Mariposa Cocina & Cocktails has planned to close temporarily for four to six weeks while working on some renovations and new programming and waiting for restaurant capacity restrictions to loosen from the current 25% mandate. Executive chef Robert Lomeli told the Weekly about the pause in business, which was set to begin over the weekend, explaining that the modern Mexican restaurant hasn’t been able to open as planned when it debuted in early December because of the strict capacity rules. “We want to make sure people understand we’re not giving up or closing our doors, and we’re not going to walk away from a project we’re all very proud of,” he says. “We put a lot of time and effort in, and we’re not going to fold. This not only gives us time to get settled, but also do some remodeling and renovations, and we want to return with a calendar full of special events, weekly live music, a ladies' night program and more.”
Sparrow + Wolf is bringing back chef Brian Howard’s FlyDogs, formerly available during Las Vegas Aviators games at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin, for Super Bowl takeout dining. Several different hot dog kits are now available at the Sparrow + Wolf pantry including the Heater, a spicy Berkshire pork sausage with Calabrian chili relish, kewpie mayo and grana Padano cheese, and the Detroit Bomber, a bacon-wrapped footlong with dry-aged beef chili and sweet onion jam.
The Beast, Todd English’s new food hall concept at Area15, pushed back its opening date to February 4.
Brera Osteria, a new restaurant inspired by the Brera Ristorante in the Los Angeles arts district, is set to open in mid-February at St. Mark’s Square at the Venetian, in the space formerly occupied by Sixth & Mill pizzeria and bar. Factory Place Hospitality Group, which operated Sixth & Mill and currently runs Matteo’s at Venetian, is bringing the new concept, which will be big on “Aperitivo Hour.” Brera dishes will include shareable plates, freshly made pasta, risotto, seafood and prime sirloin steak.
Honey Salt will host a Valentine’s Day pop-up shop featuring gifts from Dee Berkley Jewelry, Desert Bloom Eco Farm and Flora Couture, with proceeds going to benefit the Las Vegas Fashion Council, plus a variety of sweet and savory baked goods from the Honey Salt and Buddy V’s kitchens. The event is set for February 12 from noon until 4 p.m. at the private dining room and patio at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd.
Michelin-star chef Akira Back of Yellowtail at Bellagio will host a special evening for members only at DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson on February 14 from 4 until 9 p.m. Back’s multicourse tasting menu will feature his famous AB tuna pizza, king crab and rock shrimp, 48-hour Kobe short ribs and more.
The Kosher culinarians at Burnt Offerings have teamed with the Israeli American Council for a new outreach program called Soups for Souls, donating soups to hospitals, first responders and others in need within the local community, part of a larger program called IAC Care. For more information or to volunteer, visit iaccare.org.
