MGM Resorts recently announced the lineup for its inaugural Drink Las Vegas weekend September 24-27, and the food and beverage festival (and hospitality industry showcase) is so stacked, event tickets are going fast and more programming has been added.
For example, the opening night tasting at the Yucca Pool at Aria is hosted by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with special guest Shaquille O’Neal. Timeless Taste, hosted by icons Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck, is billed as “a walkaround of history with Las Vegas classics, modern mixology, and the legends who built it all.” And those are just some of the signature tasting events; other dining experiences we’re into include the Elements of Agave lunch with Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz and Daniela Soto-Innes, and the Island Alchemy Caribbean dinner at Primrose with Paul Carmichael, Tristen Epps-Long and Pepper Stashek.
Here’s the takeaway: Go to drinklasvegas.com now and secure your spot to what will surely be the most talked about new culinary event of the year. Weekend passes start at $600, panels are $95 and single events start at $150.
In more local restaurant and bar news:
The Resort at Summerlin has announced another Neighborhood Food Hall Community Block Party for August 1 at 1 p.m., showcasing the varied cuisine at the food hall and raising money for Project 150. A tasting passport is $25 in advance or $30 on the day of the event, with more info at theresortatsummerlin.com.
Local fave Meraki Greek Grill has opened a new eatery Downtown at 1551 S. Commerce Street #110.
Downtown smokehouse Soulbelly BBQ has opened a second location at the Miracle Eats Food Court at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters has opened three more locations—at 110 E. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson, 7120 S. Rainbow Boulevard and 10020 W. Sahara Avenue—bringing its Valley total up to six stores.
Nacho Daddy has opened its fourth local restaurant at Area15.
Global bubble tea brand Chatime has opened its first Las Vegas store at 4626 S. Maryland Parkway, with plans to open six locations around the Valley.
Sam’s Town has opened STG Bar & Grill, an all-new classic American restaurant, and parent company Boyd Gaming has gastropub concepts in the works at the Fremont and Aliante Casino.
Suncoast has debuted its new Quick Bites food hall featuring Steak ‘n Shake and Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders along with the resort’s Starbucks store.
Todo Bien at UnCommons is chilling us all out with a Christmas in July takeover, with over-the-top tropical decor and a limited-time cocktail menu with festive, island-inspired libations including: Christmas in the Tropics ($17) with Lunazul tequila, Vago mezcal, fresh lime juice, coconut, allspice and Curaçao; and Mr. Sandman ($16) with Tito’s vodka, Genepy Alpine liqueur, lime and cran-rosemary cordial, topped with soda. The party continues all month long and more info is at todobientiki.com.
Meanwhile on the Strip, Flanker Kitchen & Sports Bar has brought back its summer Mai Tai tropical pop-up, with island-inspired bites and tiki-ish drinks ready and waiting through August 31.
Fremont East’s La Mona Rosa recently reinstated its Pink Brunch, available every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a new menu inspired by coastal Mexican cuisine.
Balla Italian Soul has launched its Ciao Bella Brunch, with chef-driven Italian cuisine and cocktails and live entertainment, on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Reservations can be made at saharalasvegas.com.
Ferraro’s Ristorante is back to its seasonal ways with the return of the Summer in Italy four-course prix fixe menu, available for $75 per person through August 23.
