There’s a story behind Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, the deeply flavorful (caramel and vanilla) 90-proof whiskey option launched a couple years ago, and that story is essentially this: Frank Sinatra loved Jack Daniel’s. He always had a bottle ready off-stage, and he was even buried with one—or so the story goes. Fittingly, Sinatra at Encore will show its love for JD on April 9 at 6 p.m. when four courses of chef Theo Schoenegger’s cuisine will be paired with whiskey cocktails while master distiller Jeff Arnett shares the details of Jack Daniel’s majestic 148-year history. I recently attended a preview tasting of this food and drink and still can’t stop thinking about the Quite Frankly, a blend of Sinatra Select, Lusau Olloroso sherry, Bigallet China-China Amer and Angostura bitters, and the way the drink changed and evolved while I worked my way through a prime filet mignon with black truffle potato gratin and creamed spinach. You can have the same experience. The cost is $185 and reservations can by made by calling 702-770-5320.
In other upcoming special-event dinners: Mercadito at Red Rock Resort begins its weekly Wednesday four-course tequila dinners on March 11, in which executive chef Juan Puentes incorporates tequila into the food for guests who also get to try different spirits in between bites. The cost is $36 and reservations can be made by calling 702-979-3609.
Roy’s is teaming with Grgich Hills Estate for a wine dinner on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. Courses include lobster dim sum, Kurobuta pork kakuni and shoyu-charred ribeye. Tickets are $95 and reservations can be made by calling 702-691-2053.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Harrah’s is celebrating 50 years with a one-night-only Veuve Clicquot Champagne dinner on March 19 at 8 p.m. The menu includes Grand Marnier smash cocktails, chilled jumbo shrimp, lobster bisque and filet mignon with black truffle and foie gras butter. Tickets are $125 and reservations can be made by calling 702-731-7778.
Fiamma at MGM Grand will host a wine pairing dinner with Castello Banfi wine education director William Whiting on March 26 at 7 p.m. The menu includes blue cheese mousse and prosciutto San Danielle with figs, cauliflower fritto misto and short rib raviolini. Tickets are $125 and information can be found by calling 702-891-7600.
New restaurants continue to arrive around the Las Vegas Valley at a blistering pace. PDQ, a fast-growing chicken tender joint, is set to open its first restaurant outside of Texas on March 15 at 3737 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas. Westgate Las Vegas already opened Sid’s Café recently and just added Silk Road Noodle Bar to the mix, a casual spot focused on Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Ribs & Burgers, an Australian company, makes its stateside debut at Downtown Summerlin on March 17 by offering one free burger each week for a year for the first 100 customers. And it was recently announced that the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes will be home to the third U.S. location of famed Chinese restaurant Meizhou Dongpo in early 2016.
Mr. Mamas, quickly becoming a locals’ favorite for breakfast and lunch, has moved to a new location at 5693 S. Jones Blvd. #106, at Russell Road. So get your buttermilk pancakes, ham steaks and Spanish omelets just down the way a bit.
Finally, Las Vegas Restaurant Week will be held for one 12-day period this year, June 15-26, replacing the separate spring and fall event format of recent years. As usual, participating restaurants will feature prix-fixe menus at price points between $20 and $50 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Three Square.
