2020-06-11 - Las Vegas Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

TOGETHER WE STAND

F ever Grand Limited Time Introductory Price

GENERAL ADMISSION & SKYWALK over

regular pricing

to book call us at 888-868-WEST (9378) Offer valid until July 31, 2020. Other restrictions may apply.

GO WITH THE FLOW

15OFF

or 2 DAY % 1WHITEWATER Limited Time Offer

RAFTING

Offer valid until July, 31, 2020 Promo Code: SUMMERSPLASH

HualapaiRiverRunners.com

YOU’RE BACK, BABY. The Joint Chiropractic helps keep you moving. Find your relief today.

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

Consultation, Exam, and Adjustment

Blue Diamond 4150 Blue Diamond Rd Suite 107

Henderson Sunset 1311 W. Sunset Road

Rainbow & Warm Springs 7385 S. Rainbow Blvd. #140

Boca Park 8820 W. Charleston Blvd Suite 103

North Decatur & 215 6171 N. Decatur Blvd Suite 150

Pebble Marketplace 1000 N. Green Valley Marketplace

Montecito Marketplace 7120 N. Durango Dr Suite 170

Tropicana Beltway 5060 S. Fort Apache Rd Suite 100

Eastern and Richmar 9500 S. Eastern Ave Suite 120

Rocksprings Plaza 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd Suite 180

No Appointments | Open Evenings & Weekends | No Insurance Needed *Restrictions apply, see clinic for details. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. NC: IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND. (N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-154.1). FL: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. (FLA. STAT. 456.02). Subject to additional state statutes and regulations. See clinic for chiropractor(s)’ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. © 2019 The Joint Corp. All Rights Reserved.

(702) 710-5077 thejoint.com

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE OR SNOW MOUNTAIN SMOKE SHOP

3 OFF

WE ARE OPEN

PER CARTON* (CIGARETTES ONLY) *Must be 21 years of age or older. Excludes filtered cigars. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Limit 1 discount given per customer per day. Must present this coupon for redemption. Cannot be redeemed for cash. No photocopies accepted. EXPIRES 6/30/2020. LVW

MARLBORO

$67.59*

FINAL PRICE WITH COUPON

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBAL SMOKE SHOP & CIGAR SHOPPE SHOPPE MON-SUN 8AM TO 6PM CIGAR SHOPPE OPEN FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY CALL AHEAD TO PLACE CIGAR ORDER (702) 383-1516

PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER KATIE DIXON katie.dixon@gmgvegas.com

SNOW MOUNTAIN SMOKE SHOP & GAS STATION MON-SUN 6AM TO 7PM • PAY-AT-THE-PUMP OPEN 24/7 FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES WE ENCOURAGE THE USE OF FACE MASKS

SENECA

MONTCLAIR

$39.99*

FRE LIGHTE E R!*

$35.89*

FINAL PRICE WITH COUPON

*PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

*WITH COUPON PURCHASE. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

THANK YOU for your continued patronage & support during this time.

WE ARE OPEN - DRIVE THRU ONLY MON-SUN 8AM TO 6PM

EDITOR SPENCER PATTERSON spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com

EDITORIAL Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Managing Editor/News DAVE MONDT (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) Deputy Editor GENEVIE DURANO (genevie.durano@gmgvegas.com) Editor at Large BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writers JUSTIN EMERSON, KELCIE GREGA, MIKE GRIMALA, BRYAN HORWATH, C. MOON REED, JOHN SADLER, RICARDO TORRES-CORTEZ, LESLIE VENTURA Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JOHN FRITZ, CASE KEEFER, WADE MCAFERTY, KEN MILLER, JOHN TAYLOR Library Services Specialist/Permissions REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ Office Coordinator NADINE GUY

CREATIVE Art Director CORLENE BYRD (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com) Designer IAN RACOMA Multimedia Manager YASMINA CHAVEZ Photographers CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS, STEVE MARCUS, WADE VANDERVORT

DIGITAL Publisher of Digital Media KATIE HORTON Web Content Specialist CLAYT KEEFER Digital Marketing Coordinator CASSIDY BOWMAN Digital Marketing Intern EMILY JURBALA

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

LOSE THE QUARANTINE WEIGHT ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶

Initial Medical Consultation Full Body Composition Analysis EKG (if required) RX for (3) month Appetite Suppressants (12) Weekly B12 Injections Bi-Weekly Body Composition Analysis Medication for (3) month treatment

395

NEW PATIENTS ONLY, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS.

www.iuventusmedcenter.com (702) 919-1099

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

3365 E FLAMINGO ROAD STE 2, LAS VEGAS, NV 89121 4966 S RAINBOW BLVD STE 100, LAS VEGAS, NV 89118

External Content Manager EMMA CAUTHORN Special Publications Manager JENNIFER INABA Market Research Manager CHAD HARWOOD Publication Coordinator DENISE ARANCIBIA Account Manager DAWN MANGUM Senior Advertising Managers BRIANNA KOURETAS, SUE SRAN Account Executives BRITTANY BURRIDGE, MIKE MALL, ADAIR NOWACKI, RICHELLE SHAW, ALEX TEEL Events Manager SAMANTHA PETSCH Sales Assistant LEXIE ARANCIBIA Marketing Coordinator KIMBERLY ALVAREZ

PRODUCTION Vice President of Manufacturing MARIA BLONDEAUX Production Director PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Manager BLUE UYEDA Marketing Art Director DANY HANIFF Production Artist MARISSA MAHERAS Traffic Coordinator JEANNE GLEESON

CIRCULATION Director of Circulation RON GANNON Route Manager RANDY CARLSON Fulfillment Manager DORIS HOLLIFIELD

GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, Publisher & Editor BRIAN GREENSPUN Chief Operating Officer ROBERT CAUTHORN Editorial Page Editor RIC ANDERSON

LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 2275 Corporate Circle Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 (702) 990-2550 www.lasvegasweekly.com www.facebook.com/lasvegasweekly www.twitter.com/lasvegasweekly

ON THE COVER Craft Kitchen’s Crab Cake Benedict Photograph by Wade Vandervort

All content is copyright Las Vegas Weekly LLC. Las Vegas Weekly is published Thursdays and distributed throughout Southern Nevada. Readers are permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies are $2, available back issues $3. ADVERTISING DEADLINE EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.

I'm not running

fever

I'm just on a

h o

streak.

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

6 .1 1 . 2 0

SORRY KIDS, SCHOOL’S IN FOR SUMMER As of June 10, Nevada schools are permitted to open for summer classes and sports practices, under strict social distancing and sanitation guidelines. Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a directive June 9 to reopen schools after nearly three months of closures because of the coronavirus pandemic. “This directive will allow schools to return to a sense of normalcy while keeping the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront,” Sisolak said in a statement. The directive gave schools and districts the green light to reopen for summer school, meetings and club activities. It also allows sports teams to return to campus for practice. Any games, however, must be played without spectators. Clark County School District leaders are stressing social distancing standards in its phased return. For instance, only 10 people are allowed per room or 50 participants for an outdoor sports practice. Districts must present their plans to the Nevada Department of Education’s Reopening of Schools Committee for approval in a public meeting at least 20 days before the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Schools are tentatively set to reopen in midAugust. A remote learning option is expected to be available for families not willing to send their students back. –Ray Brewer

WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EV E N T S T O F O L L OW A N D N EWS YO U M I SS E D

People rally in Kianga Isoke Palacio Park, formerly known as Doolittle Park, on June 5. The peaceful rally and candlelight vigil was one of many sparked by outrage over the killing of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody on Memorial Day. See story, Page 8. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

IN THIS ISSUE

08 12 20 38 40

News: Protesters risk their health for a greater cause Cover Story: What to expect when you dine out again The Strip: The Boulevard is back, if a lot quieter Sports: UFC champ Amanda Nunes rolls on Vegas Inc: Blackowned businesses look to recover

STORIES FROM LAST WEEK BLUE LIVES MATTER RALLY CANCELED A pro-police rally planned for June 13 on the Strip was postponed over safety concerns, an organizer said June 9. The announcement came after Metro Police issued a statement June 8 saying it was not affiliated with the rally and did not give permission to use its badge on promotional materials for the event. TUNNEL PLANNED FROM STRIP TO CONVENTION CENTER Wynn Las Vegas and the underconstruction Resorts World Las Vegas announced June 9 that they are seeking Clark County approval for projects linking to the Las Vegas Convention Center transit system, which is expected to be finished early next year. Tesla vehicles would transport passengers underground from Wynn Las Vegas and the adjacent Encore to the Convention Center in less than 2 minutes, officials said. The trip from Resorts World would take about the same amount of time. COVID CASES RISE IN NEVADA With 244 cases reported June 9, the statewide total broke 10,000. It was the largest single-day jump since May 22, when 295 positive cases were logged, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. By 9:30 a.m. the next morning, another 134 cases had been added, and the state’s death toll reached 448.

HE SAID IT

“Meaningful police reform isn’t more coffee-with-cop photo ops. It’s not more attendance at the bimonthly neighborhood watch meeting. It’s not school assemblies. It’s not. Reform is imagining the end of a war, this war on our neighbors. And then changing. Changing it all. –CIA operative-turned-Georgia beat cop Patrick Skinner, June 8 on Twitter

LAS VEGAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BIOWEAPONS HOAX A former VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System employee pleaded guilty to creating a bioweapons hoax by placing envelopes containing a white powdery substance on coworkers’ desks almost a year ago, authorities said June 9. Phuong Tang, 40, of Las Vegas, could face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing June 23. The powder was later determined to be baking soda and smelling salts, and Tang admitted to investigators that he put the envelopes on the desks.

Voters wait in line to cast their primary election ballots June 9 at the Paradise Recreation Center. Some people waited as long as seven hours to vote. The last person voted just after 2 a.m. June 10 at the center. The election was conducted primarily through mail to limit the spread of the coronavirus, with more than 225,000 mail-in ballots returned through June 9. The final tallies will not be available for a week as outstanding mail-in ballots trickle in. Three in-person sites were available in the Las Vegas area on Election Day, and those were crowded for the 12-hour voting window and beyond. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

CAESARS, MGM RESORTS TO REOPEN MORE PROPERTIES SOON Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International will resume operations at additional Strip properties in the coming days and weeks. The Luxor and the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay Place will reopen June 25 at 10 a.m. as part of MGM Resorts’ gradual reopening of Las Vegas properties from the coronavirus shutdown. On July 1, the company will reopen Aria at 10 a.m., and Mandalay Bay and the Four Seasons Las Vegas one hour later. The Linq’s gaming floor and other property amenities will reopen June 12 at 11 a.m. , following a “successful reopening weekend” at Caesars Palace, the Flamingo and Harrah’s, the company announced June 9. Nevada casinos were permitted to begin reopening June 4 after the state ordered all nonessential businesses closed in mid-March to curb the spread of the coronavirus. MGM started its reopening June 4 by bringing back the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York and Signature. The Excalibur returns June 11. Food and beverage offerings set to reopen this weekend at the Linq include Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar, Nook Cafe, Hash House a Go Go, Catalyst Bar and Re:Match Bar, and O’Sheas. Elsewhere, the race and sportsbook at Caesars Palace will reopen June 12, as will a number of restaurants there, including Restaurant Guy Savoy and Tiger Wok at the Forum food court. All pools at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis will open June 12. At Harrah’s, the Piano Bar, Carnaval Court Bar and Fulton Street Food Hall Grill are among food and beverage offerings scheduled to reopen June 12. All properties are operating at half-capacity and are required to follow social distancing measures approved by the state Gaming Control Board. –Bryan Horwath and Ray Brewer

lv w n e w s

6 .1 1 . 2 0

WHAT

MATTE Protesters gather outside the Regional Justice Center on June 1. (Yasmina Chavez)

ERS MOST

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W n e w s

For Las Vegas demonstrators, protesting racial inequality is worth additional COVID-19 risk

By Leslie Ventura erri Galura-Chiong comes from a family of medical professionals, so it’s no surprise that for the past three months, the Las Vegas resident took every COVID-19 precaution imaginable. “My husband and I still wear masks everywhere,” she says. “I wear a mask at work, even though there are people who don’t. If we go for a walk, we’re wearing masks.” But when Galura-Chiong heard about the killings of Georgia’s Ahmaud Arbery in February, Kentucky’s Breonna Taylor in March and Minnesota’s George Floyd in May, she pictured getting a phone call about her own 24-year-old son—and a more terrifying fear crept in. “This is sort of the life that we’ve led,” GaluraChiong says. “Being the mother of a black man, this is the kind of fear [I have] every time he gets stopped by police. For us as a family, this is just something that we’ve been dealing with this whole time.” Days before Phase 2 of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s reopening plan went into effect, thousands of people began demonstrating Downtown, on the Strip and on Las Vegas’ Historic Westside, protesting Floyd’s death at the hand of a Minneapolis police officer, an incident that reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement here and across the nation. Speaking to a Black People Matter Rally crowd June 5 at Kianga Isoke Palacio Park, Leslie Turner, an organizer for Mass Liberation Project Nevada, said racism represents an even “bigger threat” to black lives than COVID-19. “We’re out here during a pandemic, and the United States is the only country with [consistent] uprisings happening right now for a reason,” she said. Despite a pandemic that has already claimed more than 113,000 lives in the U.S. alone, crowds of masked protesters have shown up to demonstrations across the country, reflecting the seriousness of their convictions. Las Vegas minister Stretch Sanders, who orga-

lv w n e w s

6 .1 1 . 2 0

Protesters rally on the Strip on May 31. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

When is it going to change? Where is our justice?” nized the June 5 rally, said the event marked the second largest gathering at the former Doolittle Park, behind only a campaign speech by President Barack Obama in 2012. Sanders says he hoped 1,000 people would turn out on June 5—and estimates 6,000 showed up instead. “I’m completely blown away,” he tells the Weekly. “I think people really had a chance to come together and to really take in all that love.” Sanders remembers when just 30 people showed up to his first protest, a 2015 response to the death of Texas’ Sandra Bland. He says seeing so many more come together just five years later was both meaningful and somber, and hopes the rally provided a much-needed moment of respite. “People are depressed. When you see a video of a black man saying, ‘I can’t breathe,’ it does something to you,” Sanders says. “But I also believe that at some point, we have to come together to unite. I wanted people to come out and be in a healing space. That’s why we had African drummers and music. I wanted to take the heavy moments and put some light on it.” * * * * * In April, The New York Times reported that black people in New York City were dying from the coronavirus at twice the rate of white people there, and on May 27, the American Public Media (APM) Research Lab reported that the COVID-19 mortality rate for black Americans is 2.4 times higher than for white Americans. Yet black-organized rallies and protests pressed on around the country. Why? According to mappingpoliceviolence. org, black Americans are three times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans. “Do we feel more seriously about COVID than we feel about racism?” asks Las Vegas attorney Athar Haseebullah. “The answer to which is more serious may be different if you ask a white

person or a person of color.” On June 1, Haseebullah had been protesting Downtown and was waiting for an Uber when, he says, he was wrongfully detained by a Las Vegas Metro Police Department officer. The moment was captured on video by one of his friends and later shared on Instagram. “[We] were trying to demonstrate that being out and being peaceful would potentially share an inspiring message,” Haseebullah says, adding that, “There is no reason why [either] a civilian or officer should be harmed” during or following protest rallies. For Galura-Chiong, while the threat of COVID-19 hasn’t waned, neither has the fear of police brutality. “I think [we] all realize it was a risk going to a protest,” she says. “I think everyone is quite aware of protecting themselves, but also how important it was to be there and show that you are standing up for black lives. This is such a pivotal, important time, and if there was any time to do it, it’s now.” Las Vegas Councilman Cedric Crear echoed those sentiments at the June 5 rally. “This has been going on for centuries,” he told the crowd. “Why does this keep happening, and when is it going to change? Where is our justice? “Young people, you have shown up, and I thank you for it,” Crear continued. “I can’t do what I do without you making a stand, protesting and recognizing what is right. Don’t let this moment die. I urge you to continue this fight, because I can tell you that it’s not over.” * * * * * Where might it lead? A Change.org petition started by Sanders asks that the State of Nevada create a bill against the use of excessive force by LVMPD. The petition states, “We are directly calling on Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to create, sign and pass this bill.” The coronavirus might not go away anytime soon, but there’s hope for a vaccine. No shot or pill can stop racism, however. As Turner, Crear, Sanders and so many others have explained throughout the recent Las Vegas rallies, it must be fought and dismantled through education, awareness and activism. “[COVID-19] has affected us tremendously,” Sanders says of the black community in Las Vegas, adding that black people still suffer from a lack of health care in general. But, he continues, “I’d rather catch some justice for people who aren’t receiving justice, or catch some peace for a community that’s full of chaos. “Coronavirus will eventually leave us, but police terrorism will still be here.”

Black Lives Matter protesters and police on the Strip on May 29. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W n e w s

Protesters march down Fremont Street on May 30. (Steve Marcus/ Staff)

Police use tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration Downtown on June 1. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Protesters photobomb a wedding photo shoot during a protest march Downtown on 30. (Steve Marcus/ Staff)

DINING

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

6 .1 1 . 2 0

D I N I N G

O U T

A G A I N

R E S T A U R A N T S H AV E R E O P E N E D , WITH NEW PROTOCOLS, CHALLENGES AND DISHES TO LOVE

Craft Kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short rib hash (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

OUT AGAIN DINERS’ THOUGHTS

“One location [a bar] provided sanitizer at the entrance and is not allowing smoking at the moment, which I think is great.” –Angel Mendoza

BY GENEVIE DURANO

brunch for a friend’s birthday brought me out of the shutdown. I’d been stringently following social distancing guidelines, but a Saturday meal for a special occasion seemed like a good first step in venturing out again. We met at Craft Kitchen in Henderson, which, pre-pandemic, did a brisk brunch business. There was often a wait for a table. There’s no waiting there these days; reservations are required to dine in. (Reservations are recommended for practically every sit-down restaurant in town.) Because of the new 50 percent capacity guideline, there are never more than five or six tables in use at Craft, plus four tables outside. So my friend made a reservation a couple of days

before. Here’s what brunch is like now: Our party of four sat at a six-top, with the birthday girl choosing the farthest corner, reasoning that she’s had the most exposure to the outside world. We all had masks on, and we took turns washing our hands. When the server arrived, he wore a mask like the rest of the waitstaff. We mumbled our orders, keeping the interaction as brief and easy as possible. We took our masks off upon the arrival of our food, which we enjoyed thoroughly, happy not to be cooking yet another meal at home. Before the dishes were cleared, we put our masks back on and took turns washing our hands again. And on this day, gifts were given, but hugs were not. “It’s so hard to know what the etiquette is now,” one of my dining companions expressed.

Craft Kitchen (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

“A big part of eating out was the social element, and that’s not in place right now.” –Troy Heard

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

6 .1 1 . 2 0 “One restaurant went so far as to give us bottled water instead of using a pitcher, which felt like an extra step.” –Kathryn Palmer

D I N I N G

O U T

A G A I N

Locale’s tomahawk steak (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

CHANGING TIMES These are early days of a new dining paradigm, and we’re all slowly figuring out how we fit into it. Certain culinary concepts have had to adapt to the new reality, or close altogether. Kura, a revolving sushi joint with 400 locations worldwide that opened to great enthusiasm on Spring Mountain last summer, has shut down its communal conveyor belt. Now, everything is made to order by way of a touch screen: The food still comes out on a conveyor belt, but straight to your table. Buffets have already seen the effects of the upheaval. Popular chain Sweet Tomatoes recently closed all its locations, including three in the Vegas Valley. Mint Indian Bistro, which, like most Indian restaurants in town, offers a lunch buffet, has altered its presentation: It now offers a bottomless sampler platter that can be refilled to your heart’s (and stomach’s) content. And even as the Strip wakes up from its pandemic slumber, there’s been no word on when its world-famous buffets might reopen. While Starbucks chains across the Valley remain in drive-thru and pickup-only mode for now, local coffee shops have begun reopening their dining rooms—with significant changes. Gone are communal counters that once held sugar packets and milk carafes. “We’ve eliminated stations where people would touch multiple things,” says Ben Sabouri, owner of Founders Coffee and MTO Café. “We now ask you at the counter what you’d like, and then we’ll turn around and incorporate those into your drink for you.” And while you can still linger with your laptop for as long as you’d like, once you get up to leave, the waitstaff will clear the table, sanitize your chair and spray everything down for the next customer. For Javier Anaya, owner of Pinches Tacos, with three Valley locations, the lockdown hasn’t been as devastating to his business, because takeout and delivery stayed strong. “We’re one of the lucky ones. Who doesn’t love Mexican food?” Anaya says. But not having face-to-face interaction with customers has been the biggest challenge for the restaurateur, who sees his family-owned restaurant as an extension of his home. “You remember Cheers? Well, Pinches is the Mexican Cheers,” Anaya says. “I don’t hug my customers like I used to. I literally would, on average, hug about 50 people a day.”

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

DINERS’ THOUGHTS

“[I’m] not eating out, but I’m happy for more pickup options.” –Michelle Larime

Kura (Courtesy)

DINING IN AGAIN From the day the city shut down, chefs and restaurateurs have been thinking about what their dining rooms will look like the moment they reopen. Sure, the past three months’ uncertainty has brought about innovations—expanded takeout and delivery options, pivots to new business models, virtual cooking classes—but the focus remained on bringing back the dine-in experience. Now, having implemented the state guidelines and reconfigured dining rooms, it’s all about waiting for the crowds, six feet apart, to come in. “The first wave of people that have come out have just been so incredibly gracious and appreciative that we’re open,” says Elizabeth Blau of Honey Salt, which reopened May 15. “They were ready to get out of the house, to not have to cook a meal and to gather with friends or relatives again. We’ve tried to make the whole experience—given the masks and gloves and all that on our waitstaff and our hostesses—warm and comforting.” Diners are not required to wear masks at Honey Salt, but there’s a paper bag at each place setting in which diners can store their masks while eating. And while the bar remains closed (most restaurant

bars are, since they can’t allow for six feet of social distancing), Honey Salt has placed teddy bears on bar seats to lighten the mood. Cory Harwell, chef and president of Carson Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas, says he’s just happy to provide a space where people can enjoy a meal or a drink with friends again. Restaurants are, after all, one of society’s most essential—and pleasurable—fixtures, a place for entertainment and respite. “There are so many people I know who don’t begrudge the vacation that they lost during this time, because they’ll take it at a later date. But what they really missed was that Tuesday-night spot where they love to go to dinner, or that Thursday happy hour where they meet friends,” Harwell says. Carson Kitchen has a large rooftop space and a courtyard, where the open air helps patrons feel more comfortable. With summer heat coming fast, that option could be limited; Harwell is taking advantage of it and hopes diners will, too. Luckily for us, stellar dining patios dot the Valley, including Locale’s in Mountain’s Edge, where you can indulge in a cocktail at sunset. Some chefs waited a beat to reopen, such as

Sparrow + Wolf’s Brian Howard, who completely revamped his food and cocktail menu before doing so. When doors opened on June 2, it was like unveiling a whole new restaurant. And, despite the reduction in capacity, “It was a fantastic first day. We came out and did about 80 covers,” the chef says. “Coming back with a brand-new menu, there was a little bit of time to train. We took the opportunity to really focus on finding our team’s fluidity.” Howard says one of the biggest challenges for his staff has been wearing a mask in a hot kitchen for 12 hours a day. That’s just one in a long list of safety protocols Sparrow + Wolf has implemented, along with constantly wiping down door handles and high-touch surfaces. “As a restaurateur and as an operation, it’s our job to ensure that our guests feel safe coming through the doors and that we’ve got everything in line for them to feel comfortable. If we do that, I think it’s a win-win. People understand that we have their best interest in mind and our staff ’s as well.” Restaurant owners and chefs sound optimistic about the future of the industry in general and the resilience of Las Vegas specifically, but they also acknowledge the challenges ahead. Blau says she’s encouraged by diners coming out to support local restaurants, but adds that the economic toll of the pandemic has been so vast, it will require a concerted effort on the local, state and federal levels for the restaurant industry to stand a fighting chance at a real recovery. For now, here’s what we can do to help. Meet each other at the table, together and apart. Start with brunch, a toast during happy hour, a long meal on a patio on a summer night. Give thanks for the bread (and the appetizer, salad, entree and dessert). Tip generously and Yelp kindly. Because it’s not just food on a plate. Every meal we eat at these restaurants is steeped in creativity, community and hard work. As we continue to rebuild, this is what will sustain us. “There are so many things that are different in our dining world today than there were two months ago,” Carson Kitchen’s Harwell says. “I would say, most importantly, just be patient. Just enjoy your time. Enjoy the cocktail that’s in front of you. And allow us to do what we do best, which is to try to connect with you and show you a great time.”

“I think it’s important to support local businesses at this time … in accordance with proper [safety] measures.” –Andrew Thompson

LV W c ov e r s t o r y

6 .1 1 . 2 0

Egg Sammie (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

Dining tips How to ensure you have the safest meal possible By C. Moon Reed Las Vegas’ long nap is over, and locals seem eager to begin dining out again. But how can you do it safely? We consulted expert Mark Steele, a fourth-generation restaurateur and founder/ owner of the Las Vegas-based Restaurant Hospitality Institute. His school has developed several programs by which restaurants can safely operate in the era of COVID-19. Look for the A grade. Download and use the free phone app Restaurant Grades Southern Nevada, which displays the Southern Nevada Health District’s restaurant health grades. Choosing a restaurant with an A grade will ensure the cleanest practices. Return to old favorites. “People have to feel comfortable, like you’re going into the right place, so I would suggest going to places that you have been to before,” Steele says. Besides, it’s good to support old friends. “For sure, your local chef, your local server, your bartender, your watering hole—they miss you.” Avoid needless contact. Sometimes dining in isn’t worth it. If you’re eating fast or casual food,

Steele suggests ordering it to-go and having your own picnic in a nearby park. If you do eat in, practice social distancing. Choose a spaced-out table, and don’t crowd around the host stand. Don’t be afraid to call ahead. If you have any questions about a restaurant’s safety practices, Steele suggests talking to the chef or owner. If you can get your questions answered in advance, it will ease your mind so you can focus on what matters: the food! Bring a mask. Sure, it’s impossible, or at the very least impractical, to eat or drink while wearing a mask. But you should still bring one with you and wear it when you can. Think of it as common courtesy to the immunocompromised. “The friendly thing to do is to wear a face mask whenever you’re out, because you don’t know who’s sitting at the table next to you,” Steele says. Vote with your dollar. Look for evidence of cleanliness in all areas of the restaurant. You’ll want to see staff in clean and pressed uniforms. Utensils should be free of fingerprints. Staff should be handling plates and glasses so that their fingers do not touch the eating and drinking surfaces. Water pitchers should never touch

the rim of your glass. Steele says that if service is subpar, dine elsewhere in the future. “It’s a telltale sign that the staff has not been trained if they can’t even handle glassware correctly.” Note that some restaurants are starting to add a surcharge to cover the cost of extra staffing, sanitizing and increased cost of ingredients. Be careful with home-delivery services. “Third-party driver deliveries are not required to have either an alcohol awareness card or a health card, but they’re the ones handling your food for longer than the restaurants are,” Steele says, advising home diners to order from credible sources. He says that one positive development in response to COVID-19 has been that many restaurants have begun sealing their delivery packages with stickers and/or staples to ensure deliverers haven’t snuck a few of your fries. Above all, enjoy yourself. Between the emphasis on safe practices and the need to dazzle customers in this newly competitive era, Steele says service should be at its all-time peak. “These people have been locked up just like you, so they will be ready to roll out the red carpet and give you a smile and be as friendly as they can be.”

“I’d rather just take food home, or at least to a noncrowded park, than be so close to people with masks off.” –Alexis Lee

6 .1 1 . 2 0

D ining

out

DINERS’ THOUGHTS

Our household has been takeout central since mid-March, and I love it. Continuing to support local restaurants while getting a break from kitchen duty is a magical combination, and we’ve stepped up our game throughout our sheltering-in-place. ¶ We started with pizza, of course, which evolved into acquiring Metro pizzaiolo Chris Decker’s award-winning Sicilian square pie as a frozen bake-it-yourself setup. My wife ordered multiple Mexican entrees from our fave Frank & Fina’s Cocina to last an entire weekend, strategically deciding what we’d eat first (panuchos) so that other dishes (enchiladas) would fridge better. And don’t get me started on Mother’s Day brunch from neighborhood Lebanese spot Khoury’s. ¶ Takeout has been so fun that it’s been easy to continue to stay home when we’re not sure how we feel about returning to our favorite restaurants to dine in. It’s tough to say no when friends ask you out to dinner, but if you’re not ready, you’re not. If you still feel more comfortable ordering and picking up, you’ll be fine, especially if you add some of our favorites to your rotation.

Able Baker Brewing Downtown’s Able Baker Brewing has been a godsend during the quarantine, an easy-access spot with convenient curbside pickup for tasty local beers and sandwiches. Stock up on the all-purpose Test Site Saison, the addictive Atomic Duck IPA and the rich and malty Chris Kael Impale’d Ale, and taste ’em all alongside beer-brined chicken wings ($11-$29) and a barbecue pork or steak banh mi (both $12). 1510 S. Main St., 702-479-6355, ablebakerbrewing.com.

“I definitely miss sharing a meal and wine with friends, but too many people are not being precautionary. If I want something from a restaurant, I order takeout.” –Natalie Senecal

La Strega The most remarkable meal I’ve had in 2020 might have been a takeout dinner from chef Gina Marinelli’s Summerlin restaurant, including margherita pizza; a salad of golden beets with arugula, chunky pesto and fluffy burrata; buttery focaccia topped with roasted tomatoes, olive tapenade and charred feta; another salad with prosciutto, crisp endive, pine nuts and basil; and ridiculously rich pasta alla norma with a melt-inyour-mouth tomato-eggplant ragu. La Strega reopened for dine-in on June 3, but that only improved the takeout situation—because now the full menu is available to pick up and set up your own feast. Consider octopus carpaccio ($13), the Witches Garden veggie plate with whipped chickpeas ($12) or the bucatini all’Amatriciana ($20). 3555 S. Town Center Drive, 702-722-2099, lastregalv.com.

(Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

(Courtesy)

By Brock Radke

a g a in

Elevate your takeout game If you’re not ready to dine out, you still have lots of options

lv w c ov e r s t o r y

Graffiti Bao Don’t feel bad about ordering too many dumplings, noodle dishes or Chinese takeout classics like kung pao chicken or crispy tofu with Szechuan-style toasted chilis and black bean sauce (both $10.88). Chef Marc Marrone’s inventions hold well until the next day, and that includes the seasonal dessert bao, which is not to be skipped. And what other restaurant can serve you Singapore-style ramen ($12.88), creamy burrata cheese topped with garlic chili sauce to slather onto a legit scallion pancake ($8.88) and one of the Valley’s best cheeseburgers? Only Graffiti Bao. 7355 S. Buffalo Drive #1, 702-323-6033, graffitibao.com.

LV W c ov e r s t o r y

6 .1 1 . 2 0

D i n i n g

o u t

a g a i n

BACK IN

Scenic Brewingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happy hour (Steve Marcus/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

BARS

lv w c ov e r s t o r y

“The capacity limitations at the restaurants mean you get forced into some waiting area, and most patrons don’t even bring masks.” –Kyle Peterson

DINERS’ THOUGHTS

(Courtesy)

Social distancing presents challenges for drinking meetups By Leslie Ventura

After more than two months of quarantine, our city has finally reopened—and that means you can finally enjoy a beer or cocktail inside your favorite bar again. Things look and feel a bit different, at least for now. Not every watering hole offers the same happy hour specials they once did, likely because so many establishments took a massive financial hit during the shutdown. And with new social distancing guidelines, gathering at your favorite spot after work won’t be quite the same experience it once was. But that doesn’t mean supporting your local bars isn’t as essential as it ever was. Remedy’s in Henderson and Atomic Liquors Downtown both have five-person limits per table but can split larger parties into two tables. Bar seating is permitted, but patrons can only occupy one bar seat every six feet. Neither had a happy hour at press time. At Spring Valley’s Scenic Brewing, tables max out at eight people per party, social distancing is observed at the bar and the entire restaurant is sanitized every half hour. Happy hour runs from 3-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, when all beers and appetizers are $3 off. Remedy’s, Atomic and Scenic all require staffers to wear face masks, but local resident Ted Fosburgh says he’s in no hurry to return to bars. “I still wear a mask when I go out in public,” he says. “I kind of feel if you need to wear a mask at a restaurant or bar, it isn’t worth it.” Another local, Dale Gilbert, has already been to a bar, adjusting to the new normal. “It was great being out, [but] the social distancing rules are both great and strange,” he says. “I know we need them, but it makes the usual flow of bar conversation even more awkward,” he says. “It’s [also] weird to be actively counting the amount of people in your personal space. You can’t just stand around. You have to actively think of where you are in relation to the bar and other groups of people. It’s just not something your brain is used to doing in that setting.”

FINALLY! It’s time to eat these favorite dishes again Ribeye Steak at Cleaver Enjoying one of

Nectaly Mendoza’s lean, seared-to-perfection 18-ounce steaks—perhaps with one of the bar’s excellent cocktails—underneath a portrait of Bill Murray? That’s a full Vegas experience right there. $64, 3900 Paradise Road # D1. –Geoff Carter

Coniglio Brasato at Ferraro’s It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or what the temperature outside might be. When we return to this Vegas Italian culinary institution, we’re ordering this soulful plate of braised rabbit with polenta and roasted mushrooms. $36, 4480 Paradise Road. –Brock Radke Witches Garden at La Strega Everything in this

appetizer is so wickedly good. A plate of artisanal vegetables—multihued cauliflower, tender baby carrots, crunchy radishes and more— served with a small dish of whipped chickpeas for dipping is exactly the bright spot we need right now. $12, 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105. –Genevie Durano

Maine Lobster Bake at Lakeside Indulge in

one of the most transportive meals prepared with care at one of the most underrated restaurants on the Strip: Maine lobster, king crab, shrimp, pancetta, roasted fennel, potatoes and saffron toast. $85, Wynn. –BR

Pasta al Forno at Nora’s Italian Cuisine It’s a

simple dish: rigatoni and a hearty meat sauce, topped with a layer of melted mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. It’s basically a pasta sundae—and it’s pure comfort, through and through. $15, 5780 W. Flamingo Road. –GC

Five Cheese Pesto Pizza at Pizzeria Monzú

The dough takes five days to make and uses two different starter strains, including one that’s reportedly 300 years old. Then Monzú adds scamorza, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano, pecorino romano, pine nuts and basil cream to one of the most luxurious pies in town. $14-$27, 6020 W. Flamingo Road #10. –Leslie Ventura

Smoked Scottish Salmon at Sadelle’s Sure, you could buy bagels, lox and cream cheese at the grocery store and DIY it (I have a couple times during the shutdown), but it won’t come close to this authentic NYC version. $24, Bellagio. –Spencer Patterson

Crab Xiao Long Bao at Shanghai Taste I often

daydream about these hot, juicy, handmade dumplings. The OG xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings) are already scrumptious, but it’s the crab fat here that melts into the seasoned pork and steamy broth and takes these to another world. $14, 4266 W. Spring Mountain Road. –LV

Whole Neck Lamb at Sparrow + Wolf Meat

finds its best expression at Sparrow + Wolf, whether it’s cooked over the wood-fired grill or the hearth oven. The Chinatown eatery’s lamb entree is always spectacular, and the current iteration—whole neck lamb barbacoa, served with Cascabel chili tortillas and English pea salsa verde—is no exception. $39, 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100. –GD

Hand Roll Threesome at Tekka Bar Takeout sushi is never quite as awesome, and these hand rolls—perfect tubes of nori, warm rice and fish (in succession: salmon, yellowtail and toro)—must be experienced in real time. $16, Cosmopolitan. –SP

“Going out to eat is my favorite thing to do, and I’m hesitant to start again quite yet. I’ve seen a lot of people at stores not wearing masks and ignoring guidelines, and that makes me nervous.” –Ross Horvitz

L A s v e g a s W e e k ly

6 .1 1 . 2 0

A quieter

Vegas

Caesars Palace reopens its doors to the public. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

THE STRIP EVER WISHED FOR A MORE RELAXED VIBE ON THE STRIP? GET IT WHILE YOU CAN ou probably saw some of those photos and videos on social media channels showing crowded Vegas casinos on the first days and nights of reopening. Many Downtown and off-Strip resorts threw open their doors at midnight on June 4, while the bigger Strip spots waited until that morning to welcome guests. You probably have mixed feelings about those images— happy to see a portion of the Valley’s hospitality industry back on the job, smiles covered by masks, but a bit concerned or maybe outright afraid of crowds returning THE to casinos, bars and INCIDENTAL restaurants. You probTOURIST ably noticed many BY BROCK RADKE of those guests were not wearing masks and did not appear to be maintaining distance from one another. I was on the Strip at several different properties throughout that reopening day, and I have mixed feelings, too. I’d like to see a lot more Vegas visitors taking care of the workers who take care of them, the dedicated and passionate people who truly create the experiences that drew so many travelers back so soon. But this was only the first weekend. People need to take a break from reality, and this is the best place to do it. I have to believe customers will follow guidelines more closely and take better advantage of the safety tools and protocols supplied by casinos. We all understand there are lots of people out there who simply aren’t ready to travel and visit Las Vegas yet, just as there are many locals who don’t feel completely comfortable revisiting their favorite neighborhood restaurants, taverns and favorite gaming spots yet. But if you’re interested in the Strip right now, you might discover a different experience that suits you better than the Vegas you remember. I’ve spent the past four years attending and writing about the biggest,

loudest, craziest entertainment events to ever occur in Las Vegas. Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Aerosmith residency concert spectaculars at Park Theater. Sold-out Vegas Golden Knights games at T-Mobile Arena. Weekend food and music festivals that take over entire resorts and hedonistic Memorial Day pool club parties with thousands of revelers. They are amazing and exhausting, and none of them can happen right now. I’m 43 years old. I see tourists my age and older (and sometimes younger) making their way through the casinos and malls and crowded Strip spaces, trying to get around all that excitement and traffic to the Vegas stuff for which they came. Sometimes it’s a bit much. Don’t misunderstand: We need that big stuff, and it’s coming back soon. But if you prefer a more relaxing Vegas vacation, if you’ve ever fought your way to a restaurant or spa or store on Las Vegas Boulevard while wishing things would calm down a little bit, today’s Strip is

A guest plays craps inside the reopened Bellagio. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

yours for the taking. There are fewer people everywhere. Hotel guests can still go to the pool, where there’s music and drink service, but there is no booming bass from the dayclub. You can still see a live band and terrific singers performing at the Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio and relax with a cocktail and some DJ-curated tunes at Encore’s Eastside Lounge, but those elegant venues will be at half capacity or less. Roaming through one of the Strip’s luxury malls has never been more tranquil, and if you’re actually spending money, it feels like a VIP private shopping experience. And contrary to some reports, you don’t have to make a reservation to dine at a fancy restaurant. You can keep it spontaneous at some resorts and just show up. And instead of waiting, you can cruise the casino until you get a text message alert that your table is ready. There’s a different energy in each of

these spaces absent the buzz of nightlife, which includes shows, concerts and clubs. But without that one thing to plan your night around, there’s a new kind of freedom. Nothing is necessary. You don’t have to be anywhere, anytime. You can stick to your own hotel and really explore its offerings, or deep dive into Strip scenery and all the amenities elsewhere. (The highest concentration of current activity is the center Strip stretch of the Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Flamingo.) If you come to Vegas for the fabulous service and hospitality, that part should be better than ever. Those smiling masked people have never been more excited to see you and will likely go beyond “above and beyond” to make your return a memorable celebration. All you have to do is show up. And when you think of all the Vegas fun you’ve had, remember why that happened and who was responsible.

LV W C u lt u r e

6 .1 1 . 2 0

SCREEN TIME Be Water, the latest in ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series, is a moving contemplation of the life of Bruce Lee—his struggles with racism, his superstardom and his tireless efforts to refine his art. ESPN, ESPN+.

Nadiya Hussain of Netflix’s Nadiya’s Time to Eat

THIS

(NPR/Courtesy)

WEEK

Comedy PODCAST

Artemis Fowl

Code Switch

Had COVID-19 not shut down movie theaters in March, Disney’s Artemis Fowl—an adaptation of the first novel of Eoin Colfer’s popular young adult book series, directed by Murder on the Orient Express’ Kenneth Branagh—would have been released to theaters this August. Instead, this $125 million epic story of a young criminal mastermind taking on a fantastical otherworld bows exclusively on Disney+ June 12. Ferdia Shaw, Nonso Anozie, Colin Farrell, Josh Gad and Judi Dench star. Disney+. –Geoff Carter

In the wake of protests and uprisings across the nation, you might find yourself asking how you can learn more about anti-racism efforts, or where you can educate yourself on how race plays a part in society. NPR’s Code Switch podcast, hosted by journalists of color, brazenly explores these topics. From “A Decade of Watching Black People Die,” to “How Much Do We Need the Police?” each episode embarks on a necessary conversation in which we should have already been engaged. npr.org/sections/codeswitch. –Leslie Ventura

Hannah Gadsby: Douglas When her first Netflix stand-up special, Nanette, dropped in 2018, Hannah Gadsby sent shock waves across the comedy world. It not only pushed the genre out of its comfort zone, it obliterated its boundaries altogether. Never have homophobia, misogyny and violence against women, seen through the lens of Gadsby’s personal trauma, been so starkly examined. Critics questioned its place in comedy; fans applauded its blistering honesty. Now, the Australian comic is back with Douglas, which feels slightly less heavy but no less brilliant. Do yourself a favor and watch them both. Netflix. –Genevie Durano

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C u lt u r e

hungry? Turn to Page 32 for our Takeout & Delivery Guide.

fli

x/ Co

urt

e sy

)

( Co u r t

e sy

)

Listen Up If you haven’t yet listened to Stay Free: The Story of the Clash—a podcast detailing the rise and fall of the epochal punk band, narrated by Public Enemy’s Chuck D—do it now, while their apocalyptic songs of protest play like current events. Spotify.

MUSIC

PHAROAH SANDERS

OUR PICKS FOR THE

WEEK AHEAD

Nadiya’s Time to Eat Do you love to eat but fear to cook because it’s too intimidating and too time-consuming? Nadiya’s Time to Eat is your entryway to the kitchen. Superbly friendly chef, author and The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain offers harried home cooks weeknight solutions. She makes seemingly scary dishes—banana tarte tatin, meatloaf Wellington, jackfruit curry—easy enough for everyone. Bonus: Episodes include fun field trips to food producers. Netflix. –C. Moon Reed

The giants of jazz are mostly gone, but one significant titan remains among us—79-year-old saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. From his days in John Coltrane’s late-period groups (hear: Meditations and Ascension, both recorded in 1965) to his own vibrant solo career (try: 1969’s Karma and 1971’s Black Unity), Sanders helped steer the music into a sublime, dreamlike realm with both his compositions and his tenor style. Recently released concert document Live in Paris (1975) showcases that approach nicely over six tracks ranging from traditional (“I Want to Talk About You”) to spiritual and ruminative (“The Creator Has a Master Plan”) to celebratory (“Love Is Everywhere”). It’s a welcome reminder of the man’s legacy and continued impact. –Spencer Patterson

LV W C U LT U R E 6 .1 1 . 2 0

WATCH AND LEARN MANY FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES ON BLACK AMERICA ARE STREAMING. HERE ARE A FEW TO GET YOU STARTED BY GEOFF CARTER

tupid enjoys an unfortunate place in the highest ranks of American government these days. And while one cannot immediately affect this fact, one can choose to not hear stupid things and quietly nod along,” Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote in The Atlantic a few years back, in response to a statement made by then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (“The lack of an ability to compromise led to the Civil War”). In recommending several strong books that Kelly, or anyone else, could read to better understand the Civil War, Coates made a simple request: “Let’s start with just being less stupid.” That should be the first goal of everyone who wants to see racism wiped out, but the point often gets lost. While it’s easy for Black Lives Matter allies to tweet and retweet information—or worse still, to declare that they truly understand racism from places of privilege—the truth is that unless one has been under the boot simply because of the color of their skin, we all could all stand to educate ourselves; to shut our yaps, open our eyes and diminish our stupid. Fortunately, that’s relatively easy to do right now: Streaming services are filled with documentaries, films and series devoted to increasing our awareness of systemic racism. In keeping with Coates’ suggestion (whose Civil War reading list, by the way, can be found at bit.ly/37cUd2h), here is a by-no-means-complete list of films and programs we should all watch to improve our understanding.

When They See Us (Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix/Courtesy)

■ The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (Prime Video) Henry Louis Gates Jr. hosts this six-part 2013 miniseries detailing some 500 years of black life in America, beginning long before the slave trade and continuing through the inauguration of Barack Obama. Gates consulted with 30 historians to tell the stories of Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, Ida B. Wells and others. ■ Copwatch (Prime Video) This 2017 documentary explains WeCopwatch, an activist organization that “promotes the

non-violent observation of the police.” It tells the story not only of those who have suffered through abusive arrests, but also the brave people who have filmed those often-lethal encounters—and paid dearly for it. ■ Dear White People (Netflix) Justin Simien adapted his 2014 film about racism at an Ivy League school into a Netflix series in 2017; its fourth and final season airs later this year. Coates praised Dear White People in The Atlantic, calling it “a tremendous artistic achievement. … [It] feels

like it’s more about what happens when your sense of being is married to people who don’t much like you.” ■ I Am Not Your Negro (Prime Video) Raoul Peck’s Academy Award-nominated 2016 documentary, based on the late James Baldwin’s unfinished book Remember This House, is a riveting history of racial injustice in America, framed by Baldwin’s associations with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers. Samuel L. Jackson narrates.

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C U LT U R E 25

SCREEN

■ Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement (Prime Video) Originally aired on BET, this 2016 documentary explains both how the #blacklivesmatter hashtag came into being, and the system of injustice that necessitates its continued use.

Watchmen (Mark Hill/HBO/Courtesy)

e sy urt

/C o lix

■ Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992 and LA 92 (Netflix) Both of these documentaries about the 1992 Rodney King riots are essential, and as it happens, complementary viewing. T.J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay’s LA 92 retells the story of the riots with period footage, some of it previously unseen. John Ridley’s interview-driven Let It Fall traces the events leading up to the riots, including a chillingly current segment on the choke hold.

)

Killer Mike

■ Trigger Warning With Killer Mike (Netflix) In this funny and raw reality series, the Run the Jewels rapper gets handson with the problems affecting black America. In one episode, he vows to patronize only blackowned businesses for 24 hours; in another, he works with the Crips and Bloods on their branding. “[In Killer Mike], television has found a satirist—or more accurately an activist—for the times,” The Guardian raved.

■ Watchmen (HBO, HBO Max) Though it’s a work of fiction, the brutal and horrific inciting incident of this “remix” of the 1987 comic Watchmen—the Tulsa race massacre of 1921—really happened. Showrunner Damon Lindelof creates an alternate America informed by its lessons—one where black superheroes Sister Night (Regina King) and Hooded Justice (Jovan Adepo and Louis Gossett Jr.) end up fighting the same hate and ignorance. ■ When They See Us and 13th (Netflix). Selma director Ava DuVernay’s Emmy-nominated four-episode miniseries When They See Us, based on the events of the 1989 Central Park jogger case, peers into the lives of the five young men unjustly charged with the crime. Watch it with DuVernay’s documentary 13th, which explores the intersection of racism and mass incarceration.

Also: 16 Shots (Showtime), America to Me (Starz), BaltiAlso: 16 Shots (Showtime), Amermore Rising (HBO, HBO Max), ica to Me (Starz), Baltimore Rising Chisholm Unbought & ’72: (HBO, HBO’72: Max), Chisholm Unbossed&(Prime Video), Crime Unbought Unbossed (Prime Vid+ Punishment (Hulu), The Death eo), Crime + Punishment (Hulu), and Life of Marsha P. Johnson The Death and Life of Marsha P. (Netflix), Justix), Mercy Johnson (Netfl Just(Prime Mercy Video,Video, Vudu),Vudu), Let the Fire (Prime Let theBurn Fire (Kanopy), ParisParis Is Burning Burn (Kanopy), Is Burning (Netfl ix), Profi led (Kanopy), Say (Netflix), Say Her Name: The Life HerDeath Name:ofThe Life Bland and Death and Sandra (HBO, of Sandra BlandHappened, (HBO, HBOMiss HBO Max), What Max), Tongues Untied (Kanopy), Simone? (Netflix), Whose Streets? WhatKanopy) Happened, Simone? (Hulu, andMiss many more. (Netflix), Whose Streets? (Hulu, Kanopy) and many more.

LV W C U LT U R E 6 .1 1 . 2 0

NOISE

Sound Judgment Charli XCX

DEERHOOF

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

P A C E

Pop Art Rock Country Experimental

MOSES SUMNEY

How I’m Feeling Now aaacc

Future Teenage Cave Artists aaabc

Reunions aaaac

GRAE aaaac

I didn’t like How I’m Feeling Now on first listen. Charli XCX’s reaction to the coronavirus lockdown—11 DIY tracks recorded over the course of six weeks—is completely in line with the sound we associate with the “I Love It” composer; it’s shiny, sexy, aggressively artificial and intended for consumption in now-dangerous packed clubs. But on second listen I was ensnared on the hooks, and on the third I discovered the thread of melancholia running through all that bright, robotic frenzy. Lyrically, How I’m Feeling Now is a pandemic-era Instagram Live post— strongly biographical, probably pantsless. “Wake up late, eat some cereal/try my best to be physical,” she sings in the fist-pumping “Anthems.” In the Princereminiscent “7 Years,” she discovers a depth of feeling for her lockdown partner: “We went from distant to inseparable types.” But even tracks that escape lockdown are aware of it (“In real life, could the club even handle us?” she sings in “Pink Diamond”), and by the album closer “Visions,” it’s clear that Charli XCX, like many of us, is trying to see the past few homebound months as a reset. “Voices tell me hold on … I got pictures in my mind,” she sings, perhaps considering the front door and the possibilities on the other side of it. –Geoff Carter

Have you gradually lost track of Deerhoof over the course of 20plus years and 15 or so albums? If so, latest LP Future Teenage Cave Artists plays like a perfect re-entry point, what with bassist Satomi Matsuzaki and drummer Greg Saunier singing about a dystopian world—oh wait, that’s our actual, broken reality—atop the foursome’s organized sonic chaos. “Every morning I check if I have died,” Saunier intones eerily on “Reduced Guilt,” before Matsuzaki (barely) reassures us, “I have survived.” Deerhoof has survived changing times and tastes by staying true to its muse, one that insists experimental music be catchy, or maybe it’s the other way around. Among this latest batch of songs, the shimmering leadoff/title track should make the quickest trip to 2020 playlists. But one by one, the other nine originals—from (relative) slow jam “Damaged Eyes Squinting Into the Beautiful Overhot Sun” to the body-moving “Oh Ye Saddle Babes,” which finds Matsuzaki repeating “Can’t we all just get along, little doggies?”—will tunnel into your brain, and especially your heart, as beautifully damaged pieces of art in a time when damage threatens to overtake beauty entirely. –Spencer Patterson

“It gets easier/But it never gets easy,” Jason Isbell’s voice leaps to create the most undeniable hook of his career on the penultimate song on seventh solo album, Reunions. “It Gets Easier” is a paean to sobriety, but Isbell’s warm vocal delivery invites you to apply it to any practically personal hardship. Always an accomplished balladeer, Isbell has said he finds it tougher to write great rock songs. But here, Isbell is at his best when he and backing band The 400 Unit are at their loudest. The amplification kicks in on the back half, but the first signals come on fourth track “Overseas,” when a slithery guitar solo lifts a punchy Southern-rock song exploring American disillusionment and loneliness. Isbell defends the overt political nature of his music—on “Be Afraid,” the bridge snipes, “We don’t take requests/ We won’t shut up and sing.” If Isbell doesn’t widen his established sonic repertoire on Reunions — with the exception of “River,” a piano-based gospel experiment examining masculinity— he doesn’t really need to. At a time where so much music captures the darkness and downfall of American principles, it’s refreshing to hear a more optimistic set of songs extolling the potential of listening to, and learning from, one another. –Case Keefer

On the opening track of Moses Sumney’s sophomore album, a voice repeats, “Isolation comes from insula, which means island,” as ambient sounds bubble and swell into a shimmering, mystical space. That track, “Insula,” sets the tone for Grae, a concept album Sumney describes as being about “grayness.” That is, to be simultaneously black and white, but, more importantly, neither. Released in two parts (Part 1 was released in February, and the full album dropped last month), Grae is a physical expression of the duality that lies at Sumney’s very core. “When I was a little boy/I’d scream at vague, misty nights/Yet breathe out smoke with no fire/I’d become one with what I was scared of/I fell in love with the in-between,” Sumney sings on “Neither/Nor.” The blistering “Me in 20 Years” finds him imagining what his life might look like someday. “And I wonder how I’ll sleep at night/With a cavity right by my side/And nothing left to hold but pride of mine.” Throughout Grae, Sumney defies notions of normalcy, eschewing borders and binaries, genres and pigeonholes. The record blooms with light and color, a harmonious blanket of vocals, strings, saxophone and piano, seamlessly woven to highlight life’s complexities. –Leslie Ventura

LV W C U LT U R E 6 .1 1 . 2 0

ART

MEDITATIVE DRAWING Lance L. Smith (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C U LT U R E 29

Vegas artist Lance L. Smith teaches us the steps to a still life By C. Moon Reed as Vegas-based artist Lance L. Smith has been staying busy during the pandemic. After returning from a six-week residency with the Arquetopia International Mentorship Program in Puebla, Mexico, in April, the painter and printmaker has been making art back home in Las Vegas. Due to the coronavirus, scheduling remains up in the air, but Smith is preparing for a solo show in the fall, a group show at a Downtown gallery and a variety of commissioned work. When not exploring liberatory and resistance practices through mixed media, Smith also reads prolifically and teaches art. During this unpredictable time, Smith offers the Weekly directions on how to take a moment to make a meditative still life drawing. Even if you think you have no talent, this is something you can do. Relax. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go to school to be an artist. As with making dinner, you don’t have to be a professional to find joy in an undertaking. “Something that we should all remember during this time is that we have the capability to create,” Smith says. Smith suggests starting by releasing your jaw, relaxing the tightness in your breath and taking a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Put on your “noticing eyes.” “We’ve been in our houses for a while,” Smith says, referencing the coronavirus lockdown. “So you probably noticed a lot of things you didn’t have time to [before]. Smith says to use your “noticing eyes” to find a few interesting household objects for a still life. Look for objects with varying textures, forms and shapes. Keep them medium to small sizes, so as not to be overwhelming. Smith gives the example of a bristle paint brush, a can of water and a roll of tape with a cardboard backing. Set them up in a cool configuration. Smith says to simply place your objects in “any orientation that you find interesting.” Look at the lines that the compiled objects create and “imagine you’re setting up a photo shoot.”

Just start drawing. You don’t need a lot of crazy supplies. Smith says a pen or pencil will work just fine: “From there, you just take a piece of paper and paint and you will begin to draw.” Keep looking. Take your time. Go back and forth between drawing and looking at the still life as you draw it, Smith advises. “Imagine there’s a line of ants going around whatever you’re drawing; that helps me,” Smith says. Add in the extras. Once you’ve outlined the forms, look to the aspects that make something feel real and multidimensional. “Pay attention to the way the light is falling,” Smith says. “Then, if you’re feeling real fun and you’ve got some extra time on your hands, start to drop in the shadows. Take the pencil, and go back and forth, meditatively. “Once you’ve meditated, you’re chilling out here, you’re not stressing,” Smith says. Study the negative. When you’re drawing, don’t just look at what’s there. Look at the empty spaces between things—negative space. Seeing and drawing the shape of what isn’t there helps bring the piece together and lines things up, Smith says. It’s also a great exercise in observation. You can’t go wrong. Smith emphasizes that in drawing, “There are no mistakes.” He suggests using the drawing as a way to be thoughtful. Meditate on the way the shadows are falling. Meditate on the tactile nature of the subject. And then just “draw until you feel like you’re done.” Then congratulate yourself: “You’ve created a piece of art with a capital ‘A,’ because we’re all artists, no matter if you’re trained or not.”

(Top) “Sight. Puebla, Mexico,” twocolor linocut/woodblock. “I had the pleasure of taking a three-day workshop at the Erasto Cortés Workshop Museum with Maestro Gustavo Mora. The teachings were rich, informative and challenging.” (Bottom) “Cruce. Puebla, Mexico,” mixed media on amate. (Lance Smith/Courtesy)

LV W C U LT U R E 6 .1 1 . 2 0

KEEPING COOL FROM SMOOTHIES TO ICE CREAM, THESE REFRESHING TREATS ARE MADE FOR SUMMER BY GENEVIE DURANO

s the temperature inches up higher, cool off with these refreshing summer treats, from iced drinks to frozen classics. The best part? You can make all of them at home.

SMOOTHIE

LEMONADE Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love lemonade on a summer day? And just three simple ingredients comprise this quintessential summer drink. Easy recipe: Zest three large lemons in wide strips. Make a simple syrup using half a cup of sugar and half a cup of water. Boil until sugar is dissolved, and cool for five minutes. Steep the lemon peels for 30 minutes, then strain syrup into a container with 3/4 of a cup of lemon juice and 3 cups of cold water. Serve over ice. Kick it up: Add fruit like watermelon chunks, blackberries, peach slices or strawberries. Garnish with mint.

Forget making breakfast over a stove. Summertime means smoothies for the most important meal of the day. Easy recipe: Frozen fruit works best, eliminating the need for ice. Throw in a banana, a cup of frozen berries, half a cup of orange juice, and half a cup of almond milk or yogurt in a blender. Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to give the smoothie extra nutrition and a thicker texture. If you want a more substantial meal, add kale, spinach, protein powder, wheat germ, maca powder or ground flaxseed. Kick it up: Make a treat smoothie instead. Banana with heaps of peanut butter, cacao powder and frozen vanilla yogurt is practically dessert.

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W C U LT U R E 31

FOOD & DRINK ICED COFFEE Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now iced coffee season. Skip the drive-thru and make a big batch of cold brew at home for a caffeine jolt any time of the day. Easy recipe: Grind 1 cup of coffee beans coarsely, and steep for 12 hours in 4 cups of water. Strain over a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer, and serve over ice with the sweetener of your choice. Kick it up: Sweeten with condensed milk for a Vietnamese-style iced coffee.

ICE POPS Making ice pops is a fun project for kids, and it teaches them patience, too. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great if you have ice pop molds, but a muffin tin or mini Dixie paper cups with popsicle sticks work just as well. Easy recipe: Puree about 2 cups of ripe (or overripe) fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe or pineapple in a blender. Add half a cup of orange juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and your sweetener of choice, like sugar, honey, agave or maple syrup. Pour in molds and freeze overnight. Kick it up: Add dairy, like Greek yogurt or full-fat coconut milk, to any fruit pop to make it creamy and rich. Or skip the fruit altogether and make chocolate ice pops, using milk, sugar and cocoa powder.

Ice cream is one of the most versatile cool summer treats you can make, yielding an infinite number of flavor combinations. An ice cream maker comes in handy, but there are plenty of no-churn recipes online that require only on a stand mixer. Easy recipe: Master a good ice cream base recipe and the world is yours. Start with a combination of heavy cream and milk, totaling three cups. For very rich ice cream, use 2 cups of cream and 1 cup of whole milk. That ratio can be altered to suit your taste, and you can also use milk with a lower fat content. Sugar (2/3 cup), a dash of salt and egg yolks (four to six, depending on the richness) are the other ingredients. Make a custard, cool in the fridge and churn in an ice cream maker. Freeze overnight. Kick it up: Toppings and mix-ins are only limited by your imagination. (Just ask Ben and Jerry, who made a fortune doing so.)

(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

ICE CREAM

32 LV W F O O D & D R I N K

6 .1 1 . 2 0

For more locations, visit lasvegasweekly.com/foodguide.

Food and Drink Takeout & Delivery Guide

(Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

PIZZA ROCK

Valleywide CAPRIOTTI’S capriottis.com ■ Sandwiches Now reopened

PORT OF SUBS portofsubs.com ■ Sandwiches Takeout & Delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)

RACHEL’S KITCHEN rachelskitchen.com ■ Healthy Now reopened

ROBERTO’S robertostacoshop.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

LIQUOR LIQUOR WORLD Multiple locations liquorworldlv.com ■ Liquor Delivery

Downtown / Central ABLE BAKER 1510 S. Main St. 702-479-6355 ablebakerbrewing.com ■ Brewery Now reopened

BAJAMAR 1615 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-331-4266 bajamarbajastyle.com ■ Mexican Takeout

ESTHER’S KITCHEN 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702-570-7864 estherslv.com ■ Italian Now reopened

GROUCHY JOHN’S 6350 W. Charleston Blvd. #110 702-485-6520 grouchyjohns.com ■ Coffee Now reopened

EL DORADO CANTINA 3025 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Drive 702-722-2289 eldoradocantina.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

EVEL PIE 508 Fremont St. 702-840-6460 evelpie.com ■ Pizza Now reopened

LAS PUPUSAS 3111 S. Valley View Blvd. #105 702-248-7776 laspupusasrestaurant. com ■ Salvadorean Now reopened

EL SEGUNDO SOL 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S. 702-258-1211 elsegundosol.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

FERRARO’S 4480 Paradise Road 702-364-5300 ferraroslasvegas.com ■ Italian Now reopened

THE BLIND PIG 4515 Dean Martin Drive 725-214-4474 app.theblindpignv.com ■ American Now reopened

DOÑA MARIA 910 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-382-6538 donamariatamales.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

CARSON KITCHEN 124 S. 6th St. #100 702-472-9523 carsonkitchen.com/las ■ American Now reopened

CORNISH PASTY 10 E. Charleston Blvd. 702-862-4538 cornishpastyco.com ■ English Takeout

DE THAI KITCHEN 1108 S. 3rd St. 702-979-9121 dethaikitchen.com ■ Thai Now reopened

LOTUS OF SIAM 953 E. Sahara Ave. #A5 702-735-3033 lotusofsiamlv.com ■ Thai Now reopened

6 .1 1 . 2 0

LV W f o o d & D R I N K 33

Information provided by restaurants and subject to change at any time.

Co n ti n u e to e at W el l wh i l e supporting loca l b u s i n e ss e s

n Reopened restaurants are offering dine-in service, along with takeout and/or delivery. Send updates to restaurants@gmgvegas.com.

Makers & Finders 1120 S. Main St. #110 702-596-8255 makerslv.com n Coffee Now reopened

Sunrise Coffee 3130 E. Sunset Road 702-433-3304 sunrisecoffeelv.com n Coffee Now reopened

Mothership 1028 Fremont St. 725-735-4539 mothershipcoffee.com n Coffee Now reopened

VegeNation 616 E. Carson Ave. #120 702-366-8515 vegenationlv.com n Healthy Now reopened

Naked City Pizza 4608 Paradise Road 702-722-2241 nakedcitylv.com n Pizza Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates)

Vesta 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702-685-1777 vestacoffee.com n Coffee Takeout & Delivery

Nora’s Kitchen 5780 W. Flamingo Road 702-873-8990 norascuisine.com n Italian Now reopened

Pizza Rock 201 N. 3rd St. 702-385-0887 pizzarocklasvegas.com n Pizza Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)

Sofrito Rico 5201 W. Charleston Blvd. #110 702-822-6220 facebook.com/sofritorico prcuisine n Puerto Rican Now reopened

Henderson

Black Mountain Grill 11021 S. Eastern Ave. 702-990-0990 blackmountaingrill.com n Bar food Now reopened

Bone & Belly 2235 Village Walk Drive 702-600-4955 boneandbellyramen.com n Ramen Now reopened

Carlito’s Burritos 4300 E. Sunset Road #A5 702-547-3592 carlitosburritos.com n New Mexican Takeout & Delivery

8 Kitchen 2560 St. Rose Parkway #150 702-840-8066 8kitchenlv.com n Hawaiian Now reopened

Dark Moon 11041 S. Eastern Ave. #115 702-840-3300 darkmoon.coffee n Coffee Takeout

Archi’s 9310 S. Eastern Ave. #101 702-916-3949 archisthai.com n Thai Now reopened

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 43 S. Stephanie St. #100 702-463-7860 dickeys.com n Barbecue Now reopened

Bell’S BBQ 10895 S. Eastern Ave. 702-896-2355 bellsbarbecue.com n Barbecue Now reopened

Big B’s Texas BBQ 3019 St. Rose Parkway #130 702-260-6327 bigbztexasbbq.com n Barbecue Now reopened

The Great Greek 1275 W. Warm Springs Road #160 702-547-2377 thegreatgreekgrill.com n Greek Now reopened

Hardway 8 46 S. Water St. 702-410-5124 hardway8henderson.com n Bar food Now reopened

Il Chianti 72 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100 702-566-1999 n Italian Takeout & Delivery

Kitchen Table 1716 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100 702-478-4782 kitchentablelv.com n Brunch Now reopened

Maui Exiles 2895 N. Green Valley Parkway #A 702-997-9268 mauiexiles.com n Hawaiian Takeout

Red Rice 9400 S. Eastern Ave. #106A 702-912-4826 redricelv.com n Guamanian Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, Grubhub)

Saga 10345 S. Eastern Ave. #100 702-260-0860 sagapastry.com n Scandinavian Now reopened

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza 1501 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-567-4000 sammyspizza.com n Pizza Now reopened

Monta Chaya 9500 S. Eastern Ave. 702-405-9649 monrestaurantgroup.com n Ramen Now reopened

Sin City Smokers 2861 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-823-5605 sincitysmokers.com n Barbecue Now reopened

Mothership 2708 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-456-1869 mothershipcoffee.com n Coffee Now reopened

Sonrisa Grill 30 Via Branza #100 702-568-6870 sonrisagrill.com n Mexican Now reopened

Pasta Shop 2525 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway 702-451-1893 pastashop.com n Italian Now reopened

Paymon’s 8955 S. Eastern Ave. 702-333-4622 paymons.com n Mediterranean Now reopened

The Steamie Weenie 1500 N. Green Valley Parkway #130 702-333-1383 steamieweenie.com n Hot dogs Now reopened

The Stove 11261 S. Eastern Ave. #200 702-625-5216 thestovelv.com n Brunch Now reopened

Thailicious 19 S. Stephanie St. #160 702-489-9441 thailiciousvegas.com n Thai Now reopened

NORTH Amazing Thai 3000 W. Ann Road #109 725-222-8289 amazingthainv.com n Thai Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats)

Big Dog’s 4543 N. Rancho Drive 702-645-1404 bigdogsbrews.com n Brewery Takeout

Ichi Ramen House 7920 W. Tropical Parkway #170 702-570-7373 ichiramenhouse.com n Ramen Now reopened

Kapuna Cafe 3231 N. Decatur Blvd. #122 702-395-1400 kapunacafe.com n Hawaiian Takeout & Delivery (DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats)

KoMex Fusion 633 N. Decatur Blvd. #H 702-646-1612 komexfusion.com n Korean Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)

Market Grill Café 7070 N. Durango Drive 702-396-0070 marketgrillecafe.com n Mediterranean Now reopened

34 lv w f o o d & D R I N K

6 .1 1 . 2 0

n Reopened restaurants are offering dine-in service, along with takeout and/or delivery. Send updates to restaurants@gmgvegas.com.

Information provided by restaurants and subject to change at any time.

Food and Drink Takeout & Delivery Guide Mezzo Bistro 4275 N. Rancho Drive 702-944-8880 mezzobistro.com n Italian Now reopened

South / Southeast Big Jerk 430 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd. 702-427-5267 bigjerkcaribbean.com n Caribbean Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates, DoorDash)

Bootlegger Bistro 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-736-4939 bootleggerlasvegas.com n Italian Now reopened

Grouchy John’s 8520 S. Maryland Parkway 702-778-7553 grouchyjohns.com n Coffee Now reopened

Mama DePalma’s 9845 S. Maryland Parkway 702-837-6262 mamadepalmaspizza.com n Italian Now reopened

Sin City Sushi 8790 S. Maryland Parkway 702-982-2113 facebook.com/ sincitysushi2 n Sushi Takeout

Southwest Arashi Ramen 4555 S. Fort Apache Road #110 702-485-3222 ramenarashilv.com n Ramen Now reopened

Bajamar 8180 Blue Diamond Road #110 702-331-5509 bajamarbajastyle.com n Mexican Takeout

Big B’s Texas BBQ 6115 S. Fort Apache Road #110 702-844-8206 bigbztexasbbq.com n Barbecue Now reopened

The Black Sheep 8680 W. Warm Springs Road 702-954-3998 blacksheepvegas.com n American Takeout

Born and Raised 7260 S. Cimarron Road 702-685-0258 bornandraisedlv.com n Bar food Now reopened

Chubby Cattle 3400 S. Jones Blvd. #15 702-868-8808 chubbycattle.com n Chinese Now reopened

Donna Italia 7770 Duneville St. 702-291-2112 donnaitalia.com n Pizza Delivery

Egg Sammie 7379 S. Rainbow Blvd. 725-204-8881 n Brunch Now reopened

Founders Coffee 6410 S. Durango Drive #100 702-916-4442 founderscoffeeco.com n Coffee Now reopened

Fukuburger 7365 S. Buffalo Drive #A 702-684-6161 fukuburger.com n Burgers Now reopened

Graffiti Bao 7355 S. Buffalo Drive 702-323-6033 graffitibao.com n Asian Takeout

Hedary’s 7365 W. Sahara Ave. #K 702-873-9041 hedaryslasvegas.com n Mediterranean Now reopened

Locale 7995 Blue Diamond Road 702-330-0404 localelv.com n Italian Now reopened

Mama Bird 10550 Southern Highlands Parkway #140 702-570-6135 mamabirdsk.com n Southern Now reopened

Master Kim’s 7036 S. Durango Drive #100 702-823-3111 masterkimslv.com n Korean Now reopened

Paradise Place 7365 W. Sahara Ave. #B 702-834-8188 paradiseplacelv.com n Jamaican Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates)

Tres Cazuelas 3355 Spring Mountain Road #35 702-370-0751 trescazuelas.com n Latin Now reopened

For more locations, visit lasvegasweekly.com/foodguide.

The Fat Greek 4001 S. Decatur Blvd. #34 702-222-0666 thefatgreeklv.com. n Greek Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)

Viet Noodle Bar 5266 Spring Mountain Road #106 702-750-9898 vietnoodlebarlv.com n Vietnamese Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates)

Forte Tapas 4180 S. Rainbow Blvd. #806 702-220-3876 barforte.com n European Takeout & Delivery

Weera 3839 W. Sahara Ave. #9 702-873-8749 weerathai.com n Thai Takeout & Delivery

Fukuburger 3429 S. Jones Blvd. 702-262-6995 fukuburger.com n Burgers Now reopened

WEST 595 Craft & Kitchen 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd. #100 702-586-1050 595craftandkitchen.com n Bar food Now reopened

Aces & Ales 2801 N. Tenaya Way 702-638-2337 acesandales.com n Bar food Now reopened

Burnt Offerings 3909 W. Sahara Ave. #10 702-848-2876 burntofferingslv.com n Yiddish Now reopened

Capital Seafood 4215 Spring Mountain Road #B202 702-227-3588 n Chinese Now reopened

Izakaya Go 3775 Spring Mountain Road #301 702-247-1183 izakayago.com n Japanese Now reopened

Lamaii 4480 Spring Mountain Road 702-238-0567 lamaiilv.com n Thai Now reopened

Partage 3839 Spring Mountain Road 702-582-5852 partage.vegas n French Delivery

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza 6500 W. Sahara Ave. 702-227-6000 sammyspizza.com n Pizza Now reopened

WeerA 4276 Spring Mountain Road #105 702-485-1688 weerathai.com n Thai Takeout & Delivery

SUMMERLIN AREA The Bagel Café 301 N. Buffalo Drive 702-255-3444 thebagelcafelv.com n Brunch Now reopened

Buldogis 2291 S. Fort Apache Road #102 702-570-7560 buldogis.com n Hot dogs Now reopened

Dom DeMarco’s 9785 W. Charleston Blvd. 702-570-7000 domdemarcos.com n Italian Now reopened

DoÑa Maria 3205 N. Tenaya Way 702-656-1600 donamariatamales.com n Mexican Now reopened

(Miranda Alam/Special to the Weekly)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

ECHO & RIG 440 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-489-3525 echoandrig.com ■ Steakhouse Takeout

EL DORADO CANTINA 430 S. Rampart Blvd. #110 702-333-1112 eldoradocantina.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

FLOWER CHILD 1007 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-507-2545 iamaflowerchild.com ■ Healthy Now reopened

HONEY SALT 1031 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-445-6100 honeysalt.com ■ American Now reopened

LV W F O O D & D R I N K 35

THE BLACK SHEEP

ISLAND FIN POKE CO. 8780 W. Charleston Blvd. #103 702-444-4240 islandfinpoke.com ■ Poke Now reopened

KHOURY’S 9340 W. Sahara Ave. #106 702-671-0005 khouryslv.com ■ Mediterranean Now reopened

LA STREGA 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105 702-722-2099 lastregalv.com ■ Italian Takeout

LOLA’S 1220 N. Town Center Drive 702-871-5652 lolaslasvegas.com ■ Southern Now reopened

MAKERS & FINDERS 2120 Festival Plaza Drive #140 702-586-8255 makerslv.com ■ Coffee Now reopened

PAYMON’S 8380 W. Sahara Ave. 702-804-0293 paymons.com ■ Mediterranean Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)

MARCHÉ BACCHUS 2620 Regatta Drive 702-804-8008 marchebacchus.com ■ French Now reopened

PUBLIC SCHOOL 702 1850 Festival Plaza Drive 702-749-3007 psontap.com ■ Italian Now reopened

MTO CAFÉ 10970 Festival Plaza Drive #100 702-982-0770 mtocafe.com ■ Brunch Now reopened

ROOSTER BOY CAFE 2620 Regatta Drive #113 702-560-2453 roosterboycafe.com ■ Brunch Takeout

MY MOTHER’S HOUSE 9320 Sun City Blvd. 702-998-2820 mymothershouselv.com ■ Italian Now reopened

SAMBALATTE 750 S. Rampart Blvd. #9 702-272-2333 sambalatte.com ■ Coffee Now reopened

SIENA ITALIAN 9500 W. Sahara Ave 702-360-3358 sienaitalian.com ■ Italian Now reopened

SPARROW + WOLF 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100 702-790-2147 sparrowandwolflv.com ■ American Now reopened

East ACES & ALES 3740 S. Nellis Blvd. 702-436-7600 acesandales.com ■ Bar food Now reopened

BARCODE BURGER BAR 1590 E. Flamingo Road 702-294-2633 barcodeburgerbar.com ■ Bar food Now reopened

LA COSTA DEL SOL 2208 S. Nellis Blvd. 702-457-5255 ■ Salvadorean Takeout

LINDO MICHOACAN 2655 E. Desert Inn Road 702-735-6828 lindomichoacan.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

SIEGEL’S BAGELMANIA 855 E. Twain Ave. #120 702-369-3322 bagelmanialv.com ■ Brunch Now reopened

TACO Y TACO 3430 E. Tropicana Ave. 702-307-1571 tacoytacolv.com ■ Mexican Now reopened

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

6 .1 1 . 2 0

S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

DELIVERY

FEATURED DISPENSARY

ESSENCE CANNABIS DISPENSARY 2307 Las Vegas Blvd S. • 702-978-7591 4300 E. Sunset Road #A3 • 702-978-7687 5765 W. Tropicana Ave. • 702-500-1714 essencevegas.com Sit back, relax and let Essence come to you! You can now order all your favorite flower, vaporizers, concentrates, edibles, topicals and CBD products from the comfort of your own home. Visit essencevegas.com/delivery to place your order. If you have questions about specific products, just give us a call at 702-978-7186. Visit essencevegas.com to see a list of upcoming deals.

Y OUR GUIDE T O M ARI J U A N A DE LI V E RI E S ACROSS THE

L A S V E G A S VA L L E Y ACRES CANNABIS

APOTHECARIUM

2320 Western Ave. 702-359-9876 acrescannabis.com

7885 W. Sahara Ave. 702-778-7987 apothecariumlv.com

ESSENCE CANNABIS DISPENSARY 5765 W. Tropicana Ave. 702-500-1714 essencevegas.com

CURALEAF 1736 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-359-9875 curaleaf.com/nv

HYBRID STRAIN VALLEY GIRL

ESSENCE CANNABIS DISPENSARY 2307 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-978-7591 essencevegas.com

ESSENCE CANNABIS DISPENSARY 4300 E. Sunset Road #A3 702-978-7687 essencevegas.com

GLOBAL CANNABINOIDS

SAHARA WELLNESS 420 E. Sahara Ave. 702-478-5533 420sahara.com

SHANGO MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

CBD only Online only B2B (wholesale) globalcannabinoids.io

4380 Boulder Highway 702-444-4824 goshango.com

JARDÍN

2550 S. Rainbow Blvd. #8 702-708-2000 thesourcenv.com

THE SOURCE 2900 E. Desert Inn Road 702-331-6511 jardinlasvegas.com

THE SOURCE MEDICALLY MINDED CBD only Online only medicallymindedcbd.com

9480 S. Eastern Ave. #185 702-708-2222 thesourcenv.com

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re back Las Vegas!

ELLISISLANDCASINO.COM

@ELLISCASINOLV

LV W S P O R T S 6 .1 1 . 2 0

HEART OF A

LIONESS AMANDA NUNES’ UFC REIGN HAS BEEN DOMINANT AND GROUNDBREAKING BY CASE KEEFER he first pandemic-era UFC title fight turned out unique for more than its closed-to-the-public setting. Amanda Nunes also showed a rare level of joy, mercy and compassion throughout a record-breaking unanimous-decision victory over Felicia Spencer at UFC 250, staged June 6 at the promotion’s Apex facility in Las Vegas. The UFC’s dual women’s featherweight/bantamweight champion couldn’t stop smiling through the early stages of a grueling 25-minute battle, at least not until she effectively rearranged Spencer’s facial structure. With blood protruding from a cut across Spencer’s scalp and a quarter-sized hematoma swelling on Spencer’s forehead, Nunes slowed her attack in the

final round. Instead of continuing to batter Spencer on her feet, Nunes took her opponent down to the mat, where she could control the challenger without inflicting more punishment. After the scores were read, inevitably revealing every judge had scored every round for Nunes, the champion did something unprecedented: She took her championship belt and slung it over Spencer’s shoulder. “I’ve lost before. I know how she was feeling,” Nunes said. “She fought for the belt tonight—at least she can touch it or see it. I wanted to be nice to her; she’s a good girl.” UFC President Dana White’s vow to keep going forward with fight cards through the pandemic out

of a “human need” for sporting events has sounded anywhere from exaggerated to unfeeling. But after UFC 250—the fifth event since the UFC’s May restart in Jacksonville, Florida—his point might have been understandable for the first time. White’s view is that, even more than something to watch, sports fans needs someone for whom to cheer, someone to celebrate right now. And it’s impossible not to cheer for or celebrate Nunes, given the grace with which she’s reached the top of the UFC. With the win over Spencer, “The Lioness” became the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold and defend belts in two different divisions. “Amanda Nunes is the G.O.A.T.,” White said. Unlike other fighters in the “greatest of all time” conversation, like Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre and An-

6 .1 1 . 2 0 LV W s p o r t s

Amanda Nunes punches Felicia Spencer during their UFC featherweight championship bout at UFC 250 on June 6 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Courtesy)

UPCOMING UFC EVENTS June 13 UFC Fight Night: Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo (ESPN+) June 20 UFC Fight Night: Curtis Blaydes v. Alexander Volkov (ESPN+) June 27 UFC Fight Night (ESPN) (fights TBA) July 11 UFC 251 on pay-per-view (fights TBA) All events held without fans in Las Vegas at UFC Apex.

Amanda Nunes celebrates after defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016 in Las Vegas. (John Locher/AP)

derson Silva, virtually no one saw Nunes coming. The 32-year-old was among the initial group of women injected into the UFC around superstar Ronda Rousey in 2013, but she was an afterthought coming off two losses in her last three fights across Invicta and Strikeforce. Nunes went on to drop her third UFC fight, a knockout defeat to Cat Zingano in September 2014, but she hasn’t lost since. The Salvador, Brazil, native has been riding an 11-fight winning streak while she’s hunkered down at one of MMA’s top gyms, American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Nunes has beaten every woman who’s ever held titles in both of her weight classes, including ending Rousey’s career with a 48-second knockout in December 2016. “I’m living this fun ride and enjoying every single day,” Nunes said. “Be a good person, and life will give

you back. I feel like now and always life will give back, because I don’t want to do anything bad to anybody.” Nunes has used her platform for worthy causes. As the UFC’s first openly gay champion, she has been an LGBT advocate and spearheaded the promotion’s charitable initiatives in that area. She’ll have a chance to notch another first the next time she fights: Nunes could become the first champion who’s also a mother. She announced before UFC 250 that her wife, fellow UFC fighter Nina Ansaroff, was pregnant and due in September. “I can’t wait to see my daughter,” Nunes said. “I’m going to take the rest of the year off to think about my daughter.” It’s a good time for a leave of absence, considering the UFC needs to develop future opponents for Nunes

anyway. She has cleared out two divisions after the win over Spencer, beating every realistic challenger. White sounds confident someone else will emerge; he sounded less certain about how long Nunes will continue to fight. White said she has made enough money to comfortably retire, especially after UFC 250. Champions like Nunes get a cut of the pay-per-view revenue, and according to White, the latest pay-per-view numbers trended high with no other sports competition. Nunes has typically looked forward, but after UFC 250, she took time to reflect back, glancing side-toside at both of her championship belts at the post-fight press conference. “I knew something big was going to happen in my life, but sometimes it’s a surprise how big it is,” Nunes said. “It’s bigger than we talked about, but I was ready.”

V E G A S I N C B U S I N E S S 6 .1 1 . 2 0

Black-owned businesses look to rebound after the coronavirus shutdown

BY BRYAN HORWATH he night of June 6 at EllaEm’s Soul Food represented the new normal for the North Las Vegas restaurant. Seating was limited to meet social distancing guidelines, but close to two dozen people dined on wings and waffles, catfish and fried chicken. To-go orders were lined up behind the front counter in plastic bags, and third-party delivery drivers hurried in and out. A sign instructed customers to wait outside after placing takeout orders. “When the virus first hit, it affected us substantially,” said Pierre X, who owns EllaEm’s with his wife, Aem Upachak. The state ordered all nonessential businesses closed in mid-March to curb the spread of the virus. Restaurants were limited to carryout service only and were not allowed to reopen their dining rooms until May 9. “We just said this is our bread and butter, and we had to keep it going,” Pierre X said. “We reinvented ourselves. Part of that was introducing the eatery apps like Grubhub and DoorDash.” Some small businesses in Las Vegas—including EllaEm’s—have been able to adapt and survive the crisis. Others haven’t been as fortunate. Black-owned businesses have been hit especially hard, said Frank Hawkins, co-owner of the Nevada Wellness Center marijuana dispensary and a former president of the Las Vegas chapter of the NAACP. “When white America gets a cold, black America gets pneumonia,” Hawkins said. “A lot of our African American businesses are service businesses. Some businesses have been able to be resistant, but if you have a support business or a barbershop or beauty shop, they had to close.”

Pierre X said a couple of competing soul food restaurants “couldn’t withstand the storm” and were forced to close. “This year has been something else,” he said. David Washington, one of the founders of the Black Business Council of Nevada and a former Las Vegas fire chief, said it’s no secret that a significant number of minority-owned small businesses will not recover from the coronavirus downturn. “It’s heartbreaking,” Washington said. “We are working on some things, though, and one big thing is to help some of these black businesses in our

community get access to capital.” Protests advocating for social change have emerged in recent weeks in nearly all major U.S. cities. The national outcry could, some say, effect changes in police practices and a wider array of social justice issues. Brian Harris, president of the council, said the issue of access to capital for minorities is something that needs to change. It’s the reason the council formed almost three decades ago. “That’s the main problem in the black business community: We haven’t been able to get loans,” Harris said. “You can never have social justice without economic opportunities. If a group doesn’t have the same opportunities—not just for jobs, but for business opportunities—then you get what you’re getting now.” Harris said government programs such as the New Markets Tax Credit program, established in 2000 to help funnel investment dollars into lowincome areas, have largely failed to aid black smallbusiness owners. It’s part of an entrenched system of institutional racism in America, said Harris, who also owns a business called EMC Consulting. “When you have a good-old-boy system that is designed to keep our businesses away from opportunity, what can you expect?” Harris said. “The top 10% in America own a combined 80-90% of the wealth, so everybody else is fighting over crumbs. That’s a problem for everyone in the United States, not just black folks. We’re just at the bottom of the barrel.”

Brian Harris, president of the Black Business Council of Nevada (Steve Marcus/Staff)

6 .1 1 . 2 0

VegasInc Notes SR Construction was named general contractor for the design and construction of the Fertility Center of Las Vegas. The facility, which is a part of a 4.46-acre commercial development, will consist of the construction of a single-story space totaling 18,540 square feet. The center will include an ambulatory surgery center, laboratory and fertility clinic. Cox Communications earned the No. 17 spot on the 2020 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. This marks the 15th time the company has been recognized among the nation’s top corporations for its diversity practices, reinforcing Cox’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Cox was also specifically recognized as the No. 6 company for LGBTQ employees and ranked 11th for supplier diversity. Holland & Hart lawyers and practices in Nevada were recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, an annual guide

identifying top attorneys and law firms in the United States. Attorneys Gian Brown, corporate/commercial and J. Stephen Peek, litigation/general commercial, and four of Holland & Hart’s defined practice areas in Nevada—including corporate/ commercial, environment, litigation: general commercial and real estate—were ranked. Comprehensive Cancer Centers hired medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Liawaty Ho to see patients at its Las Vegas office. Ho has Ho expertise in treating breast cancer as well as colon cancer, lung cancer and lymphoma. She is dedicated to offering patients the latest in treatment and research. She is also a founding medical expert in hematology and medical oncology at HealthTap.com. Prior to joining Comprehensive, she served as a

medical oncologist and hematologist at OptumCare Cancer Care and Nevada Cancer Center/HealthCare Partners. Valley Bank of Nevada welcomed J. Phillip Young as its vice president/ commercial loan officer. He will analyze applicants’ financial status, review Young credit and property evaluations, and manage a portfolio of clients. Young’s career in banking includes senior executive leadership positions for Mutual of Omaha, Northern Trust, First Republic, Wells Fargo, Community Bank of Nevada and Bank of America. Tamar Hoapili, manager of community relations at Cox Las Vegas, was named to the board of directors for AfterSchool All-Stars Las Vegas. Hoapili The nonprofit provides free, comprehensive after-school programs to more than 6,000 at-risk students at 14 local schools. At Cox, Hoapili manages community, charitable

and education outreach initiatives and programs, including Connect2Compete, Cox Charities and Cox Volunteers. She is also a director for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation. The Las Vegas Philharmonic appointed Tiantian Lan as assistant principal viola. Lan won the prestigious chair through the orchestra’s recent blind Lan auditions. Lan assumes the role with the start of the 2020-21 season. He also holds the principal viola position with the Berkeley Symphony and Oakland Symphony as well as the assistant principal viola position with Reno Philharmonic and Boise Philharmonic. Guild Mortgage, an independent mortgage lender, hired Michael Querrey as vice president, strategic retail growth for its Mountain West Division. Querrey, who has close to 30 years of mortgage industry experience, will support the company’s retail growth initiatives and lead recruiting for branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico

vegas inc business

and Utah. He will be based in Las Vegas. MassMedia Marketing, Advertising and PR, a Las Vegasbased agency that provides integrated marketing services nationwide, announced the growth of its corporate and entertainment client rosters with the addition of markets in Southern California and Texas for Goettl Air Conditioning and Plumbing, and the signing of Sarah Jenkins, Blond About Town. Students from the College of Southern Nevada’s videography and film program received 15 Student Production Emmy Award nominations from the Pacific Southwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The program now has 88 nominations in the past six years. American Nevada Company received The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Award, presented by the Building Owners and Managers Association International, in the category of suburban low-rise building for an office building at 2285 Corporate Circle in Henderson. This is the second consecutive year American Nevada Company has earned a TOBY Award for property management.

Home of the 2 FOOT cheese steaks for all

Order online or through the CAPAddicts app for delivery or pickup.

DELIVERY & TAKEOUT ORDER ONLINE: PORTOFSUBS.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY F O R F R E E TO Las Vegas Magazine’s digital edition! You’ll receive a download link for your complimentary copy each week directly to your inbox, as well as e-mail updates on all of the latest in Las Vegas tourism and entertainment as the city reopens. + And soon you’ll get weekly discount offers from the Strip too!

S U B S C R I B E N O W LasVegasMagazine.com/subscribe Shortly after you sign up for your subscription, you will get the lost issue of Las Vegas Magazine, published right before the shutdown, and NEVER BEFORE SEEN! K E E P

U P

W I T H

T H E

ST R I P

I T,

A N D

L AS

V E G AS

MAG A Z I N E ,

#VegasAtHome @LasVegasMagazine CO M E

B AC K

THE LIGHTS ARE IN VEGAS. Curbside or inside, we're ready with your cannabis. OUR DOORS ARE OPEN! Here’s how it works: Store hours are 9 am – 12 am daily All guests are required to wear a mask or face covering. If you do not have one, one will be provided for you. Only 10 guests are allowed in the store at any given time. One person per transaction please! All guests must stand 6ft apart on the floor markers provided.

1736 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Your information will be taken at the door. You will be asked to remain in your vehicle until we text you to come inside. Curbside and delivery are also still available for you! To order, please visit www.curaleaf.com/nv/ Thank you for helping us keep you safe! We hope to see you soon!

Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older.

2320 Western Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102

We’re here to help you keep going.

Adjusting to a new way of working isn’t easy, but we’re here to help you keep business moving. With tools for working together, even when you’re apart, and dedicated 24/7 support, we’ll help make this new way of working work better for you. To learn more about our resources for making it work, visit coxbusiness.com/working or call (702) 939-1146. Not all services are available everywhere. Learn more at coxbusiness.com. © 2020 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.