It’s often been said that the only thing constant about Las Vegas is change. It started in 1905, with the founding of the city. A year later, the Golden Gate Casino went up. There were several key turning points, including the Rat Pack and the introduction of the modern era, when Steve Wynn opened Mirage in 1989. Since then, we’ve seen numerous changes, including the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” campaign (which worked well), to the period of making Las Vegas family-friendly (not so much).
Right now, we seem to be in the “Las Vegas Celebrity Chef” era. This follows two decades of innovation and/or restaurants coming from other cities to establish a Vegas presence. I have to admit, it’s not my favorite. Of course, I’m not particularly bougie, but it is what it is.
More Las Vegas Celebrity Chefs on the Way
For those who follow the celebrity chefs, though, Las Vegas is a gold mine. On March 21, Caesars Palace Las Vegas will be opening Stanton Social Prime. According to Caesars,
Stanton Social Prime brings Chef Santos’ signature sharable dishes to the center-Strip resort, with the return of the Famous French Onion Soup Dumplings topped with Gruyère cheese and garlic croutons, as well as Pierogies made with potato, goat cheese and truffle. New creations include the Smoked Butter Board with Thumbelina crudités, Maldon sea salt flakes and sourdough demi baguette and the ‘Al Pastor’ Yellowtail Crudo, which features grilled pineapple, cilantro, lime and pineapple ponzu.
Stanton Social Prime’s steaks are a highlight of the menu, seasoned with house dry rub, rested in a bath of Beurre de Baratte, finished with pink Himalayan salt and served with roasted black garlic. The restaurant offers a large selection of prime dry-aged steaks for the table, including ‘Pretty in Pink,’ a 10-ounce filet with pink peppercorn sauce, pink oyster mushrooms, and decadent sides such as the Dirty Tots with caviar and lobster crème fraîche. Guests can choose from a selection of sauces in vintage perfume bottles to drizzle onto their steaks, like the Eau de Poivre and Chanterelle No. 5.
True to the showmanship of Las Vegas, Stanton Social Prime also features theatrical tableside presentations, delectable desserts and charming craft cocktails. Those looking for a unique cocktail served in a bottle can try The Black Regiment, made with Bulleit rye whiskey, Carpano Antica vermouth, Amaro Montenegro liqueur and cinnamon. A signature zero-proof beverage is Strawberry Rhode created with Kin Euphorics High Rhode, strawberry puree, elderflower and lemon juice.
Hmm, interesting. I’ve never seen a steak named after a Psychedelic Furs song, but hey, it’s Las Vegas.
David Chang is Heading up Hoops & Hops at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
Even the NCAA tournament needs a Las Vegas celebrity chef. David Chang will be joining Cosmopolitan Las Vegas for its annual celebration. Chang, the host of the “The Dave Chang Show” podcast, will be recording a podcast from the event. Chef Chang has already created Momofuku and Bang Bar at Cosmo, so it’s no surprise that the sports fan will be there.
See also: Hoops & Hops at Cosmopolitan
How Many Celebrity Chefs Does Las Vegas Need?
No clue. It all feels kind of artificial, but it is Las Vegas we’re talking about here; there’s little that isn’t artificial. But as we know, something is always changing in the city. After a showing or two of The Menu, it will be time for something else.
