harissa aioli paired with Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert 2021; Chimichurri-rubbed Wagyu with skirt steak and saffron tomato risotto matched with Orin Swift Papillon 2021; and Burnt Basque Cheesecake with apricots and pistachio sesame honey. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $250 per person plus fees.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Slater’s 50/50
July 21-26
Slater’s 50/50 Las Vegas will celebrate its five-year anniversary by offering a series of specials and discounts for their loyal customers at both Las Vegas locations. Starting Friday, July 21 and running through Sunday, July 30, the entire 50 draft beer selection will be offered for $5. In addition, on July 26, all dine-in customers will receive Buy One Get One 50% Off the Original 50/50 Burger, the signature burger with a patty that is composed of half beef and half bacon. The Fifty craft beers on tap include several beers from local breweries, such as Able Baker, Astronomy, Bad Beat, CraftHaus, HUDL and Lovelady.
Slater’s 50/50 two locations are at 467 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd. and 7511 W. Lake Mead Blvd. and hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Retro by Voltaggio
Friday, July 28
Retro by Voltaggio, at Mandalay Bay from television stars, judges and celebrity chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, is rolling out the red carpet to host its summer prom series. Starting July 28 and continuing the last Friday of every month through September, the event will feature a dance floor with a live 80s cover band, Jungle Juice punch bowl, themed photo opportunities, a prom king and queen coronation and a prix fixe dinner which includes Deviled Eggs, Mini Pepperoni Rolls, Sole Meuniere, Beef Pot Roast, Shells & Cheese and Green Bean Casserole followed by a dessert buffet complete with a decadent chocolate fountain.
There are 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. seatings and tickets priced at $150 per person include the pre-set dinner, one complimentary glass of Jungle Juice punch and a prom-themed photo. Guests can level-up their night by opting for an unlimited drink package for $70 per person or purchasing a boutonniere and/or corsage for $75 per combo. Reservations can be made by clicking here and selecting the date and seating time or by calling 702-632-7401.
Triple B—Brooks Brothers Burgers
Monday, August 7
Triple B—Brooks Brothers Burgers at the Rainbow Club Casino in Henderson will team up with its Water Street neighbor, Mojave Brewing, to host a four-course beer pairing dinner. Executive Chef Scott Pajak has a long history of presenting beer dinners and did so regularly when he was the executive chef at Lagasse’s Stadium.
Courses for this beer dinner will include Melon Gazpacho with citrus gastrique, lemon gremolata & lump crab meat paired with Mojave Sunrise Orange Wheat Beer; Tequila-marinated Grilled Shrimp on refried beans with sautéed onions & peppers, tortilla strips & cilantro lime crème fraiche matched with Mexican Radio Lager; Roasted Prime Rib with au jus, creamy horseradish, herb roasted potatoes and creamed corn paired with Jefes Hefeweizen; and Mixed Berry Cobbler with vanilla ice cream matched with Punk Lemonade Cider. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $40 per person. To reserve, call 702-565-9777 and ask to be transferred to the restaurant.
Culinary News
The X Pot
The X Pot Offering Chef’s Tasting Menu
The X Pot, located at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Palazzo and the first and the only hot pot restaurant on the Vegas Strip, is offering a chef’s tasting menu featuring a variety of seafood and A5 wagyu flown in daily from Japan.
Starting at $159 per person, included are upscale ingredients such as A5 Miyazaki-Gyu ribeye cap, filet mignon, chuck roll, beef tongue, short rib, tartare and bone marrow bibimbap; sashimi; braised foie gras with red wine sauce; Bluefin tuna topped with caviar, live spot prawn and Chilean seabass; seasonal veggie & mushrooms; wagyu dumplings; and golden wagyu rice with truffle. Guests can choose to utilize a hot pot built into the table to cook the ingredients in the soup base of their choice. There are also robotic food runners, a hand-pulled dancing noodle show and 5D Spectrum Dining—a private VIP showroom with 360-degree projection featuring shows such as underwater viewing of sea creatures. For the complete menu, click here.
Deals for Locals
James Beard award-winning Chef Shawn McClain’s Balla Italian Soul at SAHARA Las Vegas is now offering exclusive deals for Nevada locals and industry professionals with proof of valid Nevada or industry ID. On Tuesdays, steaks are 50% off, including the 22-ounce Bone-in Ribeye with roasted garlic and rosemary (regularly $90) as well as the 16-ounce NY Strip with dried tomato and salsa verde (regularly $64). Flat iron and other featured steaks brought in weekly will also be available for the half-off pricing.
Wednesdays feature 50% off all bottles of wine from the eclectic, Euro-centric wine list that includes sommelier-selected varieties and handpicked bottles from northern, central and southern Italy. In addition, after an initial visit locals and industry professionals can receive a VIP Local Card which provides perks including access to premier experiences and offers for future visits, access to wines with special pricing, featured menu items not available to the general public, upcoming seasonal items and complimentary dishes and drinks such as limoncello, bread service, bottled water, appetizers and more.
Asylum Bar + Arcade at Area 15, combining vintage arcade nostalgia with a contemporary and art-filled ambiance, is now offering “Power Up,” a special all-day happy hour for locals. The deal is available Monday through Thursday to locals with a valid Nevada ID and offers a 25% off discount on all the venue’s canned and draft beers (including several local brews), house-made boozy slushies, draft cocktails, fine spirits, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. “Power Up” will also feature a rotation of DJs including Matt Lucio, Teen Wolf, DJ Que, DJ Stretch, DJ Gettright and DJ Chucky Chuck.
