Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.




News for Restaurants in Las Vegas
January 2011 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / News Bytes / Chef Shuffle/ Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / News Archive / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter

If you haven't picked a place to eat tonight, you're in luck. Gayot has all the restaurant news for your area right here. Learn which new restaurants have opened in Las Vegas and which restaurants in Las Vegas have recently closed. Find out where your favorite chefs are cooking and locate special events. 

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

I♥burgers has opened on the second level of The Shoppes at the Palazzo, serving options of beef, buffalo, ahi, free-range chicken breast, turkey and vegan options. To complement the burgers, there is a large collection of domestic and imported beers, 10 different varieties of fries and some unique homemade ice cream shakes, such as the blueberry panshake---real pancake with maple syrup and blueberries. i♥burgers, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109, 866-263-3001.
 
The dining room of Comme Ca Los Angeles-based chef David Myers and his David Myers Group has opened Comme Ca at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the second location outside of its popular West Hollywood flagship. The menu is hand-written on chalkboard walls to underscore its simplicity and farm-centric mission; its selections are frequently changed. A variety of shellfish are served from the raw bar, and entrées include an Angus beef burger topped with cheddar, and crispy skate grenobloise in a brown butter sauce accompanied by duck confit. Desserts are created by pastry chef Ramon Perez, such as ice cream-filled profiteroles and chocolate bread pudding. Comme Ca, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-698-7000.
 
Jaleo is now open at the brand new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, serving a small plates and paella menu. Executive chef José Andrés, chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup, has made frequent appearances on programs such as NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s Early Show, ABC’s Nightline, the Food Networks’s Iron Chef and Bravo’s Top Chef. Located upstairs at the gateway to the P3 level, the restaurant’s focus is on its centerpiece Paella Grill, the first specialized paella kitchen in the U.S. The menu is divided into an array of different tapas selections comprising meat, seafood and vegetarian options. The restaurant design, inspired by Spanish food, features doors decorated with calligraphy and imagery of the Spanish countryside. Jaleo, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-698-7000.
 
STK is now open at the brand new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Stephen Hopcraft, who has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef and Food Network’s Chefs vs. City, has been named executive chef. The Las Vegas branch is the company’s fourth location, joining its sister properties in Los Angeles and Miami. Three separate plate sizes are offered---small, medium and large. STK offers unique signature side dishes such as shrimp rice krispies, foie gras French toast, Lil’ Big Macs, sweet corn pudding and parmesan truffle fries. Dubbed “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” STK blends two concepts into one---the modern steakhouse with a chic lounge. Design elements include a central lounge furnished with creamy leather banquettes and textured crocodile tiles, and an elevated dining room featuring smoky mirrors and theatrical lights illuminating each table. STK Las Vegas is open for dinner seven days a week. STK, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 877-893-2001.
 

News Bytes

Marinelli’s at the M Resort Debuts New Happy Hour Menu
Marinelli’s at the M Resort Spa Casino has introduced a new happy hour menu to its bar. The menu includes Italian meatball slider; pork and beef meatball with marinara and melted fresh buffalo mozzarella; vongole al brood---steamed fresh clams with garlic, herbs, wine and chili flakes; and fried bocconcino---crispy fried mozzarella with creamy marinara sauce. All items are priced at $7 and the happy hour occurs daily from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Marinelli’s, M Resort Spa Casino, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Henderson, NV 89044, 702-797-1000.
 
Hubert Keller Filming PBS Show in Las Vegas
Hubert Keller has a new kitchen in Las Vegas. His Hubert Keller: Secrets of a Chef is now filming its third season at the KLVX headquarters, the PBS Las Vegas affiliate. The recording begins an exclusive five-year partnership between Vegas PBS and Keller. On-location footage of Keller at his Burger Bar Las Vegas and Fleur restaurants at Mandalay Bay has been filmed, and the focus is now on his custom-designed kitchen set at the station’s studio, which is decorated like a real restaurant kitchen. The series will feature 26 half-hour episodes showcasing Keller’s culinary talents and taking viewers step-by-step through his recipes. The new season will air nationwide on PBS stations this spring.
 
Safe Harbor Certification Program Implemented in Las Vegas
N9NE Steakhouse and Nove Italiano located inside Palms Casino Resort have implemented the Safe Harbor Certification program. The program was developed by Micro Analytical Systems, Inc. (MASI), a California-based company that provides the industry’s first and only real-time, large-scale and low-cost testing for mercury and pathogens, such as E. coli, and histamines that are caused by microbial contamination in certain species of fish. A clear indication that a restaurant is participating in this program is that the Safe Harbor logo is displayed within the restaurant and on the menu. Currently, there are more than 30 restaurants implementing the Safe Harbor program in Las Vegas.
 
Cabo Wabo Cantina Offering Football Specials During NFL Playoff Games
The Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is hosting football -viewing parties during the NFL playoffs. During the games special prices are offered, including $5 touchdown shots, $5 buffalo chicken nachos, $5 buckets of fries, $10 buckets of chicken wings and $20 buckets of beer. Cabo Wabo Cantina, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-785-5555, 877-333-WISH.
 
Yard House Introduces Snacks Menu
The Yard House, known for its American fusion fare and up to 250 taps of beer, has added a new savory snacks menu. Priced from $2.95 to $5.95, the selection lends itself well to sharing. More than a half-dozen items are offered, including truffle fries sprinkled with shredded parmesan and herbs, shrimp ceviche with chunks of mango papaya salsa, fresh hummus with edamame and kalamata olives, and an ahi poke bowl comprised of marinated raw ahi blended with avocado, carrots, bean sprouts, macadamia nuts and crispy wontons. Yard House, 11011 W Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135, 866-767-7773, 702-797-7777.
 
Project Dinner Table Announces 2011 Dates

Project Dinner Table has announced dates for its 2011 season. The Project Dinner Table dinner series showcases local chefs’ one-night-only menus created almost entirely with ingredients from local purveyors, suppliers and farmers, and educates guests regarding local growers and sustainable sources. A signature long, white table is the centerpiece of every dinner seating, with seating for approximately 130 people. The dates for its second season are: April 16, May 14, June 25, September 10, October 15 and November 13. Each dinner will be hosted in a unique location that is typically unavailable to the public for dinner. Like all Project Dinner Table events, a percentage of the proceeds go to local charities. Since Project Dinner Table launched in April 2010, more than $20,000 has been distributed to a total of nine Southern Nevada charities including Junior Achievement, Natural History Museum, Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Cancer Institute, Vegas Valley Children’s Book Festival supporting Children’s Literacy, Nevada School of the Arts, Gilcrease Orchard, HELP of Southern Nevada and Teach for America. For more information, go to www.projectdinnertable.com.


 
Happy Hour Every Hour at Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina
Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina inside Crystals at CityCenter has extended its happy hour times to the restaurant’s opening to closing times, seven days a week. The new menu is called happy hour every hour, and features a selection of signature appetizers and cocktails, wine and beer for less than $7 each. Appetizers include vegetable pizza with baby squash blossoms, cherry tomatoes and ricotta cheese; tomato bruschetta with basil and parmesan; and calamari with garlic aioli, lemon and paprika. The menu is served from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina, Crystals, 3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Ste. 240, Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-238-1000.
 
Smashburger Partners with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
During the month of January, the Las Vegas Smashburger locations will donate $1 from each Sin City Smashburger or Sin City Smashchicken sold to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to help fund research and advancements in the management and eventual cure of type 1 diabetes. The Sin City Smashburger is prepared with 100-percent Certified Angus Beef topped with a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions and smash sauce on an artisan egg bun. Smashburger is open daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. For a list of locations, visit www.smashburger.com. Smashburger, 4725 S Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89119, 702-385-0043.
 

Chef Shuffle

Errol LeBlanc, formerly of R.E. Tapas Kitchen and Aureole, is now executive chef at the i♥burgers at The Shoppes at the Palazzo. i♥burgers , 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109, 866-263-3001.
 
Carla Pellegrino has left her position as executive chef of Rao's in Caesars Palace. Rao's, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7267.
 

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Las Vegas to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. Aristocrat, R.I.P.

Alex at Wynn Las Vegas has closed. The space will be turned into a special events center. The French-inspired restaurant had been open for nearly six years and had garnered numerous accolades and awards. Chef Alex Stratta will remain at Wynn Las Vegas operating his more casual Italian-themed Stratta. Alex, Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Las Vegas

Current News View archived news: February 2024 | January 2024 | December 2023 | November 2023 | October 2023 | September 2023 | August 2023 | July 2023 | June 2023 | May 2023 | April 2023 | March 2023 | February 2023 | January 2023 | December 2022 | November 2022 | October 2022 | September 2022 | August 2022 | July 2022 | June 2022 | May 2022 | April 2022 | March 2022 | February 2022 | January 2022 | December 2021 | November 2021 | October 2021 | September 2021 | August 2021 | July 2021 | June 2021 | May 2021 | April 2021 | March 2021 | February 2021 | January 2021 | December 2020 | November 2020 | October 2020 | September 2020 | August 2020 | July 2020 | June 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020 | December 2019 | November 2019 | October 2019 | September 2019 | August 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | October 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | January 2017 | December 2016 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.