8 East at Circa to Open October 28

LAS VEGAS – Chef Dan Coughlin will open his highly anticipated pan-Asian eatery 8 East at Circa Resort & Casino two months ahead of schedule on October 28. Inspired by metropolitan Asian food markets, the dining destination will span Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Thai dishes in a hip, high-energy atmosphere punctuated by great music and rare spirits.

“We’ve been working on 8 East’s menu and concept for the past two years, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally introduce it to everyone,” said Coughlin. “When you come to 8 East, you’ll taste a collection of ideas and ingredients I gathered in my travels through Asia that I’ve been testing non-stop over the past several months. 8 East is going to be all about friends, family and fun and we can’t wait to welcome everyone next month.”

A key player in sparking the Downtown food movement with hotspot Le Thai, Coughlin will introduce new fusion dishes and techniques at 8 East that he’s been keeping in “the vault” – previously tested both at his Thai restaurant and at home for family and friends. His menu will be full of shareable dishes that radiate originality and personality such as Coughlin’s Salt & Szechuan Pepper Chicken Wings, Cumin Lamb Lollipops, Brisket Fried Rice and slow-roasted Crispy Pork Belly Bacon. Each will be served with signature Chinese, Szechuan, Chengdu and Thai sauces, amongst others, offering unique flavor combinations for guests to explore.

Boasting an urban contemporary vibe, 8 East’s design will be reminiscent of a modern metropolis, accented with organic and natural design elements. At its entrance, visitors will want to snap a photo of a whimsical wall art installation filled with traditional Maneki-neko waving cats, symbolizing good luck in the Japanese culture.

A Glimpse into 8 East’s Menu:

• Sharable Small Plates – 8 East will primarily focus on sharable plates with offerings such as the indulgent Crispy Pork Belly Bacon, slow cooked 10 hours before it’s lightly fried and served with a side of tamarind sauce. After a successful test run at Le Thai, 8 East’s Beef Skewers and Chicken Skewers with green sauce will quickly become a guest favorite. The Tokyo Crepe will feature sauteed wild enoki, oyster and shitake mushrooms, fried tofu, cilantro chimichurri, kewpie mayo and soy glaze; while the Pork Belly Bao will include a rich, smoked porchetta paired with pickled cabbage slaw, fresh cucumber, topped with a sweet and sour marmalade.
• Family Style Dishes – Continuing the theme of social dining, 8 East’s family style dishes will include an array of heartier options for groups. This will include a Five Spice Ribeye seasoned with star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns and fennel seeds served with butterfall sauce; Brisket Fried Rice and Whole Lobster Fried Rice, both cooked with fresh ginger, garlic, fish sauce, crab paste, green onions and white pepper.
• Diverse Entrées – Taking a page from Chinese Szechuan cuisine, 8 East’s authentic Dan Dan Noodles will be cooked with ground pork and tossed with Szechuan sesame sauce. The signature 8 East Ramen will combine Osso-Bucco wild mushrooms, a soft-boiled egg, shredded bok choy, Nori and a spicy kimchee mirepoix, topped with a slow-cooked broth.
• Desserts – To round out the meal, 8 East will serve a selection of desserts ranging from classic creations to creative twists, including Thai Coffee Crème Brûlée, a refreshing Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream and an Asian Tiramisu.
• Libations – 8 East’s beverage selections will feature rare Japanese whiskies and sakes, as well as specialty cocktails. This includes staples such as the Singapore Sling and an Old Fashioned, and a curated wine list featuring natural, biodynamic selections. The drink menu also will highlight a Japanese Whisky tasting flight, offering some of the most impressive Japanese whiskies on the market.

The 1.25-million-square-foot Circa will include a stunning collection of rooms & suites, the world’s largest sportsbook, five original restaurant concepts, six unique beverage spots, Stadium Swim pool amphitheater operating 365 days a year, a high-tech parking garage dubbed “Garage Mahal, two-story casino and more.