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SmartCellar technology helps diners make wine selections

Andre's at the Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Alizé at the Top of the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, are set to be among the first restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley to begin using the SmartCellar technology.

SmartCellar helps diners make wine selections using an iPad. Upon being seated, instead of a printed wine list, guests will be offered an easy-to-navigate iPad, enabling them to browse and select a wine based on sparkling, red, white, fortified or sweet. They also will be able to choose if they would like wine by the bottle, half bottle, glass or a larger format. Additional touch-pad links will include the ability to search wines by name, region, varietal and price.

Food truck roundup to benefit
Clark County School District

Powder & Sun Board Shop and Grouchy John's Coffee plan to present the first Help Us Do Some Good Food Truck Roundup to benefit the Clark County School District from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 in the parking lot of Powder & Sun Board Shop, 4555 S. Fort Apache Road.

The event is set to feature five trucks, a Pizza Caffé, live music by DJ Zo, face painting and balloon twisting. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the school district's School-Community Partnership Program, which helps gather school supplies for needy and homeless students. Admission is free. Donations of money and school supplies are encouraged and are tax-deductible.

American Heart Association to host food festival at world market center

The American Heart Association plans to host its first heart-healthy food festival, the Flavors of the Heart Multicultural Food Festival, from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 at the World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.

Sixteen chefs are scheduled to donate their time and expertise to show participants how to dine in a healthy way. Participating restaurants are set to include Market Grille Cafe, Mundo, Nove Italiano, Panevino Ristorante, Ferraro's and Hash House A Go Go. Chef Carla Pellegrino from Bratalian and Bacio also plans to take part.

Single tickets are $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit flavorsoftheheart.com or call 499-7875.

Cuisine in the Country set for Aug. 20

The second Cuisine in the Country event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 20 at Buckhorn Ranch in Alamo, about 90 miles north of Las Vegas.

Chefs from Mario Batali's Las Vegas restaurants B&B Ristorante, Carnevino Italian Steakhouse and Otto Pizzeria are partnering with Lincoln County, NV Producer's Cooperative for the casual, Italian-inspired dinner. The meal will feature fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and meats, including Lincoln County beef and goat, along with classic Italian salads, vegetable dishes and desserts. Batali's sommeliers have created a wine pairing to complement the courses.

Tickets are $100 per person and must be purchased in advance at lincolncountynevada.com. A limited number are available and will be refundable until Friday.

For more information, visit the website, call 877-870-3003 or email west@unce.unr.edu.

Get prime rib dinner for special price Sundays at Fleming's

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 8721 W. Charleston Blvd., is serving its three-course prime rib dinner for $29.95 per guest on Sundays in August.

The first course is a choice of The Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar salad. The second course is prime rib with au jus, creamy horseradish and dijon sauces, served with a choice of Fleming's side. The third course is choice of dessert.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 838-4774.

Roy's Wine Club to meet Friday

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, 8701 W. Charleston Blvd., plans to host a waina hui (wine club) tasting at 5 p.m. Friday.

Each tasting features a sampling of Roy's signature appetizers. Michael Sukrow from Wirtz Beverage will be on hand to talk about wine from Spain.

The first pour will be Poema Cava, Sparkling, paired with a Southwest Roll. The second pour will be Naia, Verdejo, paired with green bean salad with blackened drizzle. The third pour will be Luzon Luzon Monastral, Syrah Blend, paired with cayenne- and smoked paprika-infused, chocolate-covered macademia nuts with coffee ganache. The fourth pour will be Aletta, Garnacha, paired with rustic rubbed beef skewer with mole sauce.

The cost is $20 for wine club members and $25 for nonmembers.

Members receive a wine glass, an invitation to all wine club events, an invitation to Roy's select seasonal events, a 10 percent reduction on bottled wine purchased at Roy's and reduced pricing for select Roy's wine dinners.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 838-3620.

Big Dog's to host summer beer dinner

Big Dog's Cafe & Casino, 6390 W. Sahara Ave., plans to host a summer beer dinner from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday in its Pedigree Room.

Chef Sergio Meza and brewmaster Dave Otto will present four courses paired with four beers.

The appetizer will be artisan Wisconsin cheese platter paired with Rail Dog Steam Lager. The salad will be spinach and frisée with tangerine and coriander-crusted sea scallops, paired with Big Dog's Watch Dog Belgian White. The entree will be fontina- and prosciutto-stuffed chicken with mushroom-basil and lemon-butter sauce served with sautéed broccolini and rice pilaf, paired with Dirty Dog IPA. Dessert will be white and dark chocolate-dipped strawberries, paired with Big Dog's Strawberry Wheat.

Guests will receive a special edition Big Dog's Brewing Co. pint glass.

The cost is $49.95, plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, visit bigdogsbrews.com.

Silverton serving dining specials

The Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, is offering late-night specials in the Sundance Grill from midnight to 5 a.m. daily.

Specials include biscuits and gravy for 99 cents, all-you-can-eat pancakes for $4.99 and the Wild Card Special, two farm-fresh eggs, two strips of bacon or sausage, hash browns and toast and jelly for $3.99.

Mi Casa Grill Cantina is offering a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. daily all summer. Specials include $2 beers, 50 percent off tequila shots and $3 Mi Casa margaritas.

Plaza to open Island Sushi, ZAba's Mexican Grill

The renovated Plaza, 1 S. Main St., plans to open Island Sushi and Hawaiian Grill and Zaba's Mexican Grill.

Island Sushi features two cuisines and separate dining facilities. Hawaiian cuisine offered includes malasadas (a fried confection), island-style plate lunches and pupus (appetizers), as well as a fresh poke bar.

The restaurant expects to open by Sept. 10 at the Plaza and will be the second location in Las Vegas. The first is at 9400 S. Eastern Ave., No. 103.

Zaba's Mexican Grill has been locally owned and operated since 2001. It serves a combination of Mexican, Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisine.

The Plaza location is set to open this fall and will be the sixth location in Las Vegas. The opening is set to coincide with Zaba's 10th anniversary.

For more information about restaurants at the Plaza, visit plazahotelcasino.com.

Golden Nugget plans second annual fall beer festival

The Golden Nugget, 129 Fremont St., is scheduled to host its second annual Fall Beer Festival Oct. 14 and 15.

The event is set to kick off with the All American Craft Beer Tasting, sponsored by Samuel Adams, from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 14 in The Grand events center. Guests can sample more than 120 craft beers and enjoy chef-inspired appetizers while listening to live music. A highlight will be the traditional tapping of the kegs, and each guest will receive a commemorative glass as a souvenir. Tickets are $50.

The second day will feature an Oktoberfest Pool Party, sponsored by Paulaner Beer from Munich, from 3 to 9 p.m. at The Tank. Admission is free, and 200 international and domestic beers will be available for purchase. A German Oktoberfest band is scheduled to play.

Guests interested in both events can receive discounted food and beer tickets for the pool party with paid admission to the craft beer tasting.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, call 386-8100 or visit goldennugget.com.

Eastside Cannery upgrades buffet

The Eastside Cannery, 5255 Boulder Highway, is celebrating its third anniversary this month, and the property has made several changes and improvements to the Cannery Row Buffet.

Changes include a new entrance, new buffet entrees, new dining booths, a new dessert and salad station, self-serve beverage stations, self-serve refrigerator with beer and wine, new food display presentation and new updated colors and accent LED lighting.

Improvements were based on customer feedback. Flat-screen monitors at the entrance highlight food offerings and upcoming specials.

Starting this month, the buffet will expand its menu to 20 additional entrees. Chefs will be in the dining area on a regular basis to offer tableside tastings of items fresh from the oven.

The buffet will be $7 a day on Sundays through Tuesdays in August. The champagne brunch is $11.99, or $9.99 for those with a CAN Club card, Saturdays and Sundays.

Tommy Bahama restaurant features new taco and drink menu

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is offering a new menu with tacos, margaritas and summer cocktails.

Tacos can be ordered as a meal or appetizer and include crab and mango with lump blue crab in a crispy corn tortilla with watercress, mango salsa and chipotle aioli; street carnitas, slow-roasted Kalua pork, cilantro, pickled onion, salsa verde and lime sour cream on a multigrain tortilla; Jamaican jerk with hand-shredded spiced chicken, lime slaw, avocado, mango salsa and chipotle aioli; langosta, with lobster sautéed in tomato relish, topped with bibb lettuce and queso fresco in a crispy blue corn tortilla; spicy Angus chimichurri with pickled onion, green apple slaw and fire-roasted salsa on a multigrain tortilla; fish taco with mahi mahi, crunchy shredded cabbage, roasted jalapeno aioli and fresh pineapple salsa; and the Sonoran with grapefruit-marinated mojo pork, pickled onion, cactus petal relish and lime sour cream.

Tommy Bahama's Spiked Guacamole also will be available, made to order with fire-roasted salsa and freshly made chips.

Seasonal margaritas include the Sedona Skinny Margarita, with Tres Generaciones Anejo, orange liqueur, grapefruit soda and agave nectar; Pink Grapefruit Margarita, with hand-pressed grapefruit, orange liqueur and Cazadores Reposado tequila; Chile-Lime Margarita, with hand-pressed jalapeno and lime, cayenne pepper, orange liqueur and Sauza Conmemorativo; and Prickly Pear Margarita, with Sauza, Cointreau, Scratch Sour and prickly pear.

Cocktails will feature The Big Kicker with Grey Goose vodka, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, hand-pressed jalapeno and Scratch Sour; and Easy Does It with Ketel One vodka, watermelon, honey, orange juice and grapefruit soda. The One-Two Punch has Cruzan Silver, Cruzan Raspberry, passion fruit and pomegranate and mango juices.

For more information, call 948-8006.

Scotch Tweet Up, rock & Roll wine event coming to The artisan

The Artisan, 1501 W. Sahara Ave., plans to host a Scotch Tweet Up from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and Aug. 19.

A celebration of scotch is planned, paired with cigars.

A Rock & Roll Wine event is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 and Oct. 6.

Wine tastings will offer a selection of Californian creations and Old World classics.

For more information, call 214-4000, 800-554-4092 or visit artisanhotel.com.

Mon Ami Gabi to host cooking class

Mon Ami Gabi inside Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, plans to host a French classics cooking class with chef Terry Lynch from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The menu includes tomato gazpacho with avocado and basil, ahi tuna nicoise, flourless chocolate cake with farmers market berries and crème chantilly. Louis Latour wines will be served.

Those attending will receive a recipe booklet. The cost for the class is $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

For more information or to register, call 944-4224.

Roy's Wine Club to meet

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, 620 E. Flamingo Road, plans to host a waina hui (wine club) tasting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month. The next one is set for Aug. 19.

Each tasting features a sampling of Roy's signature appetizers. Members receive a wine glass, an invitation to all wine club events, an invitation to Roy's select seasonal events, a 10 percent reduction on bottled wine purchased at Roy's and reduced pricing for select Roy's wine dinners.

The cost to attend a tasting is $20 for wine club members and $25 for nonmembers.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 691-2053.

Stripburger plans party on the patio

Stripburger at Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, plans to host a Party on the Patio from 8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 21.

Live music will be courtesy of Strung Out Sessions. The event also is set to include a buffet, cocktails and featured drinks including Coors Light, Mike's Hard Lemonade and Ketel One concoctions.

The cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 737-8747.

FIRST Food & Bar announces promotions

FIRST Food & Bar inside The Shoppes at the Palazzo, 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. South, No. 2812, is offering happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. and midnight to 2 a.m. featuring two-for-one Patron and Stoli drinks and draft beers.

Select from a list of bottled wines and receive half off the wine with the purchase of an entree from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays.

FIRST Ladies cardholders can enjoy their first cocktail for free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays. Ketel One drinks are $5 all night and food is 20 percent off.

An open champagne bar is available for women from 10 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, with a live disc jockey set.

The first Saturday of the month features Chicken and Waffle Ritual, with complimentary chicken and waffles starting at midnight.

Sam's Town restaurants announce august dining specials

Willy and Jose's Cantina inside Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, is offering a special of camarones ala diablo for $18.

The dish features fresh shrimp sautéed with onions and red and green peppers and simmered with spicy chipotle chile sauce. It is served with corn or flour tortillas.

Billy Bob's Steak House & Saloon plans to serve a barbecue rib-eye steak special for $18. It features mesquite-seasoned rib-eye steak grilled over an open flame, basted with bourbon barbecue sauce and topped with crispy fried onions. It is served with a choice of soup or salad, potato or rice and Billy's bread basket.

The Firelight Buffet will serve a steak and seafood buffet from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays for $15.99 for B Connected cardholders and $17.99 regular price.

For more information about restaurants at Sam's Town, call 456-7777 or visit samstownlv.com.

El Segundo Sol to host monthly cooking class

El Segundo Sol at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is scheduled to host a monthly cooking class with chef Terry Lynch from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27.

The menu is set to feature spicy chile-braised lamb tacos with borracha sauce and zesty guacamole with sweet corn and chipotle; tomato, watermelon and radish salad with guajillo dressing; lime creme brulee; and jalapeno-cilantro margarita.

The cost is $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 258-1211.