Chef Tal Ronnen Introduces Las Vegas to Elevated Plant-based Dining with Crossroads Kitchen

In March 2013, Chef Tal Ronnen partnered with the now-infamous Travis Barker to open the first Crossroads Kitchen at the corner of Melrose and Sweetzer in Los Angeles. There his team offered up mouthwatering Mediterranean meals in a refined environment making Crossroads unique and contrary to what people picture when they think of a vegan restaurant. In May 2022, Chef Ronnen introduced the glittery city of Las Vegas to that signature style and flavour.

“Our expansion within Resorts World Las Vegas points to the evolving mainstream appeal of plant-based cuisine. When Crossroads Kitchen first opened in 2013, it was a rarity, the first upscale, entirely plant-based restaurant with a full bar. Now, with our new locations, I’m excited to continue shaping the perception of plant-based dining with Resorts World and serve delicious, refined food that appeals to vegans and flexitarians alike.”

Chic & Sophisticated Setting

With upscale décor and lighting, the team created an elevated experience to continue their passion for plant-based dining with a full bar and inspired cocktail program. There are no obvious vegan cues, and most guests would be hard-pressed even to make the connection that the menu is plant-based. By providing a comfortable and sophisticated restaurant where the food is satisfying and delicious, and the service impeccable, Crossroads becomes defined not by what is missing but by what it truly is – a wonderfully delightful surprise adjacent to the vibrant casino floor and across from the casual Dawg House Sport Bar.

Making History on The Strip

At launch, Bart Mahoney, Vice President of Food & Beverage of Resorts World Las Vegas, stated: “As we expand our dining portfolio, we continue to seek unique concepts that can appeal to food lovers and culinary novices alike, and Crossroads does just that. We are thrilled to be working with Chef Tal and his talented team to offer an approachable yet refined take on plant-based cuisine to our guests and visitors.”

Celebrating Tastemakers

Chef Tal Ronnen, the author of the New York Times Bestseller The Conscious Cook, is also known nationwide as the chef who prepared the meals for Oprah Winfrey’s 21-day cleanse. He made his culinary mark at several high-profile events, having catered Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s wedding, Arianna Huffington’s party at the DNC, and a US Senate dinner.

A graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute, Ronnen also conducts master vegetarian workshops for students and staff at Le Cordon Bleu campuses nationwide.

Paul Zlatos is Crossroads Corporate Executive Chef who started his career as a prep cook and dishwasher in 1999 for a family-owned restaurant in Illinois. This experience inspired him to pursue cooking as a career and led him to the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in October 2001.

A move to Las Vegas brought him to the Wynn, where he honed his skills and began working at various restaurants, including Alex, Sirio Ristorante, Lakeside, and Tableau. It is also where he met Tal Ronnen and gained an introduction to Oprah Winfrey. Paul worked as her personal chef for two years and, since 2017, as the personal chef for Canadian hip-hop megastar and business mogul, Drake, who is a huge fan of Crossroads Kitchen.

Impeccable Interior Design

The beautifully designed full dining room seats up to 160 guests or an impressive 250 for cocktails and canapes. Those with smaller groups are invited to use and reserve the semi-exclusive curved dining room. The dining room stuns with signature red booths, luxurious chairs, dramatic lighting pieces, and a stunning wine column in the restaurant’s centre. Walls are adorned with original framed photography featuring the entertainment industry’s most notable and notorious, by renowned photographer Neil Zlozlower. His decades-long career includes work with legendary artists and icons Elton John, David Bowie, KISS, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, and U2.

The restaurant boasts a fully private dining room that can seat up to 36 guests or be divided into smaller spaces that seat a maximum of 16 guests. Perfect for a corporate weekend, intimate reception, or celebrating a big casino win with friends. The private dining room has warm modern lighting accents, reflective rose-tinted glass, and 65” TVs for those who like to mix presentations with pleasure!

For the full experience, guests are invited to The Crossroads Experience 7 Course Tasting Menu with Wine Pairing. Offered seasonally, the masterfully designed menu purports dish after dish of divine flavour and to take this experience to the next level, guests can meet and greet with the Chef as he shaves Summer Truffles, and receive a signed Crossroads Cookbook. At our visit, the offered menu began with a chilled Asparagus Soup (Trinchero Sauvignon Blanc 2000, CA), then a Spring Pea & Radish salad (Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner 2020, AU), Stuffed Zucchini Blossom with house-made herbed ricotta (Nascetta “La Regina” 2020, IT), and an unexpectedly delicious Chestnut Foie Gras with grilled sourdough (Flowers Pinot Noir 2019, CA). A gorgeous main of Sweet Pea Ravioli (Au Bon Climat 2020, CA), the freshness of which cannot be described, and an adventurous Eggplant Short Rib with whipped potatoes and foraged mushrooms (Hedges Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, WA).

In addition, we decided to go off-script and added the Impossible Cigars with spicy almond milk yogurt, a Cheese Plate with an exceptionally delicious Camembert-bleu, Fresh Green Pea Ravioli, a very rich and satisfying Rockefeller-style Baked Mushroom Scallops, and a fresh Berry Pannacotta to finish.

Chef Zlatos was gracious and shared his love of Canada and the years he spent in Toronto in his early career. Our server Drew’s recommendations and timing were impeccable, and he handled requests with aplomb.

Crossroads Kitchen is aptly named as it represents an intersection where inclusive dining is front and centre. Everyone can cross paths to share a delicious meal and a good time, as everyone should enjoy great food, not be divided by it!

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.

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