Latest roundup of restaurant news and events from around the Las Vegas valley.
1. Epicurean Charitable Foundation's annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring and Educating Nevada's Upcoming Students) event is happening Oct. 12 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This year’s event will feature a gourmet dine-around, large silent auction and memorable after-party. Attendees are encouraged to dress in festive pink and white attire as they stroll around the Paradise Pool, reminiscent of a summer picnic in the Hamptons. More than 50 of Las Vegas' top restaurants, chefs, mixologists and beverage distributors are participating. Tickets start at $500 for a single ticket.
2. Villa Italian Kitchen has announced its 9th annual Have A Slice Day on Oct. 18. Villa Italian Kitchen locations nationwide will treat pizza fans to a FREE slice of delicious cheese pizza. Must have coupon.
3. The second dinner of The Grill Gathering Series at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in Downtown Summerlin is happening Oct. 23. Guests will have the opportunity to experience a traditional New England-style clambake in a unique interactive setting. Featured menu items include clam chowder, steamed lobster and shrimp, corn on the cob, boiled new potatoes, oysters on the half shell, Whoopie Pies and beer from Sierra Nevada. Chef De Cuisine Daniel Stramm and Executive Chef Matt Hurley will mix and mingle with guests. $75 per person.
4. The Culinary Road Trip is making its first trip ever to Triple George Grill on Oct. 25. From Brooklyn to Chicago to Denver, Triple George Grill will serve as the hub for this meaty excursion featuring the best restaurants in America prepared by Chef Scott Commings and the renowned Triple George Grill team. Best news? This expensive night out is not expensive at all. Tickets to the multi-course steakhouse experience are just $55 per person and include live music along with five perfectly-paired cocktails.
5. MB Steak at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has introduced new dishes and cocktails for fall, including a 24-ounce USDA Prime Certified Angust Beef bone-in ribeye sourced from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, priced at $89; hamachi (yellowtail), served with sweet drop pepper puree, jalapeños and toasted sesame, priced at $23; and potato gnocchi, topped with braised Berkshire pork and butternut squash with a black truffle sauce, priced at $24. Fall cocktails include the Pumpkin Smash, made with Jack Daniels and pumpkin butter, sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon, and garnished with a cinnamon stick, priced at $16; the Maple Bacon Maria, made with mezcal mixed with MB’s house made Bloody Mary mix, garnished with MB’s signature maple-glazed applewood-smoked bacon, celery and smoked blue cheese stuffed olives, and finished with a zesty bacon bit rim, priced at $15; and the ‘Smoke & Mirrors,’ made with barrel-aged mix of Templeton rye whiskey, St. George Bruto Americano and Punt e Mes, garnished with orange peel and Luxardo maraschino cherry, priced at $15.
6. The Corner Market Buffet is now open at Treasure Island. The new buffet, which is in the same space previously occupied by The Buffet at TI, offers a new take on its former food offerings. Dishes now served at the new buffet include: crème fraiche scrambled eggs, potato latkes and maple pecan Danish, protein bowls with tandoori salmon, Peruvian chicken with tangy cilantro sauce, Korean beef bulgogi, pork belly porchetta, fresh Italian pizza, pastas and lobster ravioli. Diners can enjoy a signature farmer’s market salad station, as well as a variety of freshly prepared desserts including soufflés and gelato.
7. Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops has a new bar area. The comfortable, high-top seating area accommodates up to 10 guests. While the bar sits at the entrance of the cantina, guests will still receive the full Cabo Wabo experience and have access to the cantina's full cocktail and food menus.
8. Carl's Jr. has introduced a new burger named the Pastrami Thickburger. The restaurant chain is asking customers to sign a petition to get the word "condimeat" added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in recognition of the burger. Condimeat is what you put on your burger when you need more than mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise.
9. One of Las Vegas' most popular restaurants is now offering catering. SkinnyFATS' famous two-sided menu features "Happy" indulgences and delicious "Healthy" alternatives. Menu highlights include colossal burritos like the S'motherload made with filet mignon, eggs, sausage, peppers, pico, Cajun cheddar cheese and potatoes; the Mean Bean made with a black bean patty, spinach, red onions, tomatoes, avocadeo and spicy hummus; Turnip Tacos with filet mignon, pico, jicama, cilantro and habanero lime crema and Shrimp Tacodillas with tempura shrimp, spicy slaw, pico, pepper jack and chipotle aioli, SkinnyFATS’ taco platter has something for everyone.
10. Culinary Dropout at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is celebrating National Pretzel Month by highlighting their soft pretzel and provolone fondue menu item. One of Culinary Dropout’s most well-known dishes, the fondue is served to your table in true fondue style, with a flame warming the cheese dip. The soft pretzel and provolone fondue is perfect for sharing and is priced at $12.
11. The Charcoal Room inside Santa Fe Station has added several new cocktails for the fall season. They include the Citrus Peach Spritzer, Cucumber Mint Martini, Kiss With Passion made with Sipsmith Gin and passion fruit syrup, Spiced Berry Mule, Steakhouse Margarita and Fire and Ice made with Dewar's White Label Scotch. They have also added new items to diner menu including a maple-glazed pork belly served with apple puree, balsamic and mixed greens.
12. Slater's 50/50 is offering deals too good to pass up during Happy Hour. From 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 p.m. to close every day, Slater’s guests can enjoy half off select draft beers, $6 Slaterized fries, $6 cocktails and $8 paired appetizers, including bacon mac and cheese balls and housemade frickles with honey mustard.
13. Every Sunday, PUB 365 inside Tuscany Suites & Casino offers brunch featuring bottomless mimosas ($12) with choice of juice – orange, passion fruit, mango, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and cherry. During brunch hours, guests may indulge in lobster benedict ($14), eggs benedict ($12), pulled pork eggs benedict ($12), chicken and waffles ($12), eggs and potatoes ($10) or brioche French toast with berries ($10).
If you would like to submit an item for a future roundup, send an email with information and photos to joyce.lupiani@ktnv.com.
