This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Big Dog’s Brewing — November 5
Big Dog’s Brewing will host Whiskey & War Stories, an event combining the release of its War Dog IPA with a Horse Soldier Bourbon tasting and storytelling.
Held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the taproom, the event will feature a talk by Mark Nutsh, U.S. Army Green Beret Commander of ODA 595 from Horse Soldier Bourbon, who led the team of Green Berets that entered Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks with a bold insertion on horseback. There will also be samples of three Double Gold award-winning whiskeys from Horse Soldier Bourbon.
Early Bird Tickets start at $85 (plus tax) and include Mark Nutsh’s presentation, bourbon tasting, appetizer pairing, Big Dog’s Brew and a signed bottle of Horse Soldier chosen at checkout. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
Sunset Station — November 12
Sunset Station will celebrate National Happy Hour Day in a big way with The Biggest Happy Hour.
Held in the Sunset Amphitheater from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the event will feature unlimited light bites from several Station Casinos restaurants, drinks, and live entertainment. Participating restaurants and bars include Green Valley Ranch’s Borracha, Bottiglia, and Blue Ribbon Sushi; Sunset Station’s Pasta Cucina, Oyster Bar, Sonoma Cellar, and Gaudi Bar; and Boulder Station’s Broiler, Leticia’s, and Game On. There will also be a drawing to win a share of $1,000 in prizes.
Tickets are $80 per person (plus tax and fees). To purchase tickets, click here.
Mission Control — November 12
Mission Control, the craft beer and cocktail bar at Tenaya and Craig, will host a World Whiskey Society Tasting with Master Blender Chris Barton from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The World Whiskey Society seeks out rare, distinctive, and unconventional whiskies from around the world. Barton will lead a guided tour of five World Whiskey Expressions (3 core products and 2 special pours) that will include Doc Holliday Maple (maple-driven richness), Doc Holliday 8 Year Straight Bourbon (notes of caramel, spice, chocolate, tobacco, and oak), Friends of Doc Holliday (96-proof blend of 4–8 year bourbons), Doc Holliday 12 Year Tawny Port Barrel (12-year Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Tawny Port cask), and World Whiskey Society Special Limited Pour (limited WWS expression).
Seating is intentionally limited, and tickets are $25 per person (plus fee). To purchase tickets, click here.
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse — November 12
Bistecca Italian Steakhouse at the Tuscany Suites & Casino will host a four-course wine dinner featuring the Argentinian Catena Zapata winery.
Courses are:
- Hudson Valley Foie Gras with honey crisp geleé, apple gastrique, crispy pancetta, and toasted brioche paired with 2023 Catena Chardonnay, Mendoza
- Seared Diver Scallops with butternut squash puree, candied pecans, crispy sage, Brussels sprouts, and brown butter matched with 2024 Catena Malbec “La Consulta,” Mendoza
- Cabernet Sauvignon Braised Short Rib with caramelized cauliflower puree, pearl onions, gremolata, roasted sunchokes and short rib jus paired with 2022 Catena Cabernet Franc, San Carlos
- Crimson Pear Tart with red wine poached pear, vanilla bean custard, rosemary caramel, almond crumble, vanilla Chantilly and caramel tuile matched with 2021 Catena Zapata “Nicolas,” Bordeaux Blend, Mendoza
Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and costs $125 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
Double Zero Pie & Pub — November 13
Double Zero Pie & Pub will host a “Pizza After Dark” party from 9 p.m. to midnight with General Manager Erica Bell and Lead Chef Justin Ford, who will serve all-you-can-eat New York-style pies during the late-night event.
The all-you-can-eat pizza party will include three pies by Ford (who recently joined the Double Zero family after serving as a founding partner of Yukon Pizza): Surf’s Up Player with Spam, furikake and spicy mayo; Spicy J with spicy soppressata, caramelized pineapple, and hot honey; and The Cheeky Bastard with braised beef cheek, Oaxaca cheese, and salsa verde.
Erica Bell will prepare three of her own specialty pies and other delights including Giardiniera, Gem Caesar Bites, Buffalo Chicken Bites with 00 Sauce, housemade thin potato chips, mini Bundt cakes, and more.
The cost is $50 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity). To reserve your spot, visit DoubleZeroPie.com or OpenTable HERE.
NEW: Food and Loathing Events Calendar & Weekly Newsletter
For even more events, check out our new food-centric events calendar at foodandloathing.vegas/calendar-of-events. It’s quite extensive – because we know you love options! – with one or more listings for virtually every day.
AND, make sure you never miss reading this column and other interesting reads! Sign up for the weekly Food and Loathing newsletter, which comes out every Thursday. To get on the list, visit foodandloathing.vegas/newsletter.
Pick of the Week: Mama’s at Durango Social Club
Chef/Owner Dan Krohmer and Executive Chef Crystina “Mama” Nguyen Permanent Culinary Collaboration
Durango Social Club, the Spring Valley restaurant from Chef/Owner Dan Krohmer, hosted several pop-ups during its first year of operation. As of this past June, Chef Dan has entered into a permanent culinary collaboration with Executive Chef Crystina “Mama” Nguyen, marking the next chapter for the restaurant.
Chef Crystina, who gained a large following after leading the kitchen at District One in Chinatown and several pop-ups afterward (including one at Vegas Test Kitchen), brings to the table what I would sum up as “a mélange of flavors.” I would add that if you think you have a complete grasp of what Vietnamese cuisine is all about, enjoying Chef Crystina’s creations will open your eyes to how her use of original and elevated ingredients can bring Vietnamese comfort food to a higher level.
“My goal has always been to cook food that makes people feel at home,” said Chef Crystina. “Vietnamese food is rooted in sharing, comfort, and bringing people together around the table. Working alongside Dan gives us the opportunity to build something lasting, where guests know they’ll always find great food, genuine hospitality, and something new to discover.”
An excellent starter, great for sharing, is the Mama’s Goi, a salad-like dish loaded with shrimp, fried tofu, cabbage, fresh herbs, crispy shallots, and roasted peanuts, tossed in a house vinaigrette and served in a large rice cracker. Other highlights are the Hainanise Chicken Skins—fried chicken skin chips with pickled vegetables and ginger with a scallion dipping sauce; Cha Gio—spring rolls with a surprise ingredient—fried turkey—along with lettuce, herbs, pickled vegetables, and nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce made from fish sauce, water, sugar, and citrus); Banh Bot Loc—traditional tapioca dumplings filled with shrimp and pork steamed in banana leaves, a scallion salad, crispy baby shrimp, and nuoc cham; and Banh It Ram—soft, chewy rice dumpling filled with pork, shrimp, and mung bean on a crispy fried rice cake. Although it’s not on the menu, you can ask for the Appetizer Platter, which includes all five of the dishes above.
Larger plates include the Cari Vit—slow-simmered duck leg joined by potatoes and carrots in a coconut yellow curry and egg noodles garnished with cilantro, red onions, and scallions; and Bo Ne—what I would describe as Vietnamese steak and eggs with marinated filet mignon tips, three sunny-side-up eggs, blistered tomatoes, and chicken liver pate that can be spread on the house-baked baguette it’s served with.
Coffee lovers will not want to miss ending their meal with the Banh Café Trung, a Vietnamese egg coffee pie with robust coffee notes made with whipped egg yolk in collaboration with Popnpies.
The dishes are complemented by original cocktails such as Lychee Cooler made with lychee vodka, lemon, and bitters; Blue Phoenix Vietnamese Sake; and an interesting, fun beer list, with some featuring rice: Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale and Stillwater Rice-Style Saison.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to enjoy the company and delightful personality of AJ Gonzales, who doubles as Manager and Server. He has six years of management experience, including time at Tacos + Beer and Firefly.
I would also describe Mama’s as fine dining in a relaxed, casual atmosphere without the high price tag. Most menu items are $20 or less, and the portions are generous enough to share.
Mama’s at Durango Social Club is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and is at 3655 S Durango Drive, Suite 29 (in the same retail center as Chef Dan Krohmer’s acclaimed Other Mama). Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling 725-205-9846 or visiting durangosocial.com.
Dining News
Main Street Provisions Brunches with Bryce Krausman
Main Street Provisions Owner Kim Owens and Chef Miguel Tapia are welcoming Bryce Krausman (formerly of DW Bistro) to the Arts District restaurant for four Sunday brunches on Nov. 8, 15, 22, and 29, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The à la carte menu will feature tenderloin or crab Benedicts, Chef Miguel’s Chilaquiles, jerk-style oven-roasted chicken, Bryce’s scones, and much more. There will also be Bloody Marys, craft cocktails, and music by DJ T-MYK.
Nacho Daddy Nacho Flights
Nacho Daddy will go all out on National Nacho Day with the return of its Nacho Flights at all four Las Vegas area locations, including Henderson, Downtown Las Vegas, Miracle Mile Shops, and AREA15.
Offered Nov. 6-8, guests can mix and match three nacho varieties from two different flight options.
The Signature Nacho Flight includes:
- Fiesta Nacho: chicken breast, medium salsa, refried beans, cheddar-jack cheese, queso fresco, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream
- Enchilada Nacho: chicken breast, cheddar-jack cheese, red or green enchilada sauce, refried beans, jalapeños, sour cream, and avocado-lime salsa
- Pork Carnitas Nacho: house-made pork carnitas, refried beans, cheddar-jack cheese, roasted tomatillo salsa, sour cream, avocado, queso fresco, pickled red onions, and chopped cilantro
- Cheeseburger Nacho: seasoned ground beef, applewood-smoked bacon, yellow queso, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce
- Supreme Tostada Nacho: seasoned ground beef, cheddar-jack cheese, yellow queso, refried beans, pico de gallo, fried jalapeños, lettuce, avocado-lime salsita, sour cream, and guacamole
The Premium Nacho Flight includes:
- Filet Birria Nacho: shredded birria, melted Monterey Jack cheese, white queso, avocado-lime salsita, sour cream, pickled onions, and diced white onions
- Surf & Turf Nacho: filet mignon and shrimp, black bean salsa, cheddar and Jack cheese, white queso, ranchero sauce, avocado-lime salsita, and cilantro
- Thai Chicken Nacho: Thai-spiced chicken breast, Asian vegetables, sweet chili sauce, pickled jalapeños, and white queso
Guests can choose three varieties from either the Signature or Premium Flight menu, with pricing starting at $19.95 and $24.95, respectively. Pricing varies slightly by location.
Caesars Entertainment Perks for Locals
From Oct. 31 through Dec. 26, Nevada residents can enjoy perks at participating Caesars Entertainment destinations seven days a week, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The perks include:
- Complimentary self-parking with no time limit at Caesars Entertainment’s eight Las Vegas resorts: Caesars Palace, The Vanderpump Hotel, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel + Casino, Paris Las Vegas, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (including the Miracle Mile Shops self-parking garage)
- 25% off dining and drink experiences for Caesars Rewards members (free to sign up) at participating restaurants, bars, and lounges
- 15-20% off select spa and salon treatments, 20-25% off select attractions, and exclusive savings on select concerts and shows
For a list of Caesars Rewards restaurants and bars, click here.
Chef’s Roma Kitchen Caymus Dinner
Chef’s Roma Kitchen, with locations in Southern Highlands at 10420 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite #100 and in Henderson at 1550 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., Suite P, it is offering a three-course dinner for two paired with a bottle of wine for $100.
The dinner includes choice of Clams or Meatballs and Grilled Vegetables or Caesar Salad to share, an order of Chicken Parmigiana or Pappardelle Alfredo each, and a bottle of Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon for the table.
The deal is available every night through Sunday, November 15. To reserve, visit chefsromakitchen.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.
This week Al, Gem and Andrew Morgan get together at D’Agostino’s, the cozy spot in the Southwest owned by Dan and Brandi Thompson. Also: Bryce Krausman is doing another ‘Bruch with Bryce’ pop-up, this time at Main St. Provisions. Al talks to Gina Paul, owner of the new JP’s Brasserie and Sports Den. Gemini and Andrew report on Picinic in the Alley. And, of course, a Happy Hour Report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Helldorado Days Rodeo — November 13-14
The Helldorado Days Rodeo, an annual cowboy-themed event celebrating Las Vegas’ tribute to the Wild West with two nights of rodeo, will be held at the CORE Arena outdoor equestrian center adjacent to the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
Given the event’s popularity and annual sellouts, more seats across three ticket levels are being added.
The rodeo will begin at 6 p.m. each night and feature eight events: breakaway, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding.
The Helldorado Days Rodeo also features related cowboy-themed events like mutton bustin (a sheep-riding competition for future cowboys and cowgirls ages 4-10 and under 60 pounds), a Whiskerino contest, and a historical exhibit area. The winning artwork from a children’s coloring contest will be on display, and the tradition of crowning Miss Helldorado Days Rodeo Queen will continue as Kate Flitton receives the honor this year. The Helen Jane Stewart and Veteran of the Year awards will also be awarded during the event.
Entertainment will include the “Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls,” and modern country music DJ duo Country Night will perform after the rodeo concludes.
Tickets for all three seating areas are now on sale on the Plaza website:
- General admission tickets for open bleacher-style seating start at $26.
- VIP tickets offer assigned grandstand seating with stadium chairs, plus access to an exclusive bar and restrooms, for $46.
- This year, a new VIP+ section will be available for $106, with individual chairs on tiered risers located steps from the chutes and access to the VIP area with exclusive bars and restrooms.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Guests can arrive early to enjoy family-friendly western-themed carnival activities including a petting zoo, mechanical bull rides, line dancing, and pony rides.
