This weekly update covers noteworthy restaurant openings and closings, dining news, culinary events, and entertainment news.
Events
Wine Walk Wish — September 28
Wine Walk Wish, a wine-tasting event with 100% of the proceeds donated to Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, will be held on The District’s cobblestone streets at Green Valley Ranch from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event features sampling a variety of bites from The District’s restaurants including P.F. Chang’s, Rachel’s Kitchen, Shake Shack, The Cheesecake Factory, PKWY Tavern, and Ritchie McNeely’s; a dozen wine bar tents; a silent auction with items such as Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders tickets, movie tickets, gift baskets, spa treatments, restaurant meals, apparel, and boat rentals; wine-themed games; and dancing to the live music of The Sonic Shakers.
Tickets are $55.20, including fees, and can be purchased by clicking here.
Honey Salt — September 30
Honey Salt owners and James Beard nominees Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla will bring back their popular annual Cape Cod-inspired farm table dinner.
The menu will include a welcome cocktail, Wellfleet Scallop Ceviche, Chatham Lobster Roll, and Pigs in the Blanket (Little Smokies Beef Dogs, cranberry ketchup) paired with Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc, 2023; Endless Summer Corn Salad and Baked Stuffed Quahog Clams matched with Justin Rose, 2023; New England Seafood Bake (lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, linguica sausage, and Dutch potatoes) paired with Landmark Pinot Noir, Overlook, California, 2021; and Stone Fruit Spoonbread (roasted peach and nectarines, whipped crème fraiche) and Warm Dirt Bomb (New England spiced sugar donut) matched with Amaro Cioccolate Truro Vineyards.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m.; tickets are $79 per person and an optional four-wine pairing for an additional $29. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here
La Côte — October 5
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is continuing its interactive Signature Series classes. The Art of the Grill will be taught by Don’s Prime Executive Chef Patrick Munster, who will illustrate the best grilling techniques for crowd-pleasing cookouts, including types of wood, equipment, grilling styles, and how to make flavorful sauces, marinades, and sides for al fresco dining.
The class will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on La Côte’s patio. It will include a welcome cocktail, light bites, and a three-course lunch. The cost is $185 per person (plus 18% gratuity and 8.375% tax). To purchase tickets, click here.
Pick of the Week
Kaia inside Area 15 is directly across from Omega Mart and sandwiched between The Beast and Dueling Axes. The space features an entire wall of AI-generated artwork, toy-lined shelves, and countertop bar seating. You may feel like you’ve been magically transported to Japan thanks to colorful hanging lanterns and over a dozen TVs playing loops of Japanese game shows and music videos.
The name of the restaurant is fitting, as Kaia means “of the sea,” and Head Chef Yoshi Tuaolo is well suited for his position, as he honed his sushi-making skills at notable eateries including Nobu, FUHU, and KUMI. Chef Yoshi designed the menu of handrolls, sashimi, and specialty rolls, of which I found The Neighborhood Beast (spicy tuna and avocado topped with seared tuna and house yuzu aioli) to be as good as any roll I’ve ever experienced. Another winner is the Kaia Signature Handroll featuring snow crab legs baked in honey aioli, wrapped in sesame soy paper, and topped with big eye tuna and Kaluga caviar.
Other menu options include Dumplings, Ramen Noodles, Poke, Rice Bowls, and a Japanese Caesar salad with tobiko arare and furikake. Desserts are Mochi (strawberry, mango, and green tea) and Ube Hachi Custard served in a signature croissant bowl topped with fresh berries.
Libations span hot green tea, sake, specialty cocktails, Japanese beer, and whiskey.
Prices are pretty reasonable, especially for a restaurant in a venue heavily frequented by tourists. Handrolls are $5-$8, and specialty rolls and sashimi are $15.
Kaia is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Barstool seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To view the complete menu, click here.
Dining News
Emmitt’s Las Vegas Tailgate Menu
Football season is back in full force, and Emmitt’s Las Vegas at the Fashion Show Mall is offering its “Brunchgating” menu, available during Saturday college football games starting at 10 a.m., Sunday NFL games starting at 10 a.m., and Monday and Thursday NFL games starting at 5 p.m.
The menu includes:
- Warm Pretzel Bites served with house-made “Whizz” cheese sauce ($13)
- 1 Lb. Chicken Wings tossed in choice of Buffalo sauce or sticky soy glaze ($18)
- Tuna Tarta Tacos—tuna tartar in a crispy wonton shell with avocado crema, sesame, and cilantro ($16)
- Beef Nachos smothered in house-made “Whizz” cheese with pickled peppers, avocado salsa, and cilantro crème fraiche ($21)
- Smoked Bratwurst topped with sauerkraut, pickled onions, and spicy mustard ($17)
- Shrimp Corndog Lollipops—golden battered shrimp patties served with miso mustard ($18)
- Brunch Burger topped with white cheddar, bacon jam, fried egg, and truffle aioli ($22).
Cider Fest at The Shady Grove Lounge
The Shady Grove Lounge at the Silverton Casino will usher in fall with the return of its Cider Fest. Running Thursdays through Sundays from Oct. 3 to Nov. 3, hard ciders with a range of tastes and styles will be available on tap.
Ciders will include Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider, Cranberry Cinnamon Cider, Apple Heist Cider, and Tropical Punch Cider.
Also being offered is a menu of festival favorites to complement the ciders, including Pumpkin Hummus served with house-made pita chips, parsley oil, toasted pumpkin seeds, and pomegranates ($7); Beer-Braised Onion Dip served with house-made white cheddar kettle potato chips ($7); Spaetzle mac and cheese balls with bacon jam ($12); Everything Bagel with a house-made pretzel charcuterie with assorted cured meats, pecan crusted goat cheese, port salute, cabolza, red pepper dip, onion jam, mustard, pickled pearl onions, gherkins, and marinated olives ($26); and Cannoli Dip served with candied graham crackers ($9).
Kona Grill Seasonal Pumpkin Menu
Kona Grill in Boca Park is serving a seasonal pumpkin menu. Beginning Oct. 1, the menu includes:
- Duck Empanadas with roasted pumpkin and jalapeno bacon jam ($21)
- Lobster & Pumpkin Ravioli with asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and lemon cream sauce ($32)
- Roasted Acorn Squash with citrus yogurt sauce and roasted pepitas ($9)
- Traditional Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream and roasted pumpkin seeds ($15)
- Pumpkin Spice Margarita with Patrón Reposado tequila, Reàl pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice ($14)
- Pumpkin Spice Martini with New Amsterdam vodka, pumpkin spice Rumchata, Owen’s Nitro-Infused espresso, Licor 43, and pumpkin spice. ($14).
Entertainment News
Vicki Lawrence & Mama — Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5
Vicki Lawrence will appear at the Access Showroom inside Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa for two nights. The multi-talented actress, comedian, and singer is known for the many characters she originated on CBS’s The Carol Burnett Show, where she appeared from 1967 to 1978 for the entire series run.
One such character, Thelma Harper/Mama, was the central character of the ever-popular television situation comedy series Mama’s Family. Fans can expect a mixture of stand-up comedy, music, and Ms. Lawrence’s observations about real life.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39 plus tax and fees and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com and www.aliantegaming.com or in person at Aliante or 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).
