A Project Dinner Table event

Launched in April 2010, Project Dinner Table is a monthly dinner series that pairs local chefs and charities. Created by entrepreneur and sustainable foodie Gina Gavan, the event brings together people from all over the city, from community leaders to artisans to casino, hospitality, media, and culinary professionals. Served at one long, white linen cloth-covered table, dinners include an average of 150 guests and have a strong sense of community and conviviality. Meals include several farm-to-table courses served family-style, and locations are always different, not to mention fun and out-of-the-box. Dinners are $140 per person, including alcohol pairings, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the month’s affiliated charity. 

Upcoming Project Dinner Table Events:

When: Saturday, May 19, 6 PM
Who: Executive chef Philipp Norsetter of T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Casino
Where: Downtown at Jackie Gaughan Plaza at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino

When: Saturday, June 30, 6:30 PM
Who: Executive chef Geno Bernardo of Nove Italiano at Palms Casino Resort
Where: University Nevada Cooperative Extension Orchard (UNCE)

When: Saturday, September 8, 6:30 PM
Who: Executive chefs Royden Ellamar and Edmund Wong of Bellagio
Where: Bellagio

Last year’s announcement that Wickedwould play in Las Vegas caused a pandemonium countdown among local Broadway buffs. The record-breaking Wizard of Oz prequel tells the story of how the witches of Oz–both good and bad–came to be. Thanks to The Smith Center, real Broadway touring shows are now a staple in Las Vegas and Wicked will officially kick off the performing arts venue’s first full-length Broadway series season when it opens on August 29. Tickets for the six-week run go on sale at 7 AM on May 19 at The Smith Center Box Office. Choice seats will undoubtedly sell-out quick. Following the box office sale, remaining tickets can be purchased online at 10 AM. 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

Las Vegas has finally gotten an outpost of the country’s premier storage retailer, The Container Store, located in Town Square. The 22,000-square-foot store opened May 12 and features more than 10,000 multi-functional products that can tackle everyday living and workspace problems.

From closet organizational pieces to travel essentials to dorm room staples, 16 different lifestyle departments cover numerous options tailor-made for stylish neat freaks. You’ll even find home décor accents, gift-wrap, and shelving. We love the store’s hanger selection, with a whipping 80 styles to choose from.

Shoppers can also create unique, customized shelving and drawer systems with a little help from The Container Store’s elfa modular system designers, who are on hand to offer free design advice. Town Square

Lobster club sandwich at Postrio Bar & Grill

The new weekend brunch at Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio Bar & Grill is positively crave-worthy. “We're seeing it grow in popularity every weekend,” said executive chef Michael Tiva of the menu, which he's stacked with sweet and savory dishes like corned beef hash topped with fried organic eggs, buttermilk pancakes with candied pecans and maple butter, and an Italian-style breakfast sandwich layered with prosciutto and wild arugula. Order a side of Puck’s famous truffled potato chips with blue cheese and you’ve got the perfect marriage of old and new. And there are more new dishes to come: “We've already expanded the selections by a few items, but we haven't yet made the menu as large as we plan to,” added Tiva. We spoke with the chef to get more insight on the brunch and the restaurant's genius Bloody Mary recipe. 

What was the inspiration for the new brunch menu?
MICHAEL TIVA: We have several restaurants that offer full-time breakfast within the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, but some of the inspiration was taken from the original Postrio restaurant in San Francisco, where breakfast was offered daily. We have updated some classic WP brunch items, and there are a couple of brand new items as well.

Who worked with you on developing the menu?
MT: Wolfgang himself, as well as the corporate culinary team and our sous chefs.

The brioche donuts with jam are so delicious. Have the sweet dishes been more popular than the savory ones?
MT: We find that earlier in the day, the sweeter items sell better. The heartier, more lunch-oriented items sell better later in the day. But this is Vegas, so a traditional morning for our guests doesn’t always occur. It's never cut and dry what the guests will want.

Postrio’s Bloody Mary
SERVES TWO

9 ounces tomato juice
2 ½ ounces sweet dill pickle juice
1 ¼ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¾ teaspoon of horseradish
¼ teaspoon curry powder
¼ teaspoon Sriracha
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon celery seed
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a martini shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with pickled green bean, olive, or lime wedge.

Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM. The Grand Canal Shoppes, 702-796-1110

Using British skincare line Medik 8, the posh Canyon Ranch SpaClub is now offering what is perhaps its most restorative anti-aging program yet. Dubbed About Face Advanced Aesthetics, the new program includes four facials designed to cleanse, lift, and revitalize. (The program marks the British line’s first introduction to American spagoers.)

Combining Medik 8 green cosmeceuticals and the latest in state-of-the-art facial technology, the most basic of the four facials is the Pure treatment, a 50-minute cleansing and exfoliating facial. For flawless skin on a big night out, the longer 80-minute Uplifting facial uses microdermabrasion, steaming, extractions, and red and blue light therapy to lift, tone, and reduce fine lines.

The Detail facial is 50 minutes and ideal for men, while the Ultimate Microdermabrasion facial gives a quick 30-minute detoxification with a hyaluronic acid mask that adds glow and clears up scars or discolorations associated with acne.

About Face treatment prices range from $95 to $295. For an extra $75, clients can add boosters like a quick lifting treatment, hydratone gel mask, oxygen boost, or crystal-free microdermabrasion. Bonus: locals receive a 10 percent discount on any service.The Venetian/The Palazzo, 702-414-3600

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The Barrymore's pan-roasted free-range chicken with wild rice arugula salad and yogurt sauce

 

The Barrymore outdoor dining

 

The Barrymore dining room

 

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Still new to the Vegas dining scene, The Barrymore is keeping it ultra-fresh this season with a new spring menu and weekday prix fixe. Executive chef Anthony Meidenbauer is whipping up a bevy of light yet delectable new dishes that pair perfectly with the restaurant’s cozy patio dining.

To start, try the seasonal farm egg and rice cake with harissa aioli, chorizo, and herbs; crispy soft shell crab; or heirloom tomato and milky burrata cheese. Move on to main courses like olive oil-poached Alaskan halibut; crawfish étouffée and crispy okra; or pan roasted duck breast. New desserts include a cool berry gelato and tart lemon sorbet.

Small plates range from lobster “deviled eggs” to buffalo chicken wings to iceberg salad topped with smoked bacon, bleu cheese, tomatoes, and Russian dressing. Order one of everything with a pitcher of Sangria or round of Spring Buzz cocktails, made with blueberry vodka, absinthe, ginger beer, lemon, and berry syrup. 

For foodies who prefer to dine early, The Barrymore’s new weekday prix fixe ($37) promises three seasonally charged courses (5–6 PM). The Royal Resort, 99 Convention Center Dr., 702-407-5303

Topcoat isn’t just for manicures anymore. Anastasia Beverly Hills’ just-launched Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat ($21) can be applied atop your favorite mascara and, even against the intense Vegas heat, will prevent flaking, running, and melting. Available now at Sephora, the revolutionary new topcoat is perfect for those who love the security of waterproof mascara, but don’t want to be tied down to one color, brush, or formula. For summer getaways, try the smaller travel-size version ($10). Sephora, four locations in Las Vegas; sephora.com

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Terlato Wines’ Santa Margherita is launching a new sparkling rosé. The effervescent summer wine is a blend of Prosecco di Valdobbiadene chardonnay from the Trentino-Alto Adige region and a touch of malbec.

On Mother’s Day (May 13), wine lovers can join HGTV personality Monica Pederson at Monte Carlo Las Vegas for a taste of the new rosé and a few elegant entertaining tips. To the delight of moms and daughters alike, Pedersen will demonstrate two Mother’s Day-themed tablescapes from her book, Make It Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home, followed by a book signing and meet-and-greet.     

Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé will be served, as well as a special Mother’s Day cocktail. Gift sets, including the new rosé and Pedersen’s book, will be available for purchase. Event times are 11 AM-2 PM at the café, and 3-5 PM at the buffet.

Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace

A classic Las Vegas evening is all about dinner and a show. And Caesars Palace is not one to argue with tradition: the mega hotel and casino recently introduced an Absinthe and Central Michel Richard prix fixe package. Lovably outlandish, Absinthe theater is just steps away from Central, so the pairing could not be more perfect.

Prior to a performance of Absinthe’s cheeky, high-flying antics, showgoers can dine on Central’s Franco-American menu. The 24-hour restaurant’s special Absinthe menu is $45 per person includes $20 off tickets for the show.

First course options include a mixed green salad, Richard’s signature bacon and onion tart, or deviled eggs. For the main event, choose between fried chicken with smashed potatoes, pan-seared salmon with succotash, or a crab burger with ginger mayo. To end things a sweet note, dessert offerings range from chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce to ice cream to sorbet to Michel’s chocolate bar. A signature cocktail as colorful as the show itself, the AbsinTini, made with Lucid Absinthe, melon liqueur, lime, and a splash of ginger ale, is also part of the special menu.

After dinner, head to the show on the hotel’s Roman Plaza, where The Gazillionaire and his raucous assistant, Penny Pibbets, will introduce you to jaw-dropping acts that involve everything from a high-wire to a giant balloon. Caesars Palace, 702-650-5921

Yucatan eggs Benedict

A staple on the weekend brunch scene, Border Grill recently introduced a new lineup of tantalizing brunch dishes and specialty cocktails, such as a bacon Bloody Mary and strawberry mojito. 

If your brunch cravings lean toward the savory side, try the new Peruvian shrimp and grits or the frittata tart with spinach and short rib hash. Sweets lovers can indulge in Mexican chocolate pancakes or delightfully rich bread pudding French toast. Torn between sweet and savory? Go for the bacon jalapeño PB&J, a peanut butter- and jelly-slathered biscuit packed with spicy bacon and a perfectly poached egg. Finish things off with an order of oozy dulce de leche churro tots, which you may remember seeing on Top Chef Masters season three.

These new dishes join executive chef Mike Minor’s signatures, such as Yucatan eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, machaca chilaquiles, crispy potato rajas tacos, and green corn tamales. Add to that the stunning backdrop of Mandalay Bay and bottomless mimosas and you’ve got a Sunday brunch tradition that never gets old. 10 AM–3 PM. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7403