Chef Gabriela Cámara introduces a cantina-inspired menu with new dishes and beloved classics.
Heading to Las Vegas soon? There's a brand-new restaurant you need to try. Though you may want to snag a reservation ASAP, as odds are, you're not the only one interested in a table here.
On March 28, Cantina Contramar will officially welcome its first guests inside the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, bringing together the talents of three of Mexico's most influential creative voices: chef Gabriela Cámara, founder of Mexico City's iconic Contramar; architect Frida Escobedo, who recently designed a new wing at The Met; and Bertha González Nieves, co-founder and CEO of Casa Dragones and the first-ever Maestra Tequilera.
"I find Vegas exciting and inspiring because of its high-level hospitality, especially because of the way people in the service industry are actually able to make a good living," Cámara told Travel + Leisure about why she chose now as the perfect moment to open her first restaurant in Sin City. "I love the idea of having an extraordinary team that is passionate about service, food, and hospitality. As for Fontainebleau specifically, they were very receptive to our ideas and our needs from day one. For example, I wanted Frida Escobedo to design the space, and they agreed to it, of course. We're all excited to have Frida be the architect of this project."
You may have also noticed that the team behind Cantina Contramar is entirely women, which wasn't incidental to Cámara. "I've always loved a team of women," she said, "and more so if they are women whom I admire and love as much as Frida and Bertha. They represent their fields at their best."
As for what you can get, the Cantina will mirror much of what people have long loved about Contramar, Cámara's iconic restaurant that has anchored Mexico City's dining scene since 1998.
"There are definitely familiar flavors and elements, like the conviviality, the relaxed atmosphere, and the warm service we are known for," Cámara said. Guests will find classics like the Pescado a la Talla—the restaurant's legendary whole grilled fish with red adobo and parsley rub—and the beloved Tuna Tostadas. But the new Las Vegas restaurant also leans into its cantina spirit, with dishes like chamorro (braised pork shank) and a table-side Caesar salad.
New dishes crafted exclusively for Las Vegas include an Aguachile Negro de Res, a Wagyu twist on the traditional seafood preparation with salsa negra; and Sopes Playeros, fried masa rounds topped with refried black beans and queso fresco. There are also a few splurge-worthy dishes like the Sope Elegante, which comes topped with crème fraîche and Imperial Caviar.
And, naturally, you'll need to pair it with something, which is where Nieves comes in. Nieves and Cámara collaborated to build a drinks program anchored by dozens of tequila selections and 15 mezcals, plus a wine list spanning the U.S., Europe, Mexico, and South America. Casa Dragones cocktails, pairings, and a flight of the brand's signature expressions are all on offer, though Cámara's personal pick for first-timers is the Casa Dragones Margarita.
"It has always been an honor to serve Casa Dragones tequilas in all of my restaurants since the company started," Cámara said. "I'm really proud to have them on board, and to allow our diners to experience a very contemporary, very refined aspect of Mexican culture."
Margaritas and Carajillos are even served tableside via a roving beverage cart, which will inevitably lead to you wanting another round. But that's OK, because the only problem you may have is ever wanting to get up and leave Cantina Contramar, as it's a place custom-built for lingering.
"I want [guests] to feel welcome, to feel at home, and to know that they can always come back," Cámara said, regardless of whether guests are in town for a convention or are Vegas regulars. "I hope Cantina Contramar offers that sense of community to whoever walks in."
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