Al Mancini is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Brooklyn Law School, who began his career in journalism as a music reporter for ABC News Radio in 1996. He moved to Las Vegas to cover Southern Nevada for the network in 2001, and has covered the local dining scene for numerous publications since 2003.He joined the Review-Journal in 2016.
Las Vegas is well represented in the current crop of TV cooking competitions. On last week’s season premiere of “Master Chef,” UNLV student S.J. Yun made it through the auditions and was offered an apron by both Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sanchez , allowing him to choose which chef would mentor him through the competition.
The Palms’ new center bar Unknown features the work of bad-boy modern artist Damien Hirst, including three shark segments in formaldehyde suspended above the bar. The Bee’s Knees cocktail, however, is a flashback to the Prohibition-era, tweaking a classic combination of gin, lemon and honey with the acidity of hibiscus and a savory touch of sage.
“Listen” is the theme of June’s First Friday celebration, which will run from 5 to 11 p.m. at various venues.
Wolfgang Puck is hoping Spago’s proximity to Bellagio’s North Valet, off Flamingo Road, will make it an easy visit for locals.
If there were any doubt whether the new Spago, set to open the first week of June at the Bellagio, would have the star power of the old Forum Shops location, or the L.A. original, Jennifer Lopez laid it to rest before construction was even complete.
Thank Vegas Golden Knights fever for novelties such as a full-size chocolate goalie , specialty pizza, baked goods, cocktails and just about anything else you can think of, and the imagination continues.
Days after new sexual misconduct allegations were made against celebrity chef Mario Batali, his company announced Friday that it will close its three Las Vegas restaurants July 27.
Among the many ways in which The Mint Tavern on West Sahara Avenue pays tribute to Old Vegas is its many nods to Hunter S. Thompson, whose classic tale of Las Vegas excess was based in part on an assignment to cover the Mint 400 off-road race. So this signature drink, the Mint Tea Cocktail, which you can make in large batches at home, playfully merges the flavors of mint and Thompson’s beloved Wild Turkey.
Partage will open to the public at 5 p.m. Saturday at 3839 Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown.
With the royal wedding showing Saturday in its movie theater, Santa Fe Station is offering one free drink to toast the nuptials with each ticket purchased to the showing. In addition to wine, Champagne and shots, they’ve created a collection of custom cocktails that includes the Royal Crown.
Majestic Repertory Theater’s production of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” opens with an 8 p.m. show Thursday at 1217 S. Main St. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays through June 3. Tickets are $25, or $15 for students. majesticrepertory.com
Tony Abou-Ganim’s fifth annual For the Love of Cocktails gala, with craft cocktails by some of the city’s top bartenders and snacks by Alain Ducasse’s Rivea, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the Skyfall Lounge at the Delano Las Vegas. It’ll be preceded by a five-course Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Both events benefit the Helen David Relief Fund for bartenders affected by breast cancer. Details and tickets: fortheloveofcocktails.com.
