Everything You Missed at UNLVino, Including a Morimoto Serenade Everything You Missed at UNLVino, Including a Morimoto Serenade

[Photos: Tom Donoghue/Tom Donoghue Photography]

The event may have been called UNLVino, but it might as well have been dubbed Morimoto since the chef was the big talk of the weekend. Masaharu Morimoto was expected to announce his new restaurant opening at the Mirage while at the four-day beverage bacchanalia. He didn't. But that didn't stop the chef from providing the highlight of the weekend and making a surprise stop at the new mixology-focused BAR-b-q. Based on the bevy of Morimoto and MGM Resorts executives on hand, an announcement is imminent though. Here now, things you may have missed at UNLVino.

Morimoto singing, cracking open sake barrels and more. > >

1. Let's just let Morimoto say this in his own words: "Thank you very much, Las Vegas is my dream city. I am very honored by this event — when I came to the United States in 1985, I would have never imagined a Sake Festival, and now here are thousands of people at Sake Fever!" Then he went on to surprise the audience by continuing with, "I have been in this country for 30-something years, and yes, I still I have a language problem — but I can sing!" Morimoto then belted out a traditional Japanese song. Divine.

2. Thomas Keller landed one of four Dom Pérignon Awards of Excellence during Bubble-Licious, the champagne-forward event at the Venetian. He even personally handed out samples of Pate de Campagne with pickled garden vegetables from Bouchon along with cookies from Bouchon Bakery.

3. The party kicked off with a 21 Cork Salute, where 21 sommeliers from UNLV and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada simultaneously popped corks off 21 bottles of Dom Pérignon champagne.

4. Some of the highlights from Bubble-Licious included the carpaccio of scallops created by executive chef Olivier Dubreuil at the Venetian and Palazzo and Postrio Bar & Grill's Bavarian bratwurst.

5. Karabo Taiko drums played during Sake Fever on Friday, and Morimoto even tried to play the drums.

6. Perhaps the only thing that could out-wow Morimoto at Sake Fever was the 250-pound tuna Naked Fish brought to slice up sashimi. The lines here were amazingly long.

7. Sake Fever even featured a sake barrel ceremony to ward off bad spirits. Morimoto was among the people who helped smash open the traditionally decorated barrel of sake and pour it out to guests.

8. Honey Salt's Elizabeth Blau brought along her husband chef Kim Canteenwalla and parents Lynn and Jeffrey Blau when she received her Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence at the Grand Tasting.

9. Parking for the Grand Tasting at Paris Las Vegas was atrocious. Many guests ended up parking at the Bellagio and walking over to Paris.

10. Morimoto made a surprise stop at the newest UNLVino event, the mixology-focused BAR-b-q, wearing an orange running jacket.

11. Scott Conant of Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. Enoteca at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas says he's been spending a lot of time in Vegas lately, shooting a cover for Departures magazine and more.

12. Herb Wilson of SushiSamba at the Shoppes at the Palazzo says he's back to running after back problems sidelined him in December. Expect a "huge announcement" from him soon.
· All Coverage of UNLVino [~ELV~]

Eater Features Eater Features

Eater Features

No-show diners are a problem for restaurants everywhere, from neighborhood favorites to three-Michelin-star fine dining establishments. Eater National explores how the likes of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, wd~50 and Alinea handle customers not showing up for reservations — and how effective those methods really are in practice. [-EN-]

Revealed! The Barrymore's Super Secret Ltd Ed. Burger Revealed! The Barrymore's Super Secret Ltd Ed. Burger

The Barrymore Secret Burger [Photo: The Barrymore]

The Barrymore enters the Las Vegas secret menu stakes with a super limited and decadent entry. Their 10-ounce Secret Burger is only available 12 times a day and only by request with a price tag to match its elite status.

Foie gras, truffle cheese and hand cut fries. > >

The basic elements of the secret recipe combine a house-ground, dry-aged rib eye and prime chuck formula, pushed to the next level with chunks of whole butter and foie gras torchon. Chopped black truffle is added to the mix. Cooked medium rare, it is topped with Sottochenere truffle cheese. A side of Bordelaise sauce accompanies the burger.

Las Vegas bakery Bon Breads delivers the specially chosen brioche buns daily. But only 12 of them. While the burger is available inside the restaurant or at the bar, once the buns are gone, the burger is done for the day.

Entry to this tier of exclusivity costs $35 and includes hand cut Kennebec French fries and local bragging rights.

The Barrymore's dozen daily servings makes it one of the rarest burgers as measured by Eater National's 2013 roster of America's 12 Most Elusive Burgers.

The Barrymore recently celebrated a year and a half residency at The Royal Resort. Owners Block 16 Hospitality also operate Holsteins Shakes and Buns at The Cosmopolitan, which offers a $28 Billionaire Burger made with Kobe beef and foie gras on their standard dinner menu.
· All Coverage of The Barrymore [~ELV~]

$250,000 for the Fountains of Bellagio To Play Your Song $250,000 for the Fountains of Bellagio To Play Your Song

[Photo: Hyde Bellagio]

Here now, Hyde Bellagio's high roller package, where for $250,000 a guest can land a 30-liter bottle of Ace of Spades, a great table, some lavish goodies and "a pretty cool experience that involves the Fountains of Bellagio that you can't find anywhere else."

What you get for $250,000 at Hyde, plus a cheaper experience at Picasso. > >

Apparently Vegas Inc just discovered the package, available after the Fountains at Bellagio are turned off for the night. A butler delivers a gold box filled with a menu of fountain songs and a single red button that turns on the 4,700 lights and 1,200 fountains. The $250,000 experience plays just one song of choice. Although the publication says the package has only been available for three months, Eater Vegas featured it last May here.

A bit more on the frugal side is the M Life Moment, available for members of MGM Resorts' rewards program. Sapphire members, the lowest rung on the four-tier program, can pick up to two songs to view along with champagne, cocktails or a soft drink from the patio of Picasso for a mere $2,000 or the equivalent in points. Of course, this experience is only available from 1 to 5 p.m. and there are a passel of blackout dates including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
· Would You Pay $250,000 to Push a Button? [Vegas Inc]
· Greg Costello on $250,000 Nights at Hyde Bellagio [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of Hyde Bellagio [~ELV~]

Golden Corral Rides Into Vegas Sometime in 2013 Golden Corral Rides Into Vegas Sometime in 2013

[Photos: Golden Corral and Google Maps]

Saddle up, Las Vegas. Move over, Bacchanal Buffet and Wicked Spoon. The first Golden Corral in Nevada is coming to Las Vegas' east side.

The mystery of the oft-rumored, but never confirmed, arrival of the behemoth buffet chain known for its inexpensive steaks and seafood was ignited by a December 2012 online listing inviting offers to bid on construction of the 11,100-square-foot project.

Where it's going and more. > >

An April 5 listing on CareerBuilder looking for a kitchen manager and restaurant manager further confirmed the rumor.

Now comes word that construction will begin on the area's first Golden Corral in the next two months. "Construction on the Golden Corral restaurant will begin within the next two months near the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Lamb Boulevard (across the street from the Walmart Neighborhood Market and behind the Home Depot). We anticipate that it will open in early fall."

Despite commercials for the franchise frequently running on local Las Vegas television channels, the closest Golden Corral to Las Vegas is in Kingman, Ariz., just over 100 miles away.

The family-style buffet restaurant chain contains a mix of 500 company-operated and franchise restaurants in 40 states.
· All Coverage of Coming Attractions [~ELV~]

Take a Look Inside the Nightclub at Hakkasan Take a Look Inside the Nightclub at Hakkasan

Here's a look inside the nightclub at Hakkasan that opened on Thursday night at the MGM Grand with Deadmau5 on the decks. So far, only the top three levels the 80,000-square-foot Hakkasan, including the Ling Ling Club, are open.

Who performed on preview weekend, what's coming and more. > >

On Friday, Hardwell brought his "Go Hardwell or Go Home" futuristic-themed party series to the club, while on Saturday, Dutch duo Bingo Players hit the decks.

The nightclub takes over the fourth level of Hakkasan with VIP booths surrounding the dance floor. In front of the dance floor find a deejay booth and suspended performance area, all wrapped with floor-to-ceiling LED screens.

One the fifth level, find a more private VIP environment that can accommodate large groups in the semi-private rooms. Here look for customizable screens, coolers, sound control and more.

The 10,000-square-foot Ling Ling Club with a separate Ling Ling Lounge take up the third level. Here find a more relaxed experience with cocktails. Questlove of The Roots was on the decks on Saturday night.

The Chinese restaurant plans to open May 3 on the first and second level of the space. This is Hakkasan's first venture into the nightlife world.

This weekend, Steve Aoki hits the ones and twos on Thursday night with the first of his six Neon Future parties. Deadmau5 returns on Friday night, followed by the debut of Calvin Harris during an event with GQ magazine on Saturday night. Dutch DJ Laidback Luke will closes out the weekend with the debut of his "Revolt" event series.
· Hakkasan Has Not 1 But 2 Opening Dates [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of Hakkasan [~ELV~]

Just How Are the Meatballs at Meatball Spot? Just How Are the Meatballs at Meatball Spot?

Meatball Spot [Photo: Chelsea McManus]

In a rare negative review, Heidi Knapp Rinella at the Las Vegas Review-Journal handed Carla Pellegrino's Meatball Spot at Town Square a B+. The culprit? Dry meatballs.

She tried the meatball sampler with all six varieties of meatballs. The beef: "It was dry, but I wasn't all that concerned; all-beef meatballs can have a tendency to be dry."

Julian Serrano, right this way. > >

The classic: "Although not as dry as the beef, it was still too dry."

She said the chicken, turkey and vegetarian meatballs also needed moisture.

As for the pork meatball: "This was the best, and the one I'd stick to on a return visit, but even it wasn't as moist as I would've expected."

HKR thinks the meatballs were overcooked.

As for the sauces: "Sure, they added moisture to the exteriors, and even more flavor, because they all were very well executed." The classic tomato delivered, the spicy meat sauce "wasn't overwhelming," the mushroom gravy "wasn't as rich as I would have expected," the pesto "wasn't as concentrated as I would've expected (which is a good thing)" and the Parmesan cream was "nothing short of transcendent."

She gives the atmosphere and service an A and the food a B- for the overall B+

John Curtas says he's starting to return to the places included in Eating Las Vegas — The 50 Essential Restaurants, the book he co-authored with Max Jacobson and Al Mancini, starting with Julian Serrano at Aria. "It's never gotten the play of places like American Fish or Sage, but you will drink very well here whilst nibbling on the superb (if acquired) tastes of some of Serrano's more exotic creations." He tries some dishes that he calls "an acquired taste. …remember pilgrim: all things exquisite (blue cheese, oysters, bourbon, oral sex, etc.) are disgusting the first time you try them." [ELV]