Dos Caminos to Return to Las Vegas Suburb Early 2013

We had visited Dos Caminos many times when it was located in the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas and were disappointed to say the least when they closed.  Several months ago we got word from inside sources that it would be returning to Las Vegas in the Summerlin area. We are excited that   Dos Caminos will to Las Vegas as Stephen Hanson and B.R. Guest Hospitality plan to open a location on Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin’s Canyon Pointe Plaza in early 2013.  Known for its inventive Mexican fare and vibrant bar scene, Dos Caminos looks forward to once again serving their famed guacamole and more to Las Vegas locals and visitors.

Corporate Executive Chef Ivy Stark, author of Dos Caminos Mexican Street Food, will oversee the menu for Las Vegas, as she does with the four locations in New York City and the outposts in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Joining her in the kitchen will be Las Vegas Executive Chef Reed Osterholt, alumni of the brand.

The Dos Caminos menu builds on classic Mexican staples of guacamole, empanadas and tacos, along with signature dishes, while the cocktail menu is transported “south of the border” with imaginative margaritas and sangria as well as an expansive hand-selected tequila menu.

The space will feature a soft, neutral palate highlighted by a reclaimed barn wood wall.  Candles will flicker throughout the restaurant and lanterns inside and out will create a sky of lights.  The outdoor space will be warmed by chimineyas, Mexican fire pits accented by bright fabrics, and inside the bar will showcase several televisions for sports watching as well as gaming stations.

Dos Caminos Las Vegas is scheduled to open in early March of 2013 and will be open seven days a week for dinner and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. We cannot wait to visit Dos Caminos once again and enjoy what will be Summerlin’s newest hot spot .

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Chef Gordon Ramsay Contiunes his Invasion of the Las Vegas Strip with The Opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay BurGR

Chef Gordon Ramsay Invades the Las Vegas Strip with Opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay BurGR

Posted on 17 December, 2012 by Elaine and Scott Harris

 We see Chef Gordon Ramsay all over our TVs with numerous shows and his fiery expectation of excellence. This celebrated Chef recently opened Gordon Ramsay Steak in the Paris Resort on the famed Las Vegas strip and that is only the beginning.

Las Vegas is a culinary Meca and this celebrity Chef is taking the city by storm by opening two new venues almost simultaneously in a city known for its long list of Michelin Stars.  Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill will open at Caesars Palace Dec. 18, and that Gordon Ramsay BurGR will open at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Dec 22.  Two restaurants from the same chef opening within one week of each other in two different casino resorts is a monumental feat never experienced on the famed Las Vegas Strip.

The opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace® and Gordon Ramsay BurGR at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino marks three Gordon Ramsay restaurants to open in Las Vegas in less than a year, expanding his relationship with Caesars Entertainment Corp.

“It’s been incredible the positive reception Gordon Ramsay Steak has received since opening at Paris in May,” said Gordon Ramsay.  “We’ve been developing these different concepts for quite a while to deliver three distinct, unique dining experiences with the variety, originality, and high quality that we believe people want and appreciate.”

The Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, the neighborhood restaurant conceptualized by the award-winning chef, will open for dinner Dec. 18 and lunch in mid-Jan. 2013.  The 290 seat restaurant will be the most authentic English pub experience in Las Vegas, as only this native UK chef can provide.

Chef Jeremy Berlin has been selected as executive chef and will oversee the kitchen operations. Berlin moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles where he served as executive chef of Church and State. Berlin was previously a member of Ramsay’s brigade as Executive Sous Chef of Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood and sous chef of Gordon Ramsay at the London NYC.

The restaurants  feature a relaxed and friendly setting with dishes including New Zealand Red Snapper, lamb T-bone, whole brick pressed Cornish chicken, dry aged 30 oz. bone-in beef rib eye and spotted dog.  The pub  features  elevated British pub food in a comfortable and lively setting showing sporting events from across the world on state of the art entertainment systems.  The pub includes 36 beers served on tap plus 24 bottled beers.  With an eye towards dishes that pair well with beer the pub menu includes English ale onion soup, shepherd’s pie, and a selection of sausages, fried egg sandwiches and the classic pub fish and chips.

The center piece of the restaurant is its bar with an array of beer taps and a backdrop reminiscent of iconic British telephone booths.  A patio area will extend the restaurant towards the casino floor where guests can be part of the action.  Tabletops are comprised of rustic, pottery inspired dishes layered with unprocessed woods and rugged serving vessels.  The uniforms are inspired by the English punk scene and will feature a number of multi-media pieces designed by Allison Leach, a trend with Gordon Ramsay’s Las Vegas restaurants.

Four days after the opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill,  he will open his first burger experience restaurant, Gordon Ramsay BurGR, at the center-Strip Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. BurGR, a name that plays on the celebrity chef’s initials, will be located steps from the famous Las Vegas Strip at the entrance of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino adjacent to the Extra! Lounge.

The BurGR menu will take the traditional burger, fries and milkshake comfort food combination to an entirely new level with selections like pork belly bao buns, sweet potato fries with vanilla powdered sugar and pudding shakes which is a combination of thick milkshake and silky pudding.  Whether traditional or unique burger preparations they will be crafted using the freshest, quality ingredients.  Paying special attention to not only the ingredients but the method, beef patties are cooked over an open flame fueled by hard woods, BurGR will be the only gourmet burger restaurant on the Strip to use this technique, creating a more complex and powerful flavor.

The beverage program features an extensive beer list and robust cocktail program.  Focusing primarily on small and large format American craft beers, BurGR will serve 30 beers all from a stunning frozen tap wall with a selection of bottled beer. The cocktail program will feature a selection of traditionally made cocktails, crafted with fresh ingredients with made-from scratch syrups.

With a location that draws on the energy of both the casino and the nearby Miracle Mile shops, the room is designed in a stylish and modern ambience.  The vividly colored room will seats 200 and is accented by an undulated ceiling, steel and concrete floor, keg display, open kitchen and 30 foot fire feature.  The uniforms, also  designed by Allison Leach, contrast the bright colors of the restaurant with their muted tones.  Allison Leach, known for her costume design for the hit shows Glee and Mad Men, helped to set the industry trend for restaurant uniform design with Gordon Ramsay Steak and continues her visionary work at BurGR

“With numerous hit TV shows entertaining viewers all over the world, I can’t think of a better chef to welcome to Planet Hollywood, a resort with a spotlight on fame, than Gordon Ramsay,” said Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino president David Hoenemeyer. “BurGR will cater to both guests who are fans of Gordon Ramsay and who are in search of a perfect burger and shake.”

“Gordon Ramsay might be the only chef ambitious and talented enough to open two restaurants within days of each other without a second thought,” said Planet Hollywood vice president of food and beverage Jeffrey Frederick. “We are thrilled to bring this new restaurant to our guests and look forward to another successful collaboration.”

Who else but Chef Gordon Ramsay could pull this off in Las Vegas known for its multitude as gastronomic delights from all-star Chefs. We have no doubt that his latest venues will be a smash success as his first

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RUN don’t walk to Honey Salt In Summerlin and enjoy!

At the end of October we stated  “We will be running  not walking  to Honey  Salt  very soon and will bring you inside Honey Salt for a taste by taste sip by sip report from what promises to be a wonderful dining experience. “  And that ,we did on multiple occasions.

This newest venue in the heart of Summerlin was badly needed having lost two long time , iconic local restaurants that was literally “home” for many  due to the down turn in the economy . Honey Salt is the first independent venture from visionaries Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla. It is inspired by their love for entertaining at their home. From the time you first walk through the doorway you feel at home. The homey atmosphere starts with the design of the décor to the handpicked  farm-to-table inspired menu.

Elizabeth Blau

Elizabeth stated “Honey Salt is inspired by the food we love to serve at home and the friends we love to share it with.”  It’s meant to be a social affair with a focus on community, creativity and comfort.”  She could not have been more right!  

Whether you take a seat at the bar or seated at a table you feel part of the restaurant and the community that is dining with smiles on their face.

Chef Kim Canteenwalla

In many restaurants if you want to speak with the Chef you may ask your server if he or she could spare a moment to come tableside.  That is not the case at Honey Salt . The center piece of the venue is the Expedite station placed right in front of the kitchen where Chef Kim Canteenwalla touches very dish that comes to the window with his final touches of culinary artistry.

On every occasion we have visited, without fail,  Chef Kim and Elizabeth can be seen visiting every table and the bar greeting their guests and making sure their dishes are to the guests liking.

Honey Salt is also known for some very delightful specialty cocktails created by this duo of culinary legends.  Elizabeth created the “Sweeter Than Honey “cocktails.  We enjoyed “ The Lady Blau Sparkle “ which features Charbay blood orange , chandon ,bitters  soaked sugar  and then moved over to Kim’s “Salt of the Earth “ creations.  We highly recommend the “Salty Son Of A Gun” which is a lovely blend of sazerac rye,lairds apple jack ,dark ale , smoked sea salt .  Another great selection is “The Midnight Rambler” with bulleit bourbon, angostura bitter and maple syrup!. The beer list features Pints, Tall boys and bottles of some fantastic microbrews. The wine list offers wines by the glass, carafe and bottle from around the world.

Turkey Meatballs

Chef Kim is known for using his international background and his love of simple cooking with layers of fresh flavors. We started with the Turkey Meatballs, alta cucina tomatoes, caramelized onions add a special layer of mouthwatering palate pleasing delight and fresh horseradish. This dish is so good that we have had it on every visit!

Chef Kim’s Burrata ,Rosso Bruno & Teardrop Tomatoes is a great start to your Honey Salt experience . If you are in the mood for a Sandwich, The Biloxi Buttermilk Fried Chicken with creamy slaw, durkees dressing, and chopped salad on a fresh brioche roll will satisfy your craving.

Burrata ,Rosso Bruno & Teardrop Tomatoes

Biloxi Buttermilk Fried Chicken

On the dinner menu we could not get enough the spicey Yellowtail Crudo with Peruvian salsa, shaved jicama &radish, pickled cilantro and puffed rice.  The lunch and dinner menu both feature Paleta Iberico Ham with succulent young manchego , grilled asparagus , marcona almonds finished off with minus 8 vinegar .

One of the family favorites, Carmelized Sea Scallops, charred cauliflower, vanilla bean cauliflower puree and truffle saucewill please everyone at the table.

Yellowtail Crudo

Honey Salt offers Burgers, Filet Mignon, Scottish Salmon, Roast Swordfish and many other tasty delights including several unique salads that show off the Farm to Table passion of Chef Kim and Elizabeth.

No matter what you may be in the mood for, Honey Salt has it for lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed and will find what you are craving any time of day. Summerlin once again has its homey, friendly, community driven neighborhood, locally owned restaurant back! As we said months ago, RUN don’t walk to Honey Salt and enjoy!

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EATING LAS VEGAS: THE 50 ESSENTIAL RESTAURANTS 2013 IS OUT AND FEATURES 11 NEW ENTRIES – PLUS THREE NEW IN THE TOP 10

It is no secret that in the last 10 years Las Vegas has become a culinary Meca to all star celebrity Chefs.  The 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants (Huntington Press, December, 2012) features the opinions of three of the city’s food critics (John Curtas, Max Jacobson and Al Mancini) who created a reference book that lists their agreed-upon “Essential50” restaurants in Sin City.

The guide is much more than just a list of restaurants to enjoy. It also includes a 44-page specialty guide dedicated to “Additional Recommendations” that recommends everything from beer, buffets, Sunday brunch and even sushi. The fiery “Vetoes” section pits the three critics’ against each other in literary a version of a free-for-all food fight.

“When we green-lit this project three years ago, I wasn’t sure its realization was even a possibility, as we were dealing with three highly knowledgeable but incredibly strong-willed personalities,” said publisher Anthony Curtis.  “But John (Curtas), Max (Jacobson) and Al (Mancini) have continued to deliver on their promise to seek out, and agree upon, Las Vegas’ 50 Essential Restaurants.”

The 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas adds three newcomers to the Top Ten list that includes  two off-strip restaurants ,  Marché Bacchus French Bistro and Raku Japanese Charcoal Grill.  The other newcomer is Piero Selvaggio’s Valentino at The Venetian.  Back from  2012, are Estiatorio Milos at The Cosmopolitan, Joël Robuchon and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand, Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, CUT at Palazzo and Le Cirque and Picasso at Bellagio.

In addition to the “Top 10,” The 2013 edition features 11 new restaurants including Bread & Butter, Comme Ça at The Cosmopolitan, Due Forni, Fleur at Mandalay Bay, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris, Kabuto, Le Thai, Mint Indian Bistro, miX at Mandalay Bay, Public House at The Venetian and Sirio at Aria.

We have been watching this guide for years and is one of the best sources about the Las Vegas Dining scene that we have seen. It is a must for tourists and locals alike.

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