News for Restaurants in Las Vegas
December 2023 Archive

• Summer House is now open at the new Durango Casino & Resort. There’s a summer beach feel to the décor with wicker chairs, hanging greenery throughout, an abundance of natural light via large windows and a large outdoor patio. The menu features comfort food favorites including Cali-style tacos, crispy fish tacos with chipotle crema, ahi tuna & watermelon tostadas, spinach & kale pizza with parmesan cream, 8 oz skirt steak frites with guajillo chili and cilantro-lime butter, Pacific rock bass fish ‘n’ chips with malt vinegar fries, skinless herbed chicken breast paillard accompanied with an arugula salad and 7-layer chocolate cake. The wine list is mainly California based, with 50+ options and several by-the-glass. The Market at the front entrance offers grab-and-go items including house-baked goods, coffee drinks, light breakfast items, craft cocktails and oversized cookies. Summer House, 6915 S Durango Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89148, 702-623-5011.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a 67-story luxury resort on the Vegas Strip rooted in the 70-year history of the iconic Miami Beach brand, opened on December 13, 2023. Within is a collection of signature restaurant including:

• Don’s Prime: softly lit steakhouse drawing inspiration from the elegant restaurants of the 1950s plus trolley carts and tableside service.
  
  
• Chyna Club: from Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau serving eclectic Chinese cuisine.

• Komodo: the energy and regional flavors⁠ of Southeast Asia, replete with signature Peking duck, rotating specials and a full sushi bar.

• Mother Wolf: a second outpost from renowned Los Angeles chef Evan Funke highlighting his soulful Italian cooking. 

There are more concepts set to open in the coming months such as chef Gabriela Cámara’s Cantina Contramar serving Mexican cuisine and seafood dishes; Ito, refined omakase restaurant led by chefs Masa Ito and Kevin Kim set on the 63rd floor with sweeping views of the Strip and surrounding city; and La Côte, on the pool deck evoking the posh resorts of the French Riviera with an international menu.

• Chef Evan Funke’s Mother Wolf, located inside the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel, opened to the public on December 14, 2023. Like the Hollywood original, the restaurant is a culinary tribute to Rome. Mother Wolf, 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-678-7777.

• Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner, winner of The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway, is now open in the Huntridge Center. Dapper Companies, Yesco Sign and Sysco Foods sponsored the competition, providing most of the nearly $1 million buildout. The design embraces the 1940s, with hardwood floor, long counter with stools and vintage pendant lights. The restaurant is named in honor of co-owner/head chef Aaron Lee’s grandmother, and co-owner/CEO Mallory Gott’s great-grandmother. The menu features classic diner items such as biscuits and gravy, pot roast French dip sandwich, pancakes, meatloaf sandwich, Salisbury steak, breaded pork chop and bottomless 25 cent coffee (when ordered with an entrée). There’s a full bar offering classic cocktails, a craft beer list and malted milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and peanut butter with the option to be spiked). Hours are Wed.-Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun.-Mon. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Plans are to eventually be open 24-hours a day. Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner, 1130 E. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV 89104, 725-205-1831.

• The Half Bird Chicken & Beer location in Chinatown has closed but the concept has hatched in a new location in Henderson, at 725 S Green Valley Pkwy at Horizon Ridge. The menu remains the same, with free range rotisserie chicken and seven addictive sauces (such as green curry ranch and chili garlic crunch); rotisserie chicken ramen; chicken sandwiches and a smash burger; and side dishes like smashed rotisserie potatoes, spicy cheese fries and Japanese milk bread with togarashi honey butter. This new location is family-friendly with an outdoor terrace with artificial turf, large screen TVs, heaters and games such as cornhole and beer pong; and video games inside. Entertainment for the adults include a self-serve beer wall with eight taps all pouring local beer including the HUDL Half Bird Cockfight Pils and a cooler with several regional craft beers. Opening hours are 11:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. daily. Half Bird Chicken & Beer, 725 South Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052, 702-202-2250.