Published on: February 11, 2026, at 04:14h.
Updated on: February 11, 2026, at 04:30h.
Renowned chef Gabriela Cámara, the visionary behind the celebrated Mexico City restaurant Contramar, revealed the opening date for one of the most eagerly awaited restaurants on the Strip. Cantina Contramar is set to launch at the Fontainebleau on Saturday, March 28.
This exciting venue will bring Cámara’s esteemed 27-year culinary legacy from Contramar to the U.S., featuring an open design that captures the light and communal spirit of her flagship restaurant. Diners can look forward to dishes like ceviches, aguachiles, seasonal tostadas, and elaborate whole-fish specialties.
“As devoted fans of Contramar, a fixture in Mexico City, we are honored to be the next chapter in its story,” stated Brett Mufson, President and Partner of Fontainebleau Development.
Positioned on Level 2 near the Promenade Food Hall, the restaurant was first announced in September 2023, prior to the Fontainebleau’s opening. The project faced delays mainly due to the intricate design work by architect Frida Escobedo, known for her contributions to the new Modern and Contemporary Art Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City—this will be her inaugural restaurant in the U.S.
Cantina Contramar marks Cámara’s return to the U.S. dining scene following the closure of her San Francisco establishment, Cala, during the pandemic in 2020.
Award Recognition Continues
This year, four of the 82 restaurants awarded the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards are located in Las Vegas. These remarkable establishments include:
2026 Forbes Five-Star Restaurants (Las Vegas)
| Restaurant | Resort | Cuisine Type | 2026 Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joël Robuchon | MGM Grand | Modern French; Notable dish: Le Caviar Impérial | Marks an impressive 20th consecutive year receiving a Five-Star rating. |
| Restaurant Guy Savoy | Caesars Palace | Classic French; Notable dish: Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup | Celebrates its 14th consecutive year while commemorating its 20th anniversary in May 2026. |
| Le Cirque | Bellagio | Contemporary French; Notable dish: Potato-Crusted Sea Bass | Achieves a major milestone with its 10th consecutive Five-Star award. |
| Wing Lei | Wynn Las Vegas | Cantonese/Szechuan; Notable dish: Imperial Peking Duck | Remains the only Five-Star Chinese restaurant in North America for 2026. |
For the complete list of the 2026 Star Award recipients, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
In additional award news, Esther’s Kitchen, situated in the vibrant Arts District, has been recognized as the sole Las Vegas restaurant featured on USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year list. This annual selection by the publication’s culinary experts showcases eateries that exemplify innovation, cultural significance, skill, and regional impact. This year’s list comprised 39 standout restaurants.
“Dining at Esther’s is a personal experience,” stated owner and chef James Trees to USA Today. “We aim to foster friendships and ensure every visit is memorable.”
In addition to Esther’s Kitchen, Trees also serves as chef/partner at High Steaks Vegas at the Rio, along with being the chef/owner of Ada’s Food + Wine and Bar Boheme (both in the downtown area) as well as Al Solito Posto (located in Summerlin).
Health Compliance Update
Bollillos El Cesar located at 3850 E. Desert Inn Road was temporarily shut down by the Southern Nevada Health District on February 5, following the issuance of 10 demerits. The cited violations included:
- Non-compliance with time as a public health control (5 demerits)
- Failure to source commercially manufactured food from approved suppliers, lack of appropriate labels, issues with parasite destruction, improper time-temperature controls for safety, and receiving food at incorrect temperatures (5 demerits)