This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
Oktoberfest Beer Festival — September 21
The Oktoberfest Beer Festival at Ahern Hotel (300 W Sahara Ave), one of the few completely smoke-free hotels in Las Vegas, will be hosted by the Southern Nevada Brewers Guild and the American Lung Association from 1 to 5 p.m., with early entry at noon.
The festival features all-you-can-drink local craft beers, all-you-can-eat Bavarian food, live music, games, and a stein-holding competition.
Breweries pouring include Able Baker Brewing, Beer Zombies Brewing, Big Dog’s Brewing, Chicago Brewing, CraftHaus Brewery, Deadwood Meadery, HUDL Brewing, Juxta Nomad, Neon Desert Brewing, Nevada Brew Works, Tenaya Creek Brewery, and Voodoo Brewing.
German-inspired food will be served throughout the event, including Soft Pretzels with beer cheese; Pork Tenderloin Schnitzel with lemon and arugula and German potato salad with smoky bacon; Sausage Fest Plate with knockwurst, bockwurst, and kase krainer with sauerkraut and German-style sweet mustard; Whole Chicken with lemon and thyme garlic butter and sour cream and chive smashed red potatoes; Cheesy Spätzle with crispy and caramelized onion, gruyere, and gouda; and Sauerbraten with a gingerbread cookie and braised red cabbage.
Online tickets are $69 for general admission and $79 for early entry at noon. Tickets at the door are $95. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Grape Vine Café Wine Bar & Cellar — September 22
Grape Vine Café Wine Bar & Cellar will host a four-course wine dinner featuring Tamber Bey, a winery renowned for its 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay, with special guest Proprietor/Vintner Barry Waitte.
Courses are:
- Scallops seared in a brown butter chardonnay sauce on peppery arugula paired with Tamber Bey Sans Chene Chardonnay
- Pillows of gnocchi enveloped in a cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, parmesan, and fresh basil matched with Tamber Bey Deux Chevaux Rabicano Bordeaux Style Red Blend
- Herb-crusted filet mignon with potatoes au gratin paired with Tamber Bey Deux Chevaux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Coppa al Limone di Sorrento topped with lemon sauce and chopped pistachios matched with Tamber Bey Sauvignon Blanc.
There will also be raffle prizes and discounted bottles. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m., costing $125 per person plus tax and tip. To reserve, call 702-228-9463.
Toscana at Eataly — September 26
Eataly at Park MGM is hosting a series of wine-pairing dinners titled Eataly Uncorked Wine Experience within Toscana’s 10-seat private dining room. The dinners will showcase distinguished Italian wineries. The first dinner will feature Lamole di Lamole Estate, a winery founded shortly after World War II at a historic winery in Tuscany dating from the mid-fourteenth century.
Pairings are:
- Fried Pizza Dough with Ferrarini Prosciutto di Parma DOP paired with Cuvée Prestige, Ca’ del Bosco, Lombardia
- Bruschetta Toscana matched with Maggiolo Chianti Classico, Lamole di Lamole, Toscana
- Spinach and Ricotta-Filled Housemade Ravioli paired with “Lareale” Chianti Classico Riserva, Lamole di Lamole, Toscana and Chianti Classico Riserva, Santa Margherita, Toscana
- Chianti Braised Short Ribs with Yukon Gold potato purée and mixed greens matched with Chianti Gran Selezione, Lamole di Lamole, Toscana
- Housemade Olive Oil Cake with rosemary.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m., costing $249 per person (plus tax and tip). To purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week: Bardot Brasserie
Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie at ARIA is the James Beard Award-winning chef’s take on a French bistro focusing on classic French comfort foods prepared with fine-dining techniques. The décor sets a mood reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. It features luxurious tile flooring, marble tabletops, a bar illuminated with counter-to-ceiling brass shelving, bistro-style tables, burgundy leather booths, and an open kitchen.
The classy eatery has refreshed its brunch service, which is served Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with new dishes and live entertainment.
New brunch menu items include French Onion Soup with classic beef broth and levain croutons dripping with cave-aged gruyere; Heirloom Tomato Salad with shallots, basil, and sherry vinaigrette; and French Toast (more like a thick, soft chunk of bread) layered with vanilla mascarpone, almond brittle, and orgeat syrup.
Several favorites remain on the menu, like Caviar Deviled Eggs topped with Petrossian Caviar and chive; Shellfish Tower with Petrossian Caviar, Maine lobster, shrimp cocktail, blue crab, and oysters; Beef Wellington with 12 oz filet mignon, prosciutto, puff pastry, mushroom duxelles, black truffle fries, and au poivre sauce; and Beef Short Rib Hash with Kennebec potatoes, Madeira-glazed mushrooms, and sunny side up eggs. Be sure to partake in some sides, such as candied bacon and macaroni gratin.
An excellent accompaniment is the Michel Gonet Grand Cru Ablation Champagne (a winery Chef Mina partners with), to which you can add orange juice to make an upscale mimosa.
The live entertainment changes weekly on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To view the complete brunch menu, click here.
Dining News
Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant Celebrating Lobster
Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant at the Durango Casino & Resort is known for its vibrant coastal Mexican flavors. Although National Lobster Day is September 25, Mijo celebrates the beloved crustacean daily, with no less than four menu items containing lobster as the main ingredient.
The indulgent lobster-centric dishes include:
- Lobster & Corn Tostada featuring lobster, avocado, chipotle mayo, and cilantro on a crispy tostada ($22)
- Lobster Enchilada with butter-poached lobster in a guajillo and lobster cream sauce ($38)
- Butter Poached Lobster Tacos combining Maine lobster, chipotle aioli, cabbage, onion, avocado, and tomatillo salsa ($29)
- huge 2-pound Puerto Nuevo Grilled Lobster, butter-poached and grilled, served with chili lobster cream sauce and lemon ($85).
Harlø Steakhouse & Bar Tasting Menu
Harlø Steakhouse & Bar in Downtown Summerlin is presenting its latest tasting menu, showcasing executive chef partner Gina Marinelli’s take on authentic Argentinian cuisine.
Available through the end of October and priced at $95 per person, the four-course tasting includes:
- Choice of Grilled Calamari Salad with red wine vinegar, avocado, and tomato; or Provoleta with provolone, red chimichurri, and charred bread
- Sorrentino Ravioli made with black pepper ricotta and paprika Pomodoro
- Choice of Skirt Steak served with chimichurri and Mountain Magic Tomatoes or Grilled Dorade with oregano marinade and Bloomsdale spinach.
- Argentinian Biscuits with dulce de leche, coconut, and yerba mate
Bytes & Beyond Food Tour at AREA15
AREA15 invites guests to embark on a self-guided foodie tour of four venues: Kaia, The Beast, Dream Weaver Milk & Boba Bar, and LIFTOFF. Priced at $69 per person (plus tax and gratuity), the food portion of the tour includes an appetizer of two handrolls assembled to order at Kaia, a sandwich or burger at The Beast, and a Fantasy Float with choice from four flavors of a soft-serve and boba dessert drink from Dream Weaver Milk & Boba Bar.
The tour is capped off by a ride on LIFTOFF, an observation ride offering a bird’s-eye view of the Strip paired with a specialty drink.
The tour is available daily between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
Entertainment News
Halloween Parade Returns to Downtown Summerlin
Downtown Summerlin will again host the Halloween parade “Parade of Mischief” starting on October 4 and held every Friday and Saturday night in October at 6 p.m.
The free, family-friendly parade will fill the streets of Downtown Summerlin with more than 30 local youth cast in various roles, including aliens, Cruella de Vil, and Hocus Pocus witches. There will also be a Día de los Muertos float, and a fully revamped Addams Family float.
The parade starts by Champs on Park Centre Drive and ends near H&M. For additional information, click here.
