Tips for the best Halloween treats
Tno denying Halloween is creeping up on us, so you’ll want to have your ghoulish game plan on point and in place. Since carved jack o’lanterns and spooky dry-ice mist only go so far, here are a few things to help ensure some phantomtastic fun.
The Chicago Metallic Ghost/pumpkin Silicone Mold makes it easy to create treats in two characteristic Halloween shapes. The mold is silicone, which means you can use it for molding cold foods such as gelatin, ice cubes or marshmallows, or baking (it’s oven-safe to 350 degrees) treats such as cakes or brownies. And it’s dishwasher-safe. $19.99, chicagometallicbakeware.com
Why should fans of Christmas have all the fun? If you love the spooky season — or know someone who does — Loveyoua Latte Shop’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” mug definitely will fill the bill. The ceramic mug holds 15 ounces and is microwave- and dishwasher-safe. $24.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
Pumpkins can be tough customers, but so is the Chef ’n Scoopsaw. The saw is angled and sharp enough to pierce and cut the stubborn outer skin, the scoop is angled to easily clean the inside to prepare it for carving, and the two parts nest together for safe storage. And you can use it on other squashes and melons, too. $9.99, chefn.com
Here’s one time when lying down on the job is a good thing. The Boston International Skeleton Chip/dip has a black ceramic tray embossed with a white skeleton ready to hold your veggies, crackers or other dippers, and a detachable skullshaped bowl to provide just the right vessel for accompanying dips. They’re dishwasher-safe. $22.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
You’ll want your Halloween festivities to capture the right spirit, but some of the gorier stuff may be too much for the young and the sensitive. Enter the Boo Ghost Halloween Napkins with their whimsical design and not-so-scary admonitions. And they’re soft but tripleply, to contain the mess.
Set of 20. $4.16 (reduced from $6), surlatable.com on hand when the latest edition of the Michelin Travel Guide for Seoul was unveiled last week. His restaurant Dosa awarded a coveted star for the second year in a row.
Openings
Shaquille O’neal’s Big Chicken is scheduled to open Wednesday at 4480 Paradise Road, in the center across Paradise from the Hard Rock Hotel.
Bobby Mao’s Chinese Kitchen + Mexican Cantina has opened at the Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson.
Fuego Lounge has opened at Fiesta Henderson, with happy hour specials from
5-9 p.m. daily.
Catch at Aria is accepting reservations as of Monday.
A second valley location of Jinya Ramen Bar is scheduled to open Nov. 5 at 7240 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Just a taste
Twenty-five downtownarea restaurants will participate in the Taste of Downtown-epicurean Event, a benefit for the Nevada Restaurant Association’s educational and scholarship programs, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday at the pool at the Plaza. For tickets, visit plazahotelcasino.com/ entertainment.
Sightings
Model/actress Olivia Culpo and “Vanderpump Rules” stars Brittany Cartwright, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix on separate evenings at Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Have an item for Kitchen Confidante? Email hrinella @reviewjournal.com or amancini@reviewjournal. com.