This week in dining news includes specialty dinners, F1 treats and new Hawai'ian delights.
In this weekly update, food and beverage reporter Bob Barnes fills us in on noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, special dining news and culinary events about delicious bites worth knowing about.
Upcoming Events
¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia
November 1
¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia at Resorts World will host a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exclusive dining experience featuring a five-course menu by Chef Garcia paired with Mezcal Verás cocktails.
The menu will include Apertivo with caviar, heirloom corn tamal and crema paired with Mitad y Mitad with Veras Joven Mezcal, Cap Corse Blanc and orange oil; Madai Snapper with Aji Amarillo Agua Chile, hearts of palm and macadamia nut matched with Alebrijes—Veras Reposado Mezcal, passionfruit, banana, Velvet Falernum, citrus and orange bitters; Seared Scallops with braised oxtail, pickled daikon, mushroom and gordito paired with Ultima Palabra—Veras Joven Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, maraschino and lime.
Additional dishes include Carne Asada Wagyu Striploin with potato puree, Jerusalem artichoke chips and salsa Negra matched with Joya de Oaxaca— Veras Joven Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, house sweet vermouth and Campari; and Kamote Sweet Potato Cake with piloncillo caramel and seasonal berries paired with Los Muertos—Veras Reposado Mezcal, Cynar-Aztec Spiced Tea Syrup and aromatic & chocolate bitters.
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $150 per person with all proceeds benefiting Arts For Learning. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the founder of Mezcal Verás, Lucy Fitzgerald, as she takes guests through the unique flavor profiles of their Joven and Reposado, distilled in Oaxaca.
To reserve, visit https://bit.ly/vivadiadelosmuertosdinner.
Azzurra Cucina Italiana
November 9
Here’s to eating, drinking and playing a game for a good cause. Azzurra Cucina Italiana, one of Water Street’s newest gems led by Chef Alessandra Madeira, will host a fundraiser bocce ball tournament from 5 to 7 p.m. in the restaurant’s parking lot. The event is to raise funds for a needed eye surgery for a beloved dog named Blue, a Cane Corso (Italian breed) whose owner is a regular at Azzurra. Called The Bocce for Blue, the tournament is accepting teams of four for $25 per person.
Each participant will receive an Azzurra cocktail and delicious bites prepared by Chef Alessandra, and there will also be music and raffle prizes. To sign up your team, click here.
StripSteak
November 10
StripSteak at Mandalay Bay will host a wine pairing dinner featuring one of Bordeaux’ greatest wine estates, Château Troplong Mondot. The six-course pairing will be created by MINA Group Head of Culinary Gerald Chin, with wine pairings guided by Master Sommelier and MINA Group Wine Director Jeremy Shanker and Château Troplong Mondot General Manager and Winemaker Aymeric de Gironde.
Pairings are Petrossian Imperial Golden Caviar, Maine Lobster and Uni Chawanmushi with green apple paired with Michel Gonet ‘Cuvée MINA’ Champagne; Japanese A5 Tartare with sunny side up quail egg, brioche toast and espelette matched with 2018 Mondot and 2018 Troplong Mondot. Roasted Duck Breast and Duck Foie Gras Dumpling with kabocha squash paired with 2016 Troplong Mondot, 2015 Troplong Mondot and 2011 Troplong Mondot; Oak-grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu with black truffle, pomme puree and matsutake mushroom matched with 2009 Troplong Mondot; Smoked Gouda Cheese “Puff” with puri cracker, parmesan and bacon jam paired with 1996 Troplong Mondot.
Don’t forget burnt vanilla cake with brown butter cookie crumb, chestnut ice cream and 24k gold.
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $395 per person plus tax and tip. Seating is limited and reservations are required by clicking here.
New Restaurant Opening
Zippy’s
Las Vegas is commonly referred to as the 9th island, due to its significant Hawaiian population and being a popular vacation destination for islanders. Now a piece of home has arrived, as the Hawaiian casual dining legend Zippy’s has opened its first ever location outside of Hawaii. Located at 7095 Badura Avenue (south of the 215 Freeway and west of Rainbow), look for the large mural of the word “Aloha” on the exterior wall. The Vegas opening had been in the works for more than four years but was delayed mainly due to the pandemic.
Zippy’s began in 1966, expanded to the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Hawai’i and became known for its Korean Fried Chicken, Chili and its renowned Zip Pack—piece of fried chicken, breaded hoki fish, slice of teri beef and Spam on a bed of rice topped by furikake (seaweed flake mixture) and takuan (pickled daikon radish). All are on the introductory menu, along with other favorites such as Bento Box, Oxtail Soup, Spaghetti with Garlic Bread, Spam ‘N Eggs and Glazed Mochizada (fried mochi donut).
Zippy’s is open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight with plans to eventually operate 24 hours.
More Dining News and Delicious Bites Around Las Vegas
Carversteak Introduces Autumn Seasonal Menu Items
Carversteak at Resorts World has introduced new menu items for the autumn season from Carver Road Hospitality Corporate Executive Chef Daniel Ontiveros featuring seasonal ingredients.
New starter items are Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with spiced pear, vanilla toast and herb salad; French Onion Soup with caramelized sweet onion and sherry beef broth topped with Gruyère cheese crouton; and Baby Kale Salad with spiced pumpkin seed, cranberry, roasted pear and poppy seed dressing.
Main dish offerings include Braised Bone-in Short Rib with truffle polenta and mushroom; and Maine Scallops with parsnip puree, apple, celery, and hazelnut and sage brown butter.
New side dishes are Crispy Brussels Sprouts with smokey bacon and hot honey, Green Beans with slivered almonds and lemon butter and Potato Gratin with layered potatoes and parmesan cream and chive.
More Las Vegas Restaurant Special Offerings for Formula 1
Las Vegas is revving up for the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix taking place November 16 to 18. Likewise, our city’s restaurants are gearing up with special food and beverage experiences.
Ferraro’s Ristorante will celebrate the inaugural F1 race week with “The Ferraro’s Experience”—one of the most elegant menus Ferraro’s has ever offered—a prix fixe dinner menu featuring truffles, served Nov. 13 to 18. Priced at $395 per person.
The four-course meal includes choice of Australian Head-On Prawns with citrus sauce, 1/3 lb. Steamed Alaskan King Crab, Raw Yellowtail with Calabrese chili oil, Fried Parmigiano Dumpling or Prime Raw Sirloin with fresh black truffles; Ribbon Pasta with fresh white truffles, Risotto and Scallops with caviar, Risotto with Maine lobster meat and fresh black truffles, or Wild Boar Ravioli with black truffles; Colorado Double-Cut Lamb Chops, Holland Dover Sole, Sauteed Veal Scallopini with white truffles, 4-oz Royal American Wagyu Rib Cap with Canadian lobster tail and black truffle sauce, or Osso Buco braised in red wine reduction; and Hazelnut or Vanilla Gelato with white truffle, Lemon Liquor Egg Custard Olive Oil Cake, Amarone Chocolate Cake or The Matriarch’s Cheesecake.
Everyone at the table must participate, and an optional wine pairing is available for $75 per person. Reservations for “The Ferraro’s Experience” are required and can be made by calling 702-364-5300. A limited a la carte dinner menu will also be offered with some of the same individual dishes and many of the dishes on the standard dinner menu.
Towering 844 feet above the Vegas Strip from The STRAT’s tower, Top of the World, with its 360-degree rotating dining room and stunning views, will offer a specialty four-course prix fixe menu exclusively during the inaugural race, from Thursday, November 16 through Saturday, November 18.
Dubbed the “Circuit Tour,” the menu features courses that pull inspiration and flavors from countries where races are held. The tour includes Bolinho de Bacalhau—Alaskan cod fritters with spicy black bean sauce and pickled onions, inspired by Brazil’s Interlagos; Bouillabaisse, inspired by Circuit de Monaco, with cod, shrimp, lobster, mussels, sauce rouille and tomato, fennel and saffron broth; Carrillada—red wine braised beef cheek with onions, mushroom jus and spicy potatoes in honor of Spain’s Ciruito de Catalonia; and Roll of the Dice—chocolate cake with chocolate-raspberry crémeux, inspired by the hometown race.
The specialty menu is priced at $120 per person. Reservations are recommended and may be made online, on-site or by calling 800-998-6937.
