Ultimo — Weekend of Excellence
Dec. 5-7
It's three days of high-style Italian dining at The Venetian and Palazzo! Fine fare from an all-star lineup of famous chefs — Boulud, Lagasse, Valastro, Batali, Puck, Keller — highlight a series of extravagant meals. Friday night's Grand Banquet, for example: Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse and Buddy Valastro will oversee a lavish meal and interact with diners, as well. Other highlights include a fashion show, private baking class with Valastro and truffle farewell brunch. $75-$500, venetian.com/ultimo-event.html
Cabo Wabo Cantina + UFC
Dec. 6
While Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks and Robbie "Ruthless" Lawler slug it out in UFC 181, for $25 you can slug down Sammy Hagar's tequila (of course), beer and bar-food specials in the new upstairs Loft of his Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops. The place is declaring itself "ultimate fighting headquarters." Which further means that on Dec. 13 and 20, during airings of Fox's Fight Night, Cabo Wabo will have more bruising specials. Visit cabowabocantina for more.
Spago's throwback menu
Dec. 15-19
Twenty-two years ago this month, Wolfgang Puck opened Spago Las Vegas in the Forum Shops at Caesars. This move is widely recognized as beginning the fine-dining revolution here. Spago will mark the occasion with a menu that recalls 1992 — beloved old-school dishes and prices. Example: Yellowfin tuna "steak frites" with horseradish potatoes, spinach and an Armagnac peppercorn sauce. Can't you just taste the nostalgia?! For details and reservations, go to wolfgangpuck.com