Melinda Sheckells, lifestyle and entertainment expert and editor of On the Strip, shares recommendations on what to eat and drink this week in Las Vegas.
Chef Dan Coughlin of Le Thai is opening 8 East at Circa Resort & Casino on October 28. Tasty Tuesday recently took an exclusive bite out of the new pan-Asian menu that Coughlin is developing with creative dishes and rare spirits from Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Thai cuisine. Some of the dishes include Salt & Szechuan Pepper Chicken Wings, Cumin Lamb Lollipops, Brisket Fried Rice and slow-roasted Crispy Pork Belly Bacon, slow cooked 10 hours before it’s lightly fried. All these are served with Chinese, Szechuan, Chengdu and Thai sauces.
8 East’s Beef Skewers and Chicken Skewers come with green sauce, Dan Dan Noodles are cooked with ground pork and tossed with Szechuan sesame sauce and the Pork Belly Bao offers a rich, smoked porchetta paired with pickled cabbage slaw, fresh cucumber, topped with a sweet and sour marmalade.
8 East’s beverage selections feature rare Japanese whiskies and sakes, as well as specialty cocktails such as the Singapore Sling and Old Fashioned, and a curated wine list featuring natural, biodynamic selections. The drink menu also highlights a Japanese Whisky tasting flight.
The restaurant’s whimsical décor has an art installation of waving cats, symbolizing good luck in the Japanese culture.
Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is now featuring their Paella Festival through October 3. Three signature paellas are on the menu. Every day guests savor the Arroz Melody de Verduras y Setas, a creamy rice of vegetables and mushrooms for $50, serving two to three people. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, order Paella Valenciana with chicken, rabbit and green beans. Half portion is $13 and the full portion is $26. On Friday and Saturday, try the Arroz de Lagrima de Iberico de Bellota, which is Spanish rice made with Iberico de Bellota rib meat and seasonal mushrooms. Half portion is $22.50 and the full portion is $45. Jaleo also has sangria hour Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and includes $6 sangria and $6 beer, plus $8 wine by the glass, $8 Spanish Bramble cocktail and $5 tapas. On Vino Tuesdays, guests can order their favorite tapas with select Spanish wines available for half price.
For $35, the tasting menu of greatest hits introduces the taste buds to all the Spanish favorites: pan de cristal con tomate y manchego (toasted bread with fresh tomato and Manchego cheese); gazpacho (chilled Spanish tomato soup); paella of the day and “pollo a la parilla” (grilled chicken thigh with olive oil potato purée and parsley purée), and addons such as carne asada ($8) and sautéed shrimp with garlic ($6).
Park MGM is reopening September 30 and that means Bavette’s and Eataly are back on the scene. Bavette’s Steakhouse and Bar is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Menu highlights include steak tartare, spicy fried chicken and their famous griddled cheeseburger. Eataly is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the casual restaurant inside Eataly La Pizza e La Pasta is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month at Scarpetta and Rose.Rabbit.Lie inside The Cosmopolitan through October 4. Favorite cocktails with Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Baker’s Bourbon are the San Remo and Devita at Scarpetta. The San Remo has Maker’s Mark bourbon, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, St. Germain elderflower, Campari and citrus and the Devita with Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey, fig jam, peach bitters and squeeze of lemon. Pair these with Scarpetta’s amazing tasting menu.
For more dining and entertainment news, check out @melindasheckells and @ktnv.
