Vegas Dining News: Restaurant Closings and Openings

Time for our roundup of news bits you can use if you like to eat your way around Vegas. Let’s grab a fork and dive in…

• Those seeking some low country food in Vegas will have a tougher time now that both Louis’ Fish Camp and Louis’ Las Vegas in Town Square Center have closed. Hopes were high when chef Louis Osteen opened his two signature restaurants in the new mall, but alas, it seems it just wasn’t meant to be.

• Also not meant to be is the recently opened Mainland in the Palazzo on The Strip, which is now closed. The noodle joint served up a brightly colored atmosphere, but the food reviews tended to be a mixed bag, despite the usually great service. No word on what will replace it.

• Other closings to report on include Andre’s Downtown, though Andre’s at the Monte Carlo is now reopened, so fans won’t be totally deprived. Further out from The Strip, Joseph Keller’s Bistro Zinc at Lake Las Vegas has also shuttered.

• John Curtas of Eating Las Vegas went back for one last meal at AJ’s Steakhouse before it closed its doors at the Hard Rock and reports on his “Last Rites” with a slew of yummy photos.

• A new McDonald’s has opened on the Strip. Located at 2896 S. Las Vegas Blvd., the new McD’s sits next to Circus Circus and has been dubbed “Viva McDonald’s“. It’s the largest outpost of the popular fast food chain in Nevada and features a two-story open ceiling dining room and 14-screen media ring that will display created-for-McDonald’s TV content from providers like the Discovery Channel.In addition to the regular menu offerings, Viva also has a McCafe beverage bar (McDonald’s version of a Starbucks) and wifi (at a cost).  Ironically, at the December 11 grand opening, the menu included non-McDonald’s offerings like brie and cocktails. What…isn’t a Big Mac good enough for local celebrities like Mayor Goodman and magician Mac King? At any rate, the new Viva McDonald’s replaces the McD’s that stood nearby for over twenty-five years and will be open 24/7 for your munchie needs round the clock.

• Station Casinos is turning to even more third-party options to run its dining operations in its casinos. Plans are in the works to turn the Dantes Cafes at all Wildfire casinos, Fiesta Henderson’s Baja Beach Cafe and Wild Wild West’s Gambler’s Grill into Denny’s franchises.