On September 16, Casa Playa will open at Encore Las Vegas, bringing a new coastal Mexican restaurant to the Strip. The concept features authentic dishes, innovative cocktails, and a lively lounge. Located adjacent to the Encore Beach Club, the bar and restaurant is the “ultimate destination for those seeking an all-encompassing dining experience boasting an upscale twist on authentic dishes and a buzzy aura in a chic setting,” says the brand.
Executive Chef Sarah Thompson (Elio, Cosme) will oversee the menu, while cocktails are crafted by Wynn resort mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini, and a curated mezcal and tequila collection has been put together by agave expert Noah Arenstein.
Designed by Wynn Resorts’ creative studio, Wynn Design and Development, Casa Playa hopes to transport guests to a Mexican escape with its rich textures, bright colors and lively patterns. From two dazzling fixtures of cascading marigolds in the main dining room, to the chic atmosphere of the front lounge, guests can enjoy an upscale feet-in-the-sand resort style dining experience. “We wanted the space to feel as if it’s illuminated by candlelight along a moonlit beach,” said Michael Wood, Creative Director of Wynn Design and Development.
Drawing inspiration from the hidden playitas found along the shores of Mexico that serve up fresh grilled seafood, Chef Thompson puts her own twist on authentic Mexican flavors with a menu of playful dishes as well as classics including a squash blossom quesadilla, baja fried fish tacos and queso fundido with house made chorizo. Guests can curate a multi-course experience by selecting an array of offerings, enjoy sumptuous shareable plates, or opt for a large-format feast. Menu highlights include:
- Crudo – Mexican Blue Shrimp Ceviche with young coconut, tomatillo, and cucumber; Yellowfin Tuna Tartare served with pasilla chile and avocado; and towering Seafood Platters piled high with Kusshi oysters, Hokkaido scallops, king crab legs, lobster tail, and shrimp cocktail.
- Appetizers – With options extending beyond exceptional seafood, diners can also expect elegant and bold flavors like the Black Truffle Tostada with Cabot clothbound cheddar and corn cream; Duck Confit Tamal with mole de la casa and ricotta; and Octopus served with coloradito mole and potato in escabeche.
- Mains – A selection of shareable mains includes dishes such as Whole Cauliflower Al Pastor featuring pineapple butter and cashew salsa macha; Branzino a la Talla topped with guajillo adobo, herbs and salsa cruda; and Yucatan Chicken Pibil made with orange annatto adobo and potato.
- Para La Mesa – Casa Playa also features options served family style with house-made tortillas and salsas including Whole Roasted Carnitas with crispy skin, smoked agave syrup, chipotle slaw, chile toreado, and charred cucumber salsa; and the Casa Playa Surf and Turf featuring wagyu carne asada, lobster and chorizo, short rib suadero, green chorizo, and serrano.
“My goal when crafting the menu for Casa Playa was to balance creativity with tradition to ensure that every item is a culinary adventure,” said Chef Thompson. “Casa Playa will offer a lively social atmosphere, so we wanted to complement that with food that is designed to be shared and enjoyed with great company and conversation.”
As service continues into the evening, guests will experience live entertainment from a roster of acclaimed DJs.
Mercer Boarini’s lineup of cocktails includes margaritas like the Temple of Doom made with Mal Bien Espadin Mezcal, grilled pineapple, chipotle, and lime; while the Forbidden Fruit is a frozen margarita featuring El Tesoro Blanco, mango, lime, chamoy caramel, and mango trinity salt. For something a little different, guests can opt for offerings like the City of Dawn comprised of Grey Goose Essence Watermelon Basil Vodka and cucumber mint agua fresca; as well as the Ojo De Tigre with Uncle Nearest Bourbon, Patrón Roca Añejo Tequila, salted peanut marzipan, and plantain.
Casa Playa also offers an “unmatched” mezcal and tequila selection. Curated by AGM and agave expert Noah Arenstein, the list features a rotating collection of the “best and most exclusive agave spirits from regions spanning Oaxaca in the south of Mexico to the borders of the United States in the north,” says a press release. The program features a number of sought-after barrel picks, some from rare batches of 200 bottles or less, allowing guests a wholly unique sip, curated flight, or fully paired tasting. Highlights of the selection include Neta Mezcal Tepextate, Cascahuin Extra Añejo Tequila, Fuenteseca 18 Yr. Tequila, and Vago Mezcal Tobala de Aquilino, which, with a limited 125 bottle batch, is only available at Casa Playa.
Casa Playa is the latest in a series of venues set to debut at Wynn Las Vegas throughout 2021 that look to redefine the resort’s guest experience.
For more information or to book at a table, head over to the restaurant’s official website.