This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Mission Control — July 15
Mission Control, the craft beer and cocktail bar at Tenaya and Craig, will host an evening of whisky tasting with the legendary Gordon & MacPhail (founded in 1895 and maker of some of Scotland’s finest single malts) guided by USA CEO Nicholas Pollacchi.
The evening will include a guided whisky tasting of five premium Gordon & MacPhail expressions; stories from one of Scotland’s most iconic independent bottlers; and insight into cask selection, maturation, and whisky philosophy in an intimate, limited-seating environment.
The tasting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person (plus fee), and Designated Drivers are free. To purchase tickets, click here.
Bar Boheme — July 16
Bar Boheme will host its first wine dinner with Chef/Partner James Trees, Corporate Executive Chef Sean O’Hara and Executive Pastry Chef Jake Yergensen in collaboration with Chef Tyler Vorce of Lilli.
The wines being paired with each course will be from Paso Robles’ McPrice Myers Winery. The dinner will include:
- Bread Service
- Canapés with crab-stuffed squash blossoms, feuille de brick, uni, yuzu kosho, and furikake
- Poached Prawn with eggplant confit, saffron, and lemon
- Cavaillon Melon + Hamachi with avocado, melon, nước chấm, and basil
- Barramundi with artichokes, sungolds, and charred squash
- Duck with figs, walnuts, red wine braised fennel, and fig chocolate sauce
- Venison with black trumpet, morels, corn steam cake, and cherry sauce
- Dessert with plums, almond, panna cotta, and plum genoise
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m., and the cost is $175 per person (plus tax and tip). Reservations are required and can be made HERE.
ai Pazzi — July 19
ai Pazzi at the Rampart Casino will celebrate its first anniversary with a cooking demo by celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani titled “The Tale of Three Chickens.”
Held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the event will give guests the opportunity to join Chef Fabio Viviani in his kitchen and watch him bring three Italian recipes to life as he shares his techniques and a little madness behind each dish. Guests will be able to taste each dish as it comes off the line.
The cost is $50 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
La Strega — July 19
La Strega is introducing a new quarterly late-night event series, La Strega After Dark, featuring chef-driven collaborations, cocktails, and a post-service dining experience.
The inaugural event will take place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., bringing together Chef Gina Marinelli and ØØ Pie & Pub‘s Pizzaiolo Erica Bell for an aperitivo-style evening inspired by Naples’ vibrant late-night pizza culture. Guests will enjoy a continuous lineup of New York-style pizzas, grazing bites, charcuterie, and select beer and wine while moving freely between food and beverage stations throughout the evening.
Designed as a lively, cocktail-style gathering with music, conversation, and community, the 21+ event is priced at $60 per person (all-inclusive of tax and tip), with reservations available through La Strega’s website and with limited walk-in availability if space permits.
Las Vegas Pizza Festival — November 14
If pizza is your favorite food group, you’ll want to take note of the 6th annual Las Vegas Pizza Festival. Tickets are now on sale. Although it’s months away, the VIP segment of this event sells out each year, and ticket prices go up as sales increase, so it’s definitely time to get the word out.
Held at The Industrial Event Space at 2330 Industrial Rd from 1 to 4 p.m., the event offers unlimited samples of Detroit, Sicilian, New York, and a dozen other unique styles of pizza from more than 20 of the city’s finest pizzaiolos. This year’s lineup includes John Arena (Metro Pizza), Tony Gemignani (Pizza Rock), Ricky Lewis and Ryan Perras (Rebellion Pizza), James Trees (Esther’s Kitchen), Erica Bell (ØØ Pie & Pub), Frank Vento (Carmine’s Pizza Kitchen), and Alex White and Dani White (Yukon Pizza).
The VIP experience includes one-hour early access at 12 p.m. and access to the VIP lounge with private climate-controlled restrooms; complimentary craft beer, wine, signature cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages; seating; a commemorative tasting glass; live entertainment; and additional culinary bites.
General admission tickets start at $62, and VIP tickets at $132. For current prices, the full line-up of participating chefs, and to purchase tickets, visit vegaspizzafest.com.
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.
Food and Loathing Weekly Newsletter
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Pick of the Week: Parlour Wine Bar
Parlour Wine Bar—a Gathering Place for the Curious Palate
The new, intimate Parlour Wine Bar in Henderson is marrying exceptional wine with chef-driven plates of exceptional quality that go far beyond those of a neighborhood restaurant.
A huge reason for the outstanding cuisine is the chef helming the kitchen: Antonio Nuñez. I’ve been a fan of the native Las Vegan Chef for years, from his time at STK Steakhouse and The Stove and now with this new addition to his family-owned restaurant group that also includes Parlour Brunch & Burger Bar in Downtown Las Vegas. Chef Antonio has more than 35 years of experience in luxury dining, hospitality consulting, and restaurant development, has owned some of the city’s top brunch restaurants, and has been featured on TV shows on the Food Network, MSNBC, History, and Discovery.
The wine bar at 1716 Horizon Ridge, Suite #100, is at the NW corner of Valley Verde, in the middle of the MacDonald Ranch community. It’s a bit hidden, but well worth finding. You’ll make your way around the right side of the building as you come in from the parking lot. Inside is a beautiful intimate room with wood flooring, red banquettes, walnut-hued wood ceiling and chairs, white walls and tablecloths countered with black curtains, windows on both ends of the room bringing natural light, a bar with six seats, a semi-open kitchen, plenty of greenery, modern impressionist artwork, and a wall unit (made by hand by Antonio’s son Alec) with a mood enhancing fireplace and wine lockers. There’s also an outdoor patio which will provide an opportune space for al fresco dining.
Matthew-Loren Lindsey is a name anyone in the local wine industry should recognize. He’s a Level 3 Sommelier and wears several hats at the restaurant, serving as General Manager, Wine Director, and Sommelier. During the current soft opening, he’s carrying 25 to 30 bottles, which will eventually be expanded to 125-150. In describing the wine program, he says, “25% will be familiar wines and the rest the sommelier picks. In the neighborhood are mature, knowledgeable, wine drinkers, but we want to give everyone an opportunity to explore and learn through education events and wine dinners.” Matthew expertly selected wines to suit my palate after talking with me about my preferences. I quite enjoyed the two he chose for me: the 2016 Campore, a bold and dry Carricante blend from Etna, Sicily; and the 2022 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Matthew has also created some wine cocktails, the most popular of which is the Blanc De Blanco Margarita with Cimarron Blanco Tequila, Sauvignon Blanc reduction, lime, and a feather-light mandarin air foam.
Chef Antonio’s diverse menu is seasonal and will change with the seasons. Everything is meant to be shared, and the first rendition of the menu features a mix of Salads, Build-Your-Own Charcuterie Boards, Bar Snacks (easy little bites to keep the wine company), Spreadables, and Shareables from the Land, Water, Earth, and Vegetarian.
A unique salad is the Chicken Lemon Parmesan, with romaine hearts, thinly sliced chicken skin, and lemony Caesar dressing, piled high on a large, soft bread crouton. For your board selection, be sure to include Black Lemon Gouda with a citrusy edge from zesty black lemon, Pour me a Slice beehive-aged cheddar infused with Basil Hayden bourbon, and Drunken Goat made from Spanish goat milk. House-made spreads worth investing in include Whipped Ricotta with house-made ricotta, pistachio, lemon zest, and local honey, and Toasted Goat with macadamia-crusted goat cheese and African pineapple chutney, both served with toasted sourdough.
For the composed plates, which are portioned to share between two, standouts include extremely tender Spanish Octopus with Green Goddess aioli; Fried Chicken that is roasted before being deboned, breaded, and double fried served with delightful peach cornbread; Ceviche with halibut, flash boiled shrimp that’s aged for eight hours in lime juice, and Peruvian ají panca sauce served with house made corn tortillas; and the vegetarian Mushroom Ragu with seared mushrooms (so rich and meaty they rival beef), roasted pears, and elbow pasta.
The desserts change weekly, and during our visit we were treated to a Brownie made with Merlot and topped with Speklos (cookie butter).
Happy hour is offered Sunday-Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Food deals include $5 Snacks, several Shareable Plates priced from $2 to $14, and Boards and Spreadables for $9 to $17. Beverage specials are beer for $4, select cocktails for $7, and wine for $9-$12. Besides the great happy-hour deals, the regular menu prices are extremely reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the ingredients and the incredible skill in preparing them, with a range that mainly hovers between $14 and $22.
Parlour Wine Bar is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. While currently in a soft opening, a Grand Opening is planned for July 23-26, during which there will be a red carpet entrance, complimentary welcome champagne, 15% off your first visit, special guest performances, and giveaways all weekend.
For more info and to view the complete menus, visit parlourwinebar.com.
Dining News
“What the Shuck!?” Lunch Specials at Big Sur Oyster Bar
Big Sur Oyster Bar at Southpoint Casino is offering its popular “What the Shuck!?” lunch specials daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The seafood and classic favorites includes Shrimp Spring Roll Salad with sesame ginger dressing topped with chow mein noodles ($9.95), Spicy Shrimp Bowl with garlic cilantro rice and sriracha mayo ($10.95), Chicken Scampi with sliced chicken breast and vegetables folded with linguini in a light cream sauce ($11.95), Catfish Po’ Boy with remoulade sauce served with freshly made potato chips ($12.95), Grilled Halibut Fish Tacos on soft tortillas served with freshly made potato chips ($14.95), and Red Snapper Pontchartrain with red snapper, shrimp, crab, crawfish, the trinity of peppers served with a rich Cajun sauce and grilled bread for dipping ($16.95).
Also available are half-price raw oysters and clams on the half shell during lunch hours. The promotions are offered for dine-in only, with a limit of one entrée per person.
Pizza Rock Date Night
Tuesdays can be date night if you take advantage of Pizza Rock’s “Take Me Out Date Night” special.
Available for $39 per couple on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to close, it includes a choice of House Salad or Caesar Salad, any pizza and Tiramisu or Gelato.
There are two Pizza Rock locations in Southern Nevada: one in Downtown Las Vegas at 201 N 3rd at Downtown Grand, and one inside the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa in Henderson.
Irv’s Burgers Coming to Green Valley Ranch
The iconic Los Angeles burger institution Irv’s Burgers is making its debut at the food court at Green Valley Ranch Resort Casino & Spa on July 9, bringing more than 80 years of California burger history to Henderson.
The opening will be its third Southern Nevada location, joining locations at Stations Casino’s Durango Station and in the Planet Hollywood food court.
To celebrate the new location, the first 100 guests in line on July 9 will receive a free Roadside Burger, and 25 customers who sign up for Irv’s loyalty program will be randomly selected to win Free Burgers for a Year.
“As we continue to upgrade Green Valley Ranch, Irv’s Burgers is the perfect addition to the evolving offerings at the food court,” said Ryan Simmons, VP & GM of Green Valley Ranch Resort Casino & Spa. “It’s an exciting opportunity to expand our partnership with the Irv’s team in Henderson, and we know our guests are going to love it.”
Irv’s Burgers fan favorites include Irv’s Original Roadside Single Burger, Pastrami Sandwich, Irv’s all-beef Hebrew National Hot Dog, Chili Cheese Fries, and shakes (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Birthday Cookie, and Oreo).
Operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, visit irvsburgers.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.
Food and Loathing has been the voice of the Las Vegas food and restaurant community for five years and counting. This week, in this anniversary episode, we’re sharing our takes on some of the biggest stories and issues we’ve examined in that time. Starting with a discussion of Strip casinos’ attitudes towards local culinary talent, we move on to: – big chefs coming to big new casino – Vegas Unstripped – Summerlin becomes a food destination – fine dining in a strip club – the well-being of the community – the growth of women in the business – Jose Andres’ impact on Las Vegas
It’s far from everything we’ve covered and everybody we’ve interviewed over more than 265 episodes, but it’s a good representation. We hope you enjoy it.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum Celebrates 35th Anniversary
The Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum is celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 11.
While there is a large emphasis on appealing to and educating children, the museum has something for all ages and is the only museum of its kind in Southern Nevada with something for every interest. There are distinct rooms and environments that explore animals, early hominids, dinosaurs, and past cultures. You can’t get any more lifelike than the animals here, as several of the taxidermy specimens were donated by big-game hunters years ago.
The exhibits include:
- Treasures of Egypt—formerly housed at The Luxor —opened inside the Museum in 2010 and is only one of two exhibits authorized by Egypt. Inside are exact replicas of artifacts found inside King Tut’s Tomb.
- Prehistoric Life Gallery—Actual sized dinos such as a 35-foot-long T-Rex, and a Triceratops, Dilophosaurus, Allosaurus, and Ichthyosaurus (the Nevada State Fossil) with buttons that can be pushed that simulate the sounds the dinos may have made. There’s also a Paleontology Lab where actual paleontologists are working, studying fossils unearthed at the Ice Age Fossils State Park near Tule Springs.
- Marine Life Gallery—Life-sized Beluga and Killer Whales suspended from the ceiling, live sharks, and a 3,000-gallon tank, along with additional aquariums showcasing sea creatures.
- African Savanna Gallery—animals including an Elephant, Ostrich, Leopard, Hippo, Crocodile, Rhino, and Baboon, as well as representations of early humans.
- Wild Nevada Gallery—Plants and animals found in the Mojave Desert like Bighorn Sheep, Roadrunner, Coyote, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, and Golden Eagle, as well as fossils and bones of a prehistoric rhino, elephant, and cave bear.
- Geology Gallery—Explores fluorescent minerals, Earth’s geological resources, and meteorites from beyond our planet.
- The Art & Science of Arachnids—America’s largest touring arachnid exhibition with several live creatures- is on display through August 23. The Arachnid Talk program takes place every Friday at noon.
On July 11, the Museum’s 35th birthday celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature the themed “The Magic of Science” with hands-on STEAM activities and magical experiences—all with half-priced admission. The museum is located at 900 Las Vegas Blvd N (near Washington) and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $14 per adult; $12 per student, senior, and military personnel; and $7 per child ages 3–11. For more info, the daily calendar of events, and to purchase tickets, visit lvnhm.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, and Nevada resident discounts are available with a valid ID.
