Here is the latest restaurant news from around the Las Vegas valley:
1. Tacos and tamales have been added to the menu at Mabel's BBQ at the Palms hotel-casino. The taco menu features four traditional options, including pork shoulder, smoked chicken, beef brisket, and a vegetarian option with smoked mushrooms with avocado, cilantro and crema. For a fun take on the Americanized style taco, Mabel’s also offers the ‘Merican, a classic hard shell taco with ground beef, pico de gallo and jack cheese. The homemade masa and steamed cornhusk tamales offer another BBQ twist on the traditional Mexican staple. The KC BBQ brisket tamale features Kansas City BBQ brisket, mustard, tomato and paprika. Other options include the smoked chicken tamale with salsa verde, jalapeno, roasted garlic and tomato. Other options include the Pork Shoulder tamale and the vegetarian option comes with Monterey Jack cheese, jalapeno and smoked poblano peppers. Mabel’s also introduces a classic, fresh-made guacamole with house-made chips as the perfect complement to the meal.
2. Nestle Toll House Cafe by Chip has opened its newest cafe in the Rancho Alta Mira Plaza on West Craig Road. The cafe's menu includes freshly baked confections, wraps, flatbreads, panini sandwiches and handcrafted coffee drinks.
3. 7Five Brewing Co. and MGM Resorts have teamed up to create an exclusive beer, Showtime Blonde Ale, which will be offered at MGM's Las Vegas properties. 7Five Brewing co-founder and Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves will help introduce the beer at NoMad Bar between 6 and 8 p.m. Feb. 24. Following the ceremonial first pour, 75 lucky guests who purchase a pint of Showtime will get a chance to meet-and-greet the Golden Knights right winger.
4. San Francisco's award-winning restaurant The Slanted Door opens in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on March 2. Menu highlights include Slanted Door Spring Rolls, Shaking Beef with cubed filet mignon and Crispy Imperial Rolls with gulf shrimp and pork shoulder. Drinks include Ginger Limeade and Chef Phan's favorite Whiskey Cocktail.
5. Oak & Ivy is bringing back Tasting on the Terrace from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26. Whiskey connoisseurs will enjoy two craft Jack Daniel’s cocktails including a Rye-Tai (Jack Daniel’s rye, orange Curacao, lime juice, orgeat, simple syrup) and Tennessee Sunshine (Jack Daniel’s, lemon juice, water, brown sugar syrup, lavender bitters) followed by a guided Jack Daniel’s whiskey tasting flight by Nick Polydoroff! Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.
6. Sidebar by Triple George Grill is bringing Caribbean vibes to the downtown brunch scene starting Feb. 29. The NYAM Brunch will feature jerk fried chicken & waffles, patties, lemon ricotta souffle pancakes and other items that pay homage to Chef Rhori Kow's Jamaican roots. Drinks include classic mimosas, over-the-top Bloody Marys, caffeinie mixers and island punches. It will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
7. Distill Rainbow is hosting its first wine pairing dinner with J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines on March 12. Menu highlights include a charcuterie board, pan-seared scallops with creamed corn, roasted duck coq au vin, red wine risotto braised short rib grenade and flourless dark chocolate torte. Cost is $59.95 per person. A limited number of tickets are available.
8. The Front Yard at Ellis Island hotel-casino is now serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, with live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brunch items include the Caveman Skillet with country fried potatoes with bacon, sausage, ground beef, smoked gouda, and eggs for $9.99; Caprese Omelet for $8.99; Smoked Bacon Egg Benedict for $9.99; Loco Moco for $9.99; Maple Cinnamon French Toast for $7.99; Duck Fat Poutine for $6.99; and a Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter for $3.99. There will also be bottomless mimosas for $20 or Rose all day for $30.
9. Nobu, the world-renowned Japanese restaurant recognized for pioneering a new-style Japanese cuisine, has opened at Bally's Las Vegas. The brand was founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper. This is the latest Las Vegas iteration of Nobu, following the closure of Nobu Las Vegas at Hard Rock Hotel. Executive Chef Nolan Kline, Executive Sushi Chef Yasushi Handa and General Manager Kenny Hernandez remain at the helm and continue to lead their world-class team. Open daily for dinner, this 100-seat intimate experience will feature the full Nobu menu and a selection of crafted cocktails alongside wine and sake.
10. Sushi Roku is now offering a CBD cocktail made with CBD oil by CBDfx, bourbon, Absinthe, rhubarb, lime and mint. CBD oil is known for a variety of therapeutic benefits including a subtle, relaxing effect on the body, similar to meditating. CBDFx oil does not contain THC or have psychoactive effects. The new CBD cocktail is named "The Green Fairy."
11. Able Baker Brewing and Arts District Craft and Kitchen are hosting a pop-up brunch with a Puerto Rican twist from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 1. The pop-up menu will feature a Pastrami Benedict with garlic tostones, two poached eggs and sofrito hollandaise; Crema de Maiz with sweet polenta, a poached egg, bacon and cheddar; and Coquito French Toast with coconut custard, coconut flakes and bourbon maple syrup.
12. The Great Vegas Festival of Beer is happening again at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on April 3 and 4. Celebrating its 10th year, the Great Vegas Festival of Beer is on track to have the largest attendance ever (possibly capping 10,000), making it the biggest public food & beverage event in Las Vegas in 2020. Great Vegas Festival of Beer incorporates two events: Mad Craft Experience on April 3rd, 7-10 p.m. ($55) and The Great Tasting on April 4th, 3-7 p.m. ($40 General Admission, $50 Early 2 p.m. entry, $95 VIP 2 p.m. entry). The Mad Craft Experience will feature 10 of Las Vegas' best chefs. The Great Tasting will feature some 400 beers and 100+ Nevadan, regional and national craft breweries.
13. The next Winemaker's Table Dinner is happening March 5 at estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan hotel-casino. Guided by the restaurant’s talented sommeliers, guests will savor a luxe, six-course feast ($79) transporting them to the very heart of Greece as they experience grapes originating from one of the country’s most celebrated and traditional wine-growing regions: the Peloponnese. Enjoy 2018 Driopi Rosé, Agiorgitiko, Nemea paired with Salmon Sashimi; 2017 Tselepos Classic, Moschofilero, Mantinia paired with Greek Salad; 2013 Parparoussis Reserve, Agiorgitiko, Nemea paired with Madagascar Shrimp and so much more. To make reservations, please call 702.698.7930 at least 48 hours in advance. Please note online reservations will not be accepted due to demand. Reservations will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.
If you would like to submit an item for the next 13 Tastes, send an email to joyce.lupiani@ktnv.com.
