This annual foodie event that was held back on April 15, 2016 had to be moved from the Red Rock pool area to convention space in the casino/hotel due to the weather. With a focus on sake, there was also plenty of Asian, and surprisingly non-Asian, eats. I love the idea of these type of food festivals and events, but the reality is that they’re usually too crowded to fully enjoy. This was no exception. At the peak of the event it was shoulder to shoulder people and difficult to walk around with long lines for both food and drinks.
Some of the best Asian restaurants in town were represented like Raku, Other Mama, SoHo, District One. There were also surprising restaurants here like Pot Liquor. Their tie-in with sake is a stretch at best. Station Casino restaurants were also well represented. Almost all of Red Rocks spots were here along with Green Valley Ranch spots.
For the most part, most bites were very good, making this a successful event in my book, but the size of the crowd might deter me from coming back. Below is a list of the dishes sampled.
Other Mama – Wild shrimp escabeche with spring potato salad
Le Pho – Charbroiled five spice pork spring roll with nuoc cham
District One – Bun rieu dumpling with lemongrass consommé
Borracha Mexican Cantina – Lobster guacamole – charred mango hot sauce and crispy plantains
Zenshin – Thai style big eye tuna tataki – green papaya slaw tossed in nampla vinaigrette and chilled Thai curry
Zenshin – Sugared mini malassadas with green tea custard and chocolate sauce
Itsy Bitsy Ramen and Whisky – Chicken bites with honey mustard aioli
T-Bones Chophouse – Pork belly slider
Raku Sweets – Sake infused chocolate brandy cream puff
8 Noodle Bar – Short rib bao. This was one of my favorite dishes. I loved the savoriness and tenderness of the meat with the onions.
Pot Liquor CAS – Carolina pulled pork with cabot white cheddar grits. They seemed out of place in this mostly Asian-themed event, but the pork was surprisingly good. Crispy, tender with great flavors and creamy grits.
Salute Trattoria – Espresso tiramisu – mascarpone, amaretto
Japaneiro – Scallops
SoHo – Salmon sashimi
Bottiglia – Buffalo milk yogurt and black berry jam toast with pistachios
4 Stars
Red Rock Casino
11011 W Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89135
