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News for Restaurants in Las Vegas
September 2013 Archive

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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

Chef Tony Gemignani has opened Pizza Rock in downtown Las Vegas, featuring gourmet pizzas, hand-crafted artisanal cocktails and an extensive imported beer and wine list. The restaurant offers a variety of pizza styles, such as Neapolitan, classic Italian, classic American, Sicilian, Roman and gluten-free; it also features Gemignani’s Burratina Di Margherita --- burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction. A selection of pastas, antipasti and salads is available, all made with authentic Italian ingredients and organically grown produce. The location at 201 N. 3rd Street, two blocks north of the Fremont Street Experience, is part of the Downtown 3rd neighborhood and is adjacent to the new Downtown Grand. Pizza Rock is open daily for lunch and dinner. Pizza Rock, 201 N. 3rd St., Las Vegas, NV 89101, 702-385-0838.
 
Chef and restaurateur Sam Marvin, creator of the Los Angeles restaurant Bottega Louie, has opened Echo & Rig Butcher and Steakhouse in Tivoli Village. Reintroducing the concept of the neighborhood butcher shop, a large floor-to-ceiling glass meat locker is on view at the entrance, providing a view directly into the butcher shop and to the open concept two-floor eatery. It is both a butcher shop and a restaurant, with packaged meats wrapped in branded blue butcher paper with twine and a wax seal. More than 90 selections are made with Prime grass-fed beef, wild day boat seafood and farmers-market-fresh fruits and vegetables. Echo & Rig Butcher and Steakhouse is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner; a late night menu is available on weekends and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. Echo & Rig Butcher and Steakhouse, Tivoli Village, 440 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89145, 702-489-3525.
 
Sugar Factory American Brasserie has taken over the space of Meatball Spot at Town Square. This new Sugar Factory location marks the restaurant’s first location off of the Strip, joining other Las Vegas locations at The Mirage, MGM GrandParis Las Vegas and the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The new brasserie features an array of fondue and wine pairings, an expanded dessert menu including custom ice cream cones, spiked adult beverages made with sweet treats, appetizers, salads, burgers, pastas, pizzas and breakfast offerings. Sugar Factory American Brasserie, Town Square, 6605 S Las Vegas Blvd #145, Las Vegas, NV 89119, no phone.
 

News Bytes

Aureole Offering Deals to Vegas Locals
Aureole in Mandalay Bay is now offering Las Vegas locals 15 percent off food and beverage purchases (not including the small plates menu), a complimentary dessert cocktail with entrée purchase and priority reservations (call 702-632-7200 and mention that you are a Las Vegas local). Additionally, guests may subscribe to Aureole’s newsletter for recipes, tips, perks and special menu deals. To sign up, go to www.charliepalmer.com. Aureole, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89119, 702-632-7401.
 

Chef Shuffle

Fatimah Madyun has been named the new chef de cuisine of Rao's in Caesars Palace. Madyun, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, has been with the Rao’s team since 2008, and prior to Rao’s was chef de tournant at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Madyun replaces Nicole Grimes, who is now opening Rao’s new location in Hollywood. Rao’s, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7267.
 
Michael van Staden has been named executive chef of the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. Van Staden was instrumental in the development of Bacchanal’s initial menu and has 15 years of culinary experience. The South African native has worked at several Las Vegas restaurants, including Jean Joho's Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, Alizé at the Top of the Palms and Michael Mina Bellagio. In his position at Bacchanal Buffet, van Staden will oversee a kitchen staff of more than 100 team members within each of their nine different kitchens. Bacchanal Buffet, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-731-7928, 877-427-7243.
 

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.

Carnegie Deli at The Mirage is closed for maintenance October 1-15. During that time, the nearby Samba Brazilian Steakhouse is serving a limited Carnegie Deli menu (including breakfast) from midnight-3 p.m. daily, with the last seating at 2 p.m. Carnegie Deli, The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-791-7310.
 
The Mexican restaurant Diego at the MGM Grand closed September 23. The MGM Grand reports that a new restaurant will open in its space by January 2014. Diego’s executive chef Christina Olivarez, the first Vegas chef to win Food Network’s Chopped, has reportedly taken a position as corporate executive chef at GNT USA in Tarrytown, New York. Diego, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, 702-891-3200.
 
Meatball Spot, the casual meatball and pizza eatery at Town Square formerly helmed by chef Carla Pellegrino, has closed. This fall the restaurant will be relocating to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to a space adjacent to the theater at which part-owner Britney Spears will be performing. Meatball Spot, Town Square, 6605 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Ste. 145, Las Vegas, NV 89119, 702-641-7768.
 

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

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