A Lucky Find: Our Opening Night at Cantina Contramar Las Vegas
We were incredibly lucky to be staying at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the official opening night of Cantina Contramar, one of those unexpected travel moments that ends up becoming a highlight of the entire trip. The idea of dining at Cantina Contramar was completely unplanned and by chance: Matt overheard a check-in receptionist recommend the restaurant to another couple the night before. Prior to this, we knew nothing about the Chef Gabriela Cámara and her restaurant in Mexico City.
The next evening, we decided to stop by and see if we could get in, fully prepared with a backup plan in case it was too busy. Given it was opening night, we assumed the odds might not be in our favor. When we checked in with the hostess, she confirmed that it was the official opening and that only bar seating was available for walk-ins. She estimated a 45-minute wait, which was doable since we weren’t very hungry and were happy to walk around the casino in the meantime.
To our surprise, about 30 minutes later, we were notified that seats had opened at the bar. Being there on opening night added an extra level of excitement. The design is clean and minimal, allowing the food to really take center stage. At first glance, many of the dishes appear understated, as you’ll notice in photos, but that simplicity is intentional. The real magic lies in the quality of the ingredients and the flavors in each bite.
Since we weren’t especially hungry, we opted to share a few dishes after chatting through recommendations with our server. We landed on a selection that gave us a great variety: sopes, the ATÚN (tuna) tostada, ensalada de nopales (cactus salad), and tacos de gaoneras with wagyu beef. Every single dish was delicious, but a few stood out in a big way. The tuna tostada was incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced with the chipotle mayo, the wagyu beef tacos were tender and deeply satisfying, and we finished with a dessert similar to an apple pie that Gaby still thinks about. Even now, it’s hard not to smile remembering the food.
One detail that really deserves its own mention is the tortillas. Tortillas are such a fundamental part of Mexican cuisine, and while we both love them, there are times when we end up focusing more on the filling and leaving the tortilla behind. That was absolutely not the case here. At Cantina Contramar, the tortillas are a must; soft, light, and clearly made fresh. There’s even an open tortilla station where you can watch them being prepared, which adds a beautiful, authentic touch. Skipping them would honestly mean missing out on one of the highlights of the dish.
Beyond the food, the service was equally impressive. Every member of the staff was warm, attentive, and welcoming. What stood out most was their teamwork, if a glass of water was running low or a plate needed clearing, someone would step in right away without us ever having to ask. It created a very smooth, relaxed dining experience. And speaking of plates, there was a small but memorable detail: every plate we were served, even the smaller side plates, was warm to the touch. We’re not sure if they had just come out of a warmer, but it added an extra layer of care that didn’t go unnoticed.
As we were getting ready to leave, we had a brief interaction with Chef Gabriela Cámara. We thanked her for the amazing food, and she was warm, gracious, and genuinely appreciative, giving us a sincere minute of her time despite the busyness of opening night. It was a simple moment, but one that made the entire evening feel even more personal.
We walked back to our room feeling utterly satisfied and a little special, knowing we had just experienced something rare and memorable.