This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
China Poblano — June 11
China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan will transform into a watch party destination for fútbol fans during the FIFA World Cup kickoff game between Mexico and South Africa, starting at noon.
Food and beverage specials available throughout the match will include: Carnitas Taco or Pollo Taco for $7; Barbacoa Taco for $8; Salt Air Margarita or Mexico City Sour for $18; Chips & Salsa for $5; and Guacamole & Chips for $16.
Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are encouraged. To reserve, click here.
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar — June 18
Omakase Kyara Sake Bar, located at 6555 S. Jones Blvd, will celebrate International Sushi Day with an intimate sushi-making class led by Chef Winston Matsuuchi.
Designed for beginners and open to guests ages 18 and older, the class will be led by Chef Matsuuchi, who will guide guests through sushi rice preparation and handling, fish slicing techniques, nigiri shaping, sashimi preparation, and sushi roll assembly. Guests will work with tuna, yellowtail, salmon and horse mackerel to prepare six pieces of sashimi, four pieces of nigiri, and two sushi rolls to enjoy on-site or package into a take-home sushi box. Complimentary beverages will be provided throughout the class, including nonalcoholic selections, house sake, house wine, and draft beer for guests 21 and older. Participants will also receive a bottle of Matsuuchi-branded Nikiri soy sauce and will have the option to purchase a curated selection of knives and sushi-making tools.
Hosted inside the restaurant’s private dining room, the two-hour classes will be limited to four guests per session and are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.
The experience is priced at $150 per person, and reservations can be made at omakaselv.com/events.
Grape Vine Café — June 21
Grape Vine Café will serve a special Father’s Day three-course prix fixe menu priced at $69 per person (plus tax and tip) from 2 to 8 p.m. and offer specials on bottles of wine.
Courses are a choice of Burrata Caprese with vine-ripened tomatoes and burrata or Wedge Salad with crispy bacon and blue cheese; Prime Rib of Beef with mashed potato, Grilled Double Lobster Tails with parmesan-brown butter-mushroom risotto, or Pan Seared Whole Branzino Fillet with piccata sauce and angel hair pasta; and Tiramisu, Sea Salt Caramel Gelato, or Cheesecake with strawberries.
Wine specials include Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay for $39, Cade Sauvignon Blanc for $49, EnRoute Pinot Noir for $57, Treana Red Blend for $40, and Synthesis by Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon for $55.
To reserve, call 702-228-9463.
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse — June 21
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse at the Tuscany Suites & Casino will offer a Father’s Day four-course prix fixe menu served from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Priced at $90 per person, it includes an Italian Gentleman cocktail and the following courses:
- French Onion Soup with Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions topped with crostini
- Bibb Wedge Salad with onions, pancetta, tomatoes, blue cheese, and blue cheese dressing
- 18 oz Bone-In Ribeye with au gratin potatoes, crispy broccolini, and citrus dressing
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Pot de Crème with dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter, banana brûlée, whipped cream, and salted peanut brittle
To reserve, call 702-947-5910 or visit OpenTable.
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: Marché Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop
Come for the View and Stay for the Cuisine While Relaxing Lakeside at Marché Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop
You can count on one hand how many restaurants in Las Vegas you can dine at while looking out at a tranquil lake without leaving your seat. Such is the descriptor for dining at Marché Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop, which sits on the shores of Lake Jaqueline within the Desert Shores community near Summerlin.
The name is meaningful, as Marché is French for market and Bacchus alludes to the God of Wine, both of which are apropos as this eatery doubles as a wine market. The shop is stocked with 400-500 bottles, which you can purchase at reasonable prices comparable to those at big-box stores. You can buy bottles to take home or enjoy with your meal for only a $10 corkage fee (and you can take home what you don’t finish), a considerable savings, as most restaurants charge a 300-400% markup.
Now more on the view. Weather permitting, you owe it to yourself to secure a seat in the outdoor patio where you can easily imagine you have left Las Vegas for an idyllic retreat on a European lake. Don’t be surprised to see wildlife such as turtles, swans, ducks, hummingbirds, and rabbits and residents of the Desert Shores community pedaling or motoring in electric-powered boats.
Marché Bacchus opened in 2000 and, after changing ownership a few times over the years, is now under the umbrella of HUKL Hospitality. The restaurant is also in the quite capable hands of Executive Chef Alex Mayfield, who has been with HUKL for nearly three years. A 2005 graduate of the Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, Chef Alex was born in Maine but grew up in Las Vegas. From the time he was in 9th grade, he knew being a chef was the life for him, and at age 17, he got his first shot from John Paul Labadie at Emeril’s Fish House. After graduating from culinary school, he would eventually work with other big-name chefs, including Bobby Flay at Mesa Grill and Hubert Keller at Fleur, and gained even more valuable experience cooking with seafood during the nine years he spent at Yellowtail. When asked about working at Marché Bacchus, Chef Alex said, “The view can be distracting at times, but it’s also calming and breathtaking.”
Chef Alex collaborates on the menu with HUKL VP of Culinary Operations Lupe Avilla, who is also a classically trained chef and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America-Hyde Park. A challenge after the group took over is introducing new menu items while retaining the staple items that many loyal customers have come to love over the past quarter of a century. The fan favorites include Escargot Persillade with white wine braised Burgundy snails, garlic butter, and herbs; Truffled Goat Cheese Napoleon with whipped goat cheese, phyllo dough, black truffle, pistachio, and honey (a delightful balance of sweetness and richness); and Trout Almondine with pan-fried Riverence Rainbow trout with brown butter, almonds, lemon, and fine herbs.
In case you haven’t already figured it out, the menu is decidedly French-influenced. Some delectable menu items worth showing up for that Chefs Alex and Lupe have put their mark on are seared Seasonal Foie Gras served with seasonal clafoutis; Leeks Vinaigrette with grilled leeks, lime vinaigrette, shaved hearts of palm, and frisee; Beef Bourguignon featuring red wine-braised short ribs, lardons, roasted vegetables, and pomme puree; and Lobster Pot Pie with flaky pastry, whole Maine lobster, baby carrots, fingerling potatoes, roasted shallots, and lobster cream. During our visit, we had the opportunity to try out a Roasted Lamb dish vying to join the menu, and after enjoying the lamb chops with currant red wine glaze and celery root puree, it earned my vote.
Sweet finales are also varied and fun. They include Basque Cheesecake with pineapple coulis, Apple Crème Brûlée with fresh berries, and Croissant Bread Pudding with apple crisp and a baked apple, served with vanilla gelato.
A good way to experience the best hits of the menu is the five-course “A Taste of Marché” with Truffled Goat Cheese Napoleon, Foie Gras, Roasted Diver Scallops, Filet Mignon, and Vanilla Bread Pudding Croissant. It requires a minimum of two people to purchase and is priced at $85, which is nearly a 50% discount compared to ordering each item individually. An optional wine pairing is $35.
Brunch is served Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the menu are four variations of Benedicts: Smoked Salmon, Short Rib, Avocado, and Traditional; Stuffed Nutella French Toast with sweet cinnamon custard and strawberry Nutella; and Croque Monsieur with Gruyère, Jambon de Paris, and Mornay sauce.
Consider yourself more than lucky if you get to enjoy having Ian Peele as your server. He is a world traveler who speaks several languages and has lived in Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Japan. After landing in Las Vegas, he settled down and has been at Marché for nine years. When asked why he has stayed at Marché for so long, he said, “I feel very lucky. I love the combo of the wine concept and the water, which takes me out of Las Vegas and into a unique environment. The guests are wonderful, and over the years I’ve gotten to know many very well and even met some who knew my family.” In addition to being very interesting to talk with, he’s extremely knowledgeable about the menu and wine selection. After discussing with me which wine styles I prefer, he expertly selected the Bordeaux, VN Medoc 2010, Medoc, France, which was perfect for my palate.
Marché Bacchus is an enticing respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city where you can experience a touch of France on a lake and where I can’t think of a better environment to enjoy a meal paired with an exceptional glass of wine. To view the hours and complete menus, visit marchebacchus.com.
Dining News
Las Vegas Distillery Hosting Several Events During Bourbon Week
Las Vegas Distillery will host its first Bourbon Week celebrating craft bourbon from June 17-21.
The festivities include:
- Release of a limited-run 113 proof Bourbon on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; guests can purchase a bottle for $59.99 (limit 2), and Barrel Aged Old Fashioned cocktails will be $10 off during the event
- “Craft Bourbon: A Deep Dive with our Master Distiller Jonny VerPlanck” will offer an in-depth exploration into the history of bourbon and how Las Vegas Distillery incorporates that into their production. Tour taking place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 4 p.m., priced at $80 (plus tax + fees); tickets can be purchased HERE and include a bottle of Las Vegas Distillery Bourbon
- “Spice, Smoke & Spirits” class on Saturday, June 20 from noon to 2 p.m. with the distillery’s Chef Jared guiding guests as they create their own custom BBQ spice blend, followed by a 3-course BBQ lunch prepared by SMKD BBQ and a curated spirit tasting; the $90 ticket includes two complimentary cocktails and can be purchased HERE.
- “Bourbon History & Cocktails” class on Sunday, June 21 at 11 a.m. led by Las Vegas Distillery’s tasting room mixologists includes a welcome cocktail, overview of bourbon’s origin, discussion on barrel aging and their importance to the Distillery’s bourbons, a hands-on cocktail creation of two classic bourbon cocktails, and expert tips to sharpen guests’ bartending skills, the $70 ticket can be purchased HERE.
- On June 21, Father’s Day, all dads will receive a complimentary barrel-aged Old Fashioned
Las Vegas Distillery is located at 7330 Eastgate Rd #100 in the Henderson Booze District. For more info, visit lasvegasdistillery.com.
Kaia Third Anniversary Prix Fixe Menu
Kaia, the Japanese-themed sushi restaurant at AREA15, is celebrating its 3rd anniversary with a special prix fixe menu.
Priced at $30 (plus tax and tip), the menu includes one Japanese Caesar salad, one nigiri, one special sushi roll, one signature sauce set, and one mochi.
The anniversary menu is available through June 30. Walk-ins are welcome, or make a reservation here.
Dinner Service Now Offered at Fine Company
In addition to breakfast and lunch, dinner is now available at Fine Company with extended hours until 8 p.m. daily.
The new lineup of dinner entrées includes:
- Steak Frites with flank steak, crispy frites, chimichurri, and herb butter ($29)
- Chicken Kabob with charred broccolini, brown rice, romesco, toasted almond-apricot relish, and chickpeas ($25)
- Mahi Mahi with yuzu-miso glaze, sweet potato rice, petite salad, sesame, and scallion ($28)
- Pomodoro with spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and parmesan-garlic crumbs ($21)
- Chicken & Waffle made with a corn waffle, fried chicken cutlet, Fresno chile butter, real maple syrup, and sage ($24)
- Mezze with charred scallion labneh, hummus, whipped feta, olives, pickles, roasted tomato, chile crisp, cucumber, and grilled pita ($22)
Fine Company is located at 10970 Rosemary Park Dr Suite 100 in Downtown Summerlin. For more info and to view the complete menus, visit finecompanylv.com.
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Stanley Cup Deals
Flanker Kitchen & Sports Bar at Mandalay Bay, which is set up for sports viewing with dozens of TVs and a massive LED screen, is offering specials throughout the Golden Knights Stanley Cup Finals run.
The specials include:
- $6 select draft beers including local brewery favorites such as Crafthaus Brewery Hop Vegas IPA and Able Baker Brewing Atomic Duck IPA
- The Realm Espresso Martini with Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Licor 43, fresh espresso, and edible gold glitter dust ($21)
- Power Play, a chocolate mousse layered with peanut crunch and brownie pieces ($14)
Remaining games are on June 9, June 11, June 14, and June 17 (if necessary). All game times are at 5 p.m. (PST).
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.
From the Fabulous Business Center at the JW Marriott Hotel, Al, Gem, and Andrew Morgan party down (and ponder how that fax machine works) and knock out #263! As we’ve done every year, we’re focusing on Three Square and Las Vegas Restaurant Week. Al sat down with Three Square’s Will Edwards and takes you back to the basics: What is Three Square (uh, the valley’s largest food bank!) and how does Restaurant Week help its work? Looking ahead, we get the lowdown on the superstar culinary event ‘Drink Las Vegas’ at MGM Grand for four days in September. MGM Executive Dan Bernbach knows all. And, as always, a happy hour report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan and the news.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
A.J. Croce at Westgate International Theater — June 13
Fans of A.J. Croce as well as his father, 1970s rock legend Jim Croce, will want to experience this performance featuring a legendary band and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim’s songs such as “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)” and “Time in a Bottle.”
A.J. Croce, after 11 studio albums and three and a half decades of touring the world, establishing his own career with more than 20 Billboard Top 40 songs, taught himself guitar and several of his father’s classics in the early 2000s.
During the performance, A.J. will bring his father’s classic songs to the stage, featuring Jim Croce’s legendary albums Life and Times, You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, and his final release I Got A Name.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $55 (plus fees) and are available at Ticketmaster.
