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Ahead of tonight’s inaugural Michelin Guide Southwest Ceremony, covering restaurants in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, and afterparty at Poodle Bar both at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip:

Casa Playa Coastal Mexican at nearby Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday evening played host to Cheryl Tiu’s Cross Cultures Collaboration Dinner with Casa Playa, Dakar in New Orleans and Kasama in Chicago working together.

I attended the collaboration dinner with Robert Kachelriess of City Cast Las Vegas (I read Rob’s daily 6 a.m. newsletters every morning), and we had a 6:30 p.m. reservation on Tuesday night. Casa Playa’s dining room was full the entire evening.

James Beard Foundation Award-winning Chefs Serigne Mbaye of Dakar, Genie Kwon and Timothy Ryanchi, aka Timothy Flores, of Kasama and Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa created the splendid and inventive four-course Senegal, Philippines and Mexican dinner with impeccable service, presentation and ambiance.

The dinner was served in four courses: Snacks, To Share, To Share and Postre.

Snacks

Cassava Tart (Dakar): Tuna, crème fraiche + caviar

Summer Blue Oyster (Dakar): Shito + blueberry granita

Lumpia (Kasama): Radish, herbs + sweet chile

Shrimp Toast (Kasama): Aioli + tamarind

Uni Infladita (Casa Playa): Tomato + bone marrow

Mussel Sopecito (Casa Playa): Chorizo + lovage

To Share

Dibi (Dakar): Grilled prawns with mushroom

Chicken Adobo (Kasama): Trumpet mushrooms + palapa

Dungeness Crab (Casa Playa): Chile XO + charred serrano (the main photo)

To Share

Sweet Potato (Dakar): Yassa sauce

Short Rib Kare-Kare (Kasama): Peanut + mint

Red Snapper Tikin Xic (Casa Playa): Pickled onion + habanero served with tortillas

Postre

Truffle Croissant (Kasama): Delice de Bourgogne cheese + honey

Magonada Raspado (Casa Playa): Mango sherbet, tamarindo + plum chamoy

No dessert from Dakar? (Not that it was needed!)

Beverage Pairing

First Course: Kindred Spirits

Dos Hombres Blanco Tequila, Empirical Cilantro Liqueur, Caramelized Pineapple, Ancho Chile, Habanero-Infused Agave Nectar, Lime Juice, Smoked Herb Chile Salt + Espadin Parfum

Second Course: Bodegas Granbazan, Albarino “Limousin,” Rias Baixas, Spain 2022

Third Course: Giacomo Borgogno “No Name” Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy 2020

Postre: Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvee, Burgenaland, Austria 2021

There wasn’t a false step from the four celebrated James Beard winners, the well-dressed sommelier and server Carlos, but highlights and standouts included the Dungeness Crab, Short Rib Kare-Kare, Dibi, Truffle Croissant, Giacomo Borgogno “No Name” Langhe Nebbiolo, Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvee and more. Bravo!

And it was wonderful to chat with Melinda Sheckells + Rob Moore, Jolene Mannina, Emmy Kasten and her daughter Alix Kasten and Taylor Shields, who is in town from Denver and a friend I haven’t seen in years, as well as see Ashley Farkas, Andrea Bennett, David Morris and more. Bon appetit!