This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
New Vista Wine Walk — June 15
New Vista will host a wine walk at Downtown Summerlin from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and include an eclectic mix of wine varietals from 18 tasting stations and live entertainment. Each attendee will receive a commemorative souvenir wine glass, tasting card, and map outlining the locations of the samples.
All proceeds benefit New Vista Community, Nevada’s largest non-profit residential provider supporting people of all ages with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit newvistanv.org/event/wine-walk.
Pick of the Week
Tuscany Gardens at the Tuscany Suites & Casino recently underwent a remodel and a new name for the fine dining restaurant: Bistecca. The word is Italian for steak, which is quite appropriate as, in addition to new décor stylings, the menu has been upgraded to include several fine cuts of beef.
The design elements give the room an old Vegas steakhouse feel, with luxurious furniture, a warm color scheme, seven pieces of original artwork by contemporary visual artist Patrizia Didiomete, and a more intimate vibe.
The reimagined menu brings back some of the signature dishes from the previous menu, such as a 24 oz Veal Osso Buco, Halibut, and Sunday Gravy Pappardelle. The new meaty upgrades bring artisanal cuts of wet-aged Angus Prime beef to the mix, including Filet Mignon, Boneless Ribeye, NY Strip, Scotch Filet and Butchers Cut. All can be paired with red wine reduction, peppercorn, bearnaise, salsa verde sauces, add-ons of garlic butter, truffle butter, king crab, lobster tail and tiger prawns.
House-made pasta includes Butternut Squash Ravioli with mascarpone and brown butter cream sauce, shrimp fra diavolo with tiger shrimp and white wine, and Bolognese with pancetta and tagliatelle.
Non-beef entrees include Chicken Marsala with a wine reduction and sauteed mushrooms, Duck Ragu with braised Muscovy duck and orecchiette, and Wild wild-caught salmon with puttanesca sauce.
Not to be missed are Asparagus with Italian hot bacon dressing, Tuscan Potatoes with parmesan and crispy garlic, and Brussels Sprouts with house seasoning and balsamic glaze.
Other throwbacks to Old Vegas are menu items prepared tableside. The Tableside Caesar includes a mix of croutons, lemon, anchovy, EVOO, pecorino, Romano, parmesan, garlic and egg that can be customized to your preferences. The Bananas Fosters Flambe with caramelized bananas, banana liqueur, and vanilla gelato is a dessert worth splurging on for its flavors and pyrotechnic entertainment.
Accompanying the fare are several wines at reasonable price points, such as the Italian De Paolo Pinot Noir ($15 a glass); a respectable whiskey selection with WhistlePig 10-year Rye and Nevada-made Frey Ranch Bourbon; and signature cocktails like the Italian Bird with spiced rum, Campari, pineapple juice, sherry, agave, and salt.
It’s worth noting that the portion sizes are generous, parking is free and plentiful, and prices are well below those found a short distance away on the Strip. These factors explain why Bistecca has already garnered its fair share of regular customers.
The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fri-Sat. Reservations are recommended.
Dining News
Fogo de Chão is renowned for unlimited servings of fine cuts of meat grilled over an open flame carved tableside. The Brazilian churrasco grill has upped its game by adding two new shareable plates to its Bar Fogo menu: Foie Gras Crostini featuring foie gras pâté served two ways with sliced apple and honey, as well as caramelized onion and fig and Picanha Tartare with hand-chopped picanha, fresh egg, ground mustard, garlic chips, pickled onions, capers, olives, and chimichurri served with crispy toast.
Several new seasonal items have been added to the extensive 40-item Market Table salad bar: Crispy Chickpea Kale Salad: crispy chickpeas and radicchio tossed with baby kale in a parmesan ranch dressing; Greek Salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, bell pepper, and feta cheese tossed in a Greek vinaigrette; Mango Black Rice Salad: antioxidant-rich black rice, ripe mango, bell pepper, and sweety drop peppers tossed in a Brazilian chili dressing; Spring Hummus: fresh hummus blended with spring herbs; topped with tomatoes, olives, cucumber, feta, and EVOO; Apple Manchego Salad: Granny Smith apples and Manchego cheese tossed with honey, cracked pepper, and black mission figs; Tomato Mozzarella Soup: tomatoes and fresh basil blended with sour cream and parmesan cheese topped with fresh mozzarella and Pão de Queijo croutons.
Entertainment News
The George Sportsmen’s Lounge at Durango Casino & Resort has launched its Movie Monday series. The lineup features family-friendly morning matinees and, in the evening, classic movies for adults 21+ showcased on a humongous 75-foot video screen on the patio.
The matinee showings begin with a movie character meet-and-greet photo opportunity at 9:30 a.m. and a movie screening at 10. The opening matinee schedule is as follows: June 17, Encanto; June 24, Cars; and July 1, Paw Patrol.
Children and their families can also enjoy kids’ picnic meals, available for purchase.
Evening screenings for adults aged 21+ are scheduled for 8 p.m. (conditions permitting based on the conclusion of any ongoing sporting events) and are paired with drink specials. The initial evening movie schedule is June 17 Step Brothers — Catalina Wine Mixer and discounted bottles of Bieler Rose, Rombauer Chardonnay, Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, and Dr. Loosen Riesling; June 24 Happy Gilmore — discounted buckets of beer; and July 1 Top Gun — Maverick Martini with choice of Aviation Gin or Tito’s Vodka.
Admission to the Movie Monday series is complimentary, but advanced reservations are highly encouraged. To secure your spot, visit TheGeorgeLV.com.
