This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
Marché Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop — July 14
Marché Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop will celebrate Bastille Day with a lakeside evening of French food, music, and festive surprises from 4 p.m. to close.
Wristbands priced at $40 per person will give guests access to three culinary food stations serving French cuisine by Chef Mario Garcia: La Plancha with flame-grilled French favorites prepared fresh over an open flame, Paella en plein air—an outdoor paella cooking station featuring saffron-infused rice with market vegetables and seafood, and La Pâtisserie with an elegant selection of classic French desserts crafted by Director of Pastry Chef Christophe Feyt.
The celebration will begin with a welcome cocktail, courtesy of Moët Hennessy, followed by a champagne toast and a magnum sabering led by legendary Chef Hubert Keller.
During the celebration, live music will be performed by Aleksandar Damchevski from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a DJ set by Chef Hubert Keller starting at 8:30 p.m. Additionally, Xtreme Aerial Media Team parachuters will land over the lake between 7 and 7:30 p.m., and desserts will be served beginning at 5 p.m.
Regular dining service will be available throughout the night; reservations are recommended. Wristbands will be sold at the door for guests who wish to participate in the food stations and special festivities.
For more information or to reserve your table, visit Marché Bacchus Bastille Day Reservations.
BJ’s Brewhouse — July 14
The five Southern Nevada BJ’s Brewhouse locations will host a five-course German-style beer dinner featuring German beers and a BJ’s and König Brewery collaboration beer.
The dinner will include a welcome beer of Benediktiner Hell, König Pilsener paired with Fried Couscous Mac & Cheese Balls, Benediktiner Weissbier matched with Big Twist Pretzel, palate cleanser of BJ’s Harvest Hefeweizen, König Grapefruit Radler paired with House Salad and balsamic dressing, BJ’s & König Collab Co-Hoperate Pils matched with Chicken Alfredo, and Köstritzer Schwarzbier paired with Chocolate Chunk Pizookie.
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $45 in advance and $50 (plus tax and tip) the day of the event. To purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week: Laguna Pool House & Kitchen
Laguna Pool House & Kitchen, located inside Palms Place on the 6th floor, is proving to be an ideal eatery to enjoy during the summer months for myriad reasons, one of which is the renowned Chef Operating Partner, Luke Palladino.
Situated in the original space of Simon Kitchen & Bar, the surroundings are scenic and enhanced by a 30-foot ceiling, an abundance of large windows that provide natural light (a rarity in casino resorts), live greenery, artwork, and a tremendous view of the pool. Other pluses are ample free parking from both a nearby lot and valet, an elevator to the left of the Palms Place lobby entrance that takes you straight to the restaurant, and incredible deals on cabana rentals (more on that in a bit).
The restaurant remains quite busy, as it is the only restaurant in Palms Place that offers room service, dining at the pool, meals in the team dining room (which operates like a restaurant rather than an employee dining hall), and provides banquets and catering.
Executive Chef Rafael Campos hails from El Salvador and came here when he was 10 years old. He relates that he used to love coming to work with his dad and watching him cook the graveyard shift at The Peppermill, and knew at that early age that the kitchen was his calling. Chef Rafael began his culinary career at the age of 16, working at Tao, and later received hands-on instruction while working at Lavo, Claim Jumper at the Golden Nugget, and Cleaver, before joining Laguna Kitchen as a line cook. He eventually worked his way up to the executive chef position (which he has held for six months) after proving to Chef Operating Partner Luke Palladino that he was ready. He credits Chef Luke with being a great teacher because, “He shows you himself how to do things instead of just talking to you.”
Chef Luke and Chef Rafael work together to design a menu that’s fun and global with something for everyone at prices well below what you’d find on the Strip, or anywhere, for that matter. The highest priced item is the 8 oz NY Strip with chipotle BBQ sauce for $28. The varied menu also includes Crispy Calamari with honey-gochujang dipping sauce ($14); Spicy Tuna Poke with wonton chips, avocado, unagi sauce, and tobiko caviar ($22); Asian Chopped Chicken Salad with Napa cabbage, toasted cashews, and sesame-ginger dressing ($18); Truffled Mushroom Pizza made with Chef Luke’s NY-style dough and Italian non-processed flour, sauteed mushrooms, and truffle sottocenere cheese ($24); and Pan Seared Salmon with sauce vierge served with grilled asparagus ($26). Breakfast is available daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with two choices: Laguna Breakfast, featuring two eggs, home fries, a selection of meat, and toast ($22), and Breakfast Burrito, filled with scrambled eggs, smoked chicken sausage, potatoes, and cheddar, served with home fries ($17). Sweet indulgences include the Fruity Pebble Cheesecake, which incorporates the popular cereal into the batter.
Some libations that pair well with hanging out by the pool include signature refreshing cocktails, such as Laguna Blue with Admiral Nelson, blue Curacao, coconut puree, pineapple, and fresh lime sour; and sparkling wines like Ruffino Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont, Italy.
The weekend brunch menu features several items from the All Day menu, as well as Chicken & Waffles ($21), Chorizo Omelet ($18), Challah French Toast ($17), and Breakfast Pizza ($21).
Anytime is a good time to stop in, but special occasions are especially notable, such as the disco night held every few months, featuring an early disco playlist, a disco ball, cleared space for dancing, and live music from singer Jaleesa Williams. Another incentive is the Old School Funk & Hip Hop playlist during the weekend brunch. How about half off the entire food menu, which is what the Mon-Fri happy hour deal is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the bar area. In addition, as now is an optimal time to enjoy the pool, an incredible offer includes free cabana rentals (a $300+ value) with no minimum purchase requirement for locals on Mondays through Fridays and with brunch purchase on Saturdays and Sundays. Cabanas, of which there are 19, accommodating up to six people, must be reserved in advance by emailing Shawna Bowman at Shawna@meta-hospitality.com.
For more info and complete menus, visit www.palms.com/dining/laguna-pool-house-and-kitchen.
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 show was recorded in the gorgeous Bourbon Steak dining room at the Four Seasons for a conversation with executive chef Josh Smith and his upcoming guest collaborator James Trees. Also in this episode, restaurant visits to Ai Pazz (the new Italian place at the JW Marriott fronted by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani), House of Blues, Sorellina, and Mr. Kim’s Korean BBQ. Plus, the chefs and hosts take a semi-deep dive into the fourth season of “The Bear.”
To listen, click here.
Dining News
Pizza Rock and ØØ Pie & Pub Make 50 Top Pizza USA List for Second Year in a Row
Two Las Vegas pizza restaurants—Pizza Rock, co-founded by World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, and ØØ Pie & Pub, a LEV Group concept created in partnership with World Pizza Champion Chef Michael Vakneen—have been named to the 50 Top Pizza USA list for the second year in a row.
Pizza Rock placed No. 33 on the list, and ØØ Zero Pie & Pub came in at No. 43. Tony Gemignani’s Tony’s Pizza Napoletana shop in San Francisco also made the list, with a No. 3 placement.
Regarded as the pinnacle of pizza guides, the 50 Top Pizza criteria extend beyond the pizza itself to include beverages, service, and hospitality, with the US market being the largest and most diverse in the world in terms of pizza consumption.
General Manager Erica Bell was in attendance at the 50 Top Pizza USA awards ceremony to accept the award for Døuble Zerø, which is also celebrating its second anniversary. To mark both milestones, the Chinatown pizzeria is offering its top three best-selling pizzas—pepperoni, margherita, and fungi—for $4.30 each on July 27 from 3 to 10 p.m. The offer is limited to one discounted pizza per guest, and there will also be raffle drawings and prizes throughout the day. In addition, Double Zero has introduced an expanded happy hour, now available daily from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to close, featuring $5 draft wine, beer, cocktails, and rotating seasonal snacks.
LPM Introduces Prix Fixe Lounge Menu
LPM Restaurant & Bar at The Cosmopolitan is now offering a prix fixe lounge menu priced at $45 per person, available in the bar and lounge.
The menu includes:
- Choice of Burrata Tartine with fresh tomatoes and basil, Beef Skewers with sweet harissa and shallots, Prawn Skewers marinated in chili and honey, or Puff Escargots with garlic butter and puff pastry
- Mushroom Rigatoni with seasonal mushrooms in a cream and chives sauce, Grilled Chicken marinated with lemon and green chili, Chilean Seabass topped with olive relish and lemon confit, or Charcoal Grilled Skirt Steak (+$10) with au poivre sauce
- Homemade Selection of Sorbets
Seating at the bar is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for the lounge can be made online at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Diner Ross $48 After 8 Menu
Diner Ross at the Linq Hotel is offering a $48 three-course prix fixe menu served after 8 p.m.
The menu includes choice of Dirty Martini Salad with martini olive and juniper pimento, Baked Potato Croquette with bacon and cheddar, or Tableside Ceviche (+$25) with Fresno peppers and passionfruit; Buffalo Chicken Schnitzel with house buffalo and blue cheese, Sweet Pea Agnolotti with sugar snap peas and beurre blanc, or Steak Frites (+$25) with au poivre sauce and French fries; and Banana Puddin’, Strawberry Cheesecake, or Chocolate Malt Milkshake.
Entertainment News
Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino Hosting Official A’s Watch Party
Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino is throwing an official Athletics vs Toronto Blue Jays watch party on July 11.
The venue’s massive 143-foot diagonal 14-million-pixel screen will play the game with full audio, while fans enjoy merchandise giveaways, drink specials, activations, and a sneak peek of the new team ballpark.
All attendees who arrive in A’s green, gold, and white gear will receive free entrance, and the first 100 guests will score a complimentary team beach towel. Stadium Swim boasts two swim-up bars, 337 chaise lounge chairs, and 38 daybeds.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Daybeds and cabanas are available for an additional fee. To secure a spot, visit www.circalasvegas.com/as-watch-party. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
