A First Look Inside Ricardo Zarate’s Once | Eater Vegas

"Ricardo Zarate’s first Las Vegas restaurant celebrates his Peruvian roots through design and symbolism in its Grand Canal Shoppes space. Every table features a different colorful, handmade tile—a detail borrowed from his Los Angeles restaurant Rosaline—and the dining room hides 11 bulls (including two large ones on a staircase by the bar) whose outward-facing horns are intended to ward off negative energy. The concept revolves around the number 11—reflecting Zarate’s place among 13 siblings—with an 11-item food menu and an 11-drink cocktail list; two tribal statues behind the bar represent fertility and romance, with the chef viewing the bar as the ideal spot for sparks to fly. The 160-seat dining room pairs floor-to-ceiling living plant walls with dim Edison lighting, while the patio offers five large communal tables surrounded by greenery for a rustic, communal feel." - Susan Stapleton