This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Dining Events and News
Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop — August 1
Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop at UnCommons will celebrate its second anniversary with a lineup of $2 bites and drinks, plus additional specials, all available during happy hour and reverse happy hour.
The $2 anniversary menu, available during happy hour from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to close, features housemade meatballs, shrimp scampi, squash blossoms, side spaghetti with a choice of marinara or pesto sauce, truffle fries, cheese pizza slices, and lemon poppyseed cake. $2 beverages will include Hibiscus Heaven mocktail with pineapple and mint, Peroni, and Peroni 0.0.
Additional specials will include a full-size cheese pizza for $15, a featured cocktail and spritz priced at $6 each, and a pairing of Caesar salad and truffle fries served with prosecco, available for $25 with a glass or $39 with a bottle.
Ciao Vino Wine Bar — August 6
Ciao Vino Wine Bar in Boca Park will host a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring Cakebread Cellars.
Courses are:
- Zucchini Salad with baby zucchini, squash, arugula, champagne vinaigrette, and pecorino Romano paired with Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc
- Pastrami-Cured Salmon with Dill Crème, paired with pickled radishes and dill-horseradish crème fraîche, and matched with Cakebread Pinot Noir.
- Duck Ragu, slow-simmered with paccheri pasta, finished with pecorino Romano, paired with Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Caramel Bavaroise with Figs, layered with sweet cottage cheese and seasonal figs, paired with Bezel Cabernet.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $90 per person before August 3 and $110 after August 3. To purchase tickets, visit OpenTable, call 702-570-1618, or visit ciaovino.com.
Main Street Provisions — August 7 [POSTPONED]
updated August 1, 17:30pm
Main Street Provisions in the Arts District will host a four-course dinner featuring three chefs, four beers, and four whiskeys.
Main Street Provision’s Executive Chef Ellie Parker and Executive Sous Chef Steven Skaggs will showcase their New American style and Las Vegas Chef Lanny Chin his take on Contemporary Asian fare for the collaborative dinner that will include beers from local CraftHaus Brewery and Las Vegas Brewing Company; and Russell’s, Wilderness Trail, Wild Turkey, and The Glen Grant whiskeys.
Courses are:
- Hamachi Shot with cured sliced Hamachi, tangerine ponzu, and whiskey-infused caviar (Chefs Ellie and Steven) and Fried Enoki Mushrooms with togarashi, yuzu, and Japanese mayo (Chef Lanny) paired with CraftHaus Sumo Stomp Japanese Rice Lager with Mandarin and welcome cocktail made with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
- Lamb Lollipop with plum wine lamb jus, herbs, and potato fondant (Chefs Ellie and Steven) and Shrimp Taco with scallion pancake, crispy prawn, Napa cabbage, and numbing spice (Chef Lanny) matched with Las Vegas Brewing Company West Coast Junkie with Citra and Mosaic hops and Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight Bourbon Small Batch Wheated
- Braised Oxtail with cheesy polenta, saffron espuma, and rice crisp (Chefs Ellie and Steven) and Ramen Ravioli with tonkatsu brodo, pea leaves, crispy shallot, and Grana Padano (Chef Lanny) paired with Las Vegas Brewing Company Retro Glow Hazy IPA and Wild Turkey 101 Rye
- Chocolate & Cherries with chocolate mousse, dark chocolate dome, cherry reduction, and shortbread crumble (Chefs Ellie and Steven), and Midnight Snack with Asian pear fritter and Time & Oak caramel (Chef Lanny) matched with CraftHaus Time & Oak Barrel Aged Smoke Wagon Belgian Dark Strong Ale and The Glen Grant 18 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The dinner has been POSTPONED. We will share the news of the new schedule as soon as available.
Al Solito Posto — August 11
In commemoration of his 45th birthday, the restaurants of Chef James Trees have announced a collective dinner to celebrate all his restaurant chefs, friends, and supporters.
Held at Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village beginning at 6 p.m., six special courses will be paired with wines from the Kobrand portfolio.
The dinner will include:
- Passed Canapes from Sous Chefs and Chefs de Cuisine of Ada’s Food + Wine, Al Solito Posto, Bar Boheme, Esther’s Kitchen, and High Steaks Vegas.
- Chilled Appetizer: Jackson Stamper (Executive Chef, Ada’s Food + Wine)
- Hot Appetizer: Adam Rios (Corporate Executive Chef, Esther’s)
- Pasta: Sean O’Hara (Executive Chef, Al Solito Posto; Corporate Executive Chef)
- Fish: Jordon Dunewood (Executive Chef, Bar Boheme)
- Meat: Joe Swan (Executive Chef, High Steaks Vegas)
- Desserts: Jake Yergensen (Corporate Executive Pastry Chef)
Tickets, limited to 60 seats, are $275 including wine pairings. Reserve your seat HERE.
Momofuku New Social Hour
Momofuku at The Cosmopolitan is introducing a new “Social Hour” menu, available daily from 3 to 5 p.m.
A menu of bites and buns priced from $7-$15 includes Spicy Cucumbers topped with togarashi and toasted almond ($7); Market Salad with crispy quinoa, toasted peanut, and kaffir lime ($12); Shishito Peppers topped with smoked salt and lime ($8); DIY Handrolls with big eye tuna ($15); Pork Belly Buns topped with hoisin, scallion, and cucumber ($9); and Shrimp Buns topped with spicy mayo and pickled onion ($9). There are also substantial noodle dishes such as Ginger Scallion Noodles with pickled shiitake, cucumber, and wakame ($26); and Mushroom Ramen topped with bean sprouts, scallion, and shiitake XO ($30).
STK Steakhouse All-You-Can-Eat Brunch
STK Steakhouse is now offering an all-you-can-eat brunch.
Available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and priced at $49 per person (when the entire table participates), the experience includes a pastry basket to share; cold appetizers of Tuna Tartare, Beet and Burrata Salad, Cobb Salad, and Charcuterie; sweet plates of Fresh Fruit, Panna Cotta, Cinnamon French Toast, and Pancakes with eggs any style; hot entrees of Smoked Pork Belly Benedict, Hot Chicken and Waffles, Breakfast Sliders, Mushroom and Truffle Tagliatelle, and Signature Steak Frites; and savory sides of bacon, broccolini, sausage, eggs (any style), and corn pudding.
To make brunch even more indulgent, guests can sip happy hour–priced brunch cocktails or go bottomless with Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Aperol Spritzes and Gin Blossoms for $35 per person.
Pick of the Week: Cipriani
Cipriani, the iconic Italian institution that originally opened as Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, in 1931, is renowned for the creation of the Bellini, made with white peach puree and Prosecco, in 1948 by founder Giuseppe Cipriani Sr.
There are now several locations worldwide, including New York, Hong Kong, Monte Carlo, Ibiza, and one in the Wynn Las Vegas Plaza, the first on the West Coast. A marine/nautical theme prevails, with portholes throughout (even in the men’s restroom) displaying a video of the ocean like the view from an ocean liner. Elegant touches include glossy wood pillars, terrazzo tile flooring, chrome accents, plush seating, and floor-to-ceiling windows dressed with white curtains. Classy touches include white linen tablecloths, bookshelves lined with books, ocean-blue banquettes, and caramel-colored leather chairs.
The fare here is authentically Italian, without the overhanded use of garlic found in most Americanized eateries. An example is the signature Carpaccio made from sirloin using a recipe created by Mr. Cipriani in the 1950s.
Excellent beginnings include the fresh and vibrant Heirloom Tomato Salad with red onions and fresh basil, the Cucumber Salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and corn, and the Burrata “alla Mediterranea” with tomatoes and Taggiasche olives.
Pastas are well represented. The Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi with gorgonzola that seemed to melt in our mouths, Taglioni al Pesto, and Organic Rigatoni “alla Genovese” (with beef).
Main courses feature outstanding fish presentations, such as Whole Dover Sole served with mixed vegetables and Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with lemon and capers, served with rice pilaf.
A Josper Grill turns out proteins cooked over a live fire, such as Mediterranean Branzino served with broccoli rabe, New Zealand Lamb Chops with sautéed spinach, and Prime Black Angus Tenderloin with mashed potatoes.
A recommended finale is the Classic Vanilla Crème Meringue, a light white sponge cake with Chantilly cream (with a lighter and fluffier version of meringue, making it easy to enjoy after a big meal) served with housemade Vanilla Gelato with nuts and chocolate sauce.
The wine list features selections primarily from Italy, France, and the US, as well as Cipriani’s private label house wine, with options including Cipriani Vescovello (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese), Cancello del Sole Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cancello Della Luna Chardonnay.
It’s been said that entering Cipriani is like teleporting instantly to Italy, as the ambiance, décor, and service are reminiscent of what you would find in Venice, especially with Italian accents coming from the staff, many of whom hail from Italy, including the delightful General Manager, Florian Etienne.
Cipriani is open daily for lunch and dinner and is conveniently located just steps from the self-parking garage. To view the complete menu, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com/Dining/FineDining/Cipriani
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.
On last week’s show, we met the future of Las Vegas food journalism, 11-year-old food writer Kingstyn Majors, and got his take on the profession and the local restaurant scene. Trust us, this kid is amazing! Other interviews include Chef Adam Rios of Al Solito Posto, Sparrow + Wolf’s Brian Howard (discussing the upcoming Fauna collaboration), Bryan Bass of Bottled Blonde, Durango Social Club’s Chef Dan Krohmer, and Sorellina’s Stephen Jerome, as well as a surf-n-turf Happy Hour Report.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Awakening at Wynn Las Vegas was voted Best Production Show in Las Vegas by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association and named “one of the best Vegas shows” by US News and Travel and Leisure. The show is a high-energy fusion of mind-bending illusions, original music, stunning choreography, and spectacular puppetry that makes this experience one of the most sought-after on the Las Vegas Strip.
The show unfolds in one of the world’s most technologically advanced theaters. Set in a 360-degree theater in the round, with a custom-built 60-foot stage featuring embedded lights and screens, there are also pairs of individual stereo speakers built into each of the 1,600 seats, totaling 3,200 speakers for surround sound.
The 80-minute epic tells the story of IO, a reluctant hero who, along with her two fellow travelers, Boo and Bandit, journeys through surreal worlds to reunite Light and Darkness, learning secrets along the way and encountering magnificent creatures.
The show featuring a cast of over 60 international artists is brought to life by an acclaimed team of producers: Bernie Yuman (Executive Producer/Producer), best known for his work with Siegfried & Roy, and as the longtime manager of Muhammad Ali; Baz Halpin (Producer & Director), the creative visionary behind major concert tours and Super Bowl halftime shows for icons like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Usher and Harry Styles; and Michael Curry (Producer & Character Designer and Wynn’s Creative Entertainment Director for the past 20 years), groundbreaking puppetry designer renowned for his work on The Lion King on Broadway and global spectaculars for Disney, Universal, and the Olympic Games.
After experiencing the show, I can attest to being thoroughly entertained throughout the performance. I found the plot line easy to follow, and the costuming and acrobatics were stimulating and engaging. Curry’s animatronics and large-scale puppetry creations contribute to several wow moments in the show, such as a life-sized, multi-colored whale floating through the air above and a majestic gold Great Phoenix that highlights the show’s finale.
For more information, showtimes, and prices, visit awakening.com.
