VEGAS RESTAURANT ROUNDUP: SOL-Crushing News, Gjelina Betting on Venetian

Posted on: August 20, 2024, 04:54h. 

Last updated on: August 23, 2024, 07:04h.

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

SOL Mexican Cocina, which opened at Caesars Palace less than two years ago, is closing there on Sept. 30, according to a document filed with the state of Nevada. The upscale restaurant, known for its Baja-inspired food, is located in the Forum Shops, in the space vacated by a Border Grill in May 2018.

The entrance to Sol Mexican Cocina in the Forum Shops at Caesars on the Las Vegas Strip. Ironically, the 70 people currently employed by this location are now S.O.L. (Image: Sol Conina)

The notice of closure was filed by FM Restaurants HQ, LLC last week as a requirement of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which mandates a 90-day notice for any employer planning a large-scale layoff.

No public notice of the closure, or explanation for it, has been posted to the Instagram or X/Twitter accounts of the eatery’s owner, the Xperience Restaurant Group. However, in Las Vegas, the only reason any retail outlet or restaurant closes is due to underwhelming business.

According to the website maintained by Xperience, other SOL locations still operate in Playa Vista, Newport Beach, Denver, Scottsdale, Irvine and New York, with a new location is expected to open soon in Boston.

Restaurant Tips its Hand

Javier Barajas is the founder of Il Toro E La Capra, which is Spanish for “the bull and the goat.” (Image: LinkedIn)

Il Toro E La Capra, the MexItalian fusion restaurant at 6435 South Decatur Blvd., will serve up some national exposure on Friday, Aug. 23, when it hosts a speaking engagement for Donald Trump at noon.

The eatery — owned by Javier Barajas, who is also behind the Lindo Michoacan family of restaurants —  is expected to serve as a backdrop for the Republican presidential candidate to discuss his “no taxes on tips” policy.

The public is apparently not invited, however, as the Trump campaign website does not list the appearance among its scheduled rallies.

Dining Ins & Outs

Gjelina, the high-end eatery known in Manhattan and LA for its farm-to-table cuisine, is reportedly coming to the Venetian as part of the casino resort’s $1.5 billion new renovation.

The Wynn’s La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway will reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 21, after a three-month renovation. Reservations are being accepted here.

Expect Vice Versa Patio & Lounge at Vdara to close soon for renovations.

Boathouse Asian Eatery will close at at the Palace Station casino on Sunday, Sept. 1, and will eventually be replaced by a new location of Chinatown favorite China Mama.

The Donut Hole has left exactly that. The Carl’s Donuts and Pastries spinoff, which opened just six months ago at 124 S. 6th Street downtown, is now closed. However, filling that doughnut hall with a new doughnut shop at that address may not be the best move. Before the Donut Hole, the Donut Bar operated in the same space from 2016 to 2023, as did O-Face Donuts from 2014 to 2016. Carl’s, has operated at 3170 Sunset Road since the 1960s, and plans to continue doing so.

The Chicken Shack at 4412 N. Rancho Drive was closed by the Southern Nevada Health District on Aug. 12 for rating 30 demerits.