Velazquez plans new venture
Longtime Las Vegas chef Beni Velazquez, best known from his stint atthearts District’s now-closed Bar+bistro,is preparing to open a new Latin-chinese fusion restaurant called Chinalatina at 4865 S. Pecos Road, near Tropicana Avenue. The chef tells us he’s hoping to open in September, and describes the concept as “a New York-style fast-food Chinese-restaurant-type feel with my Latin flair.” He promises menu items such as fried rice with Spanish chorizo, potstickers filled with lechon and a “Chinese-style cheesecake.” chinalatinalv.com.
Chef Howard at the ballpark
Sparrow + Wolf chef Brian Howard will be the featured chef for Las Vegas Ballpark’s club-level tasting series Saturday evening. His creations will include grilled peaches with arugula, ricotta salata and yuzu vinaigrette; grass-fed steak tartare toast with confit egg yolk and shreddednori wasabi; and lasagna with miso bechamel and furikake. Guests with clublevel seats can purchase the Chef Tasting Experience. Howard also is the creator of the ballpark’s Flydog hot dogs.
Locale launches brunch
Chef Nicole Brisson’s Locale, 7995 Blue Diamond Road, launched its new Sunday brunch last weekend. Served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., its a la carte offerings include pizza with sunny-side-up eggs, guanciale and chili; stuffed French toast with ricotta, orange zest and fresh strawberries; a fritatta with broccoli rabe, corn, tomato and prosciutto; and a burger with Chianti mustard, habanero red pepper ketchup and cheddar or Gorgonzola dolce cheese. Bottomless mimosas, Bellinis or rosé are $20, Bloody Marys $9. localelv. com
New items at El Dorado
El Dorado Cantina is rolling out some new menu items at its original location at 3025 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive as it continues to move toward opening a Tivoli Village location. Inspired by Chef Paco Cortes’ recent travels through Mexico, they
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