The new Casa Del Matador just opened at Downtown Summerlin with scratch-made seasonal cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails and an intimate ambiance.
The restaurant serves a new twist on classic Mexican with ingredients are prepared fresh daily. Guests can find a menu full of traditional favorites such street tacos, tortas and burritos with new picks like sautéed chipotle mushrooms, crispy fried calamari and the green chile burger.
Signature dishes include:
Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños — goat cheese stuffed grilled jalapeños wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon and served with ranch dressing.
Grande Nachos — a mound of house-made chips covered with cheddar, Monterey Jack, black beans, pico de gallo, Matador guacamole, cilantro-lime sour cream with a choice of shredded chicken, carne asada or house chorizo.
Chipotle Shrimp Salad — fire-roasted corn, avocado, red bell pepper, crispy tortilla strips and a mango-agave vinaigrette sit atop of bed of mixed greens.
Braised Carnitas — fork-tender carnitas, served with black beans, annatto rice, pico de gallo, Matador guacamole, cilantro-lime sour cream and flour or corn tortillas.
Grilled Carne Asada — rich and juicy steak is served with black beans, annatto rice, grilled peppers and street corn.
Street Tacos — choice of braised beef, carnitas, pork al pastor, house-made chorizo or shredded chicken garnished with house-made salsas, white onion, cilantro and cotija.
Co-founders Zak Melang and Nate Opper both have bartending backgrounds and bring a collection of 128 varieties of tequila and 23 mezcals ranging in price from $6 to $250 per shot.
The comprehensive menu is broken up for true enthusiasts with categories such as Fruit & Citrus, Pepper & Spice, Earthy & Floral, Honey & Caramel, Smoke & Oak and more. Tequila beginners can ask for recommendations from Casa Del Matador’s tequila experts, on hand to make recommendations based on likes, preferences and pairings.
Tequila flights also are available for guests looking to try multiple varieties in one sitting. Flights highlighting individual tequila families like Blanco, Reposado and Añejo are available, as well as the option to customize a one-of-kind tasting.
Signatures cocktails include:
Founder’s Margarita with Don Julia Reposado combined with Patron Citronge, lime, lemon and agave for a crisp and bold margarita.
The Tamarind Margarita that is subtly spiced and accented by a cinnamon sugar rim.
A Frozen Mango Margarita with house-made mango puree and frozen margarita paired Sauza Gold, Triple Sec, lime, lemon and agave.
Mezcal Paloma that marries the smokiness of Del Maguey Vida Mezcal with a citrusy grapefruit soda for an unexpected twist on the traditional.
The restaurant’s artistic interior design, created personally by the founders for each individual location, includes artisan décor, custom ironwork and sugar skull wallpaper adorn the walls. Authentic bull skulls, painted by local artist Susan Privman-Goldstein, and artists from Blue Buddha Tattoo punctuate the space, while hand-picked lighting from Mexico and Morocco hang overhead. Candles flicker around the room and a circular, 12-seat, floor-to-ceiling fireplace create an amber glow that beckons guests to stay and enjoy the intimate and welcoming ambiance.
The restaurant also serves brunch with dishes such as:
A Breakfast Torta with tender carnitas, a fried egg, pico de gallo, black beans, Matador guacamole, cotija cheese and cilantro garlic mayo layered between a crusty roll.
Huevos Rancheros with black beans, roasted poblanos, fried eggs, garlic crema, jack and cotija cheese, red and green enchilada sauce and cilantro piled high on crispy flour tortillas.
Mexican Sweet Bread French Toast, served with citrus butter, cinnamon and agave syrup.
The Matador Mimosa with Champagne, Grand Marnier and fresh juice of choice combined for a brunch classic.
The Bloody Maria that uses the house bloody Mary recipe with Sauza Gold tequila and lime with a chipotle salt rim for a South-of-the-Border spin.
Matador Coffee with rum and Triple Sec garnished with Kahlua whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.
Casa Del Matador’s daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. and again from10 p.m. to 1 a.m., offers $2 chips and salsa, a variety of $5 offerings including the romaine salad, black bean queso, Matador guacamole and nachos grande; and $6 items including habanero, ancho or poblano shrimp, spicy fried calamari, ancho-chile wings and grilled stuffed jalapeños. Street tacos are $1.50 each and frozen lime and mango margaritas are $5 and $6, respectively.
Every Tuesday from open until close, Casa Del Matador offers half-off tequila on any tequila $12 or more.
