Chef Todd English Unleashes the Beast Pop-Up Food Experience on an Unsuspecting Las Vegas

Area15, the 200,000-square-foot entertainment venue with interactive artwork, revealed portions of its complex on the west side of I-15 last week, and part of that included food from chef Todd English, who makes his triumphant return to the city.

English partnered with the venue to open the Beast Pop-up Food Experience. The chef teases the full restaurant opening later this year with a pared-down menu of items. Visitors, who can enter for free while making a reservation in advance, can order food at Oddwood, as well as at Sanctuary, Gallerie 360 inside the Portal, and in A-Lot. All feature large-scale art installations, music, and more.

Some of the dishes include tuna tartare wonton tacos, chile-lime watermelon salad, chilled shrimp, loaded fries with short rib ragu, Buffalo wings, Korean chicken wings, eggplant Parmesan sliders, meatball sliders, and barbecue short rib. A roster of sliders spans crispy chicken, cheeseburger, and short rib burger.

Once English officially opens the Beast, expect “flame-forward” dishes.

English at one time had Olives at the Bellagio, now occupied by Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, as well as Todd English P.U.B. at the Shops at Crystals, now called just the Pub. English’s most enduring venture, Olives, debuted with the Bellagio in October 1998. The Bellagio announced the restaurant would close back in 2013 before a very surprising reprieve. The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant closed for good in January 2018. Todd English P.U.B. closed in December 2017. English was also once behind the menu for Beso, the Las Vegas restaurant and nightclub fronted by actress Eva Longoria that closed in 2011 a few steps away from his former pub. When Virgin Hotels opens, English revives Olives at the resort that’s renovating the former Hard Rock Hotel.

The Beast Pop-up Food Experience, Area15, 3215 S. Rancho Drive. Visit Area15 for free with a reservation in advance. Hours vary.

• Everything to Know About Area15, the Interactive Experience With Food and Drink [ELV]

• Every Restaurant and Bar That Opened in Las Vegas: 2020 Edition [ELV]