Make. The. Burgers. Stop.
Food News Leftovers
Las Vegas loves a trendy chain… but will it get the 440th location of Mediterranean-bowl purveyor Cava? While there has been no confirmation from the fast-casual eatery itself, internet sleuths somehow found it listed on a site plan for a northwest shopping center — an assertion backed up by building permits. If true, prepare for aggressively-customized grain combos served in paper bowls and lines of “there first” early adopters in yoga pants.
As teased on the podcast several weeks ago, home-grown mini-chain Le Cáfe Vegas has officially closed its Chinatown location (Le Café Central). Known as tasty neighborhood petit bistros (serving pastries, crepes, sandwiches, and more), two other area locations (Le Cafe du Val, Le Cafe du Sud) remain open to serve those craving some Continental cosplay.
Two more smashburgers clutter the grill . Redhead Burger, a project of two brothers from Miami Beach, has opened at the Venetian. Not content to serve just one trendy handheld, the brothers also offer a Crisp Chicken sandwich… Meanwhile, Downtown's East Fremont area gets Not A Damn Chance Burger at the John E. Carson building, coming mid-May. NADC — an unexpected effort of pro-skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin-star chef Phillip Lee — ran a pop-up at Resorts World last summer, and specilaizes in wagyu smashburgers. Will ever end?
Apparently, noshing in a nice restaurant is no longer enough, so Area15 is introducing two new dining, uh, experiences. Universal Horror launches “Food, Film & Frights” — a 4-course prix fixe dinner accompanied by a secret scary screen gem — on May 9. And at Odyssey Manor, a ̶d̶i̶n̶n̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶a̶t̶r̶e̶ fully-immersive cocktail and meal program invites attendees to move about, interacting with the cast of characters inhabiting the Manor. These new concepts further Las Vegas’s commitment to turning everything dang thing into an Event. Still, sometimes we just want to be immersed in yummy food with a cast of characters that give great service.
Speaking of areas of town that just eat-up trendy fast-food chains… After years of delays and enough anticipation to qualify as character development, Alhambra's The Hat opened in southwest Las Vegas. The SoCal fave is known for oversized sandwiches, chili cheese fries with zero nutritional ambition, and a curious insistence that thinly-sliced pastrami is the better life choice. Yes, the lines are stupid long; we suggest waiting out the influencers
Spilling the Tea
Las Vegas can be a tough market. While residents of our newly-built neighborhoods eagerly embrace the fast casual spots they remember from elsewhere, the Strip’s crowds can be much tougher. Even a successful trio of banded brothers can’t force their Strip restaurant toward success — despite it paying tribute to their grandma . If you are Jonasing for their stage show, it goes on as planned at Park MGM; if you want some southern cooking, you'll need to visit their nearby restaurant before June 1…
Of four Arts District venues that have shuttered in recent months, only one (Swan Dive) has reopened under a different name (Bizarre Bar). That leaves the neighborhood's vacant HUDL Brewing Company, Berlin Bar, and District Deli still unable to attract new operators to what are existing (and expensive) ready-made facilities. Is the rent unaffordable? The neighborhood overbuilt? The seemingly endless road construction a deterrant? All this is exactly the opposite of where the Arts District was just 11 short years ago. Be careful what you wish for?
Pet Peeve of the Week
I hate when a no-reservation restaurant tells you that there is “about an hour” of people waiting ahead of you, so you agree to be “put on the list.” You take their pager, walk a few doors down, and order a drink. As soon as you start sipping, the pager goes off… maybe 10 minutes later. Was it really an hour wait, or are you creating the illusion of being busy? Do I guzzle down my drink, abandon it, or lose my seat? Grrr.
–Paul R
Order of the Week
The Large Pretzel @ Nevada Brew Works
The name could use some work, but this might be the best bar pretzel in the Arts District. It comes with saucy sides of Honey Mustard and Queso (mustard is just an ask away). Pair this perfect prize with an icy draft for a tasty, twisted treat: hot, chewy, salty, and satisfying. And suddenly… it’s gone.
