La Gloria & Graeter's Ice Cream Now Open at Forum Food Court at Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace's newest dining destination, Forum Food Court, welcomes La Gloria from celebrated chef Johnny Hernandez and family-owned ice cream eatery, Graeter's Ice Cream.

Since opening in December 2014, the highly-acclaimed Forum Food Court has quickly become a fan-favorite with eight unique options such as New York's Di Fara Pizza to Earl of Sandwich in one location. Not only has it brought fresh, quality dining options to guests in a casual quick-service format, but has also brought numerous firsts to the Las Vegas Strip.

The first La Gloria location to open outside of San Antonio, Chef Johnny Hernandez brings his authentic interior Mexican cuisine to Caesars Palace. Hernandez brings a culinary style and artistic sensibility that has been curated through his travels and exploration of different cultures. The menu is abbreviated of the original San Antonio location, but still showcases fresh, delicious street food. Menu highlights include: Tacos Bistec made with a house blended marinade; Tacos Al Pastor with roasted pork and pineapple; and Ceviche Veracruzano; and Quesadilla Gringa with roasted pork and bacon.

In addition to inspired street food, La Gloria is also home to a Fruteria, offering beautiful and colorful fruit blends. From fruit cups to aguas frescas to smoothies of a variety of flavors, including the Verde, made with nopal, grapefruit, pineapple, celery, parsley and orange juice. La Gloria features the freshest infusion margaritas, with each infusion batch made in-house. Flavors include Los Pepinos with cucumber, Las Fresas with berries and Mexican Canela and Pina Mezcal.

La Gloria means "the heavens", with the wish is that guests experience heaven on earth with each dining experience. Remember, "no hace falta morir para llegar a la Gloria." ("You don't have to die to go to heaven.") Chef Hernandez's passion for food started at the early age of five, and grew to the successful career he has today. In addition to his acclaimed eateries, he has been recognized as one of the top influential Hispanic chefs in America and has appeared on Bravo's Top Chef as a guest judge.

A Cincinnati institution, Graeter's Ice Cream at Forum Food Court is the first location west of the Mississippi. Founded in 1870, the family owned-and-operated brand has gained a cult following, including notable celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Harry Connick Jr., thanks to their unique French Pot process which produces only 2½ gallons at a time.

Graeter's not only has a rich history but a long line of notable recognitions, including being recognized as "the best ice cream I ever tasted," by Oprah Winfrey and winner of "Best Sweet" at the 2014 Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

As an emerging trend amongst consumers, craft ice cream is often defined as small-batch, locally produced and handcrafted, traits that have defined Graeter's Ice Cream for over 145 years. Today, it is the only commercial ice cream manufacturer to use French Pot freezers, giving their ice cream and gelato its signature creaminess and rich chocolate chunks.

Graeter's ice cream and gelato is created with the highest quality ingredients with no artificial ingredients or flavors. The Forum Food Court location will feature signature flavors, including the famous black raspberry chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, caramel truffle gelato and lemon sorbet. Sundaes are also a menu staple, including the 1870 Tower made with a fresh chocolate bundt cake filled with hot fudge, a scoop of black raspberry chip ice cream, drizzled with hot fudge, topped with whipped cream, pecans and a cherry.

The Brooklyn icon, Di Fara Pizza, has expanded its legion of followers since its arrival to Las Vegas in December. While guests have been able to indulge in traditional New York-style slices, now available at the pizzeria is the meatier brother, the traditional square pizza. The new square pizza options are not only different in shape, but also in sauce and process. The square pizza sauce is slow cooked for six hours with Prosciutto di Parma and San Marzano tomatoes, the dough is proofed for 13 hours and topped with a unique blend of mozzarella cheese and fresh cut basil. Once prepared, the pizza is then baked in imported olive oil, resulting in a rich, thick, golden crust. Guests can purchase by the slice, or indulge in a whole 8-slice square pie. Toppings include cheese, pepperoni or meat lovers.

Located adjacent to the famed Forum Shops at Caesars, the 14,900-square-foot-space features contemporary and modern design, and is also home to Smashburger, Phillips Seafood, Earl of Sandwich, Tiger Wok & Ramen and Starbucks. Forum Food Court is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with select restaurants open late night.

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