This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news
Events
Tamba — October 1
Tamba, the celebrated contemporary Indian restaurant at Town Square, will uncork a new wine dinner series with an intimate inaugural event featuring L’Aventure Winery, the acclaimed Paso Robles estate founded by Stephan Asseo.
Limited to just 12 seats, the evening will include pairings from Tamba’s Executive Chef Anand Singh, as Nichole Hall, Hospitality Manager from L’Aventure, will guide guests through the tasting menu.
The five wines being poured will include L’Aventure 2025 Estate Rosé, L’Aventure 2025 Estate Reserve Blanc, the 97-point L’Aventure 2021 Côte à Côte, the 100-point 2021 Estate Cuvée, and 2012 Champagne Thiénot Cuvée Garance Blanc de Noirs.
The dinner will begin at 7 p.m., and the cost is $275 per person (plus tax and tip). Reservations are required and can be secured online at TambaLasVegas.com or by calling 702-798-7889.
M.E.N.U.S. Gala — October 2
The Hospitality Charitable Foundation will host its annual M.E.N.U.S. Gala from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Pool.
Guests will indulge in a dine-around of gourmet tastings paired with curated cocktails, fine wine, and premium spirits. More than 25 participating restaurants and bars from across the Las Vegas Valley will include L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Morimoto, Stubborn Seed, Delmonico Steakhouse, Chica, Fogo de Chão, Kusa Nori, Hugo’s Cellar, T-Bones Chophouse, Hakkasan, Sonoma Cellar, High Steaks Vegas, and STK Steakhouse.
There will also be live entertainment and a silent auction offering packages that include luxury goods, fine dining experiences, and dream vacations (guests do not need to be present to bid or win the prize packages), which is now open at hcflv.org.
Attendees are encouraged to embrace the evening’s celebratory theme with looks inspired by silver, gold, and purple.
M.E.N.U.S. stands for Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students. Proceeds from the gala benefit scholarships, mentorship, and career development opportunities for local hospitality students.
Ticket prices start at $500. For silent auction items to bid on, sponsorship information, and ticket purchases, click here.
Charleston Peak Winery — October 10
Charleston Peak Winery, located an hour outside Las Vegas in Pahrump, will host its annual Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the festivities, there will be a grape stomping competition (teams of two); a costume competition; sampling of wines from around the world and a selection of beers; live entertainment; a marketplace of local vendors offering baked goods, crafts, bath products, jewelry, blown glass, tarot cards and more; and two food trucks and the winery’s kitchen serving flavorful bites throughout the day.
General admission tickets with no tastings are $5, with admission and six tastings are priced at $25 in advance or $35 day-of, and team entries for the grape-stomping competition are $60 per team of two and include admission for both participants (with registration required by Oct. 7). Charleston Peak Wine Society members can receive up to two complimentary tickets by contacting the winery in advance or redeeming their tickets onsite.
For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Resort at Summerlin Fall Wine Walk — October 17
The Resort at Summerlin will host its Fall Wine Walk featuring curated wine tastings, complimentary bites, and live entertainment.
Held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the self-guided tasting begins at Wineaux Summerlin, the property’s new lobby bar and lounge from James Beard Award winner Shawn McClain and Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel. Guests will then stroll the scenic outdoor Zen Walk, discovering more than 10 tasting stations and enjoying chef‑crafted bites from The Resort at Summerlin’s new Neighborhood Food Hall.
Participating venues include Wineaux Summerlin (wine market, full bar, and lounge), Hawthorn Grill (steakhouse favorites and American classics), ai Pazzi Pizza (artisanal pizzas), Pearls Oyster Bar (freshly shucked oysters, buttery lobster rolls, and signature seafood boils), Nom Wah (NYC’s first and oldest dim sum restaurant), Tacos 1986 (traditional Tijuana-style tacos), and For The Win (signature smash burgers).
General admission tickets are $75 (plus tax and fees) and include premium wine tastings, chef-crafted bites, and live entertainment throughout Zen Walk and The Neighborhood Food Hall. A special VIP experience is $100 (plus tax and fees) and includes an exclusive 5 p.m. wine tasting and special menu at Wineaux.
For more info and to purchase tickets, click 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: America Restaurant & Bar
America Restaurant & Bar, inside New York-New York Hotel & Casino, is one of the few 24-hour full-service dining destinations on the Vegas Strip, and it opened in 1997 with the resort. The restaurant draws inspiration from the original restaurant of the same name, an iconic NYC destination established in 1984 that remained open until 2005.
The eatery celebrated nearly 30 years of hospitality with a full top-to-bottom transformation this past summer. The remodel of the massive 10,000-square-foot restaurant included a restyled dining room with a new 3D projection map of the United States built around the restaurant’s original sculptural map. The diner’s familiar red, white and blue has been switched out for richer colors of warm terracotta, deep walnut, and jewel-toned teal to celebrate the landscape of America itself. Soaring ceilings and a faux skylight create the feel of natural sunlight while echoing the original America Restaurant in NYC. Checkerboard tile and warm wood flooring establish a retro-American foundation, joined by large-scale artwork in fiery reds and oranges lining the walls throughout. The newly expanded bar and lounge is anchored by a sweeping U-shaped bar wrapped in glowing teal tile topped with white stone, emerald bar stools with brass accents, and a wall of TVs for game-day viewing.
Executive Chef Brandon Flores is delivering a reimagined, expanded, all-hours menu of longtime favorites and a handful of innovative new selections. Available 24 hours daily, breakfast brings a one-pound, family-size doughnut made for sharing, peanut butter and jelly pancakes layered with peanut butter sauce and strawberry preserves, and the restaurant’s signature “3-Pounder” giant pancake.
New arrivals to the lunch and dinner menus include a cauliflower steak with tomato confit, radish, and crispy shallots; and a wood-fired flatbread topped with prosciutto and arugula.
A great deal is the Rib Eye Special for $24.95, available daily from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Other entrées include fettuccine Alfredo, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, chicken parmesan, fish & chips, and seared salmon.
America’s late-night menu features a hearty barbecue bacon Western burger topped with pulled pork, onion ring, smoked bacon, and cheddar; and lighter dishes such as a super berry acai bowl with granola, fresh berries, banana, chia seeds, and a drizzle of honey.
Desserts include treats like a churro milkshake featuring cinnamon-sugar custard, caramel and whipped cream; and a banana split served tableside.
The cocktail lineup has the Fruity Booty, a tropical blend of Appleton rum, Grand Marnier, Luxardo, and pineapple; the Cadillac Sunrise with Fletcha Azul, Grand Marnier, raspberry, citrus, and cranberry; sippable desserts in a glass, including the Strawberry Shortcake Loop served in a donut-shaped glass and topped with cotton candy; and the Banana Foster Flip with Appleton Estate rum, banana, brown sugar spice, and egg white.
In addition to being open 24/7, prices are far below those normally found on the Strip, with most items priced under $20.
Reservations are available through OpenTable, and more info is available at AmericaLV.com and on Instagram and Facebook.
Dining News
Aroma Latin American Cocina Late Night Menu
Guatemalan-born Chef Steve Kestler, a finalist for the coveted James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Southwest award, moved his Aroma Latin American Cocina from Green Valley to Chinatown earlier this year. Now, in keeping with neighborhood practices, he is offering a Late Night Menu on weekends.
Offered Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the menu includes:
- Chinatown Cevice with leche de tigre nikkei ($19)
- 8 different tacos: Pork Belly, Asada, Shrimp Governor, Enmolado de Beef Ribs, Al Pastor, Guisada braised beef ribs, Fish, and Quesadilla de Tinga Chicken ($5 each)
- Carne Cruda Fries with NY carpaccio ($18)
- Papitas al Chimi with baby Dutch potatoes and chimichurri ($10)
- Cuban sandwich with pork belly ($18)
To view the complete Late Night menu, visit aromacocinalv.com/menu.
Lilli Announces Opening Date in Chinatown
Lilli by Chef Tyler Vorce will officially open its doors to its permanent home at 3616 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101, on October 8, marking the next chapter for the restaurant following its residency at Durango Social Club.
Chef Vorce trained at The French Laundry under Thomas Keller and David Breeden and staged at Troisgros in Roanne and Le Bristol in Paris. Lilli first took shape as a residency at Durango Social Club in November 2025, where Vorce introduced the concept through an intimate seven-course tasting menu and one seating each evening.
Located on the ground floor of the Green Leaf Lotus building in the Chinatown district, the new restaurant will offer four-course prix fixe and eight-course tasting menus centered on the finest American ingredients at their seasonal peak, interpreted through French technique and Mediterranean influence. The Lounge will offer a more casual way to experience Lilli, with an à la carte menu alongside cocktails and wine.
Lilli’s wine program balances classic Old World regions with exceptional New World producers, with an intentionally focused by-the-glass selection at the heart of the program, while the cellar will continue to grow deliberately over time.
For reservations, inquiries, and updates, visit www.Lilli.Vegas or follow @Lilli.Vegas on Instagram and Facebook.
The Black Lagoon Halloween Pop-up Coming to Jammyland
The Black Lagoon award-winning Halloween pop-up masterminded by bar industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage is returning for its 6th year. The pop-up is a cocktail experience that pays homage to the macabre with a splash of goth and metal and will haunt 34 bars across the US and Canada.
One stop will be in Las Vegas at Jammyland, 1121 S Main St, in the Arts District. The bar will feature immersive décor, cinematic lighting, eerie sounds, collectible glassware, and (of course) festive Halloween drinks, serving Black Lagoon cocktails from October 1 through November 2.
This year’s bewitching cocktail lineup includes standouts like Abyssa’s Obsession made with pumpkin-infused Kraken Black & Gold Spiced Rums, the Bone Temple made with Teremana Blanco Tequila, and non-alcoholic options.
A sampling of the libations featured on this year’s menu includes:
- Abyssa’s Obsession, a seasonal take on the classic piña colada featuring Pumpkin Infused Kraken Black & Gold Spiced Rums, Lustau Oloroso Sherry, coconut, pineapple, lime, and Bitter Queens Tobacco Bitters.
- Bone Temple, a fall-inspired margarita with Teremana Blanco Tequila, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, tart cherry, spiced oat orgeat, lime, vanilla honey, absinthe, and Bitter Queens Tobacco Bitters
- Moon Shadow, an eerie take on an espresso martini, spotlighting nutmeg-infused vodka, Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Giffard Banane du Brésil, Lustau Fino Sherry, and cold brew coffee
Guests can also take a piece of the Black Lagoon universe home with its collection of limited-edition glassware available for purchase.
Jammyland is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Friday & Saturday until 2 a.m.-ish.
Sand Dollar Lounge: The Haunting on Spring Mountain Halloween Cocktail Pop-Up
The Sand Dollar Lounge has rebranded its annual Nightmare on Spring Mountain to The Haunting on Spring Mountain.
The month-long immersive Halloween experience will feature drink specials, nightly live music, and wall-to-wall Halloween décor.
An all-new lineup of a dozen cocktails served in special Halloween glassware (available for purchase) will include:
- Widow’s Whisper with vodka, chocolate, melon, lychee, matcha, yuzu, cardamom, rose, and Absinthe
- Poison Apple with Calvados, bonded rye whiskey, Fino Sherry, bitter apple, and miso
- What Lies Beneath with aged rum, cognac, spiced ginger, and sweet corn milk
- Scream-Sicle with blanco tequila, habanero, spiced vanilla liqueur, bittersweet aperitif, carrot & orange cordial, lemon, and chili threads
- Spirit-free Hollow Threat with pear, fennel, yogurt, and white verjus
The Haunting on Spring Mountain will run October 1 through Halloween on October 31.
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.
In our most recent episode, Gemini and Al are at 595 Craft and Kitchen, talking with the entire team and sampling some new menu items. Topics include the new brunch service and a Southern Highlands location. You’ll also hear about their experience at The Feast at Revelry by Wynn, where Gemini spoke with Wynn VP Christopher Lee and Al spoke with Casa Playa’s Chef Sarah Thompson. Al visits the new Resorts World pizza spot Amici to speak with Chef Ricky McCormick. And of course, restaurant reports, a Happy Hour report from Happy Hour Vegas’ Andrew Morgan, and the news.
To listen, click here.
Entertainment News
Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival — October 9-11
The 32nd annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival will again convene at Sunset Park, transformed into a magical portal to centuries past.
For more than three decades, the outdoor festival has brought more than 50,000 locals and visitors together for a weekend of fantasy and medieval fun. The festival includes numerous villages and guilds; re-enactors demonstrating ancient crafts like blacksmithing and archery; historical reenactments; live combat battles; pirate games; a guided pirate pub crawl; strolling minstrels, jokers, and jugglers; a jousting tournament; and multiple stages featuring a nonstop lineup of belly dancers, magicians, comedians, a live bird show by The Birdman, and Celtic rock bands. In addition, the festival boasts more than 100 artisans, including goldsmiths and silversmiths, stained glass designers, costume makers, woodworkers, toy makers, leatherworkers, perfume blenders, potters, and armor makers.
Throughout the festival, an array of food and beverages will be available, including turkey legs, Shepard’s pie, meat on a stick, beers, ales, and mead, in multiple food courts and at the 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. Several ticket packages and options are available, and seniors and children receive discounted admission; kids under 5 enter for free. Fairgoers are highly encouraged to dress in their finest Renaissance, medieval or fantasy attire to fully immerse themselves in the village experience.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit lvrenfair.com.
