This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Indian Food Festival — May 2
The 2026 Annual Indian Food Festival will be held at the Clark County Amphitheater in downtown Las Vegas from noon to 10 p.m.
In honor of Vaisakhi, the celebration of the spring harvest, attendees can expect offerings ranging from street food favorites like pani puri and samosas to traditional sweets and fusion creations. The festival will feature live cultural performances, including classical and Bollywood dance, music, and artisan vendors designed to immerse visitors in Indian heritage. Local chefs, restaurants, and food vendors will highlight both traditional recipes and modern interpretations, reflecting the evolving landscape of Indian cuisine.
Tickets are $15 (including fees), with free entry for children under 8.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit app.indianfoodfestlv.com
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar — May 2
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar will host an all-you-can-eat tuna and wagyu experience featuring multiple Bluefin Tuna and A5 Wagyu preparations.
Offered from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., the kitchen, led by Chef Winston Matsuuchi, will prepare and serve dishes continuously throughout the evening, with selections including tuna sashimi cuts such as otoro, chutoro and akami; spicy tuna and hand rolls cut and plated in real time; and wagyu lettuce wraps and hot preparations. The experience is first-come, first-served and priced at $120 per person.
Reservations are not required, and the walk-in format will allow for a steady flow of offerings, with guests arriving at their convenience and dining within a one-hour seating window. Drinks and desserts will be available for purchase separately.
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar is located in Spring Valley at 6555 S. Jones Blvd. For more info, visit OmakaseLV.com.
Wineaux — May 2
The Wineaux location at UnCommons will host its Second Annual Spring Tasting Event from 6 to 8 p.m.
Priced at $80 per person (plus tax), the evening will include tastings of 30+ wines curated by Wineaux’s sommelier team, paired with wine-friendly small plates and canapés. There will also be a live DJ and an appearance by CinLoco Jewelry.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Borracha Mexican Cantina — May 5
Borracha Mexican Cantina at Green Valley Ranch will celebrate Cinco de Mayo and its 10-year anniversary with an evening of live entertainment, tacos, and specialty cocktails.
Guests can enjoy a live mariachi band from 6 to 8 p.m., a festive cake presentation at 7 p.m., and a DJ from 8 to 9 p.m. Bottomless tacos, tequila, and margaritas will be available for 90 minutes for $32 per person. Borracha will also feature special cocktails, including the Mango Margarita with Don Julio Blanco, Cointreau, mango and lime juice for $16; the Cointreau Fizz with seltzer and lime juice for $15; and Don Julio Blanco and Don Julio Reposado shots for $ 14 and $ 15, respectively. For more info, visit borrachavegas.com.
La Neta Cocina y Lounge — May 5
Cinco de Mayo falls on a Tuesday this year, which is ideal for a visit to La Neta Cocina y Lounge at Downtown Summerlin to partake in their Taco Tuesday.
On the holiday, there will be a live DJ at 9 p.m. and starting at noon, you can enjoy $2 Margaritas, $3 Tacos, $3 beers, and $5 Casamigos shots.
In addition, sign up for the Tacos and Tequila Passport and earn a stamp every time you buy a taco, margarita, flight, or tequila shot. Prizes are awarded beginning with three stamps.
La Madre Canyon Grill — May 10
La Madre Canyon Grill at 4195 S Grand Canyon will offer a Mother’s Day buffet-style brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The expansive menu features several chef-driven stations and comfort favorites, including Belgian waffles, silver dollar pancakes, made-to-order omelets, smoked salmon Benedict, scrambled egg station with bacon and sausage, prime rib and Pacific salmon carving stations, breakfast potatoes, biscuits and gravy, charcuterie, avocado toast, deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, fresh fruit displays, seasonal salads, and assorted desserts.
The brunch is priced at $85 per adult and $20 for children under 10 (plus tax and gratuity), with the option to add bottomless mimosas for $25. For more info and to reserve, visit lamadrecanyongrill.com/mothers-day.
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: Siena Italian Trattoria & Deli
Siena Italian Trattoria & Deli Is Truly a Hidden Gem
There are very few establishments that offer a spacious restaurant, deli, bakery, and marketplace all under one roof. But Siena Italian Trattoria & Deli offers all the above and more.
Located at the west end of Village Square at 9500 W Sahara, between Fort Apache and Grand Canyon, the 12,000-square-foot venue comprises three main facets: a restaurant, bar, and deli market, with outdoor patio seating fronting all three. The restaurant space has an upscale feel without being too formal, with large windows bringing natural light on one side, an open kitchen, comfortable booths, and a wall displaying the extensive collection of wine and spirits bottles behind glass.
The sizeable non-smoking, non-gaming bar area features a horseshoe-shaped bar, a classy wood floor, TVs, and additional tables. There’s also a private dining room that seats 40.
The bakery, market & deli remind me of a mini-grocery store, with rows fully stocked mainly with imported Italian tinned fish, olives, canned tomatoes, traditional Italian desserts, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta noodles, and beer. The deli section has cheeses; cured meats; breakfast; freshly baked bread, pastries, and cookies; salads; specialty coffee; soups; pizza slices; house-made marinara and meat sauces; fresh pasta; entrees such as eggplant parm, chicken cutlets, and house-made sausage and peppers; a counter where you can order 12 flavors of gelato; and freshly made hot and cold sandwiches priced from $11-$16. Between the restaurant and the market is a small walk-in cabinet where you can browse the selection of about 100 wines and 50+ spirits, which, thanks to Siena’s retail wine license, you can purchase to take home.
The establishment is led by Restaurant Partner and Executive Chef Giancarlo Bomparola, a native of Milan, Italy, who has been in the business since he was 11. His career took him across Italy, France, and the US, where he honed his skills in both back- and front-of-house operations. Giancarlo has been in the US since his 20s, and after opening successful restaurants in San Diego and Sacramento in 2007, moved to Las Vegas and purchased the existing Siena Deli at Tropicana and Eastern, revamping and relocating it to its current location in 2010. The restaurant, bar, deli, and market have greatly expanded over the years, more than doubling in size as adjacent spaces became available. Others have taken notice of his accomplishments. Recently, Chef Giancarlo went to Rome to accept the esteemed Italian Producers’ “Brand Ambassador Award,” an international honor recognizing his commitment to preserving and promoting the authenticity of Italian cuisine and products abroad.
As for the restaurant and cuisine, it can’t get more authentic than the creations of a native Italian, with Giancarlo sharing that about 98% of the recipes are his. The menu is decidedly regional with a Northern Italian influence, and the majority are the same dishes one would enjoy in his homeland, including Frito Misto with fried shrimp, calamari, and scallops with spicy marinara; Zuppa Di Pesce with clams, scallops, shrimp, fish of the day, and lobster in a tomato fish stock broth; and Veal Piccata sauteed with capers with lemon butter sauce.
It’s refreshing to find that tableside preparation lives on in Las Vegas, and here you can experience it if you partake of the Prima Salad with arugula, tomatoes, avocado tossed with creamy Italian dressing and topped with grilled shrimp and crab meat; and 1.5 lb European Branzino pan-seared and finished in the oven with lemon caper butter sauce that is deboned before your eyes before being plated.
As if the expansive regular menu wasn’t impressive enough, there’s even more to experience with a half dozen daily specials, which during my recent visit included the likes of Lamb Shank braised with red wine, grilled Rib Eye topped with truffle butter, and Tomato & Burrata Risotto.
Having a deli and bakery onsite has its advantages, as a wide variety of charcuterie with cured meat, fine cheeses, marinated veggies, and olives can be brought to your table on an attractive hardwood board, and more than a dozen desserts all made in-house, such as a large variety of Italian cookies and the delightful Opera Cake—similar to tiramisu, but more creamy with layers of sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, layered with ganache and coffee cream, and covered in a chocolate glaze.
The menu prices are quite reasonable, especially given the excellence and quality of the ingredients, with most starters falling within $14-$18, whole pizzas at $17, and Specialties and Daily Specials at $25-$33.
Some spectacular deals can be found on the daily Happy Hour menu offered in the bar Wed-Sat from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Sun-Tue from 2:30 p.m. to close, and 9 p.m. to close Fri-Sat. Deals include more than a dozen appetizers priced from $5 to $16 like Cannelloni stuffed with veal, pork, and beef with cream sauce for $9.75 and Jumbo Shrimp stuffed with lump crab and lobster for $16. More deep discounts are in the beverage offerings, with beer from $3.75-$4.25, glasses of wine $9-$13, martinis and cocktails from $9-$14, and dozens of spirits and cordials from $8-10. Another reason to show up is live entertainment Tue through Sat evenings.
Siena Italian Trattoria & Deli appears to be one of the best-kept secrets in town, and with prices like these at a time when people are looking for bargains, it likely won’t be hidden for long.
For more info and complete menus, visit sienaitalian.com.
Dining News
Eureka! New Lunch Specials
Eureka! has introduced its all-new Lunch Specials menu, featuring seven entrées.
All are priced at $13 and offered daily until 3 p.m. They include:
- Eureka! American Burger with American Swiss, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, dill pickles, special sauce, and signature fries
- Al Pastor Fish Tacos (2)—grilled cod, pineapple, cabbage, green onions, cilantro, crema, signature fries, and guacamole
- Fish and Chips—beer-battered cod, signature fries, and malt vinegar aioli
- Poke Bowl with ahi tuna, black rice, Asian coleslaw, avocado, and firecracker sauce
- Salmon Caesar Salad with romaine lettuce, parmesan, garlic croutons, and blackened salmon
- Blackened Shrimp Tacos (2)—blackened shrimp, oranges, avocado, pickled onions, harissa aioli, and signature fries
- Grilled Chicken Club—grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, and signature fries
There are two Eureka! locations in Southern Nevada: at 520 E Fremont St (in the Emergency Arts Building near El Cortez) and at 3354 St Rose Parkway in Henderson.
La Strega Sunday Brunch Series with Bryce Krausman
La Strega has debuted a special Sunday brunch, as Executive Chef and Partner Gina Marinelli welcomes acclaimed host and restaurateur Bryce Krausman (known for co-owning DW Bistro) for a four-week culinary collaboration.
The collaboration will take place on Sundays from May 3-24 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and will blend Marinelli’s seasonal Italian cooking with Krausman’s hospitality-driven style.
Menu highlights include:
- A5 Carpaccio with truffle, crispy shallots, and Greek vin ($30)
- New Mexican Red Chile Pork Pizza with broken yolk, cilantro, and queso fresco ($24)
- Bryce’s Pesto Scone with goat cheese and cream cheese ($12)
- Curry Cavatelli with jumbo lump crab and cardamom ($26)
- 1.5 lb Maine Stuffed Lobster with Ritz cracker, Florida rock shrimp, Peruvian Bay scallops, and drawn butter ($85)
Guests can enjoy the à la carte menu alongside spritzes, handcrafted cocktails, and a live DJ set by T-MYK. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable.
Pinkbox Doughnuts Bringing Special Creations for May the 4th and Cinco de Mayo
Pinkbox Doughnuts has its sights set on two holidays next week: May the 4th and Cinco de Mayo.
For one day only, on Monday, May 4 (“May the 4th Be With You Day”), there will be several specialty doughnuts inspired by Star Wars, including:
- Stormtrooper: white frosted raised doughnut filled with cookies and cream buttercream and topped with Stormtrooper décor
- Maple Ewok: maple frosted vanilla cake topped with white and chocolate sprinkles, Ewok décor, and Nilla wafers
- Yoda Pooh: chocolate cake topped with chocolate buttercream, covered in green icing with candy décor and Oreo ears
- Princess Leia: White frosted raised doughnut topped with Princess Leia décor and Oreos
From Friday, May 1, through Tuesday, May 5, the doughnut shop will offer three treats that prominently feature Mexican flavors to celebrate Cinco de Mayo:
- Mango Tango: glazed raised doughnut filled with mango filling and topped with white whip, chamoy drizzle, Tajin, and a dollop of mango with Mexican flag décor
- Mama’s Tres Leches: glazed tres leches cake topped with tres leches whip and sprinkled with cinnamon, with Mexican flag décor
- El Guzman Doughcro: croissant doughnut filled with guava and topped with a sweet cheese rosette, a dollop of guava, and a Mexican flag. It pays tribute to Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and is the only Pinkbox doughnut named after a local community leader.
The Mango Tango will also be featured as the doughnut of the month from May 1 to May 31.
For store locations, hours, and doughnut varieties, visit pinkboxdoughnuts.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.
Gemini, Rich, and Al are reunited via the Internet for this week’s episode, coming to you from Scotland, Seattle, and Las Vegas. On the local front, we have extended interviews with Chef Rick Giffen of Vic’s Supper Club and Anima by EDO’s Joe Mikulich, as well as a carbonara report from Eataly’s Luca Esposito. We visit the Women In Hospitality Leadership Conference and chat with attendees. Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan has a golf-themed Happy Hour Report. And you’ll hear about Al’s experiences at Taste of Stations, Anima, Vic’s, and a D’Agostino’s whiskey tasting.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
The STRAT 30th Anniversary Celebration
Thirty years after opening its doors, The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower is throwing itself and Las Vegas a 90s-themed bash.
On April 30, The STRAT will celebrate its 30th anniversary in style with an all-ages free live concert by Better Than Ezra at its Swim & Social poolside venue. Grab your swimsuit, as it’s open to guests and the community alike.
Doors will open at 3 p.m., with DJ Santos and Empire Records warming up the crowd ahead of Better Than Ezra taking the stage at 5 p.m. to deliver a ‘90s-inspired set with hits such as “Desperately Wanting,” “In the Blood,” and “At the Stars.”
Complimentary tickets are available at TheSTRAT.com or at The STRAT box office on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two tickets per guest.
Other anniversary celebration deals include complimentary tower admission for locals; 25% off Atomic Golf for hotel guests, locals, and first responders; $30 all-you-can-drink at L.A. Comedy Club; Top of the World “Back to the ‘90s” menu; and $30 bottomless mimosas at 108 Drinks.
