What the f…k?

Rumor has it that Switch, the Mark Poidevin-helmed restaurant slated to open soon at Encore at Wynn….or Encore at THE Wynn or THE Encore at THE Wynn, will have a design and decor that switches mid-way through every evening. Get it? This change-o-rama will include: a ceiling that turns over, window and wall coverings that transform themselves….and costume conversions for the entire staff….once a night every night.

Just what these apparel mutations might be is anyone’s guess: Trousers to mini-skirts? Blazers to wife-beaters? Or perhaps from this to this?

And what the f…k does any of this have to do with food? The mind reels.

Steverino’s favorite in-house decor-guy Roger Thomas is the mind behind this design, to which ELV can only say: Go get ’em Rog! But watch out for all them moving parts!

James Beard Foundation TasteAmerica Panelists Announced

From Hot Buffets to Haute Cuisine: Defining an American Food City and the Culinary Transformation of Las Vegas

On October 25th, as part of the JBF’s TasteAmerica event in Las Vegas, a panel discussion will take place at UNLV, featuring two of the most notable, honored and cranky food journalists of our time. Be there to watch Alan (The Hitman) Richman trade ego blows with Jeffery (The Man Who Ate Everything) Steingarten, while Elizabeth Blau, ELV and a chef to be named later observe with detached bemusement…and try to get a word in edgewise.

Continue reading “James Beard Foundation TasteAmerica Panelists Announced”

ROBERTA’S CAFE

Photos by Sheri Ann Forbes

The prime rib was overcooked, and served with mint jelly(?), but the crab cakes were appropriately crabby, the lamb chops were fine, and the chopped salad mighty tasty (even if it wasn’t that chopped and was too cold). Nothing was wrong with the huge portion of trout almandine either, and the cranberry walnut bread…addictive to the point of embarrassment. Best of all — this being downtown — you can get a bottle of big, bold and chewy Whitehall Lane merlot for fifty bucks, or a large pour of Ferrari-Carano cab for twelve. And when available, the walleyed pike they fly in from the midwest is a steal at $16.95.

At those prices, who cares if you’re sitting next to folks who remove their teeth at night?

ROBERTA’S CAFE

El Cortez Hotel and Casino

600 East Fremont Street

Las Vegas, NV 89101

702.385.5200

www.elcortezhotelcasino.com