This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
Saint Felix Sin City — POSTPONED
This event will be rescheduled.
Happy Hour Vegas will present its first live happy hour event of 2026 with a ticketed event at Saint Felix Sin City at The Bend from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Limited to 100 guests, tickets are $50 per person and include servings of all 10 signature happy hour food items. The generous spread has something for everyone, with Award-Winning Malaysian-Style Angus Elkhorn Steak Skewers, American Wagyu Beef Sliders, Southern-Style Fried Chicken Sliders, Magic City Ceviche Cups (Pescatarian, Gluten Free), Risotto Balls with Signature Marinara (Vegetarian), Chef’s Artisan 4-Cheese Mac & Cheese Cups, Buffalo Cauliflower (Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free), Farm-Fresh California Veggie Skewers (Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free), LA Churro Waffle Dessert, and Hand-Dipped Fresh Chocolate-Covered Strawberries.
Also included are a Jack Daniels welcome cocktail, custom hot-press Jack Daniel’s hat and original JD gifts, swag and giveaways throughout the event, a chance to win a $50 gift card at Saint Felix and to win two tickets to an upcoming Happy Hour Vegas event, and access to top-shelf happy hour cocktails at happy hour prices ($10-$12).
To purchase tickets, click here.
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse — January 29
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse at the Tuscany Casino will host an Italian wine pairing dinner.
The dinner will include:
- Wagyu Carpaccio Bite with truffle aioli and crispy capers paired with Prosecco, D.O.C. LaLuca, Veneto Italy
- Grilled Spanish Octopus with cannellini bean puree and blistered heirloom cherry tomatoes matched with Donnafugata, Anthilia, D.O.C. Sicilia Italy, 2021
- Braised Beef Cheek with parmesan polenta and mushroom ragu paired with Barolo Riserva, Monchero Pernanno, Piemonte 2016
- Espresso Mascarpone Bread Pudding with espresso-soaked brioche and mascarpone vanilla custard matched with Chianti Classico, Isolee Olena, Toscana, 2022
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $85 per person (plus tax, fee, and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
Eight Lounge — February 1
(new date and time)
Eight Lounge at Resorts World will present a Smoke & Sip experience with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw on Sunday, February 1, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
The four-time Super Bowl champion and FOX NFL Sunday host will host an intimate evening featuring cigar pairings alongside his award-winning Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Guests will enjoy guided tastings of Terry Bradshaw’s flagship bourbon—distilled in Kentucky, aged more than five years, and celebrated with multiple gold and platinum medals and a 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating—along with a first taste of the brand’s new 6-year and 12-year single-barrel expressions.
There will also be a bourbon-forward Q&A with Bradshaw, who will personally pour samples of his namesake whiskey.
The event is open to the public and free to attend on a first come, first serve basis, but reservations are available on Eight’s website (with applicable reservation minimums).
Ferraro’s Ristorante — February 7
Ferraro’s Ristorante will host its next Taste and Learn wine pairing dinner with authentic Italian small plates crafted by Executive Chef Mimmo Ferraro, with this session spotlighting the wines of the Italian family-owned Argiolas winery founded in 1938 by Antonio Argiolas on the island of Sardinia.
Courses are Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna DOC paired with Crudo with amberjack, lemon, capers, micro basil, and crispy artichoke; Perdera Monica di Sardegna DOC matched with Roasted Pork Belly and Lentil Stew; Costera Cannonau di Sardegna DOC paired with Pecorino Rice and Wild Boar Ragù; and Turriga IGT Rosso Isola dei Nuraghi matched with Lamb Loin with seared king trumpet mushroom and potato purée.
The dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and tickets are $150 per person (all inclusive). To make reservations, call 702-364-5300.
Pick of the Week
Expect the Unexpected at Corey Harwell’s New Butcher & Thief
At this neighborhood steakhouse from restaurateur Cory Harwell and the team behind Carson Kitchen, you can expect to be surprised by several unique niceties.
Located at 8670 W Sunset Road, Suite H100, at The Bend in southwest Las Vegas, the decor of the 5,000-square-foot restaurant is somewhat minimalist, and I mean that in a good way. Rather than an over busy mishmash of gaudiness there’s a comforting space with a soothing vibe of rich wood tables contrasted with cream-hued chairs and flooring, touches of green and gold to create an atmosphere that balances sophistication with warmth, burnt orange banquets, floor-to-ceiling windows bringing natural light (something I am always a fan of), and a subtle hint to one of the stars of the menu through images of pigs on the ceiling (more on that later). There’s also an expansive inviting 1,800-square-foot inviting outdoor wrap-around patio lounge overlooking Sunset Rd with a mix of loveseats, tables, and chairs.
This opening comes 11.5 years after the opening of Carson Kitchen downtown and marks the filling of a void in local steakhouses. Harwell explained, “The #1 thing missing from the American steakhouse over the last 20 years is value. They’ve really priced themselves out of the everyday average consumer’s budget and I really thought there was an opportunity to slide into that mid-market, offering a high-quality product for a reasonable price point that someone can enjoy once or twice a month instead of once or twice a year.”
One way he keeps the prices of the steaks down, with all cuts priced from $36-$56, is using the upper tier of Choice rather than the more expensive Prime. They also cook the meat sous vide at 105°, which breaks down the tendons to tenderize the meat, after which it is cooked on an 800° plancha flat top griddle to near final temperature before resting and being finished with tallow butter on a grill. Cuts include 10 oz wagyu Zabuton from Akaushi Farms ($44), 14 oz NY Strip from Creekstone Farms ($52), and 8 oz Allen Brothers Angus Filet Mignon ($48). Although it’s unlikely you’ll need it, accompanying the steaks is a house made sauce sweetened with raisins which Harwell describes as “if A1, Worcestershire, and Heinz 57 had a baby.”
Another cost saving trick is using the trimmings from the various steak cuts that would normally be discarded to fill the best-selling Cheesesteak Eggrolls, which are served with a savory natural jus ideal for dipping.
Harwell told me on their first date his wife Lauren said, “Travel changes you,” and they have enjoyed many great trips since then. One to Morocco last year when they were relaxing and eating soft cheese, grapes, and almonds, inspired the Blackberry & Burrata Salad with green grapes, lavender-spiced almonds, and soft burrata cheese.
Another inspiration came from Elvis, as Harwell recalled that The King loved peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches. The result here is the quite addictive Peanut Butter Bacon appetizer with high quality Nueske’s bacon, rice wine vinegar, miso, and jalapeno/cucumber jelly. Another home run for peanut butter fans is the Banana Cream Pie dessert with double shots of peanut butter caramel on the top crust and the bottom made of Nutter Butters.
The Mac N Cheese side, which I’ve always thought of as an average dish, is the opposite here. It’s surprisingly exemplary and lives up to Harwell’s description as the best anywhere, with several cheeses including cream cheese, Mornay cheese sauce and smoked Gouda, Cooper Cheese sharp white American, smoked white cheddar and a touch of bleau cheese that are cubed rather than grated so it doesn’t melt all the way.
More unexpected surprises include Rigatoni made with a gin sauce instead of the usual vodka, which brings an herbaceous quality, creamed spinach topped with Rockefeller for the depth of flavor via the anise-flavored liqueur Herbsaint and oyster liquor (sea water and the oyster’s natural liquid), and the featured fish dish not being salmon but Steelhead Trout sourced from Scotland with miso honey soy.
Yet another surprise is the wine selection and prices. Harwell shared that the Thief in the name is actually a reference to the wine thief tube used to “steal” or siphon small liquid samples from barrels or fermenters for quality checks. In the case of Butcher & Thief the theft is being prevented from your wallet, as a reasonably priced approachable easy to understand wine list includes house red and white wine served from kegs priced at only $20 for a half carafe and $40 for a full. The concise list also offers 12 wines by the glass priced from $8-$17, and two dozen bottles you likely won’t find elsewhere such as the Italian Mionetto Prosecco and the Sonoma Valley Copain Daybreak White Blend, both priced at $40.
A nod to Harwell’s late friend and business partner Kerry Simon is the Junk Food Platter, which was made famous at Simon Restaurant at Palms Place back in 2008. As the name implies, it’s a rotating mix of shareable sweets like cotton candy, caramel corn, house made oatmeal pies, brownie bites, cereal (Fruity Pebbles) bars and cupcake from the neighboring Freed’s Bakery which should make you feel like a kid again.
The cocktail menu, priced $14 to $16, brings a mixology-first approach with nods to classics. Case in point is the More Cow Bell, an upscale version of an Old Fashioned made with two-day fat-washed Elijah Craig Bourbon, with rosemary brown butter, simple syrup, and orange bitters.
Lunch, served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., highlights many of the dinner menu’s staples but introduces the 10-ounce Butcher Burger with fries; Curry Chicken Salad Sando on a buttery croissant; and the Carpaccio Sub layered with filet mignon, mortadella, and Calabrian aioli.
For more info and to view the complete menus, visit butcherandthief.com.
Dining News
Winnie & Ethel’s Offering Two Weekday Promotions
Who says coffee has to be expensive? At Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner in the Huntridge Center it definitely is not.
Show up on a weekday and pours of their Bottomless House Blend Coffee is only 25¢. The only caveats are the caffeinated house blend (not available in decaf) must be purchased with an entrée valued at $10 or more and is dine-in only and cannot be ordered to-go or online. Refills are available only until 11 a.m. and the promotion cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Guests are encouraged to upgrade to Mothership Roasters’ $5 bottomless coffee, which is available all day, every day.
Another weekday promotion is the WEekday Breakfast Special for $9.99, which includes one pancake, two slices of bacon, and two eggs (any style). This offer is dine-in only and cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
Both offers are not available on holidays that fall on weekdays.
Al Solito Posto Chef’s Pasta Tasting
Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village, is hosting the weekly new Chef’s Pasta Tasting.
Held every Tuesday, the six-course, prepaid tasting highlights the restaurant’s in-house pasta program through a seasonal, chef-driven menu.
The tasting includes antipasti, four courses of fresh pasta, and dessert. It debuts as a communal dinner taking place at the restaurant’s kitchen-adjacent marble table, functioning as a chef’s table.
“We take a lot of pride in our pasta program,” says Executive Chef Evan Packer. “We wanted to do something a little special beyond what we’re serving every day. For pasta lovers, this is a fun journey.”
The cost is $110 per person and the tastings begin at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
Las Vegas’ 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists
The James Beard Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the food and hospitality industry, has announced its 2026 semifinalists. Several Las Vegas chefs, restaurateurs, and restaurants have been nominated in the categories listed below, including Ellie Parker, who just last week won Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen:
- Best Chef: Southwest
Oulay Ceesay Fisher, Calabash African Kitchen
Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf
Yuri Szarzewski, Partage
Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa
Jamie Tran, The Black Sheep
James Trees, Bar Boheme - Outstanding Restaurateur
Elizabeth Blau, Blau + Associates (Buddy V’s and Honey Salt) - Emerging Chef
Ellie Parker, Main Street Provisions - Best New Restaurant
Tamba - Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Kimberly Mcintosh, Milkfish Bakeshop - Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Ada’s - Best New Bar
Nocturno - Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Bank Atcharawan, Jipata - Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Mariena Mercer Boarini, Aft Cocktail Deck at Wynn
Best wishes to all 14 nominees, the most ever nominations for Las Vegas. This initial list will be narrowed to the finalist nominees on March 31, before winners are presented on June 15 at the awards ceremony in Chicago.
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 we begin with breaking news from just six hours before the episode dropped: Las Vegas’ own Ellie Parker has won Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen! Al was at the watch party at Main St. Provisions and talked to Ellie just minutes after the episode finale. As for the regular show: Bob Barnes sits in for Gemini this week for an episode that centers around a conversation with bartending legend Dale DeGroff. Al caught up with Dale shortly before he kicked off a new guest bartender series at The Vault in Bellagio. They talk about the history of American mixology over the past century. You’ll also hear from Walbert Castillo about the new Istorya residency at Durango Social Club, and get restaurant reports on Butcher & Thief, Guerrilla Pizza, Amari, Toca Madera, Gymkhana, and more. PLUS – beer news from Bob, a rundown of the James Beard Award Semifinalists, and as usual, a happy hour report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
22nd Annual Dam Short Film Festival — February 11-16
Nevada’s largest film festival is celebrating 22 years of bringing movie lovers unique and diverse short films to enjoy over a 6-day period.
Held at the Elaine K. Smith Building at 700 Wyoming St in downtown Boulder City, the 22nd Annual Dam Short Film Festival will screen more than 150 short films. The films will be shown in 32 thematic 60- to 90-minute program blocks showcasing categories including Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Horror (presented on Friday the 13th), International, Sci-Fi, Nevada, Love & Romance (presented on Valentine’s Day), and Underground from a wide variety of countries like Belgium, Finland, Georgia, India, France, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, and Greece.
In addition to the screenings and filmmaker Q&As during each category block, the Festival will feature a filmmaker Meet-n-Greet, Coffee with Filmmakers, and Dam Mixer—giving audiences and filmmakers the opportunity to mix and mingle and learn more about the process and stories behind the films. As a bonus, a special program honoring the festival’s founder, “The Many Strange Films of Lee Lanier,” will highlight Lanier’s impactful work over the years.
Tickets are $12.50 per film block, $150 for the full five-day pass, $45 1-day passes for Thursday, and $55 1-day passes for Friday and Saturday. A VIP Experience pass is $300 for one person or $500 for two that includes an all-access pass, early entry to all programs, an invitation to the Sunday Brunch with filmmakers, a swag bag, and discounts on concessions and merchandise. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets visit damshortfilm.org.
