Las Vegas Restaurant Openings of Spring 2015
Welcome to spring in Las Vegas, when scores of restaurants open across the city. The cavalcade of big names includes Gordon Ramsay, Julian Serrano, Brian Malarkey, Tony Gemignani, Bank Atcharawan and Alex Stratta. Big projects such as the Grand Bazaar Shops and Downtown Summerlin have their own subset of restaurants and bars, and the Pawn Stars‘ Rick Harrison opens his Pawn Plaza. Here’s a look at what’s on the horizon for the most-anticipated restaurant openings this spring arranged by area of town, plus two bonus openings in July
THE STRIP
Searsucker
Location: Caesars Palace
The Players: Brian Malarkey and Hakkasan Group
The Situation: The former Top Chef contestant brings his fun and casual approach to dining to Caesars Palace in the former Munchbar space. On the menu, find a lot of items in quotes. Look for a 38-ounce bone-in ribeye “tomahawk,” eggs and bacon “pork belly” with a soft poached egg with brown butter Hollandaise, the beer-braised short rib and horseradish with fried onions, pan sauce and butter potatoes. Malarkey’s sides include jalepeño chorizo “corn off the cob” and fried Brussels sprouts with walnuts in an anchovy red wine jalapeño vinaigrette
Opening: March 27
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Lago
Location: Bellagio
The Players: Julian Serrano
The Situation: Julian Serrano takes inspiration from Milan for his new Italian restaurant going in front and center at Bellagio. A mosaic measuring 15 feet tall and spanning 100 feet made of colorful Italian glass portraying an aerial map of Milan promises to wow guests as they enter the bar area.
Opening: April
All Coverage of Lago [ELV]
Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips
Location: The Linq
The Players: Gordon Ramsay
The Situation: Long rumored, Gordon Ramsay’s fourth restaurant in Las Vegas will take over a 740-square-foot space on the promenade of The Linq near the High Roller. Expect to find dishes such as bangers and mash, chicken planks, sausages and hearty seafood chowder on the menu as well as the namesake fish and chips, made with cod.
Opening: Spring?
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Skinny Fats
Location: Grand Bazaar Shops
The Players: Reed Allen Slobusky
The Situation: Local restauranteurs open this third version of SkinnyFats with its healthy and happy sides of the menu. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant marks the first on the Strip
Opening: Spring?
All Coverage of SkinnyFats [ELV]
Nacho Daddy
Location: Grand Bazaar Shops
The Situation: Las Vegas can’t seem to get enough of the Mexican restaurant that specializes in nachos. This marks the fifth location and first on the Strip. Yes, there will be scorpion shots.
Opening: Spring?
All Coverage of Nacho Daddy [ELV]
Katana-Ya, now dubbed Ramen-Ya
Location: Grand Bazaar Shops
The Situation: The Michelin-recommended noodle shop out of San Francisco expands to Vegas with its gyoza, tempura, sushi and ramen.
Opening: Spring?
All Coverage of Katana-Ya [ELV]
DOWNTOWN
[Photo: Facebook]
Glutton
Location: 612 Carson St.
The Players: Bradley Manchester
The Situation: This neighborhood restaurant plans to feature whole roasted meats and fish from a wood-burning stove. Craft cocktails and beers will be served from the bar. Glutton plans to serve lunch and dinner, with room for 70 inside and 30 outside.
Opening: April?
All Coverage of Glutton [ELV]
Itsy Bitsy Ramen & Whisky
Location: The Ogden, 150 Las Vegas Blvd. N.
The Players: Corner Bar Management, Martin Koleff, DJ Five and Downtown Project
The Situation: Japanese sake and Japanese whiskies are the centerpieces behind the bar.
Opening: Late April
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Pawn Plaza
Location: 725 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Rick Harrison of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
The Situation: Harrison of Pawn Stars fame teams up with Rollin Smoke Barbeque for an Arkansas-style barbecue joint with a tavern on top and a balcony overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard dubbed Rick’s Rollin Smoke Barbeque. Smoke’s Poutinery and Rita’s Italian Ice are also on the docket at this container park shopping plaza made from 72 multi-colored cubes.
Opening: July
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Vegenation
Location: 612 Carson St.
The Players: Donald Lemperle
The Situation: Next door to Glutton, a 100 percent vegan restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner spot.
Opening: April?
All Coverage of Vegenation [ELV]
Zydeco Po-Boys
Location: 612 Carson St.
The Players: Brandon Trahan
The Situation: “Cajun style cuisine” will be served at a walk-up counter for diners to enjoy at their small interior dining space or take to go. The kitchen will create in-house specialties including sausages and gumbo. The design will feature an urban, rustic approach with “exposed concrete floors, reclaimed wood accent walls, brick veneering accent walls, and exposed ceilings.”
Opening: April?
All Coverage of Zydeco Po-Boys [ELV]
The Venue of Las Vegas
Location: 700 Fremont St.
The Situation: The 36,000-square-foot event space is designed to host parties, meeting events, mitzvahs and weddings with room for up to 2,000 guests spread over three floors. Individual areas are available to rent with built-in audio and visual support.
Opening: May
All Coverage of The Venue of Las Vegas [ELV]
Westside
Tapas by Alex Stratta
Location: Tivoli Village
The Players: Alex Stratta
The Situation: Originally slated to open in December, Alex Stratta’s return to Las Vegas was delayed. Expect a menu of small plates including 50 tapas and paella and maybe even one night a week featuring his stellar creations from his days at the Michelin-starred Alex at Wynn Las Vegas.
Opening: April 8
All Coverage of Tapas by Alex Stratta [ELV]
Social Bistro & Wine Bar
Location: Tivoli Village
The Situation: Expect California-inspired dishes, a wine and beer list and a patio.
Opening: Spring
All Coverage of Social Bistro & Wine Barr [ELV]
Henderson
Little Tony’s
Location: Palace Station
The Players: Tony Gemignani
The Situation: Little Tony’s from Gemignani will feature classic Italian, classic American, Sicilian, New York, traditional Chicago cracker thin with a cornmeal crust and gluten-free options. For those with a scorecard, this would be his fourth restaurant in the Vegas area with Pizza Rock at the Downtown Grand, another coming to Green Valley Ranch and his new Slice House also going in the Henderson resort.
Opening: April
All Coverage of Little Tony’s [ELV]
Chinatown
Chada Street
Location: 3839 Spring Mountain Road
The Players: Bank Atcharawan
The Situation: The 3,200-square-foot restaurant inspired by Thai street food plans to open in Chinatown. Expect an affordable wine list to pair with those dishes. Aime Wanmaneesiri, formerly chef at Chada Thai & Wine, heads up the kitchen while Atcharawan leads the wine program. The restaurant with 80 seats in the dining room will have room for 15 in a private dining room, 15 seats at the bar and 25 on sofas.
Opening: July
All Coverage of Chada Street [ELV]
Henderson
Pizza Forte
Location: Sunset Station
The Players: The Ferraro family from Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant
The Situation: Pizza Forte will offer New York-style pizza and square, Roman-style pan pizza by the slice with toppings, desserts including cannolis and tiramisu. Pizza Forte will also offer house made meatball sandwiches and they will be the only Las Vegas dining venue to offer three varieties of Hofmann hot dogs.
Opening: April 1
All Coverage of Pizza Forte [ELV]
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Location: Downtown Summerlin
The Situation: Lunch and dinner daily along with brunch on Saturday and Sunday, this restaurant with 15 locations plans to have a dog-friendly patio. The craft brew list is highlighted by Lazy Dog’s own brand created in collaboration with Golden Road Brewing.
Opening: Early April
All Coverage of Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar [ELV]
Public School 702
Location: Downtown Summerlin
The Situation: This restaurant out of California uses the tagline, “An Education in the Art of Food and Beer.” The fare here includes a bacon cheddar tots served with Sriracha ketchup, a Colorado lamb burger with tomato cranberry jam, and shrimp and Grafton cheddar grits. New for Vegas only, a late-night menu. On tap, 24 craft beers and more than half of them rotating to feature seasonal and regional brews.
Opening: Spring
All Coverage of Public School 702 [ELV]
