From: Norm Johnson
For: week of 5-2-2016
Attended a Wine Tasting dinner last week held at Todd’s Unique Dining, 4350 E. Sunset, with the wine hosted by Middleton Family Wines of Central Coast California. We, my friend and I, have been dining at Todd’s ever since they opened nearly 10 years ago. Chef Todd Clore left a very high chef position at a major Las Vegas Strip Hotel to answer his dream and passion. Soon after opening and quickly establishing himself and the restaurant as the place for “Grand Dining at a reasonable price,” the recession struck. But, because of his quick recognition, Todd was able to survive. We personally are very glad they did!
The five wines presented by Jonathon Diaz, one of the managers for Middleton, included my favorite Adobe White, a very nice smooth white wine bottled in 2012. This was followed by the “Queen of Tides,” a 2013 bottled Inconceivable White wine. Naturally since I only drink white I had to rely on my companion to tell me about the three reds: a 2012 Adobe Red, 2012 Inconceivable Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2013 Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon. She loved all three but asked for a second taste of the Clayhouse. Middleton created their first wine in 2003 at the Santa Barbara vineyard. Diaz joined the company in 2009, and travels America presenting the California wines produced by the vineyards in California.
As honestly expected the food was fabulous (have never had a bad dish since our first visit) and included a delightful crab cake, a very delicious and nicely prepared Alaskan Halibut with barbed barley and truffle cream. Next was one of my personal favorites, Butternut Squash ravioli with brown butter and some sage. Finally the wonderful Bone in Short rib with red wine essence and a Mushroom Pot Pie (to die for). A Chocolate Devil’s food cake, surrounded by Blackberry coulis and topped by ice cream was the closing act.
The sold-out wine tasting was another success for Todd and his loyal staff. It truly is a family at Todd’s and should you begin to stop by you will become another member of Todd’s ever expanding family. After all Todd Clore is living his dream by making other people happy. So if you decide to become a member of his family, you must try the Butternut Squash soup, and be sure to order a bowl. It’s without question his best soup creation in my personal opinion.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino announced this week that a weekly residency has been inked with notable Vegas act, Zowie Bowie, beginning Friday, May 13, 2016 at Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck. Citrus features an all-new lineup of live entertainment including DJs on Thursdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays 12-5 p.m., as well as concerts and special events. Zowie Bowie will take the stage at Citrus every Friday at 10 p.m.
Boasting 35,000 square feet, Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck is a unique urban rooftop pool retreat featuring an infinity pool, private cabanas, full bar, dining, a fire pit, and grass seating area where guests can lounge or enjoy a variety of activities including foosball, corn hole, table tennis and more. Locals and guests can celebrate a special occasion or beat the heat with a private cabana rental, which can be reserved through Concierge Services by calling (702) 719-5170 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Zowie Bowie has remained one of the most well-known acts in Las Vegas, and currently brings a unique blend of today’s hottest dance, hip-hop, Top 40 and classic Las Vegas music to audiences every week at the Downtown Grand, South Point Casino and Fremont Street Experience. Zowie Bowie features the musical talent and unbridled energy of Chris Phillips and Nieve Malandra with a show produced by BESTAgency. This high voltage band creates a sizzling and sexy sound that has become a Las Vegas mainstay. Zowie Bowie has received rave reviews since the power-packed show initially debuted in Las Vegas, including “Number One Must-See Show” in Las Vegas by AOL and “Best of Las Vegas” four times by readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Recently they were voted American’s Best Dance Band at the National Music Awards. Las Vegas Magazine proclaimed “Zowie Bowie is to Sin City today is what Sinatra was to Vegas back in the ‘60s.”
Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours during special events and featured programming. Hotel guests and local residents receive free admission. Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck is also available for private special events for up to 1,200 guests. Downtown Grand is located on 3rd Street between Ogden and Stewart. For more information, call (702) 719-5100 or go to DowntownGrand.com.
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The Spa at Trump at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas presents an evening of pampering and mimosas to keep honoring moms throughout the month on Thursday, May 26 from 6:00 to-8:00 p.m. The night will be filled with mini-services from salon specialists including chair massages, hand treatments, hair and makeup consulting sessions along with complimentary mimosas.
Luxury beauty brands Moroccanoil and NuFace will be on-hand for demonstrations for at-home treatments for your hair and skin. All attendees will receive a gift bag stocked with samples and special offers and be entered into a drawing to win prizes from Moroccanoil, NuFace, and Natura Bisse. Tickets are available for $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event and can be purchased by calling 702.476.8000. The Spa at Trump, recipient of the prestigious Four Star Award from the Forbes Travel Guide for the eighth consecutive year, offers an array of services including men's, women's, teen and kids' treatments. The 11,000-square-foot space is complete with nine treatment rooms and a full service nail and hair salon. The Spa at Trump is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Las Vegas Restaurant Week, the highly anticipated annual culinary event will return June 6-17, 2016. Restaurants joining in Las Vegas Restaurant Week will create their own prix-fixe menu offered at price points ranging from $20 to $80, with a fixed portion of the proceeds benefitting Three Square and the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada. Offered for the first time, the new $80 dinner option will allow the valley’s top high-end restaurants to participate while giving back at unprecedented levels. Beginning Monday, May 23, a website devoted to Las Vegas Restaurant Week – www.helpoutdineoutlv.org – will launch, providing the list of participating restaurants and menu details. The easy-to-navigate, mobile-friendly site allows diners to search by type of cuisine and offers the option to book a reservation through opentable.com or yelp.com.
Restaurants already confirmed to participate include: Alize, Blue Ribbon, China Poblano, Culinary Dropout, Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, Hakkasan, Holstein’s Shakes and Buns, Honey Salt, Itsy Bitsy: Ramen and Whisky, Gilley’s Bar-B-Que, MOzen Bistro, Searsucker, Sushi Roku, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, among many others. In its first ten years, Las Vegas Restaurant Week has raised more than $1 million for Three Square. 100 percent of the proceeds collected from participating restaurants benefits Three Square and its mission to provide meals to more than 305,000 hungry residents in Southern Nevada. Diners are encouraged to share their experiences and be a part of the conversation on Twitter and Instagram by following @threesquarelv and using the hashtags #LVRW and #HelpOutDineOutLV, and on Facebook by ‘Liking’ the Las Vegas Restaurant Week page – http://on.fb.me/lvrwfb.
Las Vegas Restaurant Week began in 2007 as a way to give locals and tourists the opportunity to help out by dining out. 2016 marks the tenth year of Las Vegas Restaurant Week, which features a variety of fine dining experiences throughout the Valley. Proceeds from Restaurant Week benefit Three Square, Southern Nevada’s only food bank. Three Square currently distributes more than 38 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of more than 31 million meals – per year to more than 1,300 community partners including nonprofit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites throughout Southern Nevada. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org or www.helpoutdineoutlv.org.
WHEN: Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St., in the Water Street District
Mother’s Day weekend will get a pop of color. The City of Henderson hosts Art Festival of Henderson this Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is complimentary. The annual art show will feature more than 80 artists exhibiting paintings, sculpture, drawings, jewelry, ceramic, glass, fiber arts, woodwork, photography and mixed media. The event will also include two stages of live music and performances, children’s activities and food vendors. In addition, dozens of artists will transform the Henderson Events Plaza into a colorful gallery of chalk art masterpieces. The exhibit will feature a variety of unique paintings, including tributes to famous painters, beautiful landscapes and modern art using chalk pastels. The top two artists in the child, teen and adult categories will receive cash prizes, which are courtesy of several community partners. For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com or call 702-267-4050. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas (CASLV), 1051 Sandy Ridge Ave.
Henderson, NV 89052, will host its second annual STEAM camp, featuring educational and engaging activities and team competitions involving STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.) The camp is open to all third through seventh grade students. The cost is $220 per student. During STEAM camp, students will participate in activities such as balloon rockets, robotics, hovercrafts, toy design and more. The deadline to register for the camp is Saturday, May 16. To register for STEAM camp, click here. For more information, contact Christine Collier at (702) 204-1127 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week. I’m outa here!
