Restaurant tastings part of annual Carnival of Cuisine

The third annual Carnival of Cuisine is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 7 in the ballroom at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The event, which showcases restaurants from The Venetian and the Palazzo, will include cooking demonstrations, tastings from more than 20 restaurants and live entertainment. Tickets are $50, or $75 for VIP, which includes noon admission and a gift. Tickets can be purchased at any Venetian or Palazzo box office, at 414-7469 or at www.Venetian.com or www.Palazzo.com. The event is open to those 21 and older. ...

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina at Crystals at CityCenter, 3720 Las Vegas Blvd. South, has introduced "Meatless Mondays" as part of an international campaign for more healthful eating. Every Monday the restaurant features meatless entrees and appetizers such as vegetable pizzas, risottos and eggplant Parmesan. ...

BOA Steakhouse and Sushi Roku at the Forum Shops at Caesars, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South, are offering a $45 three-course, prix-fixe menu through Labor Day weekend. Entree choices include Prime filet mignon medallions and pan-seared Atlantic salmon. ...

El Segundo Sol at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is hosting a monthly "Cinco" festival on the 5th of every month, starting Thursday. Loco Hour specials will be in effect all day. ...

Beginning Sunday, the Verandah at the Four Seasons, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, will offer Italian wine flights of 2-ounce pours of three wines, priced at $14 and available at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each month, a different region of Italy will be featured. ...

Aid for AIDS of Nevada will host its second Pig Out event from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 6 at Chill, A Yogurt Bar, 3555 S. Town Center Drive. Current and new members of AFAN'S "Every Piggy Counts" program, in which participants "adopt" piggy banks and fatten them up with coins, will get 20 percent off their entire bills. ...

Smashburger has opened a third valley location, at 5655 Centennial Center Blvd.

Send information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125. You also can send faxes to 383-4676 or e-mail her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com.