This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Grape Vine Café — April 26
Grape Vine Café will host a wine dinner featuring Eberle Winery out of Paso Robles with Winemaker Chris Eberle.
Courses are:
- Heirloom Tomato with Persian cucumber, mango and avocado citrus vinaigrette and petite mache paired with 2024 Eberle Chardonnay
- Grilled Lamb Meatballs with tomato-braised lentils, roasted garlic, and herb yogurt matched with the 2023 Eberle Steinbeck Syrah
- Center Cut American Wagyu Ribeye with charred broccolini, roasted wild mushrooms, and cabernet reduction paired with Eberle “Full Boar” Red Blend and 2023 Eberle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pistachio Gelato Truffle rolled in praline hazelnuts & pistachios
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m., and the cost is $125 per person (plus tax and tip). To reserve, call 702-228-9463.
The Front Yard — April 26
The Front Yard at Ellis Island Casino & Hotel is hosting Sunday Supper, a family-style multi-course Italian feast.
The meal includes:
- Fried Parmesan Arancini
- Arugula Salad with shaved fennel and lemon-oregano vinaigrette; and Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad with white anchovy and oregano-basil vinaigrette
- Charcuterie Board with cured meats
- pasta course with Classic Spaghetti Pomodoro, Braised Wild Mushroom Pappardelle, and Plate of Polpette
- entrée course with Mother of all Chicken Parmesan and Pan Seared Sea Bass
- family-style sides: Butter Roasted Yellow Potato and Charred Broccolini
- desserts of Assorted Cannoli and Olive Oil Cakedesserts of Assorted Cannoli and Olive Oil Cake
- unlimited Ellis Island Beer, call liquor, and select wine
The cost is $75 per person, and the dinner begins at 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck — April 30
On March 3, Wolfgang Puck and his son, Byron Lazaroff-Puck, began the Generational Tasting Tour in Washington, D.C., a journey across six countries and 15 restaurants that now will culminate in Las Vegas with a stop at CUT by Wolfgang Puck at The Venetian.
The dinner will feature five courses, with Chef Wolfgang presenting a dish that cemented his iconic status, followed by the same concept transformed and re-imagined through Byron’s eyes, with the cutting-edge techniques he honed in three-Michelin-star kitchens and a contemporary, global perspective. While the full menu will be a surprise to attending guests, highlights will include Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois Oyster and Kärtner Käsenudel with Caviar.
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m., and the cost is $395 per person (plus tax and tip) with an optional wine pairing for $150. To purchase tickets, click here.
Ferraro’s Ristorante — May 1
Ferraro’s Ristorante is making the first Friday of each month something to look forward to with its new “Il Cammino del Vino” (The Wine Walk), a new monthly wine mixer series.
Launching on Friday, May 1 and continuing monthly on the first Friday, guests will explore a curated selection of up to 12 wines, paired with light bites, in a relaxed, social setting at the restaurant. The mixer will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with guests welcome to arrive at any time during those hours to enjoy the experience at their own pace. Ferraro’s sommeliers will be present throughout the evening to answer questions, provide insight into the featured selections, and guide guests through the tasting.
“Il Cammino del Vino” is priced at $59 per person (inclusive of tax and tip), and attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase featured wines to enjoy at home at exclusive discounted pricing.
Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins will be welcomed based on availability. To reserve, visit ferraroslasvegas.com/reservations or call 702-364-5300.
New Vista Wine Walk — May 2
New Vista will host a wine walk at Downtown Summerlin from 7 to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and include an eclectic mix of wine varietals from more than 18 tasting stations and live entertainment. For those seeking an elevated experience, a VIP ticket priced at $100 ($110 at the door) offers attendees an additional 10 premium tastings and access to a private lounge area.
Each attendee will receive a commemorative wine glass, a tasting card, and a map outlining the locations of the samples. All proceeds benefit New Vista Community, a local charity of 36 years whose mission is to provide people of all ages with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, equal opportunities and supported living arrangements so that they may experience life to the fullest.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit newvistanv.org/event/wine-walk-may-2.
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: Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão Grows Las Vegas Footprint with New Multi-Level Restaurant at Grand Canal Shoppes
Buffets are a dying breed in Las Vegas, but one all-you-can-eat feast is thriving. Fogo de Chão, the nearly 50-year-old internationally renowned Brazilian restaurant, has opened a 2nd Las Vegas location in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian.
Situated on Level 2 next to Smith & Wollensky, one might think a meat-centric eatery being next to a steakhouse wouldn’t be ideal. But this Brazilian churrasco grill is markedly different from the typical traditional steakhouse. More on that later.
As for the décor, the dining room features warm brown tones, with mahogany-hued banquettes, two-toned wood tables, and an attractive long mirrored bar displaying an ample selection of high-end spirits. The two-level space accommodates 165 guests on the first level and, on the upper level, an additional 350 seats in a dining room, lounge, and three private dining rooms. There’s also an open churrasco grill on both levels, giving guests a 360-degree view of the gaucho chefs demonstrating the culinary art as they butcher, prepare, and grill high-quality cuts of protein over an open flame. Interestingly, these same gauchos are the ones bringing the various meats to carve at your table.
The fire-roasted cuts include Bone-In Ribeye, Lamb Chops, the house specialties Picanha (top sirloin) and Fraldinha (bottom sirloin), Filet, Roasted Chicken, Lamb Picanha, and bacon-wrapped bites of the quality meats. You can enjoy a major upgrade by opting for the Indulgent Churrasco, which offers your choice of dessert (I recommend the Tres Leches) as well as a Butter-Bathed Lobster Tail, All Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Black Truffle Butter, or Roasted Bone Marrow.
There are even more meaty options, with shareable cuts of Dry-Aged Tomahawk Ribeye, Wagyu NY Strip, and Wagyu Rib-eye. Other shareable options include the sides, large enough for two: Lobster Mac N Cheese, Potatoes Au Gratin, Burrata & Roasted Tomatoes, Crispy Yucca Fries, and Chiles Toreados (blistered jalapenos and onions).
Over the years, Fogo de Chão has greatly expanded its options, which, in addition to the churrasco experience, now include non-beef choices like a Seafood Tower (lobster tails and claws, jumbo shrimp, snow crab legs, and green-lipped mussels) and entrees like Chilean Seabass, Pan-Seared Salmon, Cauliflower Steak, and Seared Tofu.
The churrasco experience includes Brazilian sides of caramelized bananas, crispy polenta, and warm gluten-free bread made from yucca flour; and unlimited visits to the fresh and seasonal Market Table & Feijoada Bar (also available separately) that includes dozens of items such as hearts of palm, chicken salad, candied bacon, fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke bottoms, tabbouleh, smoked salmon, an assortment of fine cheeses, and black bean stews. The choices are quite tempting, and the challenge I’ve found is holding back enough to save my appetite for the festival of meat awaiting me back at my table.
Specific to this location is the tableside white-gloved service from a Louis XIII Cart, one of only 12 in the world and one of two in Las Vegas. When wheeled to your table, you can select pours of the coveted ultra-premium Rémy Martin cognac ranging from a half ounce to two ounces, served in official Louis XIII crystal glasses.
Some excellent deals can be found at the bar and patio, with the All-Day Happy Hour menu offering $8 bar bites, $8 beers, $12 South American wines, $15 cocktails, a $10 fresh-ground Picanha Burger, and several shareable plates ranging from $10 to $18.
Prices vary for lunch, dinner, and brunch. To check them out and to view opening hours and the complete menus, visit fogodechao.com/location/las-vegas-venetian.
Dining News
Lazy Dog Introduces New Menu Items
Lazy Dog has rolled out its Spring Menu, featuring a handful of new items.
The new items include:
- Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns with gochugaru pepper glaze, kimchi aioli, and pickled cucumbers (also on the Happy Hour menu)
- Chili Garlic Cucumbers with English cucumbers marinated in spicy chili garlic crunch, rice wine vinegar, bell peppers, and sesame seeds (also available on the Happy Hour menu)
- Chicken Shawarma Salad with shawarma-seasoned roasted chicken, mixed greens, tomato, red onion, cucumber, hummus, feta, roasted red pepper, crunchy garbanzo beans, and garlic tahini dressing
- Burrata Cheese & Spring Greens Rigatoni with lemon-cream sauce, zucchini, baby spinach, Romano cheese, and spring peas topped with burrata and basil oil
- Yuzu Lime Cheesecake with yuzu lime curd, black sesame crust, matcha tea dust, and vanilla whipped cream
- Yuzu Skinny Margarita with Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila, cold-pressed yuzu lime juice, and agave sweet & sour with a salt rim
- Pog Sloshie with Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila blended with passion fruit, orange & guava purees, agave sweet and sour, and triple sec with a Tajin Chamoy rim
Beer fans will want to check out the Lazy Dog Beer Club, a quarterly membership that gives beer lovers access to craft beer from small breweries across the country. Priced at $39 per quarter, members start with a welcome kit with eight 16-ounce beers, a glass, a $39 dining credit, draft beer upgrades, monthly beer samplers, priority seating, and discounts on house beers and online takeout orders.
If you want a blast from the past, there’s the Oven-Ready TV Dinners—frozen meals made in-house and frozen in retro-style nostalgic trays to bake at home. Beginning at $11, the varieties include Pot Pie, BBQ Meatloaf, Fried Chicken, Roasted Turkey, Shepherd’s Pie, Lemon Chicken, and Pot Roast, and like the TV dinners of the 1950s and 1960s, come with a side and dessert.
There are three Southern Nevada Lazy Dog locations: in Town Square, Downtown Summerlin, and on Stephanie just south of Sunset Station.
Nocturno Cocktail Bar Prix Fixe Menu
Nocturno Cocktail Bar, located at 1017 S 1st St, has a new three-course prix fixe menu that highlights bright, seasonal ingredients paired with cocktails to elevate each course.
Priced at $45 per person with an optional $55 cocktail pairing, it includes:
- Prosciutto Melon Salad (prosciutto, cantaloupe, honey dew, and ricotta salata) or Seasonal Arancini (arborio rice, sweet pea puree, and Pecorino) paired with Cosmo Spritz (passion fruit, Cynar, Prosecco, and fresh pressed lemon juice)
- House-Made Tagliatelle (braised short rib, English pea, mint, and shaved Parmesan) or Pan Roasted Seabass (sweet pea puree, celery leaf, and lemon vinaigrette) matched with Bartender’s Choice (cocktail tailored to each guest’s preferences)
- Strawberry Campari Granita with coconut cream, basil oil, and Campari mist paired with Pineapple Upside Down with Amaretto, pressed pineapple juice, cream, and vanilla.
The dishes are also available à la carte.
Main St. Provisions Welcomes Executive Chef Miguel Tapia
Main Street Provisions, the hospitality-driven steak and seafood restaurant at 1214 S. Main St. in the Arts District, founded by Kim Owens, has announced Chef Miguel Tapia as its new Executive Chef.
Tapia’s arrival follows the departure of Chef Ellie Parker, the Season 24 winner of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen, who leaves to lead the kitchen at Hell’s Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut as part of her prize.
“Ellie brought tremendous talent and energy to this kitchen, and we are incredibly proud of everything she accomplished here and on the national stage,” said Owens. “We are excited to welcome Miguel, whose depth of experience and commitment to craft align perfectly with what we have built at Main St. Provisions.”
Tapia brings more than fifteen years of experience and has worked in some of Las Vegas’ most illustrious kitchens, including RM Seafood, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Buddy V’s Ristorante and BRERA Osteria and at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Minneapolis, where he served as Executive Chef. He also led culinary operations across three concepts simultaneously at The Venetian, overseeing Ambrosia, Il Ristorante, and Zeppola Café before opening his own Italian trattoria.
At Main St. Provisions, Tapia will oversee a menu built around exceptional steaks, quality seafood, and vegetable-forward dishes shaped by the season with an approach rooted in precision, thoughtful sourcing, and the belief that every plate should reflect the same level of care the dining room brings to every guest.
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.
This week’s episode was recorded at The Hard Rock Café on the Las Vegas Strip, with Al Mancini, guest co-host Don Chareunsy, and Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan running the show, interviewing the Hard Rock’s A.G.M. Jason Lent and musician Darren Moore of IKONS of Rock (now showing at the Hard Rock). In addition to getting the lowdown on what it means to be a Hard Rock Café in 2026, the guys share interviews with Lilli Chef Tyler Vorce and Chef Matt Scovill of F1 Arcade, a bit of news, restaurant reports on Contina Contramar, Mura Japanese BBQ & Shabu, Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse, SMKD BBQ, and Summer House, and a Happy Hour Report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Paiute Spring Festival — April 25
The third annual Paiute Spring Festival will convene at The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free event is open to the public, and guests will be entertained by:
- melodic songs from Bird Singers and Dancers from the Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and other regionally connected groups
- Nuwu Wonumeeyah, a Las Vegas Paiute dance troupe, will share a variety of Native American and First Nations Pow Wow dances
- Guests will have the opportunity to purchase original handcrafted items and fine art from Paiute vendors and other Native Southwest artisans
- Children of all ages will be welcome to participate in an art activity
Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m. Event Begins
10:30 a.m. Welcome Announcements, Land Acknowledgment
11:00 a.m. Nuwu Wonumeeyah, Pow Wow Dancers
12:00 p.m. Bird Singers and Dancers
1:00 p.m. Nuwu Wonumeeyah, Pow Wow Dancers
2:00 p.m. Bird Singers and Dancers, Honoring Elders, and Acknowledgments
3:00 p.m. Event Ends
