VEGAS DINING NEWS: Rivea of No Return, Where’s the Hands Down Best Vegas Burger?

Rivea at the W Las Vegas, will close on June 22, according to MGM Resorts.

Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse opened the Riviera-inspired French and Italian fusion restaurant on the 64th floor of what was originally the Delano Hotel in October 2015. Before that, the space housed Mix Restaurant.

The W, part of the Mandalay Bay complex, took over the Delano in December 2024 and is placing its own stamp on the property.

The first W Las Vegas operated from December 2016 through August 2018 at the ill-fated SLS Las Vegas at the former (and future) Sahara.

Rivea’s attached Skyfall Lounge will remain open, according to MGM.

Raising the Burger Bar

Bar Code Burgers in Las Vegas has “The Hands Down Best Burger” in all of Nevada, according to a new Chowhound.com article identifying the top patty in every state.

According to the author, the bar’s “2-Bite Guarantee” (which states that patrons who aren’t impressed within the first two chomps get a refund) isn’t much of a gamble on the establishment’s part.

Bar Code Burgers is a family-owned restaurant, bar, and gaming lounge that opened 10 years ago at 1590 E. Flamingo Road. The building had been a dive bar called the Elbow Room, which opened in 1968.

Dining Ins & Outs

Ace Dragon Wok will open at Treasure Island on September 1, according to What Now Vegas.

Alebrues, a Mexican eatery from chef Paco Cortez of El Dorado Cantina, has opened on the third floor of Neonopolis on Fremont Street, according to Vegas 411, in the indoor and outdoor space occupied by the ironically monikered Crash N Burn, a burger joint that only opened in August 2024.

Also from Vegas 411, chef Joel Ott’s Joel’s Chophouse has been cleaved out of the Ahern Boutique Hotel (the former Lucky Dragon).

Health to Pay

House of Soul LV at 63 N. 30th St. was temporarily closed by the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) following a routine inspection on May 21 with 31 demerits. Its violations included improper handwashing and glove use (5), no hot and cold running water from an approved source (5), improper wastewater and sewage disposal (5), food at improper temperatures (5), and equipment not properly approved, designed, maintained and operated (5).

According to the SNHD, the food truck Antojitos Los Guayabitos was temporarily closed following a routine inspection on May 23 with 49 demerits. Its violations included not operating within the parameters of the health permit (5), improper handwashing (5), no required labels or approved source for commercially manufactured food (5), improper wastewater and sewage disposal (5), and food at improper temperatures (5).