This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
Brew Festivus Beer Fest — December 7
The Nevada Craft Brewers Association (NCBA) will provide an opportunity to taste more than 30 beers from more than 20 Nevada breweries at its annual Brew Festivus Beer Fest. Held from noon to 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, the unlimited sampling will include rare collaborations, specialties, one-offs, holiday-inspired beers and hard cider. Bring your four-legged beer buddy in festive gear to enjoy the fun with a photo opportunity provided by Michael’s Angel Paws.
The pet- and family-friendly event will include a live DJ, food trucks, and several vendors selling crafts such as gourmet cookies, craft beer candles, custom animal treats, and animal apparel.
General admission tickets are $40 for admission at 1 p.m. and unlimited beer sampling. VIP tickets are $65 for early admission at noon, a custom logo tasting glass, admittance to a VIP lounge, and a food ticket for choice of a Backyard Classic Burger or 50/50 Bacon Stuffed & Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog from VIP Sponsor Slater’s 50/50. Proceeds benefit the Nevada Craft Brewers Association and Michael’s Angel Paws, a local non-profit that provides dog training programs for service and therapy dogs.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle (half of the ticket sales go to the prize “pot” and half the ticket sales benefit the non-profit NCBA).
For a list of breweries pouring beer and to purchase tickets, click here. To purchase raffle tickets, visit NCBA Raffle Tickets.
Ada’s Food + Wine — December 8
Ada’s Food + Wine at Tivoli Village will host Eat This Comedy, a night of laughs, drinks, and a special multi-course dinner from award-winning Chef Jackson Stamper.
The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a welcome cocktail and passed appetizers, followed by a family-style dinner at 6:30. The menu will include Cornish Hen and Lardo, Shrimp and Garlic with Chile, Skirt Steak and Braised Shallot, Wild Mushrooms with Sherry and Rosemary, Butter Lettuce with Paprika Dijon, Fried Brussels with Pineapple Gochujang, and Duck Fat Potatoes and Walnut Dijon.
The evening continues with a comedy show at 7:30 featuring Jason Harris (Netflix is a Joke Fest, Bleacher Report), Mary Upchurch (Dry Bar Comedy, Laugh After Dark), Steven Roberts (Brad Garret’s Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory), and Gabe Nolasco (Laugh After Dark, Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club).
Tickets are $100 per person. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week: Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs
Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs, the unconventional sandwich shop and bar known for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff, has opened a new location at 3340 St. Rose Pkwy in Henderson, the sixth in Southern Nevada.
The concept was created in Tempe, AZ, in 1998 by Founder Scott Jennings as a counter-culture haven that was the first marijuana-themed sandwich “joint.” Now, 26 years later, it continues to promote an attitude of pop culture that is much more accepted today. The names Cheba and Toasted are both slang references to marijuana, as are several of the sandwich names, such as La Canna, Chronic, and Pakalolo.
A stunning décor feature is the original artwork by acclaimed artist Joshua Finley covering the wall from the entrance to the ordering counter. With a botanical feel, the mural cleverly depicts caterpillars smoking blunts and a blooming rose, nodding to the Caterpillar equipment rental business next door and the street the sandwich shop is situated on. A full bar, with one side open to the outdoor heated patio, is also available.
The featured fare is the more than 30 signature sandwiches with high-quality ingredients, which are served open-faced to allow you to see the fixings in all their glory before digging in. Some dope sandwich stars are the best-selling Kali Mist with roasted turkey breast, bacon, chipotle mayo, jalapeño, avocado, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle; La Canna with smoked ham, genoa salami, prosciutto, black olive, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle; and the vegetarian Magic Mushroom with portobello, teriyaki, green bell pepper, pineapple, pepper jack, spring mix, tomato, onion, pickle, cucumber, and black olive. Sandwiches come with the Shake & House dressing, a proprietary garlic, herbs, oil, and vinegar blend, and proprietary Parisian bread (choice of white, whole wheat, and the highly recommended garlic herb).
The bar pours 12 beer drafts and 10 cans, including the local CraftHaus ALL the Peaches Sour and pint-sized cocktails like the Buzzed Bong Water with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Blue Curacao, lemon juice, and Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid topped with lemon-lime soda.
Offerings you aren’t likely to find in traditional sandwich shops include the self-serve Kool-Aid fountain, which dispenses Tropical Punch, Grape, and Blue Raspberry Lemonade; a menu of munchies with French Onion Soup, soft Pretzel Bites tossed in garlic butter and salt served with honey mustard, and Krispy Bar—cereal bites wrapped in chewy marshmallow.
Cheba Hut is open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight (until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). For more info and the complete menu, visit chebahut.com/locations/henderson-strose.
Dining News
Ellis Island Selling Holiday Nog
Ellis Island’s yearly Ellis Family Holiday Nog, now in its 22nd year of commercial production, is now available for purchase.
The dairy-based beverage fortified with bourbon, rum, and brandy is a closely guarded family recipe with a tradition that began when Ellis Island owner Gary Ellis’ grandfather, Frank Ellis, Sr., learned about the recipe from a fellow passenger on a ship taking him from Italy to the US back in 1953; in the 1980s, after his grandfather passed away, Gary Ellis found the recipe and began making small batches in his home kitchen.
5,600 bottles were created this year using 24,000 eggs, 275 gallons of spirits, and a few secret ingredients. The Holiday Nog is available by the glass ($10) or bottle ($40). Customers can purchase it until it’s sold out at Ellis Island Casino and all Village Pub locations.
NORMS Opens First Las Vegas Location
NORMS Restaurants, a pioneer of classic American dining born and raised in Southern California, has opened its first Las Vegas location at 4605 W Charleston Blvd (at Decatur), the 24th outpost for the diner concept.
The first NORMS opened in 1949 in Hollywood near the famed corner of Sunset & Vine and became known for delivering hearty portions at affordable prices. NORMS Las Vegas is serving fan-favorite dishes, including Hotcakes, Classic Bigger Better Breakfast, T-Bone Steak & Eggs, Classic Sirloin Steak Trio, NORMS Original Patty Melt, Country Fried Steak, NORMS “Ultimate” Meatloaf, and Habanero Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger.
NORMS Las Vegas, in addition to being the group’s first location outside of California, is the first to offer a full bar serving beer, wine, hard seltzers, and specialty cocktails including the El Normando Michelada topped with fried jalapeno, bacon, and pineapple and finished with a spicy chamoy rim; and Bourbon Butterfinger Milkshake with blended French vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Butterfinger pieces, and a cherry on top.
The exterior of NORMS Las Vegas is outfitted with the concept’s signature orange hue, illuminated blade logo, and large signage. The dining room is full of wooden booths and white tables, with pops of orange sprinkled throughout the space on chair backs and wall fixtures that pay homage to NORMS’ famous Googie architecture.
Entertainment News
Trans-Siberian Orchestra — November 29
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), the progressive rock band founded as an outlet for the many rock operas by late rock industry veteran, producer, composer, and musician Paul O’Neill, will perform its all-new version of The Lost Christmas Eve—the final chapter of TSO’s Christmas trilogy—at the Orleans Arena.
Since its 1999 debut, the band has consistently been one of the Top 25 touring acts in the country. The band has played over 2,000 Winter Tour shows for more than 18 million fans and has donated more than $18 million from these tours to local charities.
Showtimes are 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.99 plus taxes and fees and can be purchased by visiting www.orleansarena.com, in person at the Orleans Arena, or at any other Boyd property’s retail gift shops. Tickets may also be purchased at the venue box office on the day of the show (depending upon availability).
