Wine and Dine in Las Vegas Over The Holidays. Our top 10 Picks to enjoy.

The Famed Las Vegas Strip Offers Up Many Tasty Choices.


Who doesn’t love the holiday season? , aromas and tastes evoke memories of holidays gone by. This festive part of the year also offers us a chance to create some new traditions and why not start right under the neon lights of the culinary mega city of Las Vegas. We have our top 10 star studded venues for you to enjoy a variety of gastronomic holiday delights. Explore, enjoy and have a fabulous holiday season.


Our top pick can be found at the renowned Bellagio Resort and Casino. Picasso has a Christmas day menu that is sure to provide memories for years to come. Feast on Kobe Steak spheres, roasted Maine lobster a lovely seared filet of halibut a Prime filet mignon and even a roasted veal chop. For $150 you really can’t beat it.




Over at the Venetian / Palazzo Resort our second spot goes to DB Brasserie. Their very first Christmas menu shows off a tasty three-course prix fixe for $69 per person. Guests are expected to enjoy perfectly prepared beef tenderloin and rich, decadent, fresh black truffles. Also sea bass and pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin.





Also celebrating her first holiday season and taking our third spot is GIADA . Dive into the classic feast of the seven fishes. Enjoy an antipasti platter, spaghetti with clams, lemon prosecco risotto with shrimp. Or how about a salt-crusted branzino for two and even choose to break into a grilled lobster?





BarMasa at the Aria Resort takes our fourth spot and offers up something completely different for your holiday celebration. BarMasa’s prix fixe menu gives us gifts from the sea. Plate up wild yellowtail, toro caviar, white miso cod with maitake mushroom a nigiri sushi or sushi canape, and miso cream brulee, chocolate black sesame ice cream or try the yuzu sorbet.


Number five on the holiday gastronomic can be found at the Mandalay Bay Resort. Aureole is celebrating with a five-course dinner menu featuring caramelized diver scallop, black winter truffles or a roasted New Zealand cervena rack of venison.
You can’t go wrong with any the Batali Group choices.

 The sixth place on our list is occupied by B & B Ristorante at the Venetian / Palazzo Resort . B&B Ristorante has a delightful four-course dinner that includes fluke crudo, traditional baccala crochetta, octopus, Taylor Bay scallops and a succulent red snapper.


Celebrate the season at the brand new Delano Hotel with number seven on our list. MIX high above the strip is serving a prix fixe menu featuring King crab salad and seared diver scallops.





The eighth and ninth spot are taken by a celebrity chef two different strip properties. Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian / Palazzo will please everyone at the table feast on a holiday dinner of butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter, candied pecans and parmesan reggiano. Engage your palate in Delmonico minced meat; braised veal shank with sweet potato spaetzle, hazelnut gremolata, wild mushrooms and natural reduction and a butter roasted apple and currant beggar’s purse with calvados double cream.


Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Resort has a four-course prix fixe menu to enjoy. Guests’ choices include Blood orange and Belgian endive salad or Nicoise olives and escarole salad. Add a parsnip and leeks soup, shrimp and okra gumbo and pan roasted Washington day boat halibut. You must not forget about Emeril’s barbecued salmon, pepper seared beef tenderloin as well.





Taking up the tenth spot and certainly not the least is the “Cake Boss” himself. Stop over at the Palazzo Resort at Buddy V's Ristorante. Sit back and enjoy a baby beet salad, roasted Prime rib and Panettone bread pudding with a rich eggnog glaze and butter pecan gelato.
There are many more venues to choose from in this city of all-star culinary geniuses. With this top 10 list you can’t go wrong with variety and price.

Restaurateur Irma Aguirre has a huge hit in the making at the 64 year old El Sombrero in Downtown Las Vegas.

Let’s all say Mucho Bueno and a well deserved Mucho Gracias to Restaurateur Irma Aguirre for transforming the 64 year old El Sombrero Restaurant on 807 S. Main Street. She has done a remarkable make over to bring a fresh new face and bright lively tastes to the once old school Las Vegas eatery. Irma will have to knock out a few more walls once the word gets out on how “hot” this little tamale can be as the customers may be lining up to experience the lively authentic flavors of Mexico.


Utilizing the small dining space with open seating and crisp black and white décor, exposed brick wall accented with mirrors. Although the room gets noisy with the excited gossip of the local diners, the space is inviting and casual.

House made guacamole

We sampled of El Sombrero’s offerings, along with a conversation with Irma and her staff. We invited a friend to just happened to be in town to join us. She is perhaps one of the least culinary adventurous eaters that we have ever met. Recently she has become more interested in expanding her culinary horizons and she was able to try some real authentic Mexican food.

As we tried the house made guacamole with a twang of heat and dotted with chunks of ripe tomatoes she remarked that the chips were the best she had ever had and we had to agree. Usually chips have a tendency to be rather greasy but these were light and crispy, perfect to load up with all the lovely guacamole. Off to a great start, we tried the flavored waters and then homemade Sangrias that were refreshing and authentic.

Calamari

Scanning the menu, Calamari caught our attention and waited in great anticipation for it to arrive tableside. This gift from the sea, thankfully was not breaded, it was charbroiled and touched off with a homemade sauce of squid ink to our palates delight. This dish alone is a reason to visit El Sombrero for lunch or dinner.


Irma suggested we try the chile relleno and we can see why. This classic dish with a new spin is probably the best we have ever had. A Mexican favorite, this version features poblano chili ala brasa filled with rich butternut squash potato, onion, a blend of Mexican cheeses on a bed of charro beans and a roasted tomato-oregano sauce. El Sombrero’s chile relleno will become a signature that guests will travel for miles to enjoy.

Executive Chef Elias Hernandez

As owner Irma Aguirre states, “This is true comfort food with authentic sauces and ingredients. Anyone can do rice and beans but we do it with love.” That love and respect for authentic Mexican Cuisine comes shining through in every dish. With this unrelenting desire and passion to elevate the palate of every diner, this will indeed become a destination eatery.


For those who want traditional tacos, El Sombrero has a tasty assortment that is sure to please. Select from chicken, chorizo, rib eye, fish and carne asada all served with homemade tortillas and Mexican garnishes. To get the meal started right we highly suggest shredded brisket flautas , spinach and mushroom quesadillas and the bean dip. Don’t forget the wine list featuring very nice Mexican wines to complement your dining adventure.



The El Sombrero experienced put a big grin on our friends’ face as she tasted flavors that she had never even dreamed off. Irma and El Sombrero opened her eyes to a whole new world and we are certain it will do the same to anyone who takes a seat at this newest hot spot at the gateway to downtown Las Vegas.


Aguirre and her team have taken a classic local restaurant spot and evolved it into something exciting. On December 1, El Sombrero Cafe will begin Saturday and Sunday brunch, already growing and changing an energetic and welcome addition to the Downtown scene. Put it on your must-try list.

Zermatt Switzerland Offers Plenty Of Excitment All Year Around.

Just the name Switzerland conjures up thoughts of mountains, snow; beautiful people and a great lifestyle. A quintessential Swiss town right out our minds imagination becomes a reality when you visit Zermatt home of the legendary Matterhorn.



Arriving refreshed at Zurich airport pampered at over 40,000 feet by Edelweiss Air, we boarded our train at the airport and with typical Swiss precision we arrived early in the car free village of Zermatt and walked to our Chalet at Hotel Schoenegg.
Our short walk took us by quaint shops, cafes and a small rambling river that runs through the center of the village. Are we in a movie? Are we still dreaming at 40,000 feet? No, we are working in a dreamland and excited to see what this historical village has to offer.

It’s hard to imagine this perfect picturesque village has evolved from a poor farming village into a modern world class destination where celebrities go to “get away “no matter what time of year it may be. Zermatt is at the foothills of the Matterhorn which was first summited on July 14th 1865 by Edward Whymper and caused quite a clamber around the world. Looking out at this majestic mountain every morning at sunrise and we can see why.





Zermatt is a very special place and quite distinguished in its own right. It is the home of Europe’s highest cable car at 3,883m and in the same beautiful thin air you will find Europe’s highest restaurant and the hotel Kulmhotel Gornergrat at 3100m.

Walking the cobble stone streets in this car-free town we could not help but enjoy the clean fresh air that Switzerland is legendary for.
We highly recommend exploring, tasting and sipping in the villages over 150 bars and restaurants to get a real flavor of unique Zermatt. Walk through the old section of town and look for “The Little Bar” located down a narrow stairway in a building has been around over over 400 years and partake in some locally made swiss wine and of course beer. Don’t be shy! Engage in conversation with a local resident. They are actually quite friendly and may even challenge you to a drinking game.






Let it snow, let it snow! In Zermatt you are guaranteed snow 365 days a year! In the winter months Zermott features Europe’s longest descent for skiers. This 25km run takes you from the Matterhorn glacier paradise right to Zermatt and you an even ski to Italy. In addition , partake in some winter hiking in the Alps with over 70km trails that will provide stunning views and fresh air well has world class cross country skiing and tobogganing .

The snow melts and the days become longer as the summer months arrive and there is still much to do in this alpine paradise. Enjoy a nice game of golf or jump on your mountain bike and explore over 100km of trails. Summer adventures also include the option to climb over 38 mountains with peaks over 4,000m all of which can be climbed from Zermatt.




This little jewel in the Alps year after year in highly rated in restaurant guides has the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants in the area offering local gastronomic delights to Asian fusion cuisine.

Please your palate and enjoy tasty Mediterranean-Alpine fusion and a barbecue over an open fire pit with a view you will never forget.


Just a few hour train trip from Zurich, Zermatt is worth a visit for a few days no matter what season it may be. As they say in Switzerland, “Zermatt . No matter what “. We could not agree more.

In July 2015 Zermatt will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the summiting of the iconic Matterhorn. Can you think of a better time to visit? See you then!

Las Vegas gets spooky and fun on Halloween.

On and off the Strip, there are many events to choose from.
 
Where else would you rather be than in Las Vegas this Halloween. The renowned Strip is full of ghosts, goblins and a wide variety of interesting costumes. On the strip or off, All Hallows Eve 2014 has something for everyone.

There are numerous parties all over town; many are for adults only and on the risqué side. Taking the top spot would be the Fetish & Fantasy Ball at the Hard Rock Resort. Over that the Palms, you can’t miss the Night of the Killer Costumes and the Haunted Hotel Ball at Mandalay Bay. If you want to compete for some big bucks, create your original costume and enter contests at most of Las Vegas's   legendary night clubs.

Off the  strip there are many haunted houses that can be quite entertaining. The Asylum has been in operation for 14 years and can be found in the downtown district of Las Vegas. Bloody English is at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Body English club and is always a fun experience.

It’s not all just about adult only activities on this scary night, there are plenty of family friendly events as well for kids of all ages. Who does not like a parade? The Las Vegas Halloween Parade marches along Freemont street downtown. The Springs Preserve in the center of town features their annual Haunted Harvest where guests can enjoy a petting zoo, carnival games, a haunted house, and trick-or-treat stations.

Las Vegas even has a Haunted Reef for all to enjoy. Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay transforms into a swimming, spooky time.
In the center of the strip, get tickets for Evil Dead at the V Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Las Vegas is known for many things all over the world and you can certainly add Halloween for a notable time to visit

Chef Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau behind Honey Salt and Made L.V are at it with yet another Summerlin dining venue. The dynamic duo has announced they will be opening their fine dining concept Andiron Steak and Sea in the spring of 2015 at Downtown Summerlin.

 The Las Vegas culinary genius, husband and wife team Chef Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau behind Honey Salt and Made L.V are at it with yet another Summerlin dining venue. The dynamic duo has announced they will be opening their fine dining concept Andiron Steak and Sea in the spring of 2015 at Downtown Summerlin.




Andiron Steak & Sea will not be what you would expect from ‘traditional steakhouse’ concept in both menu and design. This venue will be bright, inspired by fresh, summertime meals grilled outdoors with a focus on premium meats, shellfish, seafood and lighter, seasonal market sides. For those who have dined at their current concepts we know that this is how this team “rolls”, using only the freshest ingredients from land and sea.

“We’re incredibly excited to announce Andiron and expand to another level of dining in our city. I think diners will find it to be an entirely different experience from a typical ‘steakhouse,’ and it will surely become a destination restaurant,” said Blau.

The focus of Andrion will be a wood-fired grill that is center stage . At the helm will be Honey Salt Chef Joseph Zanelli leading the kitchen as Executive Chef and Stephen Jerome assuming the General Manager role. Both Zanelli and Jerome have been a part of the Blau team since 2012 and are managing partners of the restaurant group that oversees operations of Honey Salt and Made L.V., as well Andiron.

Not leaving any detail overlooked, they have selected designer Thomas Schlesser’s Design Bureaux, Inc. (DBGB Kitchen & Bar, Blackbird, David Burke Kitchen, Má Pêche) to design Andiron Steak & Sea. The three-time James Beard recipient looks to create a bright dining room with light woods and floral patterns giving Andiron a feminine twist.

We are never disappointed with anything Chef Kim and Elizabeth have created and wait with great anticipation to experience what we know will be yet another hit for this amazing team.

Edelweiss Air Offers Non Stop Flights Between Las Vegas and Zurich Switzerland .

Traveling anywhere in the world in these times can be stressful. Recently we traveled on an airline like none other we have experienced in the past.


Whether you’re flying from Las Vegas to Switzerland or you’re in Switzerland wanting to experience the neon lights and the culinary legends of Las Vegas, Edelweiss Airline is for you. Edelweiss offers stress free nonstop travel between Zurich and Las Vegas that is a true luxury experience that will have you arriving refreshed and ready to enjoy your visit.

We experienced this airborne Swiss experience firsthand. Our trip started within the VIP lounge in Las Vegas awaiting our flight with complementary beverages and small plates. This was only a preview of what we were about to experience high above the clouds.

Boarding our A330 Aircraft we were escorted to our cubicles in Business class. This stylish business class features amenities and service preparing us for arrival with warm, Swiss hospitality. Settling in, we began to explore our fully lie-flat seats that can be converted into two-meter long beds and an in-flight entertainment system with large 16-inch HD touch screens.
 

To make the flight even more comfortable, travelers can enjoy a choice of 65 movies, 60 TV programs, 400 music albums and 15 games. A nice glass, yes real glass! of Champagne offered before takeoff by our ever attentive flight attendants set us in the right mood for our flight.







Once at cruising altitude our A330 becomes a 5 star restaurant and resort in the sky. After multiple tasty glasses of Champagne our flight attendant arrived with an Aperitif with Amuse-Bouche. There are no plastic forks and cups on this flight, setups are all real with cloth napkins and silverware. Our lovely Swiss hostess returned again and again with 2 Appetizers and a choice of 4 Entrees, A cheese course, dessert , and a sweet surprise.

 
To make your flight even more relaxing , enjoy complementary beverages which include , beer,wine and cocktails all for your pleasure. Travelers can even charge your cell phone or tablet in the in seat power supply and USB port.


After a wonderful in flight experience you will arrive refreshed and ready to go at Zurich International Airport where you can hop a train to anywhere in Switzerland or Europe.






Edelweiss Air is providing a service like non other with non stop service between Las Vegas and the Iconic cities of Europe.

We can’t say more about this Swiss treasure in the sky providing extraordinary Swiss hospitality from take – off to landing. To book your experience visit https://www.edelweissair.ch/en/ and see you on board.

The Delano Las Vegas Opens With Mixology in Mind .

It’s finally here, In September the Delano Las Vegas will offer a new all-suite, smoke-free luxury hotel experience located steps away from Mandalay Bay. This Iconic hotel features a unique sand-meets-water design and blend signature elements of Delano South Beach with the distinct energy only found on the famed Las Vegas Strip. It will also offer dynamic social spaces such as Franklin, an eclectic lounge; 3940 Coffee + Tea; and Della’s Kitchen, where “historic farmhouse meets urban kitchen.”

For a one of a kind experience the Delano unveiled an eclectic cocktail program at its lobby lounge, Franklin. This is the center piece hotel for sipping socializing and sampling some tasty libations. The Franklin will offer an atmosphere that appeal to all senses. Its intimate and sophisticated environment featuring gold lighting, hues of deep blue and bronze, and navy sheers that drape from ceiling to floor all the while with shimmering, sparkling lights reminiscent of fireflies at dusk. Guests can expect the Franklin will buzz with live entertainment, including dynamic performances and beats from the hottest up-and-coming DJs.

Libations will be front and center with rare, premium liquors will highlight the drink menu and provide unique backbar offerings, with one-of-a-kind spirits including a custom Glen Moray scotch, a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon and Delano’s hand-selected Black Barrel Mt. Gay rum. They even have a barrel aging program that features a nice selection of draught cocktails utilizing custom oak barrels stored in house. Showing off more than two dozen craft beers by the bottle and a selection of wines-by-the-glass that is exclusive to Franklin, the beverage menu will provide an array of options to suit any taste.

Are you hungry? no problem, enjoy a selection of small bites and appetizers such as Grilled Flatbread Cambozola with caramelized pears and walnuts; selections of charcuterie and cheeses; and sea-salted Pommes Frites with Smoked Pepper Ketchup; and Fried Pig Ears served with togarashi, lime and black garlic-yuzo aioli.

Franklin is anchored by a craft bar program that upholds the art of the cocktail through the execution of perfectly balanced drinks. Abounding with thoughtful touches, Franklin's menu of classically inspired and signature creations is designed to be defiantly different.
Start Conversations. Highlighted by creative cocktail names that allude to hidden meanings, tongue-in-cheek monikers and historical references, Franklin’s menu inspires curiosity and invites conversation.

History buffs will delight in The New Deal, a cocktail named for the signature achievement of the lounge's presidential namesake. This innovative cognac-based drink features D’Usse Cognac, Licor 43, fresh lemon juice and orgeat syrup and is sweetened by emulsified Bonne Maman Plum Mirabelle marmalade.
Mr. Hyde, combining hand-selected Oxley Gin, St. Germain, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon juice and kaffir leaves, provokes debate: was the drink named for the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, or for Hyde Park, the site of FDR's Springwood estate?

 Cocktail culture enthusiasts who sip the 1944 Classic Mai Tai may catch the nod to Trader Vic’s, the Oakland, California bar where the Mai Tai was concocted in the eponymous year.
Seduce the Senses. Franklin’s libations offer a sensory experience appealing to more than just taste – from drinks whose scent is as delicious as the flavor, to added visual elements such as the array of uncommon, vintage-inspired cocktail glasses, the menu is a feast for the senses.


The Jefferson Library, a beer cocktail served in a tall and slender glass, produces a unique chemical reaction when Innis + Gunn Porter, a dark barrel-aged Scottish ale, reacts with lemon juice, maple syrup and pink angostura, creating ribbons of effervescence as the drink fizzes and cascades down the sides.

With a color reminiscent of the beautiful yet fleeting soft-pink hue the sky takes at dawn, the South Beach Sunrise pays homage to the iconic Delano South Beach and is balanced with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Campari, honey syrup and fresh lemon, offering a lingering flavor profile with the addition of egg whites.

The Mojito Cubano elevates the simplicity of the classic mojito’s fresh lime, mint and sugar with the fragrant nose of Cana Brava Rum. Featuring strong notes of vanilla, coconut and honey, Cana Brava’s delicious scent derives from the mineral-rich soils that produce Herrera, Panama’s indigenous sugarcane, while the rum’s ultra-smooth finish is the craftsmanship of Master Distiller and Cuban emigrant Don Poncho.
Standout Through Spirits. Franklin's cocktails incorporate a variety of rare liquors and reserves with unique stories all their own.

The perfectly balanced Delano Daiquiri incorporates Bacardi 1909 Heritage Rum, a limited-edition spirit that pays tribute to Don Facundo Bacardí Massó, the revolutionary distiller who founded the Bacardi brand and redefined rum in Cuba more than 150 years ago. Showcasing the original alcohol proof at 89 percent, this smooth rum has a high ratio of Aguardiente Redestillado, the Bacardi brand's proprietary components.

The Basil Paloma, a refreshingly classic drink recipe featuring fresh lime juice, basil and Jarritos grapefruit soda, features Siet Leguas Blanco Tequilla. The Siet Leguas Distillery in Mexico invented the Patron tequila label – a brand that may have surpassed its predecessor in international recognition and sales but not in quality. Siet Leguas distills its own tequila to this day, using the ancient "de tajona" process of grounding the agave with a stone wheel pulled by mules.

The SNM also incorporates a unique liquor – a Mt. Gay hand-selected Black Barrel Rum, chosen by Delano’s mixology team at the Barbadian distillery and available exclusively at Franklin. The custom rum is the highlight of SNM, alongside Marie Brizard White Creme de Cacao, Fresh Lime Juice and Torani Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup.

This  collaboration between MGM Resorts International and Morgans Hotel Group the Delano Las Vegas  will fuse South Beach chic with the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas Strip when it comes to life. Join us in September for a sip and a nosh.

Top 10 July 4th Venues with a View in Las Vegas , Where will you celebrate ?

It’s time for that great American holiday, the 4th of July. Americans from coast to coast will celebrate in traditional and not so traditional ways but that’s what makes us Americans. We are free to celebrate as we wish.

The Entertainment and food capital, Las Vegas has many fun and interesting ways to celebrate our special day. Here are 10 fun and tasty ways to celebrate with a view of the evening’s festivities.

GIADA at the Cromwell Boutique Hotel

GIADA at the Cromwell Boutique Hotel

Food Network sweetheart Giada De Laurentiis namesake restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate with a view from ground zero right in the middle of the strip. This has to be our top pick simply because the cuisine and her bright, airy, brand new restaurant has the perfect combination to celebrate with a view that is one of a kind.

Comme Ca at the Cosmopolitan Resort.

Chef Brain Howard is one of the most creative young Chefs in Las Vegas. Comme Ca is a great way to enjoy mouthwatering cuisine while you enjoy a bird’s eye view of the strip from their patio.

 Buddy Vs at the Palazzo Resort

The Cake Boss and his restaurant Buddy Vs is a great choice for family and provides an excellent view of the strip for the fireworks while you dine on his Italian family fare.  For a special treat, his Carlo’s bakery is right outside and is sure to add some sweetness to the evening.

 B&B Burger and Beer at the Palazzo Resort

We have said it before, how can you beat the dynamic duo of Iron Chef Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich? Enjoy a deliciously decadent burger, a cold craft draft beer, take a seat on their strip side patio and enjoy the show!

Mandalay Beach at the Mandalay Bay Resort

Yes, there is a beach in Las Vegas!  July 4th is the perfect day to celebrate at the beach with live music and of course fireworks. Catch a wave and enjoy.

 Lake Las Vegas off the strip

When you visit Lake Las Vegas is hard to remember you are in Las Vegas. Pristine lakes and quant Montelago village has something for everyone. On July 4th enjoy a classic car show, live Jazz, great food and an unbeatable view of the fireworks from all over the Las Vegas Valley.

 New York, New York Resort

How patriotic can you be than to celebrate here? For the craft beer lovers this is the perfect place for you. Their Fourth of July Beer Bash is July 3rd – 5th the event will feature live entertainment, 20 brewers and 50 beers.

 Downtown Las Vegas, off the strip

This area of Las Vegas is hopping with creative energy. On July 4th Freemont Street will feature the “American Pie 4th of July" Celebration. A special feature is Janis Joplin's Original Band Big Brother & The Holding Company on Friday, July 3 and The Grass Roots on Saturday, July 4. The weekend-long event will also showcase a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy.

 Las Vegas Traditional Celebration, off the strip

The Star Spangled Spectacular with the Las Vegas Philharmonic takes place on July 4th at the Springs Preserve.   A laser-light show will accompany the performance's finale. Bring a blanket and enjoy an evening under the stars.

 Station Casinos, Las Vegas Valley

No matter what part of the Las Vegas valley you are in, there is a Station Casino nearby. Celebrate Station Casino's Fourth of July Blast with fireworks shows at Red Rock Resort. Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station. Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho, Fiesta Henderson, Aliante Station, Santa Fe Station and Sunset Stations. A nine-minute fireworks show begins at  9:30 p.m. and will be choreographed to a variety of music paying tribute to America and the fun spirit of Las Vegas and will be simulcast live on local stations.

Wherever you are celebrating, have a safe and happy holiday.

The 2014 Top Las Vegas Wine Bars Takes You On and Off The Strip.

The Las Vegas strip has many of the finest restaurants in the world and wine lists that one can read for days. In addition to the expected strip venues, Las Vegas beyond the neon has wine bars that would impress even the most deserting oenophiles.

Carnevino at the Palazzo Resort

You can’t go wrong when Iron Chef Mario Batali and Restaurateur Joe Bastitanich team up with cuisine and wine. This dynamic duo has put together a wine list that features the top regions around the world to match world class mouthwatering delights.

Carnevino at the Palazzo Resort Takes the Top Spot in 2014

La Cave at Wynn Resort

This restaurant and bar is a true wine bar in every sense of the word. It’s a little hidden but worth the find.  There are more than of 250 wines by the bottle and over 50 by the glass. The food is amazing as well.

Aureole at Mandalay Bay Resort

A Las Vegas legend. Watch the Wine Angels literally fly for your wine  in Charlie Palmer’s  four-story, temperature- controlled, glass-and-steel tower that  holds over 10,000 bottles of the world’s best.

Chada Thai , Off the Strip

We LOVE this small Thai gem in China Town. An incredible wine list and authentic Thai cuisine make Chada Thai a mandatory stop.

Marché Bacchus Off The Strip

This lakeside romantic French bistro is also a wine store as well. Enjoy the view, buy a bottle of wine (but you still pay corkage) and order up a tasty dish.

Bin 702, Off the Strip

Downtown Las Vegas is booming. When downtown, visit the unique container park and find Bin 702. This Wine Bar in a shipping container features an eclectic selection of wine and fresh cuisine. Enjoy a glass, sit on their patio and fade away the day.

Want to see more ?  Please visit Vegas Top 10 !

Last Chance to get your seat at Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain’s Sage in the ARIA Resort & Casino for an once-in-a-lifetime wine pairing dinner this Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

This Saturday there is no other place an oenophile should be than at Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain’s Sage at ARIA Resort & Casino.  This world class venue will partner with Hundred Acre for an once-in-a-lifetime wine pairing dinner Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m..

 The evening will delight palates with a five-course menu, created by McClain and Sage Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota. Each course will be paired with selections from the winery selected by Sage Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel  and the evening’s hosts, Hundred Acre Owner and Vintner Jayson Woodbridge and ARIA Director of Wine Kim Wood. To get guest in the mood, this gastronomic event will begin with refreshing libations created by ARIA Mixologist Craig Schoettler.

Sage Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel

 Ora King Salmon with avocado puree and pink peppercorn;  

Layer Cake Chardonnay, Central Coast 2012

Cherry Pie Stanly Ranch, Carneros 2011

Maine Diver Scallops with braised oxtail, wild mushrooms and rapini;

 IF YOU SEE KAY, Lazio Italy 2011 Ancient Way Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia 2005

 ARIA Director of Wine Kim Wood.

Grilled Quail with onion puree, dates and smoked pearl onions

Hundred Acre Precious Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010

Hundred Acre Few and Far Between Cabernet, Napa Valley 2009

Braised Veal Cheeks with black garlic, spring beans and bone marrow crostini

Hundred Acre Ark Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010

Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010

Milk Chocolate and Earl Gray Panna Cotta with madeleines and blackberries;

 Hundred Acre Port, 2007 1pk

This is truly a once in a lifetime experience that should not to be missed. See you there !

Tickets are priced at $225 per person, all-inclusive. To make a reservation, call (702) 590-8690. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Bier Garten In Downtown Las Vegas Offers An Oasis Of Beer And Much More .

The Craft beer movement in the United States has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years and shows no sign of losing momentum. While we are on the subject of momentum , Downtown Las Vegas is literally changing on a daily basis. The Downtown project is turning this once questionable part of town into an exciting, vibrant district of artists, IT start-ups, quaint restaurants and bars.

Recently, yet another new venue opened downtown in the beautifully refurbished Plaza Hotel & Casino.  Bier Garten kicked off in grand style. City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and former Mayor Oscar B. Goodman were on hand at their official grand opening celebration to welcome Las Vegas’ first outdoor beer garden that doubles as downtown’s backyard getaway.

The creative team behind this downtown oasis of beer is Sam Cherry and Grant Garcia from the popular Pop-Up Pizza in partnership with the Plaza Hotel & Casino.   They stated “we opened Bier Garten to give downtown residents and visitors “a relaxed and pleasant escape from the concrete jungle.” From what we experienced on our visit, they did.

Bier Garten’s unique outdoor dining area in front of the Plaza Hotel & Casino features nearly 3,000 sq. ft. of real grass, yes REAL grass along with specially designed wooden trellises with winding vines to create a relaxed Bavarian beer garden setting.

Tables from a 1980’s Munich Oktoberfest provide outdoor seating for up to 160 people. Bier Garten also boasts downtown Las Vegas’ first and only living wall comprised of more than 900 plants on the façade of the Plaza.

Guests can stop in and enjoy a casual backyard where they can choose from two dozen handcrafted beers on tap and numerous bottled microbrews. Additionally, the beer menu offers a nice variety from traditional IPAs, ales, lagers and stouts to flavored beers and ciders, with a majority of the beers coming from American breweries alongside some unique imports.

It’s not just about the beer here.  Bier Garten pairs a delicious selection of artisan sausages with its craft beers. Jeffrey Martell, the chef of Oscar’s steakhouse and Pop Up Pizza, also runs Bier Garten’s kitchen. His menu features handmade cuisine inspired by German favorites with a touch of Las Vegas such as the Golden Slipper with Andouille sausage, crispy bacon, cream cheese and fried egg or the Stardust comprised of German bratwurst, caramelized onions, sauerkraut and German sweet mustard. Sides include extra giant sized German pretzels with mustard, hand cut fries and crispy onion strings.

For those who want a vegetarian option try the Naked City, made with a veggie Tofurky sausage, roasted sweet peppers, chopped raw onion, Kosher relish, German sweet mustard and Sriracha ketchup. For those looking for alternatives to sausages altogether, Bier Garten has a kitchen sink salad or pizza from Pop Up Pizza.

For the grand FINI, Bier Garten offers three flavors of SasaPops. These award winning frozen dessert pops handmade in Las Vegas by SasaSweets is a must try.  Or try  an extra giant size cinnamon and sugar pretzel with homemade icing. You can’t go wrong with either. Or better yet, order both, we did!

Bier Garten is easy to find located just across the street from the Fremont Street Experience.  Enjoy lunch, dinner or stop in for a late night brew. They are open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily and offers a variety of live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights.

Beer , BBQ and Music All For Great Cause Comes To Las Vegas May,17th at Ellis Island Casino .

Brew & BBQ, The beer Festival That Serves Real Food Comes To Las Vegas .

Beer festivals in the United States are growing by leaps and bounds and the culinary city of Las Vegas is right in the middle of it. On May 17th join us and enjoy at sudsy array of participating breweries will also contribute to the line-up of full-pint brews that guests can indulge in.

To make this event even more worthwhile, BrewBQ Festival proceeds will be donated to support local food banks, enabling them to continue providing food assistance to many of Las Vega’s neediest residents. The goal is to feed 10,000 people with this festival by donating the proceeds to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after-school programs, senior citizens and more.

Walk around and sample these amazing beers and more! :

Beverly Hills Beerhouse,Schlagl Doppel Bock,Rieder Classic,Rieder Dunkel,Rieder XXX,Anheuser-Busch InBev Brands,Miller Brewing Company,Coors Brewing Company,Innstadt Edelsud,Innstadt Bock Weisse,Innstadt Schwarz,Ellis LIGHT ,Ellis AMBER ,Ellis WEISS ,Ellis STOUT ,Ellis IPA ,Ellis ROOT BEER ,Ellis IPA ,Ellis Hard Lemonade,Ellis Oktoberfest,Three Monkeys Brewing CompanyStella Artois,Leffe,Hoegaarden,Wirtz Beverage Nevada,XINGU Brazilian Black Lager,XINGU GOLD Brazilian Blond Lager,GINGER BEARD English Ginger Beer,GREEN GOBLIN ,nglish Oak Aged Cider,MORITZ Spanish Lager,RINCE COCHON Golden Belgium Ale,MONTY PYTHON’S HOLY GRAIL English Pale Ale,Pabst Blue Ribbon,Lagunitas Brewing Co.

On May 17th in Las Vegas there will be no other place to be than Ellis Island Casino where you can enjoy music, entertainment, BBQ and beer all to benefit Three Square. For tickets and information visit http://sincitybeerfestival.com. Also check out the videohttp://youtu.be/dake6J65fmU

See you there!

Kick-Off Craft Beer Month like a VIP In The Sta Rita Hills Of California.

 Its Craft Beer month in Wine Country. Any winemaker will tell you, it takes a lot of cold beer to make good wine.  And now you can Kick-Off Craft Beer Month like a VIP.

But you've got to hurry! Tickets are extremely limited for this weekend’s event.

The 3rd Annual Buellton Brew Fest is coming May 2nd & 3rd, 2014, and there are many upgrades from last year. They have added a Beer Dinner with Beto’s Place and the Award Winning Figueroa Mountain Brewing at the gorgeous Mendenhall Museum, a VIP Lounge during the Festival for guests to kick back with your favorite Brewers, Food Trucks, MORE Craft Breweries, and even a game zone!

The craft beer weekend begins with a VIP Dinner in one of the most unique venues in the central coast, The Mendenhall Museum in Buellton.  There are less than 30 tickets left for this evening with Figueroa Mountain Brew Master, AJ Stoll and the newly minted New York International Beer Awards Bronze Medal Winner, Davy Brown!

Enjoy a delicious evening under the stars at the historic Mendenhall Museum and kick off the 3rd Annual Buellton Brew Fest. Guests will feast on dishes by Beto’s Place paired with Award Winning Figueroa Mountain Brews among the neon lights of the West Coast’s largest private collection of petroliana memorabilia and race cars. Truly a unique experience!

Tickets for this dinner are $75 and include a 4 course paired meal; or you may purchase a Buellton Brew Fest VIP Ticket for $110 which includes VIP Access at the next day’s Buellton Brew Fest and Lunch, as well as a seat at the VIP Dinner.

VIP Ticket: Includes Friday Night VIP Dinner at Mendenhall Museum, Saturday Festival entry with VIP Lounge Access, Souvenir Glass, and Gourmet Boxed Lunch from Georgia’s Smokehouse $110

*****Extremely close to Sell-out! Tickets if available will be $120 at the door*********

Don’t miss this and enjoy some wine as well!

Meridith May's The SOMM Journal set to launch May 18th.

Formerly Sommelier Journal, The SOMM Journal is written by wine and beverage industry professionals for wine and beverage industry professionals. Owned by Meridith May, Publisher and Editorial Director. It  is written by wine professionals for wine professionals and continues to rev up for its inaugural issue, set to launch May 18 at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago.

Boasting a circulation of over 50K since announcing its refresh in December, this bi-monthly industry publication features articles and departments that both inform and interest the working beverage industry professional, academic, and connoisseur. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the SOMM Journal is the top resource for working sommeliers and drinks professionals,” said Publisher and Editorial Director, Meridith May. “Everything readers loved about Sommelier Journal is here, and then some.”

The cover story of the first edition is written by nationally wine academic and Master Sommelier, Tim Gaiser, in conjunction with the executive team at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, celebrating wine industry pioneer Tony Terlato’s 80th birthday and his lifetime accomplishments.

Working closely with the North American Sommelier Association, Wine & Spirits Education Trust, The French Wine Society and the Culinary Institute of America, The SOMM Journal’s focus is projected to be 70 percent on wine and 30 percent on spirits. Features and departments in the first issue will include:

 First Press: The stories behind new vintages, releases, up-and-coming winemaker stars, and what’s happening in the world of wine.

 Wine Science: Dr. Jamie Goode provides the lowdown on everything from brettanomyces to high alcohol, minerality, TCA, and beyond.

Bob Bath, MS/Wine & Beverage Instructor at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone goes behind the scenes on wine grapes, tea service and West Coast vs. East Coast IPA.

 Wine 101: A column contributed by The North American Sommelier Association for future somms.

 Ted Glennon, restaurant wine and spirits consultant interviews up-and-coming stars on-premise from all over the U.S.

 Jim Meehan, one of the country’s top mixologists, writes a column on spirits trends.

 Appellation Series: A global wine diary from Master Somms, Masters of Wine and other high-profile experts. The first article features a trip to Valtellina, Italy, by Certified Sommelier Marcella Newhouse.

 The Tasting Panel of Experts: For the first issue, Matthew Conway, General Manager of NYC’s Restaurant Marc Forgione leads a vertical comparison from Nicolas Joly’s Loire Valley Clos de la Coulée de Serrant with an all-star panel of tasters.

 Wine author Roger Morris writes about Spain’s Rueda region and its iconic Verdejo grape.

 SOMM Camps: Editor-at-Large and Master Sommelier Randy Caparoso will guide readers through terroir experiences across wine growing regions where a group of wine buyers will join him in the vineyards with winemakers and enologists.

 Spit Bucket: An ode to the best wines we’ve tasted this month.

 Wine Thief: Themed reviews by Editor-in-Chief, Anthony Dias Blue.

Additionally, the August issue will feature “One Woman’s View,” a column by Karen MacNeil, expert and author of The Wine Bible, on topics as varied as style and elegance to interviews with trend-setting chefs and up-and-coming somms. Get your copy and enjoy !

Hells Kitchen Winner Chef Christina Wilson Named Executive Chef At Gordon Ramsay BurGr at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas .

Chef Wilson won “Hell’s Kitchen” season 10, and  earned herself the position of head chef working under the direction of executive chef Deric Meininger, at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s first Las Vegas restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas

"Following my win on ‘Hell's Kitchen’ and an amazing first year at Gordon Ramsay Steak at the Paris Las Vegas, I am proud and excited to accept the position of executive chef at Gordon Ramsay BurGR at Planet Hollywood,” said Wilson. “This is another incredible opportunity for me to grow my career, I will be one of three female executive chefs working in Chef Ramsay kitchen's in the US. This move will not only provide me the experience of running and managing the entire kitchen, but also it will allow me to curate and build young talent who are just starting out in the industry. I am very much looking forward to this new chapter and what it will bring.”

Chef Gordon Ramsay and Chef Christina Wilson

Chef Christina originally from Phillipsburg, NJ,  moved to Philadelphia to pursue her cooking passion in 2004. She began her career as an unpaid apprentice at Stella Blu located in West Conshohocken and working as the kitchen manager of Gypsy Saloon to pay her way through Temple University.

Its wasn't long before her passion and culinary artistry became apparent and climbed  to become the sous chef at Stella Blu within two years of prepping her first kitchen shift. After five years, she moved to Center City, PA. For her next position as sous chef at 13th Street’s, Lolita (Philly Top 10 Traditional Mexican Cuisine Restaurant), in 2009. Once again, this young talented Chef kept rising to the top and became chef de cuisine at Lolita in under a year. In 2011 her journey brought her to Top 50 Philadelphia restaurant, Mercato, as chef de cuisine.

The summer of 2012 brought Wilson the opportunity and experience of a lifetime with the debut of “Hell’s Kitchen” season 10, of which she was a contestant. She literally battled her way through the competition, never been nominated for elimination.  After the dinner service of her life in the finale, she won and earned the prestigious position of head chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas where she excelled.

We have had the opportunity to dine and both venues with her at the helm and are in awe of her command of the kitchen and quality of the dishes she prepares. When in Las Vegas, a must stop is Gordon Ramsay BurGr for one of the best burgers and service in the country. Who knows, if you time it right you might even see the legendary Chef Ramsay right at your table.