Wish You Were Here Group, the Los Angeles-based company that brought Kassi Beach House to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, is set to open Rouge Room, a European-inspired cocktail lounge, at the Red Rock Resort in Summerlin this spring. The 5,345-square-foot space—formerly known as Crimson and originally opened as Cherry Nightclub in 2006—now includes floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains at its entrance, an oversized gold door, a grand piano in the center of the room, plush booths and two bars. The menu includes “savory bites … and a sophisticated cocktail program,” according to the announcement. And later in the spring, Rouge Cabanas will debut with “an upscale adult pool experience.”
Lemon Tree Cafe & Market has opened in the Evora development in southwest Las Vegas. The cafe features made-to-order French crepes, wood-fired pizza, Lavazza coffee, cold-pressed juices, house-made pastries and more. The urban-style gourmet marketplace offers curated items like imported pastas, caviar, foie gras, charcuterie, wine and beer. Located at 6111 S. Buffalo Drive #150, Lemon Tree is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Big Chicken has opened its second Las Vegas restaurant at 9595 W. Tropicana Avenue, including the franchise’s first-ever drive-thru service window. Founded by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Big Chicken is also offering new breakfast dishes and La Colombe Coffee at the new location along with its signature crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, mac and cheese and hand-crafted ice cream shakes.
Salad and Go is set to open its first Las Vegas location on January 16 at 1135 E. Craig Road. The healthy quick-serve concept serving salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, soup and more is currently planning rapid expansion across Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Nevada. Salad and Go is also partnering with Three Square to provide 1,000 fresh, nutritious meals to locals in need.
The second annual TAG Global Spirits Awards are set for January 30-February 3 at Delano Las Vegas, another week-long competition featuring more than 100 spirits categories judged by the industry’s legends and leaders, a kickoff party at Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay, special dinner events and the annual Pink Tie Party benefitting the Helen David Relief Fund. For more information, visit tagspiritsawards.com.
Several chefs have new gigs in local kitchens: Carla Pellegrino, who first came to Las Vegas as chef at Rao’s at Caesars Palace and went on to open Bacio and Bratalian among other projects outside the Valley, has joined Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen on West Sahara Avenue as partner and chef; Vladimir Chavez is the new executive chef at Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabhouse and Sports Bar at the Sahara after time at Fleur, Aureole, Libertine Social and Della’s Kitchen; Christopher Lee, a James Beard Award winner, has been named vice president of culinary operations and restaurant development at Wynn Las Vegas after helming two Michelin-starred restaurants in New York in Gilt and Aureole; and Triple George Grill at Downtown Grand has welcomed Steve Bacchetta as its new executive chef after his time at restaurants and kitchens at MGM Grand, Station Casinos, Luxor and the Cannery.
