John Kunkel, owner and founder of 50 Eggs Inc.’s newest concept Chica Las Vegas at The Venetian delivers the robust and vibrant flavors of Latin cuisine combined with a dynamic wine and mixology program.

Crafted by celebrity Latina chef Lorena Garcia, the diverse menu draws inspiration from classic renditions and provides guests the opportunity to explore the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture, with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, among many more.

Boasting the first Latina chef on the Las Vegas Strip, Chica promises to delight its diners with an astounding array of amazing dishes. Each and every bit of culturally unique food finds its pedigree equally in the homes of Peru or El Salvador as it does in the top restaurants of Mexico or Argentina.

The home cooking that is enjoyed by the people of Central and South America finds a home here in Chef Garcia’s kitchen, enhanced and made even more vibrant for Chica. Latin Fusion cuisine is Chef Garcia’s forte, and it shows: appetizers, main courses, desserts, and even the libations are specially crafted for their heritage and made to fit the modern, dynamic venue of Chica.

There is a high profile “Culinary Luminaries” Wall of Fame clearly visible on the massive exterior of The Venetian & Palazzo Resorts. Chef Lorena is the most recent addition.

Chef Lorena pops out of the busy Chica kitchen to chat.

Veteran Las Vegas insider and widely-followed food journalist Al Mancini works alongside The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s long-time restaurant critic, Heidi Knapp Rinella. As a Staff Writer he covers the burgeoning food scene in Las Vegas daily both in the print and online versions of the daily newspaper. Al also occasionally posts food & libation related videos. We pull him away from the Vegas Uncork’d festivities for an update.

We run the table with Al hitting on the impact of Vegas Uncork’d, Vegas Golden Knights fever in Vegas, The Vegas Unstripped, by Locals food festival and updates on the debuting Park MGM and the extensive enhancements at The Palms under new ownership.

Juyoung Kang is the high-profile lead bartender at The Dorsey at The Venetian. She was the Nevada Restaurant Association’s Bartender of the Year in 2015. For Vegas Uncork’d she is starring in Saturday afternoon’s “Behind the Bar: Learn the Craft of Cocktailing with Masters of the Bar at The Venetian & The Palazzo.”

Stunning design and true cocktail culture have found a memorable new home in The Dorsey. At The Dorsey old school service standards and superb cocktail craft live within a thoughtfully designed enclave of warmth, ease, and comfort.

The Dorsey is bold and versatile. Drop by for effortless conversation with cocktail classics or settle in for the evening, to make new acquaintances, over shareable craft punch bowls. “The Penicillin” is a signature favorite, identified by The New York Times as one of eleven essential drinks of the modern cocktail revival.

Stop by later in the night and experience live curated music by renowned DJs who spin old school classics and newer tunes that fit the vibe.

We recommend her latest Dorsey creation, The Texico. It’s premium Tequila, green apples, almonds, dry vermouth and egg white with a dash of shaved cinnamon on top.

We’re shaking craft cocktails with Juyoung.

 

For the 3rd time in the show’s history we’re happily broadcasting from Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo. It’s a sport’s fan’s and foodies’ paradise. Lagasse’s Stadium is the ultimate sports bar: a restaurant with stadium-seating featuring elevated game-time classics and gourmet options from Emeril Lagasse.

Lagasse’s Stadium combines Emeril Lagasse’s signature cuisine and kicked-up game day eats with more than 100 HD TVs including a 9 foot x 16 foot main TV, luxury boxes, plush stadium-style seating, billiard tables, and an expanded 1,800 square foot outdoor patio just steps from the Strip.

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights are the unlikely sports darlings of this hockey season. They are now, unbelievably, well on their way towards possibly competing for the coveted Stanley Cup. There are also Golden Knights specials on the Lagasse Stadium menu. Think Golden Tater Puffs. It’s “Poutine Style” tots topped with savory brown gravy, shredded beef brisket and Pepper Jack cheese.

Robert DeLillo, the Executive Sous Chef for Exec Scott Pajak is our guest.

Now a sinful preview of this Saturday’s appropriately decadent show. We’re in fabulous Las Vegas…It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing…

We’re live from Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo Resort for today’s special show. It’s Vegas Uncork’d Weekend here and the mega-star celebrity chefs with high-profile restaurants in Sin City are in town for the four days of extensive festivities.

As part of the first evening of Vegas Uncorked “The Chefs of Thomas Keller Present a French Soiree”. It sold out right away. The two lead chefs are Chef de Cuisine Josh Crain of Bouchon Las Vegas and Chef de Cuisine Matt Alba of Ad Hoc and Addendum in Yountville, CA. Chef Josh joins us.

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo skillfully merges classic steakhouse with innovative and unique culinary techniques. It’s all enhanced by more than 60 wines-by-the-glass and more than 400 varieties of French and California wine-by-the-bottle. Our guest is Lou Hirsch, the General Manager, known in Vegas for his gracious hospitality.

John Kunkel, owner and founder of 50 Eggs Inc.’s newest concept Chica Las Vegas at The Venetian delivers the robust and vibrant flavors of Latin cuisine combined with a dynamic wine and mixology program. Crafted by celebrity Latina chef Lorena Garcia, the diverse menu draws inspiration from classic renditions and provides guests the opportunity to explore the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture, with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, among many more. Chef Lorena pops out of the busy Chica kitchen to chat.

Veteran Las Vegas insider and widely-followed food journalist Al Mancini works alongside The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s long-time restaurant critic Heidi Knapp Rinella. As a Staff Writer he covers the burgeoning food scene in Las Vegas both in the print and online versions of the daily newspaper.

As part of the first evening of Vegas Uncork’d “The Chefs of Thomas Keller Present a French Soiree”. It sold out right away. The two lead chefs are Chef de Cuisine Josh Crain of Bouchon Las Vegas and Chef de Cuisine Matt Alba of Ad Hoc and Addendum in Yountville, CA. Dessert was a K+M “Almond Joy” with a K+M Nicaragua dark chocolate mousse from Bouchon’s Pastry Chef Scott Wheatfill. Chef Josh joins us.

“Tucked away in the Venezia Tower sits Bouchon by Thomas Keller, a chef whose French cuisine has won almost every award possible: Michelin Stars, James Beard Foundation, and what Anthony Bourdain called “the best restaurant, ever.” Now you don’t have to go to French Laundry in Yountville to taste his genius — a modern take on French cuisine. Sunday brunch is the standout here, set in the sunlit bustling bistro or al fresco on the patio. An oyster bar that begins at 3 p.m. is the perfect setting for an afternoon with a bottle of rosé poolside. Of all the French restaurants Las Vegas offers, Bouchon is at the top of the must-visit list.”

Having worked so long at the original Bouchon in Yountville, Chef Josh brings to Bouchon Las Vegas an understanding of the restaurant’s sensibility and the importance of making time for meals to be a special occasion.

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo skillfully merges classic steakhouse with innovative and unique culinary techniques. Highlights include an iced seafood bar and a cheese and charcuterie bar with more than 60 farmhouse and artisanal cheeses from around the world with handmade salamis and meats.

It’s all enhanced by more than 60 wines-by-the-glass and more than 400 varieties of French and California wine-by-the-bottle.

With both wet-and dry-aged steaks as well as a sinful array of desserts, the Las Vegas steakhouse menu also includes a myriad of tasty and colorful handcrafted cocktails that Thrillist says distinguishes Morels as one of the “40 best steak restaurants in Las Vegas.” Outdoor patio seating provides stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip.

Because they don’t have a “Celebrity Chef” in the kitchen they work extra hard to welcome their guests. It’s a discovery “hidden” in plain sight by the Front Desk at The Palazzo.

Our guest is Lou Hirsch, the General Manager, known for in Vegas gracious hospitality.

John Kunkel, owner and founder of 50 Eggs Inc.’s newest concept Chica Las Vegas at The Venetian delivers the robust and vibrant flavors of Latin cuisine combined with a dynamic wine and mixology program.

Crafted by celebrity Latina chef Lorena Garcia, the diverse menu draws inspiration from classic renditions and provides guests the opportunity to explore the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture, with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, among many more.

Boasting the first Latina chef on the Las Vegas Strip, Chica promises to delight its diners with an astounding array of amazing dishes. Each and every bit of culturally unique food finds its pedigree equally in the homes of Peru or El Salvador as it does in the top restaurants of Mexico or Argentina.

The home cooking that is enjoyed by the people of Central and South America finds a home here in Chef Garcia’s kitchen, enhanced and made even more vibrant for Chica. Latin Fusion cuisine is Chef Garcia’s forte, and it shows: appetizers, main courses, desserts, and even the libations are specially crafted for their heritage and made to fit the modern, dynamic venue of Chica.

There is a high profile “Culinary Luminaries” Wall of Fame clearly visible on the massive exterior of The Venetian & Palazzo Resorts. Chef Lorena is the most recent addition.

Chef Lorena pops out of the busy Chica kitchen to chat.

Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Las Vegas is a truly special dining experience. General Manager Aaron Pannell who is responsible for managing all aspects of the restaurant and related Bouchon Bakery joins us.

It’s a spectacular location for Weekend Brunch on the lushly landscaped patio looking over the rooftop pool in the Venezia Tower.

Known for its artisanal breads and traditional French desserts, Bouchon Bakery (3 locations at The Venetian) offers handmade viennoiserie, confections, pastries, tarts and cookies, as well as sandwiches and salads made in-house daily. The flagship location is right off the busy main ground floor elevator lobby at The Venetian. Talk about incredible food traffic…!

Espresso drinks and coffee custom-blended by Chef Keller’s longtime partner Equator Coffees & Teas, are offered year-round.

Now a tantalizing preview of Saturday’s appropriately satiating show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing…

It’s Cinco de Mayo (our favorite created holiday to, of course, encourage responsible imbibing) so our thoughts are certainly on festively appropriate food and craft beer. Just across the street from us at Angel Stadium is the new Golden Road Pub OC. We’ll see what tasty morsels Executive Chef Henry Tran (ex-TAPS) has on the menu. We guarantee you won’t go thirsty there either!

We’re going to start referring to Celebrity Chef Susan Feniger as “The Festival Queen.” She is back with us this morning previewing her events for the ongoing Los Angeles Times Food Bowl including “Plant Power – The No Beast Feast – An All-Star Chef Celebration of Vegetable Cuisine” on Saturday, May 19th at Coral Tree Plaza at Border Grill Downtown LA.

Crustacean Beverly Hills, the 20-year old, award-winning restaurant from House of AN hospitality group, reopened in March following an eight-month-long, $10 million dollar ambitious redesign and reconcepting. It now houses two high-end restaurants. House of An’s Elizabeth An joins us with the stylish details.

A new quality burger concept (originating in New York in 2015) Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is on its way to an eagerly anticipated West Coast launch at Downtown Disney. Meanwhile you can experience Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Think perfectly outrageous shakes, too. They are also part of Vegas Uncork’d festivities on Saturday evening, May 12th. We’ll meet Founder Joe Isidori, a 3rd generation chef.

The respected food journalist Steve Dolinsky, ABC 7 TV’s “Hungry Hound” in Chicago, is the recipient of an impressive 13 James Beard Foundation Awards for journalistic excellence. For this year’s James Beard Foundation Media A...