VEGAS RESTAURANT ROUNDUP: Peppermill Gets Bearded, Junior’s Says Cheesecake at Resorts World

Posted on: March 1, 2024, 01:44h. 

Last updated on: March 1, 2024, 02:10h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

Vegas’ late-night treasure, the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, has received the 2024 James Beard America’s Classics Award for the Southwest region.

The Peppermill, which began in Reno in 1971, has been a Las Vegas institution since opening on the Strip the following year. (Image: Peppermill)

The prestigious award is bestowed upon a locally owned eatery “with timeless appeal and quality food” that “reflects the character of the community.”

What really makes it special is the welcoming atmosphere,” the James Beard website wrote in its announcement. “It’s a place where pit bosses, dancers, bartenders, and other Vegas industry folk can come after a late shift. It’s a haven, a safe place, described as somewhere no one gets bothered and where longtime waitresses will remember your name.”

Bill Paganetti, who opened the Las Vegas Peppermill in 1972. (Image: Peppermill)

The accomplishment comes, bittersweetly, following the death of founding Peppermill owner Bill Paganetti in December at the age of 85.

Congrats also extend to Ferraro’s Ristorante, located behind the Strip at 4480 Paradise Road, which clinched the Tre Forchette (Three Forks) Award from Gambero Rosso International this week.

Dining Ins & Outs

Junior’s, the famed Brooklyn restaurant and cheesecake bakery, has opened its first West Coast location at Resorts World, as we reported it would last September.

Philadelphia’s Federal Donuts & Chicken will open in the Red Rock Resort and Casino food court on Tuesday, March 8.

Execs from Resorts World help execs from Junior’s Restaurant cut the ribbon on their first West Coast location this week. (Image: Resorts World)

Licensing paperwork obtained by What Now Vegas reveals that a mysterious entity called Zuna Club & Restaurant intends to open a few months down the road at 3015 E. Fremont St. downtown.

Also via What Now Vegas, Sanchez Cantina and Comida plans to open downtown at 623 Fourth St. This establishment will be a tavern with a food truck operating in 1,900 square feet of backyard space.

The developers behind Skyline sure hope they can land a steakhouse, café, wine cellar, and speakeasy for their $50 million, three-story project proposed to open in the Grand Flamingo Centre in Southwest Vegas next year. Nothing has been announced yet, other than the building permit approvals.

Peinto Thai Express, a sister restaurant to North Las Vegas’ Peinto Thai Kitchen, plans to open shortly at 6710 W. Cheyenne Ave., also in North Las Vegas.

Locals’ Italian fave Esther’s Kitchen closed at 1130 Casino Center Drive this week. However a new Esther’s, also downtown, is expected to open at 1131 S. Main St. on Friday, March 8. The new space is three times larger, offering 187 seats in more than 10,000 square feet.