Published on: February 11, 2026, 04:14h.
Updated on: February 12, 2026, 03:53h.
- Contramar by Gabriela Cámara set to debut in Las Vegas this March
- Four Las Vegas dining establishments awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide five-star rating
- Bollillos El Cesar temporarily shut down due to health issues
Renowned Chef Gabriela Cámara, the visionary behind the celebrated Contramar restaurant in Mexico City, has revealed the opening date for one of the most awaited restaurant launches on the Las Vegas Strip. Cantina Contramar will officially open at the Fontainebleau on Saturday, March 28.
This new culinary hotspot marks the entry of Cámara’s 27-year-old Contramar brand into the U.S., featuring an open layout that captures the vibrant, communal atmosphere of her flagship restaurant. Dishes will encompass ceviches, aguachiles, seasonal tostadas, and unique whole-fish specialties.
“As devoted fans of Contramar, a legendary establishment in Mexico City, we are thrilled to welcome its next chapter here,” stated Brett Mufson, President and Partner of Fontainebleau Development.
Located on Level 2 close to the Promenade Food Hall, this restaurant was first announced in September 2023, mere months before the Fontainebleau’s grand opening, ensuring that the space was vacant. The delay in opening resulted from the intricate design work by architect Frida Escobedo, known for her role in developing the Modern and Contemporary Art Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (This is her initial restaurant project in the U.S.)
Cantina Contramar represents Cámara’s first U.S. venture since her San Francisco establishment, Cala, closed its doors due to the pandemic in 2020.
Award Accolades Continue
This year, four of the 82 restaurants to receive the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Rating are located in Las Vegas. Those restaurants are:
2026 Forbes Five-Star Restaurants (Las Vegas)
| Restaurant | Resort | Cuisine | 2026 Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joël Robuchon | MGM Grand | Modern French; Signature dish: Le Caviar Impérial | Celebrating an impressive 20th consecutive year with a Five-Star rating. |
| Restaurant Guy Savoy | Caesars Palace | Classic French; Signature dish: Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup | Achieves its 14th consecutive year while commemorating its 20th anniversary in May 2026. |
| Le Cirque | Bellagio | Contemporary French; Signature dish: Potato-Crusted Sea Bass | Celebrates a significant decade milestone with its 10th consecutive Five-Star award. |
| Wing Lei | Wynn Las Vegas | Cantonese/Szechuan; Signature dish: Imperial Peking Duck | Stands as the only Five-Star Chinese restaurant in North America for 2026. |
To explore all the 2026 Star Award recipients, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
Additionally, Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District was the only Las Vegas establishment honored in USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year survey. This annual compilation features restaurants that demonstrate innovation, cultural significance, artisanal craftsmanship, and local impact, totaling 39 spots this year.
“Visiting Esther’s is more than just a meal,” said owner/chef James Trees to USA Today. “It’s time spent with friends. Our aim is to ensure a memorable experience for each guest.”
Besides Esther’s Kitchen, Trees is also the chef/partner at High Steaks Vegas at the Rio, as well as the chef/owner of Ada’s Food + Wine and Bar Boheme (both downtown), and Al Solito Posto (in Summerlin).
Dining Updates
Fiorella Pasta Bar, located in Durango Station’s Eat Your Heart Out food hall, will close its doors on March 27, 2026. The closure is part of a broader strategy to evaluate food and beverage options at the property, according to a statement from Station Casinos. (This essentially means the venue was underperforming.)
Fiorella was launched by the James Beard Award-winning chef Marc Vetri in December 2023. Best known for his acclaimed Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia, Vetri continues to run Osteria Fiorella, which opened at Red Rock Station in 2020; however, his outpost of Vetri Cucina at the Palms only operated from March 2020 to fall 2025.
Health Matters
Bollillos El Cesar, located at 3850 E. Desert Inn Road, was temporarily shut down on February 5 by the Southern Nevada Health District due to accumulating 10 demerits. The violations included:
- Non-compliance with time as a public health control (5 demerits)
- Receiving commercially manufactured food from unapproved sources or lacking necessary labels; failure to destroy parasites; inadequate temperature controls for safety; and receiving food at incorrect temperatures (5).