This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
The Legacy Club — December 6
The Legacy Club at the Circa Resort & Casino will host Bourbon & Blues, a tasting event with music from Las Vegas-based Blues group, Moanin’ Blacksnakes.
Taking over the outdoor 60th floor rooftop lounge from 1 to 4 p.m., guests can indulge in the following offerings:
- Bourbon Tasting Stations—an array of bourbons including renowned labels such as Piggyback Rye, Gold Bar Whiskey, Heaven Hill 7-Year, Larceny Small Batch, Widow Jane Decadence, 2XO, Horse Soldier, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve
- Selection of Gourmet Southern-Inspired Small Plates—including Candied Burnt Ends, Honey Bourbon Glazed Chicken Skewers, Bacon Jam Beef Sliders, Bourbon Mushroom Crostini, Apple Crumb Cake with Bourbon Caramel, Mini Pecan Pie, and Bourbon Bread Pudding
Tickets are $125 per person plus LET tax. To purchase tickets, click here.
Mission Control — December 13
Mission Control, the craft beer and cocktail bar at Tenaya and Craig, is hosting a 90-minute hands-on winter cocktail clinic featuring Beluga Vodka led by a Master Mixologist.
Guests will shake, stir, and sip their way through three winter-ready cocktails featuring four Beluga Vodkas, including an exclusive pour of the Beluga Allure on its own. Dressing in your favorite festive gear (e.g. ugly sweater, onesie, faux fur, holiday glam, Santa hat) is encouraged, and seasonal flicks and festive tunes will help set the vibe early, followed by live holiday music to keep the cheer flowing.
The event will begin with set-up and mingle at 4:30 p.m. with the clinic beginning at 5:30 p.m. and live music at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39.19 (including fee) and Designated Drivers are free. Prices will increase on December 1. To purchase tickets, click here.
New Vista Wine Walk — December 13
New Vista will host a wine walk at UnCommons from 1 to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and include an eclectic mix of wine varietals from 12 tasting stations throughout the mixed-use development. For those seeking an elevated experience, a VIP ticket priced at $100 ($110 at the door) offers attendees an additional 8 premium tastings and light bites from Wineaux in a heated outdoor/indoor VIP area.
Each attendee will receive a commemorative souvenir wine glass, tasting card, and map outlining the locations of the samples. All proceeds benefit New Vista Community, a local charity of 36 years whose mission is to provide equal opportunities and supported living arrangements for people of all ages with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, so they may experience life to the fullest.
For more information, the list of wines being poured, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week: Amador Cocina Fina
Amador Cocina Fina, renowned Chef Oscar Amador’s first solo project, opened its doors on November 1. It opened to a steady stream of his loyal fans as well as new devotees to the uber-talented chef, and after dining there myself, it’s easy to see why.
If the name Amador sounds familiar, you’ve likely enjoyed Chef’s EDO Tapas & Wine and Anima by EDO restaurants, both of which have been regarded as some of our city’s finest eateries. Chef Amador, who was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, was a James Beard finalist for Best Chef: Southwest in 2023 and a semifinalist for the national award for Outstanding Chef last year. He says the Fina in the name relates to the word in Spanish meaning something done well, and as his other restaurants have demonstrated his excellence, this project is sure to be stellar as well.
Chef’s EDO Tapas & Wine closed in October to make way for this new restaurant situated in the same space in a strip mall at 3400 S. Jones Suite 11A. The newly designed space retains the beautiful and colorful mural depicting a bar and street in a town in Spain, a wall containing bottles of wine, and very comfortable padded banquette lining one side of the room. New additions include pendant lights with woven shades, mirrors, shelves filled with cookbooks and cuisine-related items, and a dry aging machine filled with fish being cured at 36 degrees and 75% humidity for 5 to 9 days.
CREDIT: Karen Whiteley
The menu includes a plethora of fruits from the sea, all created with Chef Oscar’s amazing skill and handiwork. There’s Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi with kombu house-dry-aged u12 scallops, avocado gazpacho, and horseradish yogurt; Almeja Chocolata with Baja Clam, cocktail sauce granita, ponzu, and cucumber pico de gallo; Dry-Aged Fish Ceviche Del Día with pico de gallo, avocado crema, and fermented vuelve a la vida sauce; El Pulpo Spanish Octopus with bone marrow, salted potatoes, and peanut salsa matcha; Camerones en Gabardina—Wild Caught Whole Shrimp with a peanut salsa macha coating and heirloom tortilla; and Lubina—Grilled Half Branzino with Thai marinade served with cilantro rice.
Delights from the earth include Remolacha Al Pastor—Roasted Beets Tartar with achiote and crème fraîche that arrives at your table under glass with aromatic smoke arising when it’s revealed; Chile Relleno with poblano peppers roasted over an open fire with Oregon cotija cheese; Oaxacan Quesadilla with foie gras, squash blossom, corn sofrito, quesillo, fermented salsa verde, and black truffle shaved on top; Croquetas de Wagyu—with wagyu brisket, chorizo, and pepito espuma; and Churro de Papa with potato, pecorino sardo, and brava sauce.
Although it’s not on the menu (yet), I was treated to the Queso Cheese Bread with crème fraîche fermented in sunchoke and brown butter kombu topped with Kaluga caviar. And who says you can’t have foie gras for dessert? Here you can, for in the La Pinya the treasured goose liver combines wonderfully with caramelized pineapple, hazelnut, and chocolate ice cream. Another winner is the Pantera Rosa Tres Leches Cake with amarena cherry granita, white chocolate, and Chantilly.
There are some complimentary perks offered to all guests. Water provided to your table is delightfully and refreshingly cucumber-infused. Also on every table, a collection of five house-made salsas in varying degrees of heat: Verde with fermented garlic and wasabi; Negra with black vinegar and jalapeno; Que Pasa Tio with fermented habanero and chiltepín chile; Cacahuete with roasted peanuts and rice vinegar; and Morita with burnt chiles and tomatillo.
Complementing the fare is the house-made Sangria, an original recipe that is a mix of red wine, Cointreau orange liqueur, strawberry, green apple, and orange. There are also some excellent wine choices, several of which are from Spain, such as Roca Altxerri Hondarrabi Zuri lightly sparkling white wine from Txacoli made from the indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri grape; and Rinca Nueva Cza Temranillo, a red wine from Spain’s renowned Rioja region made from 100% Tempranillo grapes.
With this new opening Chef Oscar is showing us why he has attained the aforementioned James Beard accolades along with others, and is worthy of many more. Amador Cocina Fina is open Wednesday through Monday from 4 to 11 p.m. As the space is rather small with only 34 seats, reservations are highly recommended. For more details, to view the menu, and to make a reservation, visit AmadorCocinaFina.com.
Dining News
Silverton Hosting Annual BAD ELF Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Shady Grove Lounge at the Silverton Casino is again hosting its annual BAD ELF Pop-Up Bar, open Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. Nov. 20 to Dec. 28.
A gang of spirited elves has decked out the lounge to look like the North Pole, with string lights, wrapped presents, oversized ornaments, dozens of elves suspended from the ceiling, a cozy fireplace with a Christmas tree, and the lounge’s iconic Airstream covered in festive red and green décor and Santa with his reindeer on the roof.
Several holiday themed cocktails are offered, including:
- Rum Rum Rudolph with Captain Morgan, Calypso, and Coquito served with a frosting and toasted coconut rim ($16)
- Blitzen with whiskey, lemon juice, and mulled wine garnished with a cinnamon stick and dried orange ($16)
- Fireside Old Fashioned with Knob Creek, bitters, and orange sage syrup served in a festive Christmas ball ($16)
- Snowfall Spritz with gin, St. Germain, Lillet Blanc, and simple syrup topped with Prosecco and garnished with frozen cranberries and rosemary ($20)
- Santa’s Cookie Butter Martini with vodka, espresso, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and cookie butter garnished with frozen dried coffee granules ($16)
Guests who purchase a holiday cocktail will receive the Bad Elf Puzzle Book which, when completed, offers a chance to win a $200 dining credit at a Silverton restaurant.
Pin Kaow Thai Celebrates 25 Years in Las Vegas
Pin Kaow Thai Restaurant is celebrating the landmark 25th anniversary of the opening of its first location on Rainbow Blvd in 2000 with a limited-time anniversary menu available at both of its locations.
Both the Rainbow (1974 N. Rainbow Blvd) and Eastern (9530 S. Eastern Ave) locations are offering Crispy Chicken Skins tossed in house-made larb spicy seasoning and Thai herbs, chili, lime, and shallots ($8.95); and a $25 dinner special with appetizer sampler of Potstickers and Crab Rangoon and entrée of Kalbi Mongolian Short Ribs marinated overnight and stir-fried with bell peppers, shallots, green onions, ginger, and Thai chilies in a homemade signature sauce served with jasmine rice.
An additional special at the Rainbow location is Crab Rolls filled with sweet lump crab meat marinated with onion, soy sauce, salt, and pepper ($14.95).
The Eastern Ave location has Pomelo Salad with premium imported green pomelo served in crispy wonton cups and filled with fresh shrimp, toasted coconut, roasted peanuts, and Thai herbs finished with a zesty seaweed dressing ($18.95); Seared Scallop Mango Salad with premium wild-caught Japanese scallops served over a Thai-style mango salad with roasted coconut and dried shrimp ($20.95); and Pin Kaow Honey Toast served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with honey syrup and chocolate sauce ($14.95).
For more info visit pinkaow.com.
Bel-Aire Lounge Champagne Party Brunch
Bel-Aire Lounge at Durango Casino & Resort has brought back its Champagne Party Brunch.
Offered from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, there’s an open champagne bar for ladies from noon to 1 p.m. Menu highlights include Berry French Toast Bites filled with Bavarian cream and fresh berries drizzled with maple syrup ($20); Avocado Bruschetta with avocado mousse, slices of avocado, cherry tomato rings, pickled shallots, sea salt, and red pepper flakes ($22); Mini Lobster Rolls on toasted Hawaiian rolls stuffed with Old Bay butter-poached lobster ($25); Poke Tacos with ahi tuna, cucumber, and spicy avocado aioli in a wonton taco shell ($25); and Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, chorizo, fajita peppers, a cheese blend, roasted salsa, ketchup, and tater tots in a warm flour tortilla ($23).
Bottomless Chambord mimosas are available for $25 and for larger parties the lounge offers bottle deals on select bubbles including a one-and-a-half-liter bottle of Whispering Angel Rosé from Chateau d’Esclans for $150 or two bottles of Nectar Impérial Rosé from Moët & Chandon for $400.
Reservations can be made at belaireloungelv.com.
The Cosmopolitan Launches ‘Tis the Season at The Chandelier
The Cosmopolitan is transforming its iconic three-level venue The Chandelier into a winter escape with the debut of its ’Tis the Season holiday pop-up from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31.
The entrance is illuminated in holiday hues along with a beautiful archway of starry lights, leading to a picturesque and dreamy winter wonderland complete with glowing trees, festive garland, sparkling electric votive candles, fluffy chair pelts, and glittering snowflakes.
The festive activation also includes a drink menu including creations such as:
- Snowed In—elegant spiked hot chocolate with choice of bourbon, tequila, spiced rum, or mezcal
- Naughty List—Black Truffle Old Fashioned with bourbon, Scotch, demerara sugar, and black truffle
- Icy What You Did There The Holiday Nog—rum, allspice dram, peppermint demerara sugar, and coconut milk
- A specialty hot cocoa cart with mini cocoa samplers and an assortment of toppings
On Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m. some of the city’s top mixologists from the Las Vegas Arts District will be spotlighted with exclusive one-night-only creations. The series line-up includes Doberman Drawing Room: December 1, The Dustland Bar: December 8, Petite Boheme: December 15, Craft Creamery Speakeasy: December 22, and Nocturno Cocktail Bar: December 29.
Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made via The Cosmopolitan’s website.
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.
City Cast Las Vegas’ Rob Kachelriess keeps the co-host chair warm for the ailing Gemini this week, sharing his experiences exploring the cuisine of Las Vegas’ relatively new Filipino Town on Maryland Parkway. Rob also discusses his recent meal at High Steaks in the Rio and lets us know where we can find an airport version of The Durango Resort’s Summer House. At the center of the show, Al shares interviews with Vincent Rotolo, John Arena, Ricky Wilson, Tony Gemignani, and James Trees, recorded at the Las Vegas Pizza Festival. We also have interviews with Cory Harwell of Butcher & Thief, Gene Samuel of SMKD BBQ, and Happy Hour Vegas‘ Andrew Morgan on Downtown Summerlin deals.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Oasis Ice Rink at Fontainebleu Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas will once again bring winter to the Strip with the return of its Oasis Ice Rink Nov. 24 through Jan. 4.
Spanning nearly 7,500-square-feet, the ice rink transforms the resort’s third-floor pool deck into the largest real ice skating rink experience on the Strip. Entry to Oasis Ice Rink is complimentary, but skating fees, which include skate rentals and unlimited access to Oasis Ice Rink, are $30 Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday. Guests are allowed to bring their own skates, but skating fees still apply. VIP upgrades include reserving a Fire Pit Lounge, Premium Fire Pit, or King Fire Pit.
The Oasis Ice Rink is open daily from 5 to 11 p.m. Nov. 24–Dec. 19, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1-4; and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 20-30. For reservations, click here.
