This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Sonoma Cellar — October 9
Sonoma Cellar at Sunset Station will host a Foley Family Wines & Spirits dinner.
The five-course wine pairing will include:
- Roasted Pear Salad with goat cheese, spiced pecans, and apple cider vinaigrette paired with Riesling, Firestone Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
- Asparagus and Prosciutto Tartlet with Gruyère, Duxelle, and Whole Grain Mustard, paired with Chardonnay, Chalk Hill, Sonoma Coast.
- Chicken Roulade with bacon, spinach, fines herbes, and red pepper coulis paired with Merlot, Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma County.
- Beef Short Rib with roasted fingerling potatoes, smoked cheddar polenta, and mushroom cream matched with Cabernet Sauvignon, Foley Johnson, Rutherford, Napa Valley.
- Chocolate Ganache Cake with toffee caramel sauce and hazelnut brittle Chantilly paired with Semillon, Ferrari-Carano, Eldorado Gold, Sonoma County.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $125 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 702-547-7898.
The Vineyard at Green Valley Ranch — October 11
The Vineyard at Green Valley Ranch will host “Wine Tasting Under the Stars” from 6 to 8 p.m.
Guests will enjoy tastings from five wine partners: Moët Hennessy, Treasury Wine Estates, Foley Family Wines, E&J Gallo Winery, and Jackson Family Wines. There will also be live entertainment, expert insights from brand ambassadors, light bites paired with each pour, and a charming outdoor setting illuminated by twinkling lights.
The cost is $75 per person (plus tax). To purchase tickets, click here.
Beer Zombies Flannels & Beer — October 18
Held at The Usual Place on Maryland Parkway and Fremont, Beer Zombies will host this beer festival with unlimited sampling of beers from 25 breweries across the US, poured by the respective brewers. More of an experience than just a beerfest, three bands featuring 90s grunge music will be performing, and the 25 breweries (three of which are local) are all handpicked by Beer Zombies Owner Chris Jacobs.
Early Bird VIP tickets for entry at 7 p.m. are $67.86 (including a $7.86 fee), and general admission tickets for entry at 8 p.m. are $46.76 (including a $6.76 fee). Prices will be higher on the day of the event.
Click here to purchase tickets and for the list of participating breweries and beer lists.
Gaetano’s Ristorante — October 23
Gaetano’s Ristorante will present a bourbon dinner featuring Maker’s Mark.
Pairings are Crostini with goat cheese, honey, and speck paired with Maker’s 46 Raspberry Smash with Nocini Walnut Liqueur, Casarecce con Cingiale Wild Boar Ragu and Caserecce Pasta matched with Makers Mark Cask Strength 111.5 proof, Kurabuta Pork Chop with roasted peach bourbon sauce and butternut squash risotto paired with 2024 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series The Hearts Release 112 proof, and Bourbon Bread Pudding matched with 2025 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series The Keepers Release 112 proof.
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and the cost is $145 per person (all-inclusive). The first 36 tickets purchased will include a special edition Maker’s Mark glass.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week: Rock ‘n Grapes Wine Pub
If you think the word Rock in the name of this pub and the guitar pick in its logo reference the musical genre, you would be absolutely correct. Co-owners Laurie Moore and Kevin Sturgeon have combined their love of wine and music, likening it to “if Hard Rock Café had a red-headed stepchild.”
The vibe is entirely comfortable and unpretentious. Located in the Henderson Water Street District at the corner of Atlantic Ave and Water Street, across from the America First Center, nearly every inch of the walls of this wine pub is covered with rock and roll memorabilia. The rotating collection is Kevin’s personal collection, which he has amassed over the past 10+ years. It is so extensive that it’s worth coming in to view the museum-like collection. Throughout, there are framed concert posters (some signed), vinyl LPs, drum set cymbals, several real guitars (with placards naming which rock icon played the particular make and model), drumsticks, and actual wood wine barrels lest you forget the other aspect this pub is about.
As for the wine, expect a rotating selection of affordable wines from around the world, with a focus on California. More than 30 are available by the glass, priced from $7-$15, and 50+ bottles are $25-$75, with most falling between $25-$40. The best way to experience the selection is to opt for one of the seven flights of four to five wines priced from $15-$25, like the House Pick 4 ($15) with choices of California wines including Backhouse Chardonnay, Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc, Augment Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Blend, TNT Pinot Noir, Noble Vines 181 Merlot, and Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon.
You might be tempted by the words Wine Pub not to expect a great beer list, but you’d be wrong. Nearly the entire draft list is local, and the packaged offerings include several as well. Of the selection, Kevin said, “We’re not a fan of corporate and are big about supporting local and have gotten to know several of the brewery owners.” Several of the non-local brews have ties to rock stars or bands, such as Fear of the Dark Chocolate Stout made for Iron Maiden.
While there, be sure to try some of the food offerings. The menu designed by Laurie and Kevin is executed by Chef Marissa Flores, a native Las Vegan who previously worked at Pub 365. There is a variety of tasty sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, and appetizers, several of which have music references. There’s the Lemmy sandwich ($16, with roast beef, blue cheese cream, peppadew peppers, and house made bacon jam) named for the late lead singer of Motorhead; Holy Diver Hummus Platter ($12, roasted garlic oil-infused hummus with warm pita bread & seasonal fresh vegetables) for the song by Dio’s Ronny James; and the Power Trip Greens Salad ($13, mix of power greens, feta, and dried cranberries with creamy dill ranch dressing) named for the California music festival. A clever presentation is the 7-item Charcuterie served on a guitar head.
All ages are welcome at this family-friendly pub, and there’s even a Little Rockers kids’ menu with Grilled Cheese ($8), Pizza Panini ($10) and Quesadilla ($8).
Incentives to get you to show up include live music with no cover Fri-Sat from 7 to 9 p.m. (and sometimes on Sundays); some outdoor seating to enjoy our great fall weather; happy hour Tue-Sun from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 draft beer, wine by the glass, mimosas, sangria, and Tang-mosas and $2 off select food menu items; Wednesday $15 for all wine flights; Music Trivia Night every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Bottomless Drinks Sat-Sun from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $15 sangria, mimosas, and box wine.
Rock ‘n Grapes is open Tuesday to Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is also available for private parties and offsite catering. For more info and to view the food and beverage menus, visit rockngrapes.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.
For last week’s episode, Al joined Chef Gio Mauro and musician Naomi Mauro at their restaurant, Monzu Italian Oven. He was there to speak to them about the music at the restaurant, as well as the new seasonal menu. When Gemini found herself unable to make the recording, the Mauros were kind enough to sit in as co-hosts for the entire show, sharing some of their favorite Las Vegas restaurants and chiming in on the news. And, of course, Andrew Morgan with a Happy Hour Report.
To listen, click here.
Dining News
Twin Creeks Steakhouse New Sunday Brunch
Twin Creeks Steakhouse at the Silverton Casino Lodge, helmed by Chef Jaimee Pepe, has debuted an elevated Sunday brunch experience from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Seven specialty entrees are priced at $40 and include bottomless mimosas or mocktails:
- Short Rib Hash with potatoes, peppers, onions, jus, and fried egg
- Country Fried Steak featuring breaded prime rib, red-eye gravy, a fried egg, and flaky biscuit
- Crab Cake Benedict with jumbo lump crab, roasted red pepper remoulade, sautéed spinach, poached eggs, and béarnaise
- Seared Salmon with fingerling potatoes and a smoked trout roe beurre blanc
- Pappardelle Bolognese with housemade pasta and meat ragù
- Roasted Chicken and biscuits with Mary’s half chicken, stewed vegetables, velouté, and buttermilk biscuits
- TC Burger with 10 oz beef patty, bone marrow-braised onions, gruyere, mozzarella, garlic aioli, and arugula served with truffle fries
The menu also offers premium cuts of Certified Angus Beef, salads, shareable starters like smoked salmon board and avocado toast, housemade desserts (carrot cake, cheesecake, crème brûlée, macerated berries, and classic ice cream sundae), and cocktails such as the Daydream Spritz—mix of Aperol, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice, prosecco and soda ($14).
To view the complete brunch menu, click here.
Azzurra Cucina Italiana Tuesday Date Night Menu
Azzurra Cucina Italiana in the Henderson Water Street District is hosting a Tuesday Date Night Menu from 4-10 p.m.
Priced at $45 per person, the three-course prix fixe menu includes choice of Caesar Salad, Burrata Salad, or Fried Cauliflower; Rigatoni Boscaiola, Chicken Marsala, or Salmon Mediterraneo; and Panna Cotta or Spumoni Bomba.
Guests can add select bottles of wine for $30.
Vic’s Las Vegas October Specials
Vic’s Las Vegas, located in Symphony Park, is offering several specials and live performance events during October.
The Monday Night Prime Rib special is a 14-oz Prime Rib served with creamy mashed potatoes and au jus for $40. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Wine Wednesday, featuring a glass of Silver Gate Pinot Noir or Upshot White Blend for just $1. Gameday specials served during all NFL, college, and NHL games include Bruschetta ($7), Fried Raviolis ($9), Signature Rigatoni Bake ($9), Chicken Tenders with Fries (4 pc, $10; 6 pc, $15), Beer Buckets (5 beers for $25), Mexican Candy shot ($5), and Jameson shot ($7).
There are also live jazz performances throughout the month by Casey Abrams, Jazz Outreach Initiative Benefit Dinner & Show Concerts, Dave Damiani with Landau Murphy Jr., Benny Benack III, Marlene Ricci, and Laura Taylor. For the complete schedule and cover charge prices, visit vicslasvegas.com.
Entertainment News
Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival — October 10-12
The 31st annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival will again convene at Sunset Park, which will be transformed into a magical portal to centuries past.
For more than three decades, the outdoor festival has brought together over 50,000 locals and visitors for a weekend of fantasy and medieval fun. The festival features numerous villages and guilds, various activities, historical reenactments, live combat battles, black powder demonstrations, fire dancers, strolling minstrels, magicians, jesters, jugglers, belly dancers, trained parrots, axe-throwing target games, medieval barber and surgeon demonstrations, and a jousting tournament. In addition, the festival boasts more than 100 artisans from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including gold and silversmiths, stained glass designers, costume makers, woodworkers, toy makers, leather workers, perfume blenders, potters, and armor makers.
Throughout the festival, a variety of foods and beverages will be available, including turkey legs, shepherd’s pie, meat on a stick, beers, ales, and mead, at multiple food courts and themed pubs and taverns.
Festival hours are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pre-sale admission is $15 per day for adults ($25 on the day of the event), $8 per day for children ages 6–12 (children 5 and younger are free), and seniors ages 60 and older ($20 on the day of the event), plus tax and service fees. Presale three-day passes are $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 6–12 and seniors ages 60 and older.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit lvrenfair.com.
