This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Durango Social Club — June 7
Chef Tyler Vorce and Chef Daniel Krohmer (owner of Durango Social Club and Other Mama) will collaborate for one evening to close the Lilli Residency, which began at Durango Social Club in November 2025, with a farewell dinner before Lilli announces its permanent home in Chinatown.
The menu will draw on the ingredients that have defined Lilli’s residency: wild-caught Maine seafood and Nevada-grown produce sourced from the purveyors Vorce has worked. It will include: Canapés by both chefs; Gold Mussel and Sweetbread Escabeche with sweet potato purée; Shy Beaver Rainbow Trout with end of the season asparagus, avocado, and cucumber cream; Calabash Fried Monkfish with watercress salad; Lamb Agnolotti with charred mushrooms and Jonah crab butter sauce; 30 Day Dry Aged Flannery Beef with Sungold tomatoes, arugula, and balsamic vinegar sauce; and Blenheim Apricot Parfait with crisp meringue, almonds, and Chantilly cream.
Two seatings will be offered at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and the cost is $125 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, visit Lilli.Vegas.
Eataly — June 12
Eataly will present Uncorked: Summer Somms’ Picks, a presentation by Eataly’s resident beverage experts featuring summer wines.
During the class, guests will learn about the history, grape varieties, and traditions of Marche & Abruzzo; taste a selection of summer wines; enjoy traditional Italian aperitivo small bites; discuss the flavor profile of each wine with an Eataly Beverage Expert; and receive tasting notes.
The approximately 90-minute class will begin at 5 p.m., and the cost is $75 per person (plus fees and tax). To purchase tickets, click here.
SW Steakhouse — June 25
Wynn Las Vegas is continuing its Connoisseur Masterclass Series with its Tipsy Ice Cream Social.
SW Steakhouse and Delilah’s Executive Pastry Chef Michael Outlaw will demonstrate how to create frozen cocktail delights with ice cream perfect for the finale of a summer night’s dinner.
The class will be held at SW Steakhouse beginning at 2 p.m., and the cost is $175 per person (plus tax and tip). Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Wynn Concierge at 702-770-7070 or by emailing conciergeservices@wynnlasvegas.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.
Pick of the Week: ¡VIVA!
¡VIVA! “Inspired by Mexico and Celebrated in Las Vegas”
The restaurant’s motto above describes the vibe of ¡VIVA! and Chef Ray Garcia’s distinct culinary perspective and fresh take on Latin cooking.
After making a name for himself at his Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria in Los Angeles, the classically trained Los Angeles-born Chef brought his brand to Resorts World when it opened in 2021 and immediately demonstrated that this is not a run-of-the-mill Strip Mexican restaurant.
Located in The District off the casino across from Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge, the décor takes its cues from the famed Mezcal bars in Oaxaca, Mexico. The 8,000-square-foot space includes an indoor promenade patio, a feature bar, a main dining space, a 1,000-square-foot outdoor patio, and a private dining room. Design elements include wood arches, a large ‘exploding flower’ infinity mirror art installation, a wood trellis overgrown with red and pink flowers, a massive wood-and-rattan ceiling, and interwoven rope screens.
The scratch kitchen’s menu is designed to be shared family style, with a perfect example being the Cadillac Fajitas, so named because they come to life when a pour of Grand Marnier is lit and are upgraded with protein options of Guajillo Marinated Shrimp, Ancho Spiced Mushrooms, Citrus Adobo Chicken, and Wagyu Skirt Steak.
There’s no shortage of seafood on the menu, which makes sense as Chef Garcia draws from his coastal Alta California traditions. Examples are crudos including Hamachi y Serrano and entrees like the Snapper Zarandeado—wood-grilled snapper with citrus adobo and chile toreado.
Short rib fans will appreciate the Barbacoa Melt, with the succulent beef and broth combined with smoked Gruyère, chipotle Thousand Island, and escabeche.
Vegans and vegetarians will not be disappointed with the Heirloom Tomato Salad with hearts of palm, watermelon radish, avocado, and Meyer lemon; Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with cashew crema and grilled pineapple; and Woodfired Broccolini with cascabel salsa and sesame seed.
The dessert choices include Mexican favorites of Churros and Flan, as well as the unique Tres Leches Cake with meringue and toasted macadamia nuts and Sweet Potato Cake with piloncillo caramel and seasonal berries.
Brunch, served Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., has traditional favorites like Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, and Breakfast Burrito, as well as non-traditional offerings such as Tres Leches French Toast, which can double as a dessert, featuring candied pecans, seasonal berries, tres leches sauce, and whipped cream.
The beverage program is being refreshed, as the venue’s new mixologist is James Manos. One of the longtime industry veteran’s first innovations is the creation of an agua fresca line, a non-alcoholic beverage made by blending fresh fruits or flowers with water and a touch of sweetener. The refreshing thirst quenchers will rotate with the seasons and some of the initial flavors include Spiced Hibiscus, Pineapple, and Cucumber. The agua frescas are designed to whet your appetite, so all guests receive a complimentary pour of their choice. Another of Manos’ new creations is the Rita Day Neruda. Named for Nobel Prize-winning Mexican poet Pablo Neruda, the deconstructed margarita is described by Manos as “poetry in a glass” with Espolon Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, agave, and lime that is sweeter than your average margarita. Manos has also brought in a range of approachable high quality agave spirits, including the extremely limited release Don Fulano 20th Anniversary Sherry Cask Anejo Tequila.
On Thursday nights from 6 to 11 p.m. through Sept. 24, the ¡VIVA! patio transforms into an open-air celebration with La Vida Latin Night where you can enjoy live music, DJ sets, and salsa dancing.
¡VIVA! is open daily for lunch and dinner, and parking in the Resort World self-parking garages is free for locals. To view the complete menus, visit rwlasvegas.com/dining/viva.
Dining News
Restaurant Week Specials June 1-12
Las Vegas Restaurant Week has begun, and several restaurants are offering special deals at numerous price points and donating a portion of each bill to Three Square Food Bank.
Below is a small sampling of the deals.
- 595 Craft & Kitchen: three-course lunch or dinner for $40, includes choice of Blistered Shishitos & Pork Cracklings, Thai Cashew Hummus, or Fried Deviled Eggs with gochujang aioli; Craft 70/30 Burger with fries or salad, Lomo Saltado Peruvian marinated flank steak stir-fry, Garlic Butter Noodles, or Vietnamese Chicken Curry; and Brulé NY-style Cheesecake or Mango Panna Cotta
- Basilico Ristorante Italiano: three-course dinner for $60, includes choice of Eggplant Parmigiano, Black Pepper Beef Carpaccio, or Caesar Salad; Verde Lasagna, Rigatoni Guanciale, Truffle Tagliatelle, Prime Flat Iron (+$10), or Verlasso Salmon (+$5); and Tiramisu, Cheesecake, or Nutella Pie
- Main Street Provisions: three-course dinner for $70, includes choice of Cajun BBQ Shrimp with blackening spices, Cauliflower “Wings” with buffalo sauce, or The Wedge Salad; 6 oz Filet Mignon, Oven Roasted Chicken, Seasonal Risotto, or Seasonal Fish; and Sticky Toffee Pudding or Panna Cotta
- Sparrow + Wolf: by 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southwest Brian Howard, four course dinner for $100, includes choice of Snapper Tostada, Crudite Blanco, or Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio; Maine Lobster Agnolotti or Foie Gras and Lamb Belly (supplement +$10); Dorade, Almond Wood Fired Lamb, or Milk Braised Salsify Cacio E Pepe; and Passion Fruit Mousse with white rice ice cream, coconut, mango, and white chocolate
- Rebellion Pizza: three-course lunch or dinner for $40, includes 12 Garlic Knots tossed in house-made garlic sauce or 12 Rebel Knots topped with Mike’s Hot Honey; Caesar Salad or Mixed Green Salad; and any 16″ NY-style pizza on the menu
For complete details of the above prix fixe deals and more info on offers at more than 300 local restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, visit the Restaurant Week website at restaurantweeklv.org.
Chef Nicole Brisson Takes Helm at Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop
Award-winning Chef Nicole Brisson continues to oversee Brezza and Bar Zazu at Resorts World restaurants, but is also now overseeing culinary operations at AMARI Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop at UnCommons.
Chef Brisson has created a new menu focused on seasonal ingredients, along with established favorites. New menu items include Bone-in 120-day Dry-aged Ribeye for two served with charred lemon, vine tomato, and ristretto; Amari Chicken Parm with mozzarella, Parmigiano, and house tomato sauce; Marsala Beef Cheek Ravioli with roasted mushrooms and chive; Ricotta Agnolotti with garlic confit and espelette; and Skuna Bay Salmon with artichoke and nardello pepper salsa rosso.
Signature favorites remaining on the menu include Ricotta Meatballs, Lumache Bolognese, Spaghetti Pomodoro, Squid Ink Campanelle (with crab, shrimp and tomato uni butter) and pizzas (including Margherita, Spicy Calabrese, and Mushroom Fontina with black truffle béchamel).
“Amari has always been about creating a place people can return to again and again, whether it’s for a casual weeknight dinner or something a little more special,” said Brisson. “With this menu, I’m building on that foundation, keeping the dishes guests already love while introducing new flavors and seasonal ingredients that keep things fresh, approachable, and exciting.”
Brisson has also made key additions to Amari’s leadership team. Chef Kyle Johnson, a Las Vegas native with nearly two decades of culinary expertise and a former corporate executive chef at MINA Group, has been named director of operations; and Luis Gonzalez, most recently with acclaimed local restaurant Sparrow + Wolf, is now serving as general manager.
Amari has expanded its hours of operation and is now open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Virgin Hotels Locals Deals
Virgin Hotels has debuted Cherry Rewards Local, offering several perks for Nevada residents across the property.
The locals deals include:
- $9.99 Breakfast Buffet (Monday-Friday)
- Pizza Forte—$6.99 slice + drink
- 25% off at Kassi Beach House, Kitchen Express, and Lucia Mexican Grill
- One Steakhouse—$65 three-course prix fixe menu
- Casino Bars—buy-one-get-one drinks 24/7 on well spirits, beer, and house wine
- up to 35% off room rates, no resort fees, 10% off spa services, $75 Pool Cabana (Sunday-Thursday), and free valet and self-parking
Locals who are already Cherry Rewards members will need to visit the casino cage to pick up their new card, and all members will be asked to show their Nevada driver’s license for proof of residence. For more info, visit VirginHotelsLV.com/casino.
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.
Al and Gemini are reunited in person this week for an interview-packed episode. In addition to all the usual stuff like news, restaurant reports, and a happy hour report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan, Neen Williams explains NADC Burgers, Chef Jae Doan tells us about Doanburi Sushi, Fhaye Kerekenich discusses Nocturno’s anniversary, Sunset Station’s Lee Torres talks about the renovated Gaudi Bar, Roberto Guzman explains Latin Night at Viva! by Ray Garcia, Chef Marc Marrone gives the lowdown on Diamond Spur Butcher, and Black Tap’s Chris Barish tells us how to celebrate VGK wins with a shake.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Plaza Hotel & Casino Weekly Firework Shows
Plaza Hotel & Casino is again lighting up the downtown Las Vegas sky with Welcome to the Weekend fireworks.
The pyrotechnical displays shot from the Plaza’s towers are inspired by the fireworks shows at Disneyland and go off every Friday night at 9:15 p.m. June 5 through Sept. 4. The fireworks are visible to the thousands of tourists and locals in downtown Las Vegas and miles beyond.
Guests can enjoy the fireworks from a rooftop pool deck viewing party, where the fireworks will be “ignited” by a special guest (such as a community leader, hotel guest, local hero, or social influencer) who pushes a detonator button on an oversized TNT box. The Friday night rooftop pool party starts at 7 p.m. and features the best views of the fireworks as well as bites from the Plaza’s food truck and frosty cocktails from the pool’s full-service bar.
This year, the Plaza is welcoming people to become a TNT Ignitor by booking the TNT Ignitor VIP Experience, which includes a private cabana for 8 guests, VIP bottle service, a live announcement of the Ignitor, a commemorative Ignitor photo, and a custom portable marquee sign to remember the special night. To sign up and for more details, visit plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/tnt-ignitor-online-form.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. A portion of Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the fireworks show.
