In case you missed it, a couple of new-ish restaurants quietly opened on the Strip recently. Phase two of the Light Group’s culinary makeover at Mandalay Bay has come to life in the form of Citizens Kitchen & Bar. The space formerly known as Red White & Blue is still all-American, focused on comfort foods like baby back ribs, fried chicken and “smothered and covered” tater tots. Best part: it's open 24/7. Up the street, Harrah’s is home to the rebirth of Ruth’s Chris Steak House on the cozy mezzanine level where the Range used to offer cool Strip views. It may be a chain, but Ruth’s Chris was a big part of Vegas eating from the late '80s through 2011, so welcome it back.

In Chinatown, one of the hottest new late night nosh spots is now open for lunch. Chada Thai & Wine (3400 S. Jones Blvd.) does the daytime thing Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a $15 deal with soup, salad, egg roll, a glass of wine and a choice of entrée including panang or green curry, or kai yang charbroiled pork with spicy fish sauce.

Foodie event season is coming … are you ready for another Vegas Uncork’d? Tickets are already on sale for May’s super foodfest at vegasuncorked.com. Warm up for multi-course deliciousness with Three Square’s Restaurant Week, back next month (March 8-15). Line up your charitable munching agenda at helpdineoutlv.org.