This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Durango Social Club — April 16
While in the past several weeks the Durango Social Club has hosted pop-ups, for the Members Only Seafood Club rendition Chef Dan Krohmer will be in the kitchen, presenting a menu featuring pristine seafood flown in overnight from Maine alongside selections arriving directly from Japan.
The 7-course menu will include Spring Oyster with strawberry-huacatay ice; Smoked Shrimp Garnachas with pickled elements; Bluefin Tuna with asparagus purée, salsa macha, and coconut vinegar; Roast Hake with lobster thermidor croquette; Scallop & Mussel Pancit Bihon; Snow Crab & Local Mushroom Sushi with brown butter garlic ponzu and shiso; and Pandan Tres Leches from Kimmy McIntosh of Milkfish Bakery.
The night is paired with live music by Sonia Barcelona, a Las Vegas-based singer-songwriter whose work has been featured on Netflix, VICE, and national networks.
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m., and the cost is $85 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
The Cabinet of Curiosities — April 16-19
The Cabinet of Curiosities at Horseshoe Las Vegas will present the Macho Mayhem Mixology Masterclass.
During these special sessions over four days, it will climb the ropes for a WWE-theme, as Resident Mixologist Daniel Ponsky (as seen on Bar Rescue) will teach the classes dressed as his favorite wrestler and encourages guests to dress as theirs (whilst being cognizant of casino rules pertaining to full face masks and face paint). There will also be smoke, laser effects, and wrestling décor to heighten the experience.
Guests will learn to make three cocktails, including The Dirty Dom with Mezcal, hot honey, and lime and peach juice; Charlotte’s Flari with gin, Aperol, lime and pineapple juice and grapefruit bitters; and a third cocktail created by the guest.
The Macho Mayhem classes are at 4 p.m. and last 90-120 minutes. The cost is $100 per person (plus tip), which includes the three cocktails, lessons from the Master Mixologist, recipe card, and a bartender’s apron.
To purchase tickets, visit thecabinetlv.com/mixology-class.
Echo and Rig — April 20
The Echo & Rig Henderson location at The District at Green Valley Ranch launched its Chef’s Table dining experience last month, and, not surprisingly, it quickly sold out all 200 seats at $55 per person. Now, round two is set, with the theme being Steak and Lobster.
The price and time (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) remain the same, but the menu for this seating will include: an amuse-bouche, Chopped Salad, Steak & Lobster served with roasted heirloom garlic potatoes and homemade tallow butter, and Pink Lady Apple Crumble with vanilla ice cream.
Optional menu add-ons include Grilled Asparagus Vinaigrette, Maryland Blue Lump Crab Cake, Roasted Mushrooms, a Chef’s Table Signature Cocktail, and wine pairings.
Reservations can be made at echoandrig.com/chefstable.
Fogo de Chão — April 23 and 30
Fogo de Chão will host a four-course wine dinner featuring world-class South American wines from VIK Winery (including the 100-point award-winning 2021 VIK Red Blend) on April 23 at its location in The Venetian and on April 30 at the Flamingo Road location.
Courses are:
- Romaine Caesar Wedge Salad topped with polenta salmon croutons and Corn Chowder paired with 2024 La Piu Belle Rosé
- All Jumbo Lump Crab Cake over cabbage slaw with Italian dressing matched with 2021 Milla Cala Red Blend
- Picanha and Fraldinha with Chiles Toreados paired with 2021 Milla Cala Red Blend
- Wagyu New York Strip and Dry-Aged Tomahawk Ancho with lobster mac & cheese matched with 2021 VIK Red Blend – 100 points
- Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse topped with a crisp puff pastry, served with coffee
The dinners will begin at 7 p.m., and the cost is $109 per person. To purchase tickets for the Fogo de Chão Venetian location on April 23, click here, and for the Flamingo location on April 30, click here.
Want more events? Check out our new Food Events Calendar at foodandloathing.vegas/calendar-of-events. It’s quite extensive, with one or more listings for virtually every day.
Pick of the Week: Las Vegas Brewing Company
Las Vegas Brewing Company opened in 2022 at 3101 North Tenaya, just south of Cheyenne, in the same spot as the original Tenaya Creek Brewery and subsequent PT’s Brewing. The 10-barrel brewing system is also the same, but more fermenters and a bottling line were added.
Surprisingly, up until its opening, no brewery had claimed Las Vegas in its name, which co-owners (husband and wife) Kyle and Jamie Dolder registered in 2019 when they first began planning the brewery. The décor features an entrance adorned with wall murals by local artist Adam Rellah, who goes by the name “Pretty Done” and is known for his signature style that uses patterns, symbolism and logos. The artist’s creations depict Las Vegas symbols and images (as well as Minnesota, where Kyle hails from), which is fitting not only for the brewery’s name, but also because Jamie is a fourth-generation native Las Vegan.
CREDIT: Chris Summers
The brewing duties are shared by Director of Brewing Operations Becca Halpin (another native Las Vegan) and Head Brewer Jeff Tewes. Among their most popular beers are the 5.3% Chantilly Vanilla Cream Ale with sweetness coming from a touch of vanilla and milk sugar; 5% Penny O’Reilly’s Irish Ale with caramel malt and roasted barley balanced with classic English hops; 5% Electric Blonde Ale, a clean, easy drinking ale with low bitterness, low maltiness, and a slightly sweet character derived from honey malt; and 7% West Coast Junkie, a hop-forward West Coast-style IPA with medium-high bitterness. With two native Las Vegans leading the brewery, it’s apt that a recurring seasonal beer is the IYKYK (if you know you know): IPAs with backstories any longtime Las Vegan would know and remember, and a series of beers devoted to and named for Nevada State Parks.
In addition to the beer, a full food menu is served, which is a team effort, designed by Co-Owner Kyle Dolder and Director of Operations Sonny Ahuja. The stars of the menu are the smashburgers (called a Smashy): Truffle Cheese with truffle raclette cheese, caramelized onions, peppadew peppers, and onion aioli; Steakhouse with bleu cheese crumble and grilled mushrooms & onions; and Ghost Pepper with spicy seasoning, Ghost Pepper Jack Cheese, caramelized onions, pickled banana peppers, and roasted red pepper sauce (don’t let the name scare you, I enjoyed this one and it was moderately spicy and caused me no pain). All come with a choice of house-made chips or hand-cut fries.
Other standouts include the house-cured Chicken Wings, served dry or wet with a sweet-and-spicy citrus glaze; Flatbreads (such as Pesto Chicken with basil pesto, shredded chicken, and bacon); and a new addition: Craft Cheese Curds—Wisconsin Ellsworth Beer-Battered White Cheddar Crispy Curds with a cheddar ranch dip. Vegetarian offerings include Penny O’Reilly Batter Buffalo Fried Cauliflower, the House Plant Smashy with signature house-made vegan patty and vegan cheddar, Garden Flatbread with five varieties of veggies, and hand-breaded Fried Pickles with a celery seed remoulade.
Breakfast, served Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, has breakfast sandwiches like Sausage & Egg Biscuit, Smashburger & Egg, and a Beef Chorizo Breakfast Quesadilla.
The bar is equipped with gaming machines and, in addition to the house-made beer, offers a full range of wine and cocktails. The dining room and outdoor patio are kid-friendly, and there’s even a children’s menu (burger, mac n’ cheese, chicken fingers, and pasta). Another plus is that both the bar and dining room are non-smoking.
Happy hour is offered all day Monday and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday with LVBC drafts and house wines for $5, $2 off beer flights, well cocktails for $6, $2 off flatbreads, and five appetizers priced from $7-$9. Other deals are Twofer Tuesday with BOGO LVBC drafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Smash & Grab Wednesdays with a Smashy Burger and LVBC draft for $15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thirsty Thursdays BOGO 32 oz crowler cans and buy a 4-pack, get a second for 50% off.
The brewery also has a taproom in the Downtown Arts District at 3rd and Colorado, which serves the brewery’s beer and a similar food menu.
The brewery location is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 9:30 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more info and to view the complete menus, visit lvbrewco.com.
Dining News
Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen Introduces Weekday Lunch Specials and New Reverse Happy Hour
Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen, located at 10516 Las Vegas Boulevard South (near Cactus Avenue), is now offering weekday lunch specials.
Available Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays), the dine-in-only lunch specials include two fried wontons, a house salad with ginger dressing, a cup of tom yum soup (without meat) and an entrée with a protein choice of chicken, pork, tofu or vegetables.
Entrée choices are:
- Pad Thai—stir-fried noodles in tamarind sauce (without rice)
- Spicy Basil Stir-Fried—spicy basil with fresh vegetables served with jasmine rice
- Thai Fried Rice—seasoned fried rice with vegetables
- Pad See Ew Noodle—stir-fried rice noodles with Chinese broccoli (without rice)
- Thai Red Curry—creamy Thai red curry with jasmine rice
Guests may select beef or shrimp for an additional $2.
In addition, Blue Orchid has replaced its daytime happy hour with a reverse happy hour offered Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Specials include $6 bottled and draft beers and wine by the glass; $8 appetizers: spring rolls, crispy chicken skins, tempura mushrooms, orchid wings, and tiger cry on a stick; and all signature cocktails for $9.
Afternoon Tea at Crockfords
The Crockfords Hotel at Resorts World has unveiled The Royal Pour, an afternoon tea experience.
Priced at $65 per person and hosted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Crockfords lobby lounge, the experience features a curated tea selection complemented by Champagne, fine wines, bespoke cocktails, and spirit-free elixirs, and an assortment of savory and sweet offerings.
They include:
- artisanal finger sandwiches such as Avocado Toast, Smoked Salmon, and Chicken Salad
- freshly baked scones with clotted cream and seasonal compotes
- patisserie including Botanical Tarts, Chocolate Sables, and Delicate Citrus Macarons
Each afternoon features live musical performances by accomplished instrumentalists, and reservations include complimentary valet parking. The Royal Pour is limited to 24 seats. To reserve, click here.
BOA Steakhouse Launches Weekend Lunch Service
BOA Steakhouse at the Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian is now offering weekend lunch service, Fridays through Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The new lunch menu includes:
- Goat Cheese Baklava with pistachios, black truffles, and frisee ($22)
- Hamachi Crudo with preserved Meyer lemon, black truffle, and celery ($34)
- Ahi Tuna Salad with Asian slaw, market greens, sesame ginger dressing, and crisp wontons ($21)
- Wagyu Smash Burger with double-stacked wagyu beef, American cheese, BOA sauce, lettuce, pickles, tomato, and onion ($29)
- Turkey Club with smoked turkey, Applewood smoked bacon, tomato, avocado, provolone, onion brick, and roasted garlic aioli ($22)
- Fried Chicken Sandwich with apple coleslaw, chipotle aioli, and spicy honey ($24)
Early Birds Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary with Weeklong Specials
Early Birds (5025 Blue Diamond Rd, Suite 101) will mark its second anniversary with a weeklong celebration from April 20 to 25, featuring $2 specials.
The $2 specialty menu includes:
- $2 mimosas
- $2 classic or vanilla lattes, served hot or iced
- $2 mini pancakes in lemon poppy and birthday cake flavors
- Kids 12 and under eat for $2 with the purchase of an adult entrée (dine-in only)
For more info, visit earlybirdseat.com.
Recently, on the Food and Loathing Podcast
Be sure to check out Food and Loathing this week (and every week). The podcast features veteran food writer Al Mancini, along with co-host Samantha Gemini Stevens and producer Rich Johnson, as they give the lowdown on what’s new, hot, and delicious in America’s most glamorous city, as they talk with chefs, bartenders, journalists, and other experts on where to go and what to order when you get there.
Jolene Mannina, Kristin Whittemore and Lindsay Geddes are the main guests this week, talking about the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting that will cap off the Women In Hospitality Leadership Conference. Meanwhile, LeAnne Notabartolo subs for Gemini in the co-host seat. You’ll also hear from Todd Clore of Todd’s Unique Dining, a Happy Hour Report from Happy Hour Vegas‘ Andrew Morgan, and the teams at a pair of Thai restaurants: Blue Orchid and Amata Modern Thai. And we have restaurant reports from Ole Manny’s Seafood Shack, Las Vegas Brewing Company, Esther’s Kitchen, Rare Society, and more.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Two events celebrating chalk art are taking place in the coming weeks: Chalk It Down! in the Arts District and Chalk It Up! at the Summerlin Library.
Chalk It Down! Arts District Chalk Festival — April 18
The third annual Chalk It Down! Arts District Chalk Festival will be held on the 18b streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, it will stretch beyond its original footprint, running from Able Baker Brewing to The Arts Factory, extending onto Commerce Street, and closing streets including Imperial and Colorado. At the heart of the event are 60 selected artists, each sponsored by local businesses, who will chalk the sidewalks with their interpretations of this year’s theme: “The heARTS District,” about the people who have and continue to shape the neighborhood. Visitors can watch as these artists start from first sketch to finished masterpieces and vote for their favorites in the People’s Choice Awards.
The free family-friendly event will also feature:
- a dedicated Kids Zone with hands-on creative activities
- interactive chalk areas where guests can make their own work
- storytime, puppet-making, STEM workshops, and live demonstrations
- live painting and dance activations
- food, drinks, and local vendors throughout the day
Through the partnership with Market in the Alley, the festival will also feature more than 50 local vendors selling curated goods, handmade pieces, vintage items, plants, jewelry, and specialty treats.
Admission is free, and the event is open to the public, pets included. For more info, visit 18barts.org and marketinthealley.com, and follow along on Instagram @artsdistrictlv and @marketinthealley.
Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival — April 25
The Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival will take place at the Summerlin Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The free event will showcase some of the area’s most talented artists as they create chalk artwork right before your eyes. Other activities include live music, caricaturists, face painting, LEGO displays, shadow puppets, arts and crafts, a chalk labyrinth, food trucks, and a chalk art awards ceremony.
For more info and the live music schedule, click here.
