The Biggest Stories on Eater Vegas in 2019

As the year comes to an end, one tends to reminisce about the 365 or so days before. Eater Vegas is no exception, of course, except this website’s reminiscing is driven by the page views and clicks the past year’s content has received. What news captured reader attention the most across all of 2019? Keep reading to find out.

No. 10

Meet Henderson’s Newest Adult Brunch Option, Complete with Champagne Bongs

The Stove, the Henderson restaurant from chefs Antonio Nunez, formerly of Kitchen Table in Henderson, and Scott Commings, the season 12 winner of Hell’s Kitchen who has Freedom Beat at the Downtown Grand, introduced a new brunch that caters to the 21-plus crowd. The Mimosa Garden takes place every Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a menu of smaller bites on the compact menu.

Hello Kitty Cafe

No. 9

Hello Kitty Cafe To Debut on the Las Vegas Strip This Spring

The limited-time, pop-up, local appearances by the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck created a sensation among Sanrio fans following its first blink-and-miss-it visit to Fashion Show mall back in 2015. Even more fan-fueled mania was unleashed when the first year-round, restaurant Hello Kitty Cafe debuted in Orange County. Now comes word the Strip will host is own, permanent cafe, moving into The Park and located between the T-Mobile Arena and the Park MGM resort.

Enza Ramen/Facebook

No. 8

‘World’s Best Ramen House’ Debuts in Henderson

Either supremely confident, or savvy enough to sense the value of provocative advertising, a self-described “World’s Best Ramen House” opened on Stephanie Street in Henderson. Joining the growing influx of pan-Asian restaurants in the region, Enza Ramen has settled into its fixed hours and menu.

Zippy’s/Official Site

No. 7

The Countdown to a Zippy’s in Las Vegas Begins

Hawaii’s first home-born casual chain Zippy’s is bringing its 25th location to Las Vegas. The Hawaiian institution since October. 17, 1966, serves comfort foods in a local style with an emphasis on welcoming families.

Joe’s Stone Crab/Facebook

No. 6

10 of the Highest Grossing U.S. Restaurants Are in Las Vegas

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at the Forum Shops at Caesars landed the top spot among Las Vegas restaurants in Restaurant Business magazine’s newest list of top grossing independent restaurants in the country. The magazine estimates the restaurant made $22,264,200 in sales with a $77 average check and 260,000 covers in 2018, landing in the No. 18 spot on the list. The magazine called it “one of several high-volume eateries inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.”

Bill Milne

No. 5

McCarran Travelers Can Dine on Local Cuisine from Honey Salt

Local cuisine at the airport just got a big boost. Kim Canteenwalla, a co-founder of Blau + Associates restaurant group, took over the menus at American Express’ Centurion Lounge at McCarran International Airport. The chef behind Honey Salt serves a seasonally inspired menu with local and regionally sourced ingredients.

Google Maps

No. 4

California Institution The Hat Heads to Las Vegas

Serving “World Famous Pastrami” at a corner spot in Alhambra since 1951, Southern California’s The Hat is bringing its first out-of-state expansion to Spring Valley. Retro in style and original interior furnishings, The Hat serves its counter-service menu of burgers, dogs, and chili at 11 locations.

NAN728/Shutterstock

No. 3

The Rio and Circus Circus Sold in Two Blockbuster Deals

Caesars Entertainment sold the Rio for $516.3 million to a New York-based real estate group, Imperial Cos. Caesars plans to continue to run the resort for two years, paying $45 million in rent annually. The same day, MGM Resorts reached a handshake agreement with TI owner Phil Ruffin to buy the family-friendly Circus-Circus at the north end of the Strip, along with the Las Vegas Festival Grounds across from the Sahara Las Vegas on September 12.

Clint Jenkins

No. 2

The Palms Closes Its Nightclub and Pool Party Less Than Eight Months In

Kaos, the nightclub and dayclub that opened in March at the Palms, closed abruptly in November.

Krzysztof Stefaniak/Shutterstock

No. 1

A Replica of Central Perk from ‘Friends’ Lands in Las Vegas in October

A weekend celebration of the 25th anniversary of Friends comes to Las Vegas in October complete with a Lego replica of the Central Perk, the setting for so many episodes of the show. Las Vegas had a pivotal role in Season Five of the show. The gang met up in Las Vegas to see Joey on the set of his movie. Monica and Chandler decided to get married, but found Ross and Rachel beat them to the alter. Part of the experience coming to Las Vegas brings a 700-square-foot replica of Central Perk, the coffee shop from the show.

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