Las Vegas casinos hosted weekend visitors Saturday for the first time since mid-March. Check back here throughout the day to see what’s happening on the Strip and at local casinos.
Heidi Knapp Rinella
Former Food, Restaurant Critic
Nacho Daddy plans benefits for families of George Floyd and Shay Mikalonis, while “Marriage Can Be Murder” launches a virtual show and Ferraro’s celebrates the cuisine of Piemonte.
Players, diners were in short supply on the second day of the gaming industry’s reopening.
A new German bakery and cafe opens in Henderson, while other spots plan wine dinners, free T-shirts and a new lounge scheduled to open this year.
Las Vegan Kim Foster won a James Beard Award in the personal essay, long form category, while “The NoMad Cocktail Book” and “Broken Bread” by Roy Choi took other awards.
Eateries particularly dependent on tourism and conventioneers might wait as late as September before welcoming back customers.
The rest of the Strip resort will remain closed under the state’s reopening plan, but Allegro, Jardin, Lakeside, Mizumi and SW Steakhouse will welcome customers with full menus.
Holiday deals, a virtual happy hour, takeout packages and the third-anniversary celebration at Sparrow + Wolf are among the offerings.
Staffs aren’t big fans of masks, and dining areas can operate at just half of capacity, but several spots say they’re cooking and coping.
Robert Lang, director of UNLV’s Brookings Mountain West research institute, indicated that Las Vegas may have outgrown its buffets.
El Dorado Cantina now has both locations open; several restaurants to reopen at Bally’s.
Cut and Taste, which has been catering events in Southern Nevada for eight years, plans Weekender Menus, ordered in advance and available on Fridays
Local stores may reopen soon, but with tastings not likely to restart immediately, the company has turned to a virtual format that so far has averaged 250 participants.
Brio Tuscan Grille and Hamptons at Tivoli Village and Ben’Zaa Cantina in the northern valley will not reopen — the first because of corporate financial woes, the others because of changes planned by owners.
Big B’s Texas BBQ, Mint Indian Bistro and Rachel’s Kitchen locations are among the restaurants that have already reopened.