Most Notable Food of the week was from Wexler’s Deli in the Aria Food Court. That LITTLE FOOD STAND is the only Deli that cures and smokes their own Pastrami and Lox. They also make their own bagels. Wexler’s Deli used to be California Based and had Several Locations in California and some across the country. Wexler’s is now down to only one location in the Aria Food Court on the Las Vegas Strip. They also do mail order lox.

Worst of the Week was Rincon de Buenos Aires. I must note that most people out there will not agree with my opinion. They currently have a 4.5 rating out of 5 on Yelp. I must say they do give you TONS of steak that is very reasonably priced so most people are cool with that. I only enjoy tender flavorful steak that is moist so I am too picky to enjoy this.

My dogs didn’t agree with me either and think that the steaks are amazing.

In other Food News –

Made just a quick trip to my local Smith’s Grocery Store.

I was looking at the wilted dying mint plants and then noticed bags of peanuts just sitting on the floor.

In other FOOD News –

Feb 18 – Charter 75 Modern Kitchen opens in Gold Coast Casino 4000 W Flamingo Rd

Feb 20 – (Rice Bowl Chain) Waba Grill to open – 3900 Paradise Rd

Feb 26? – (Eastern European Jewish) Hayworth by Chef Alex Reznick (Beat Bobby Flay, Bravo Top Chef) – 1450 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy Henderson

Feb 28 at Red Rock Casino – Beverly Hills Cheese Store POP UP 12-5pm

Feb 28 Korea Town Plaza – FREE Lunar New Year Festival 1-9pm

SOON – Ganbei (A.Y.C.E. Chinese Buffet) – 3601 W Sahara Ave

SOON – Mariacheeze (Mexican & Pizza Wings) 5770 Centennial Center Blvd

March 27 – Fiorella Pasta by Marc Vetri CLOSES in the Durango

March 28? – Cantina Contramar (Mexico City Seafood) expects to open in the Fontainebleau

March 27-29 – Foodieland Las Vegas Motor Speedway 200+ Venders

Spring? – The Hat (Pastrami Dip Restaurant) opens 6215 S Rainbow Blvd

Spring – Able Baker Bomb Shelter – 6371 Centennial Center Blvd

Soon – Bokki Chicken (Korean Take Out) 110 S Rainbow Blvd

Summer – Nobibi Asian Dessert & Beverage – Somewhere Downtown

This Year? – K-Ssam Bap (Korean) 3909 W Sahara Ave

This Year? – Ember & Oak (Food and Wine) 6235 S Pecos Rd

End of year?- 215 Losee Village – Retail Complex with eateries – East Side Losee Rd between Deer Springs Way + 215 Beltway

And in Silly and or Cute Food News My Dogs Enjoying Food from Mo’Bettahs

That was The Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week

and this is

Best Restaurant of the week is James Beard Nominated for Best Chef – Calabash African Kitchen. We shared Fataya Pies (vegetarian Empanadas), Red Snapper Platter, and their Famous Jollof Rice. All was delicious and this really was the best African Style food I ever tried anywhere.

Also enjoyed a hidden Gem – Cured & Whey. It’s a small deli, cheese, and wine shop in an industrial park that’s a short ride from Mandalay Bay. We didn’t try any wine but I can say that the sandwiches and the cheeses are unusually good!

In other Food News –

I’m so FORKING tired of the cart problem at my local Smith’s. The woman next to me was very angry. I was afraid she might crack and go berserk because she said that she couldn’t shop without a cart. She was screaming and waving her arms in the air. I was afraid something was going to happen that you’d see on the news.

In other Food News –

Already Open – Amata Moderne Thai – 5597 S Rainbow Blvd – By former executive chef of high profile Strip Asian Restaurant Hakkasan (he left to open his own Thai Restaurant)

Maybe – Feb 26? – Hayworth Restaurant by Bravo Top Chef and of Beat Bobby Flay Chef Alex Reznick is opening an Eastern European-Jewish Restaurant 1450 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy – Henderson

Feb – 28 – Korea Town Plaza Lunar New Year Festival 1-9pm free to attend

March 27 – Fiorella Pasta Bar by Marc Vetri is to CLOSESin the Durango Food Hall

Spring – Able Baker Bomb Shelter – 6371 Centennial Center Blvd

Soon? – Bokki Chicken (Korean Take Out) 110 S Rainbow Blvd

Soon? – 6 NEW locations of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill (no addresses were listed)

Summer? – Five Guys ((with a patio) Plaza Hotel/Casino – 1 N Main St

This Year? K-Ssam Bap (Korean Restaurant) 3909 W Sahara Ave

By Year End? – 215 Losee Village (NORTH LAS VEGAS) Retail Complex on the east side of Losee Rd between Deer Springs Way and 215 Beltway. Eateries and MORE – Second Phase will include Stand alone restaurants.

In Silly and or Cute Food News – My Dogs enjoying the Dog Menu at Market Grill Cafe on the Patio.

That was The FORKING Las Vegas FOOD Buzz of the Week

and this is

Favorite Dish of the week was the Maitake Mushrooms with Miso Fondue from Ada’s Food & Wine. It was delicious and amazing. Almost every one would enjoy it. I also should say at this point that most dishes we tried were at least VERY GOOD from Ada’s ……..But also the worst dish of the week came from the same restaurant.

This pasta dish was terrible because of how highly over salted it was. The restaurant was very apologetic about this and did offer to replace and remove from the bill. But It’s a long story that is best saved for another time.

Took a trip to the newly opened Hearthstone at Red Rock. Had maybe the smallest salad that I ever had anywhere. (It was only tomatoes, cheese, and black berries)

In other food news –

Coming Soon –

Late February? – Hayworth (by chef Alex Reznik – winner of Beat Bobby Flay, and also from Bravo Top Chef) Eastern European and Jewish Foods – 1450 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy – Henderson

Feb.- 28 – Lunar New Year FESTIVAL at Korea Town Plaza

March?– Tacos 1986 – at The Resort at Summerlin (in the Food Hall)

March? – For The Win (smash burgers) At The Resort at Summerlin (in the Food Hall)

Now Open –

-The FIRST Five Guys with a walk up BAR on the Strip in The Venetian

And in Silly and or Cute Food News – My Dogs eating from The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.

That was The FORKING Las Vegas FOOD Buzz of the week

and this is

Aroma Latin American Cocina (by a 2024 James Beard Nominated Chef) Has recently closed at their Henderson location. Below are dishes we’ve tried there. All were amazing.

The good news is that Amora Latin American Cocina plans to open in Chinatown in February at 3355 Spring Mountain Road.

In Other FOOD News –

January 30th – Hearthstone expects to officially open at Red Rock

A second location of WSKY is now open in North Las Vegas at 720 E Cheyenne Ave.

North Las Vegas has a NEW casual Indian Restaurant….SORT OF……….

It’s called Spice Bomb-Bay and it shares the Hummus Republic Restaurant Building. 2546 E Craig Road

Noticed Slim Chicken’s Restaurant being built on Craig Road almost across from Pandora’s Burgers.

Also noticed a Vegas 888 Buffet being built on Decatur Rd

In even more FOOD News –

Maybe Spring? – Able Baker Bomb Shelter – 6371 Centennial Center Blvd

Maybe Spring – Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant at 505 Fremont Street

Maybe this year? – Mediterranean Latin Grill 1216 Owens Ave.

Maybe this year? – Nashville Cats Cafe – somewhere on the strip

This Year – China Mama 2233 N Rampart Blvd

May-June? – China Mama 2550 Rose Parkway (Henderson)

Spring – The Hat (pastrami dip restaurant from CA) 6215 S Rainbow Blvd

June-July? – EDO Gastropub 9205 W Russell Rd

February – Braseria (at The Collective)

In Other Food News –

WORST FOOD of the week came from California Fish Grill In Centennial Hills.

The Salmon Wasabi Bowl was AWFUL. The whole experience was also awful. They didn’t turn on heaters for us so we left and did take out. Sauces were missing. Ingredients that should have went into the Salmon Wasabi bowl were missing and the fish was partially BURNT. ( I do note that we’ve been here several times and previous visits were reasonably good so I can’t say for sure what happened here.)

Best of the week was Rang’s Cocina Moderne. We’re there about once a month because the food and service is always perfect. They serve a unique menu of Italian, Spanish, that is mixed with a little bit of Asian. Below are many of the dishes we’ve tried there.

And in Silly and or Cute Food News – My dogs eating salmon from California Fish Grill.

“Give me all that nasty salmon so you don’t have to eat it.”

“Do you know that this salmon tastes a bit burnt?”

That was The FORKING Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week.

and this is –

The WORST of the week was the plain pizza from Napoli Pizzeria. They thinned the sauce so much that it wasn’t sauce anymore. Then to make the pizza even worst they added a sprinkle of cheap table salt to the top of the pizza to make it salty.

The most notable restaurant of the week was an authentic style Mexican Restaurant called La Mojarra Loca. It’s real Mexican. So far every waiter I had was hard to communicate with and the food does run very spicy but it’s always good with large portions and reasonable prices. This time I had the Filete Zarandeado (marinated and grilled mild white fish in achiote sauce) and my husband had the Steak Ranchero (smokey tomato chipotle garlic jalapeño sauce)

A Bunch of Food Related businesses have recently opened. Among them are –

Handel’s Ice Cream – 6180 N Decatur Rd – NORTH Las Vegas

Milk Bread Bakery – 3431 S Jones Blvd

Eggslut – Rio Casino/Hotel

Stanton Social Italian – Caesar’s Palace

How Ya Dough’n – 3rd floor Blvd Complex

Butcher & Thief – 8670 Sunset Rd

Lucky Bird – Proper Eats Food Hall – Aria Casino/Hotel

MORE Coming Soon –

January 17TH – Stephano’s Greek & Mediterranean – 7541 W Lake Mead Blvd

January 22 – Seventy Six by Station Casino – 1120 Vitacity Drive

January 24 – 99 Ranch Market is opening in Boca Park in Summerlin

Soon Zippy’s 5485 Camino Al Norte NORTH Las Vegas

Soon – Good Pie – Red Rock

Soon – With Love Always – Red Rock

Soon – Slim Chickens is coming to NORTH Las Vegas (saw it on Craig Rd almost across from Pandora’s burgers.

Soon – another (a second just 2 miles from another WSKY) WSKY on Cheyenne Rd in NORTH Las Vegas (This one around the corner from SNS BBQ Diner)

Spring – For The Win (L.A. Casual Smash Burger Restaurant) is expected to open in the Resort at Summerlin

Mid March – Tacos 1986 (L.A. Taco Shop) is expected to open in the Resort at Summerlin

March – Barbacoa Hidalguense (Mexican Restaurant) plans to open at 719 N Nellis Blvd

and –

Silly and or Cute Food News – My dogs eating roast beef from an Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich

This was The FORKING Las Vegas FOOD Buzz of the Week

and this is –

We found out for ourselves that you can have a FORKING Amazing dinner at Bar Boheme. We tried the Prix Fixe Menu that included amuse bouches, a baguette with French cultured butter, 2 more courses, and desserts. Food and service was spectacular.

Also in other local Las Vegas Food News –

The 2 course $25. Mon-Fri Lunch from ANIMA by EDO is also still amazing and might be one of the best values in town.

In Other Food News –

A NEW 20 Million $$$$$$ Plus 62,000 square foot Albertson’s has already broke ground in NORTH Las Vegas. (Decatur Blvd & Elkhorn Rd)

January 31st at 11:00am will be the Siegel Bagelmania’s 4th annual Bagel eating competition. Joey Chestnut is expected to be competing.

Pho So 1 Restaurant Vietnamese Restaurant closes after over 30 years.

Jaleo by Jose Andres is now offering Monday Night Flamenco (7pm-10pm)

Finnery’s Crafthouse Chain is expected to come to Downtown Summerlin and Town Square sometime this year.

Marufuku Ramen is expecting a February opening in downtown Summerlin.

Hash House A Go Go is no longer at the Rio. A restaurant called – The Kitchen Table has opened December 29th 2025 in that spot.

Silly and or Cute Food News – My dogs enjoying an In-N-Out Cheeseburger on their patio

That was The FORKING Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week

and this is –

These are some of the expected Las Vegas 2026 Restaurant and or Food related Openings – (opening dates were not published)

Something called – & Pizza is planning a Spring time opening at the Rio Casino-Hotel

Casual burger and Custard place called With Love Always plans a new location in Red Rock Casino-Hotel and aspects to open early in 2026

Hearthstone (Michelin Stared chef Jason McLeod) Early 2026 in Red Rock Casino-Hotel

Meril (Emeril Lagasse Group) will be opening their first non-strip restaurant in the M Resort in Henderson

Stix Asia Food Hall in the Uncommon’s (where the last food hall failed)

Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse – Wynn Casino Hotel (across from golf course?)

Museum of Ice Cream with an Ice Cream Buffet – Area 15

Maroon (Caribbean Steak House by Bravo Top Chef Kwame Onwuachi – Sahara Casino-Hotel

Lotus of Siam – I read where it once was before on E. Sahara Ave

The Hat (California Pastrami Dip Sandwiches) 6215 S Rainbow Blvd

Edo Gastropub – (New American) in the Gramercy

Catina Contramar – Fountainbleau Casino-Hotel

Braseria (French/Spanish by EDO Hospitality) Paper wrote in place of Yolies Brazilian Steakhouse?

Besties Cafe by Chef Leticia Mitchell will be opening sometime in the Arts District 1401 S Commerce St

Chubby World (4 Story Japanese Food, Retail, & Entertainment) sometime at 3810 Spring Mountain Rd

Zippy’s is coming to North Las Vegas

WSKY Bar and Grill is opening a New Location that is only two miles away from another location in North Las Vegas

In other FOOD News –

Enjoyed a Margherita Pizza from Old School Pizza – Their dough is made with an over 300 year old natural family starter from Italy and they proof the dough for five days that creates a dough unlike any other. It’s lighter and easier to eat and enjoy.

Tried the newly opened Bucher & Thief (steakhouse) for lunch.

Think they just need a little more time to get things just so but I can say that their fries are truly AMAZING and might be the best in all of Vegas.

Silly and or Cute FOOD News – My dogs enjoying chicken, cucumbers, and feta cheese from The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.

That was The FORKING Las Vegas FOOD News of the Week

and this is

Much loved Bun Bun Chicken a casual chicken themed restaurant is no longer in business in the North/West part of Las Vegas. They already have rebranded into Glenda’s Bakery.

This week Lucky Bird ( casual Nashville Fried Chicken) was expected to open in the Proper Eats Food Hall in the Aria.

Any Day – Butcher & Thief Steakhouse is expected to open at The Bend – 8670 W Sunset Rd

Egg Slut is expected to open December 19 2025 in the Rio

In the near future we are getting another WSKY bar & grill just 2 miles up from their other location or just around the corner from SNS Diner BBQ. at 720 E Cheyenne Ave

WHOLE FOODS is expected to open in a former Big Lots Location in Centennial (Tropical Pkwy & Centennial Center Blvd

February 13TH-15TH 2026 – Dream Asia Festival – 80 FOOD VENDERS & More – 200 S 3RD St – Downtown LV Events Center

and

We did a Holiday Take Out Special from SMOKED BBQ. Bravo Top Chef – Chef Alex Resnick was cooking that day. He was victorious on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay with his Matzo Ball Soup so we had to try it with the other specials.

I am pleased to say that everything was delicious!

We also got to try the Sobel Brothers Pop Up at Soulbelly BBQ. (They specialize in Pastrami)

That turned out to be quite good too!

and

Silly or Cute Food News- My Dogs enjoying BBQ Chicken from SNS Diner BBQ

That was The FORKING Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week

and this is

Taste of Gujarat is an amazing Indian Restaurant in Las Vegas. We enjoyed everything from the atmosphere to all the food that we tried there. They serve full flavored Indian Foods that really bang with bold flavors and some heat.

It was worth the drive across town to dine here.

We also enjoyed some of the best burgers in town from Holsteins Shakes and Buns. I was told that the patties are fresh ground in house wagyu and chuck. They offer many interesting toppings and on both our visits we never had an over cooked a burger.

In other food news –

Hanukkah begins Sunday December 14TH 2025 at sundown and Las Vegas is lucky enough to have not one but TWO BRAVO TOP CHEF BBQ restaurants celebrating Hanukkah this year. Below is the SMKD BBQ Hanukkah Specials.

Below is the Soulbelly BBQ Hanukkah Specials –

In other FOOD News –

December 18 2025 – How Ya Dough’n (Pizza Shop) is expected to open at 3747 Las Vegas Blvd S. and it reads in the Las Vegas Neon Section that they are giving away 777 free slices of pizza starting at 11:30 December 18TH

This winter – Mr Yakitori Japanese Skewers expects to open at 6475 W Charleston Blvd

Spring – With Love Always (smash burger and custard restaurant) expects to open by May 2026 in Red Rock Casino

Open Again from the MULTI MILLION dollar renovation is Morimoto at MGM

Stanton Social Prime at Caesar’s Palace is rebranding to Stanton Social Italian

and –

Silly and or Cute Food News – My dogs enjoying meat from tacos from Tacos Los Barrios

That was The FORKING Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week

and this is –

Celebrity Chefs (Two Hot Tamales) Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Finiger’s BBQ Mexicana (Sunset Location) is now CLOSED for business.

Celebrity Chef Todd English was the owner of The Pepper Club and English Hotel until a few years ago – This week THE PEPPER CLUB announced that their last day will be January 1st 2026 Below are some memories from The Pepper Club. They also announced that something new will be taking it’s place.

Good Pie will be opening a new location in Red Rock Hotel/Casino. They expect a spring opening.

Sunday Nov.23 is the Killah Kine Ohana Market. Food Trucks Merchandise Vendors and More! 2-6 – 6430 S Decatur Blvd

Till the end of November Lucino’s Pizza special is Thanksgiving Themed Pizza – Gravy, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberries, Rosemary, Parsley

In other Food News –

Was going to attend the Pizza Festival but 1/2 hour before it started their was no close parking and it was pouring rain and we didn’t think eating slices of pizza in the pouring rain would be fun so we ate at nearby Bagelmania. It’s deli foods, great big sandwiches, and breakfast is popular there. My husband had the Roast Beef Latke Sliders and I had a Fish Platter with an everything bagel. For me this was three meals because they messed up and gave me the wrong fish so I thought it was a good deal anyway.

Discovered a New 24/7 Bar, Restaurant and Gaming place call The Cantina. They offer a limited Mexican Food Menu and Smashburgers. The salsas they served us were unusually good. We also got a very good fajita and the best steak I ever had on a fajita anywhere. WHO KNEW that their fajitas are the best in town? What a great discovery.

Silly or cute Food News – My dogs enjoying an In-N-Out Cheeseburger

This was The FORKING Las Vegas Food Buzz of the Week

and this is –