This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
The Stove — December 10-13
The Stove (11261 S Eastern) will host a takeover by Chef Stephen Lee as he presents his In Limbo Smash Burger Pop-Up.
The Las Vegas chef, known for his roles at Esther’s Kitchen, Bacchanal Buffet, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, and his growing TikTok following as @ChefInLimbo, will bring his signature Korean-influenced smash burgers to Henderson for four nights. Served from 5 to 9 p.m., the menu will include Jalapeño + Bacon Onion Jam ($12 for a double and $15 for a triple), Picklers Smash ($11 for a double and $14 for a triple), and fries ($4).
A full bar will be available. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 725-339-2300.
White Whale — December 11
White Whale, the new Downtown Las Vegas craft cocktail lounge located at 111 Las Vegas Blvd., will unveil its hidden bar, ‘Captain’s Quarters,’ during an exclusive preview experience ahead of its December 12 public opening.
This intimate one-night-only event, begins at 7:30 p.m. It will offer 22 guests the opportunity to join consulting partner Sam Ross (widely regarded as one of the most influential bartenders of his generation) and the White Whale team (including Daniel Yang and Evan Hosaka) for a night of conversation, craftsmanship, and cocktails.
Guests seeking an escape from crowded lounges and loud nightlife will find a genuine sanctuary inside the hidden bar with a bar program featuring freshly squeezed juices, house-made syrups, and a wide selection of spirits and liqueurs, in a bartender’s-choice format tailored to each guest. It will feature seated service only by reservation and walk-ins based on demand.
Tickets are $195.04 per person (inclusive of taxes and fees) and include four cocktails and a curated selection of tacos from Lev Food Group’s Taco Escobar. To purchase tickets, visit whitewhalelv.com.
Mon Ami Gabi — December 11
Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas will host a five-course Holiday Champagne Dinner.
The pairings are:
- passed hors d’oeuvres paired with Champagne Cocktail with Angostura Bitters, sugar, and lemon
- amuse bouche of Roasted Acorn Squash and Caramelized Pear Soup with amaretto cookies, pears, and burnt marshmallows
- Foie Gras au Torchon with apple chutney and pinault des charentes gelee matched with Perrier-Jouet “Grand Brut,” Brut
- Lobster Raviolis and Seared Scallops with ice plant and lobster cappuccino paired with Lallier Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Brut
- Moulard Duck Wellington and Burgundy Black Truffles with port jus matched with Billecart Salmon Rosé, Brut
- Wagyu Beef and Alaskan King Crab Leg with wasabi potatoes paired with Bollinger Blanc de Noir, “PNVZ 19,” Brut
- Mont Blanc Parfait with chestnut glacee, black current sorbet, and salted caramel matched with Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $195 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
Honey Salt — December 14-17
Honey Salt will offer a full Hanukkah dinner from Dec. 14-17.
Priced at $69, it includes Challah with honey butter, Matzo Ball Soup with roasted chicken and vegetable, and Potato Latkes with housemade apple sauce and sour cream; choice of Roasted Jidori Chicken with Israeli couscous and honey caramelized onions or Slow Roasted Brisket with tzimmes and horseradish cream; and Sufganiyot Donuts with cinnamon apple compote. Dishes are also available a la carte.
For more info and to book a reservation, visit honeysalt.com/hanukkah2025.
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar — December 20
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar (6555 S Jones Blvd) will close out the year with its live Bluefin Tuna Cutting event from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
The evening begins with a performance by taiko drummers, followed by Chef Winston Matsuuchi introducing the bluefin and guiding guests through the breakdown of the fish highlighting texture, fat content, and intended use while preparing courses. Guests will experience a range of bluefin cuts seldom served in sequence, including akami (lean red meat), chutoro (semi-marbled belly), otoro (full marbled belly), kama (collar), and other sections that reveal the versatility of the fish. The ceremony also features traditional elements unique to Omakase Kyara, such as tasting from the tuna head and enjoying the prized spinal nodo jelly, followed by a final broth made from the bones to complete the experience.
Tickets are $200 per person for a shared table seating, $1,000 for a booth for six guests or private room for six guests, $300 for a counter end seat, $400 for a center counter seat, and $800 for a booth for four guests.
Tickets may be purchased at OmakaseLV.com.
Pick of the Week: Summer House
Summer House at the Durango Casino & Resort is well-named, as it brings the vibe of a SoCal beach house.
It’s summer all year long at this brightly-lit restaurant at the Durango, as there’s a summer beach feel with wicker chairs; wood floor; hues of beige, cream, and tan; hanging greenery throughout; white curtains; an abundance of natural light via large windows; and a large outdoor patio (with heaters) merging the indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The décor is quite intentional, as Lettuce Entertainment Founder Rich Melman was so enchanted with a friend’s beach house in Santa Monica that he attempted to reproduce it. Another summery touch is ice chests in the dining room which have a functional use of storing the chilled wines served by the glass.
The menu features shareable comfort food with Asian, Italian, Mexican, and Southern California beach favorites. They include Salmon Poke Nachos with avocado, ginger soy, and wonton chips; Hamachi Sashimi with white soy ponzu and jalapeño; Margherita Pizza with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil; Rigatoni alla Vodka with peas and tomato cream; and Chicken Adobo Tacos with smoked poblano salsa and queso fresco.
The summer comfort continues in the entrees with an 8 oz Skirt Steak Frites with herb butter, garlic fries, and bearnaise; Fish ‘n’ Chips with Pacific rockfish and malt vinegar fries; and Picnic Fried Chicken Basket with jumbo tenders, fries, and coleslaw.
Finales are the Gooey Lemon Cake, 7 Layer Chocolate Cake, and a seasonal Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. There are also treats like Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treat, Chocolate Pecan Bar, Beach Blondie, Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie, and an assortment of oversized house-made cookies.
A brunch menu, offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m., features dishes such as Short Rib Hash with sunny side eggs and caramelized onions; Green Chili Breakfast Burrito with bacon, avocado, scrambled eggs, jack cheese, and pico de gallo; and Crispy Strawberry Waffles with local berries and whipped cream.
The wine list is mainly California-based, with 50+ options and several by-the-glass, like the Sanford Santa Barbara Chardonnay. There’s also spritzes including the Desert Spritz with grapefruit, Giuliana Prosecco and soda; specialty cocktails such as Lavender Haze with Aviation Gin, blueberry, and lavender; a robust whiskey selection with excellent pours such as Angel’s Envy Port Barrel Finished Bourbon; and a small beer list with a few Nevada-brewed brews, which during my recent visit included CraftHaus Brewery Silver State Blonde Ale and Lovelady Brewing Love Juice IPA.
Happy Hour (called Martini Hour) is offered in the bar area Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Drink deals are Martinis for $10, Somm’s Pick wine for $5, and select rotating beers for $4. For food there’s Wagyu Cheeseburger ($5); First Class Mixed Nuts ($6); Tostadas ($6); Chicken Tenders ($9); Bottomless Truffle Fries ($10); Tavern Style Pizza ($12); and an especially good deal is the Triple B: wagyu cheese burger, local beer, and fudge brownie for $12.
Be sure to check out The Market at the front entrance (which opens early at 9 a.m. on Sat.-Sun.), with an elaborate pastry counter serving several grab-and-go items. Here you can find house-baked goods, coffee drinks, light breakfast items, and the aforementioned oversized cookies in about a dozen varieties.
Summer House is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. and from 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more info and to view the complete menus, visit summerhouserestaurants.com/las-vegas.
Dining News
Hash House Offering Special Holiday Dishes
Hash House has some holiday festive dishes being offered from Dec. 19-31.
They include:
- Pork Carnitas Hash with house roasted pork carnitas sauteed with homemade tomatillo sauce served on a bed of fried red potatoes and topped with queso fresco and fresh pico de gallo
- Cinnamon Roll Pancake—Hash House’s homemade pancake batter topped with cinnamon sugar and a cream cheese swirl
- Mrs. Claus’ Peppermint Iced Cocoa with vodka, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, and chocolate milk
- Reindeer Track–Run, Run Rudolph! with vanilla vodka, Frangelico, and white crème de cocoa mixed with coconut milk and chocolate syrup
- Santa’s Sleigh—fresh orange juice mixed with cranberry juice and ginger ale
The specials will be available at all three Hash House A Go Go Las Vegas locations: at The Linq, at The Rio, and at 6800 W Sahara Ave.
China Poblano Tamale Festival and Jaleo 15-Year Anniversary
China Poblano by José Andrés at The Cosmopolitan is hosting its annual month-long Tamale Festival from December 1-31.
The menu includes Tamal de Birria ($13) filled with braised beef and lamb with a side of consommé; Tamal de Pollo Rojo ($12) filled with braised chicken in spicy red sauce topped with spicy red salsa, toasted sesame seeds, and cilantro; and Tamal de Rajas y Queso ($11) filled with Oaxaca cheese and poblano peppers finished with salsa de ajonjolí and cilantro. For every tamale sold, $1 will be donated to Three Square Pantry to help feed the hungry this holiday season.
In addition, Jaleo by José Andrés (also at The Cosmopolitan) is celebrating its 15 year anniversary with a limited-time December menu featuring Mejillones en Escabeche (mussels marinated in sherry vinegar for $24), Ostra “Gin & Tonic” (six oysters with lemon, gin, and tonic for $26), Ajo Blanco con Cangrejo (chilled almond and garlic soup with crabmeat and green grapes for $24), Papas Arrugas (Canary Island-style wrinkled potatoes with mojo verde and rojo for $14), and Cebolla Asada con Rey Silo Mama Marisa y Naranjas (roasted cippolini onions with pine nuts, Mama Marisa blue cheese, and citrus for $16).
Stanton Social Italian Debuts at Caesars Palace
Stanton Social Italian, from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Chris Santos from Food Network’s Chopped, is now open at Caesars Palace.
Stanton Social’s foundation of shareable, globally-inspired dishes with modern twists to classic Italian dishes has always been its cornerstone, going back to its inception on the Lower East Side of NYC in 2004.
The 200-seat dining room is a lavish Art Deco-inspired setting awash in bold colors, rich textures, and décor reminiscent of a showgirl’s backstage boudoir.
The new menu features Fritto Misto with calamari, shrimp, squash, cherry peppers, arrabbiata sauce, and preserved lemon aioli; Heirloom Tomato Salad with whipped burrata, balsamic vinegar, and basil pesto; Hamachi Crostata with yellowtail, confit cherry tomato, red onion, basil, and sesame lavash; Penne a la Vodka with pancetta, Calabrian chili, and ricotta; ‘Pretty in Pink’ 10 oz Filet with pink peppercorn sauce and oyster mushrooms; tableside Super Tomahawk featuring Barolo-braised short ribs and cognac-flambéed bone marrow; and Spumoni “Milkshake” with pistachio mousse, cherry compote, brownie bites, mascarpone Chantilly, and an edible chocolate cup.
Stanton Social Italian is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. For more information, to make a reservation, and to view the complete menu, visit caesars.com/caesars-palace/restaurants/stanton-social-italian.
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 it’s Al, guest co-host Rachel Diehl, and Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan coming to you from Du-par’s in the Suncoast. The resort’s executive chef Christopher Nicholson feeds them loco moco, Chinese chicken salad, and the California import’s famous pancakes. You’ll also get restaurant reports, some news, and interviews with Metro Pizza’s John Arena and Toddy Shop’s Hemant Kishore. Also, Gemini Stevens delivers a message, bringing people up to date on her recent absences, and of course, a happy hour report from Andrew.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village is now open with remaining opening dates of Dec. 11-24 and Dec. 26-31.
In its 33rd season, admission includes unlimited rides, mini golf, the Magical Forest holiday lights walking path, trips on the Forest Express train, a race down the 50-foot-tall Avalanche Slide, a ride on Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel, and rides on the Whirl n’ Twirl. Forest goers can also meet Santa in his cabin, play midway games, indulge in holiday food favorites, and purchase gifts and treat at The Holiday Shoppe kiosk. A beer garden is open select nights for the 21+ crowd.
Times are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets for guests age four or older are $25 per person, $90 for four people, and $125 for six people (plus service fee). As this is one of the primary fundraisers for Opportunity Village, attending the Magical Forest directly supports people with disabilities in Southern Nevada.
To purchase tickets visit www.MagicalForest.com.
