#FOOD: INK ENTERTAINMENT’S SOFIA TO APPEAR AS POP-UP IN LAS VEGAS

Award-winning North American hospitality group INK Entertainment returns to Las Vegas with a limited-time pop-up of its celebrated Italian concept, Sofia. Running from November 11–22, 2025 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the activation marks INK’s return to the city since partnering with Cirque du Soleil in the 2010’s for Revolution Bar on the Las Vegas Strip. This special engagement offers guests a rare opportunity to experience Sofia’s signature blend of refined Italian dining, glamorous design and cultural artistry, perfectly timed to coincide with two of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas’ marquee weekends: the KISS Kruise: Land- Locked in Las Vegas fan weekend and the Big Race weekend.

Sofia has already earned acclaim at its Toronto flagship in Yorkville and at its Miami outpost in the Design District, both beloved for their modern Italian cuisine, world-class service and art-driven environments. For Las Vegas, the space at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will feature a curated art program in collaboration with Taglialatella Galleries, with highlights including works by internationally recognized artist Russell Young.

The culinary program will be helmed by Corporate Executive Chef Patrick Ochs and Sofia Miami Executive Chef Abel Vuelens, presenting a menu of Sofia’s most celebrated dishes alongside limited-edition plates crafted exclusively for the Las Vegas run. Complementing the food will be a regionally inspired cocktail program designed by Nishan Chandra, featuring flavor-driven ingredients and precise execution, along with a curated selection of rare Italian wines and vintage labels.

“Las Vegas has always represented the pinnacle of dining and entertainment, and bringing Sofia here is an exciting milestone for us as founders of INK Entertainment,” said Charles Khabouth, CEO and Founder, and Danny Soberano, President and Co-Founder, INK Entertainment. “Our vision has always been to create experiences that seamlessly blend cuisine, design, and culture, and this pop-up allows us to showcase Sofia’s spirit on one of the world’s most dynamic stages.

From the food and cocktails to the art and atmosphere, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to deliver something truly unforgettable. We’re thrilled to share Sofia with Las Vegas and look forward to introducing the city to the kind of hospitality experiences that define our brand.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Sofia to Las Vegas, and it’s an honor to work with a brand as stylish and contemporary as INK Entertainment,” said Cliff Atkinson, President of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. “This has been a transformative year for the property, and this partnership is an exciting development. The timing is incredible, both for KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Las Vegas and the Big Race. With the addition of this incredible partnership, this year will stand out as something truly special at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.”

Founded by visionary entrepreneurs Charles Khabouth and Danny Soberano, INK Entertainment is known for reimagining hospitality through a portfolio of celebrated dining, nightlife, music and lifestyle concepts across Canada and South Florida. Through its partnership with the world-renowned Virgin brand, the Sofia pop-up in Las Vegas marks a milestone in the group’s continued U.S. expansion.

Beyond Sofia, INK Entertainment continues to grow its U.S. presence with Miami concepts Amal and Level 6, and forthcoming openings in Las Olas and Boca Raton.

The Sofia pop-up will be located at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, just east of the Las Vegas strip at 4455 Paradise Rd, and will be open daily starting November 11 for dinner, from 5:00 – 11:00 PM excluding Nov. 17 and 18, during which the pop-up will be dark. Reservations will be open on October 13 via Seven Rooms: https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/vilvsofia

For more information and to make a reservation, please visit inkentertainment.com and follow
along on social media via Instagram at @INKEntertainment.

#TIFF18: INTRODUCING OUR OFFICIAL 2018 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PARTNERS

With TIFF ’18 being just a week away, we’re super-excited to present to you some of our official partners of the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival! We live for TIFF and are thrilled as a team to be accredited to the Festival and also bring you as always unparalleled intimate access to the stars and Films of the Festival!

We’re thrilled to give our Readers a chance to be just as stoked as us and we give you a chance to win our TIFF SURVIVAL PRIZE PACK, which is bigger and better than ever!

We’d like to thank the following parnters:

DUFFLET PASTRIES – Toronto’s reigning Queen of Cake® still is going strong with an uptown and down location. When there’s a celebration, it’s always been about Dufflet Pastries’ cakes and pastries for us. TIFF is no exception. There are two locations: 787 Queen Street West and 2638 Yonge Street. Did you know the Queen Street West location offers High Tea on Sundays? Learn more at http://dufflet.com.

ESTIA is just one of several TIFF hotspots owned by popular restauranteur, hotelier and night club owner Charles Khabouth. Known for its acclaimed Mediterranean cuisine, Estia situated at 90 Avenue Road, is a must-try this TIFF. More at http://estiatoronto.com.

WESLODGE owned also by Charles Khabouth, for years has been a hotspot for the stars during the Festival. Known for its classic cocktails and Canadian fare, this vintage tavern at 480 King Street West, has and will continue to host several stars TIFF ’18.  We hear the Fried Chicken is superb! More at http://weslodge.com.

STARBUCKS CANADA – TIFF is about the coming of fall and nothing says autumn comfort like Starbucks‘ signature PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE, now back in stores! We have fond memories of warming-up in many a cold line-up at TIFF with this fan favourite and can’t wait to get reacquainted this TIFF! More at http://starbucks.ca.

BLACKBERRY CANADA – We can’t wait to show you all the celebrity selfies and up-close star sightings at TIFF ’18. This year our official smartphone will be the super-sleek and functional Blackberry Key2. Learn all about this reborn icon at https://blackberrymobile.com/ca/product/blackberry-key2.

BRITBOX CANADA – We can’t wait for a bit of downtime post-TIFF and what better way to relax than to catch-up with some of our favourite British programming from BBC and iTV? Britbox Canada is brought to us by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and ITV, bringing home iconic favorites, exclusive premieres, and current series and soaps. Learn more about their latest programming options: https://www.britbox.com/ca/collection/premieres.

ACURA CANADA – Mobility is so important for us during TIFF and once again we’ll be partnering with Acura Canada and driving the 2018 Acura ILX. Acura Canada will be front and center at TIFF this year as a major sponsor and we’re thrilled to experience some of that starpower! Sleek, compact and stylish, we’ll be travelling in style in this beauty! More here: https://www.acura.ca/ilx.

KANDLE ARTISTIQUE – Purveyor of luxurious candles, you now can make your own candles at their gorgeous Yorkville location at 88 Avenue Road in Toronto. More here.

NIKON CANADA – We can’t wait to show you our photos, taken on none other than the state-of-the-art Nikon D850, shooting at 45.7 megapixels, with 4k and 8K video options! More here.

H&M CANADA – We love H&M and are thrilled to be donning H&M and H&M only at TIFF ’18. Can’t wait to show you some pieces from their Fall/Winter 2018 Collection. More at http://hm.com.

CHATIME CANADA – We’ll never get sick of Bubble Tea and to us there’s only Chatime! With various locations across Canada we can’t wait for too to discover the refreshment! Our fave midday beverage? Grapefruit Green Tea (half-sweet, less ice) is our perfect afternoon pick-me-up! Discover your new favourite. More here: http://chatime.com

CP24 – For the past 10 years, we’ve been a contributor at this popular news network and can’t wait to reunite this TIFF ’18 to deliver you the scoop and sightings, plus all the buzz on the hottest Films at TIFF! Don’t forget to tune in as we kick it all off tomorrow, Wednesday, September 5 in the 12 o’clock hour on Live at Noon with George Lagogianes!

Now for the fun stuff! We want to give Readers to win our TIFF ’18 Survival Pack which is bigger and more delicious than ever! Contents include:

One free six-month Britbox Canada membership

$25 Starbucks Canada Gift Card

A Dufflet Pastries Gift Card for one cake

A $200 Estia Gift Card

H&M Canada VIP Card

Two Chatime Canada Vouchers

One Kandle Artistique Candle

 

Stay tuned to our Social Media throughout TIFF ’18 as we give away

A $200 Weslodge Gift Card

Chatime Canada Drink Vouchers

Starbucks Canada Gift Cards

Britbox Canada Six-Month Memberships

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Click “share” on this Post or Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

 

Don’t forget to join us on our TIFF ’18 adventures and be following on Social Media for real-time updates! You won’t regret it!

Twitter: @mrwillw

Instagram: @mrwillwong

Facebook: http://facebook.com/mrwillwongblog

 

Don’t forget to be following Team Mr. Will also:

Dave Baldwin: @davemabaldwin

Amanda Gilmore: @gilmoreamanda

George Kozera: @partyg

Siobhan Rich: @typo_eh

Justin Waldman: @dubsreviews

Jonathan Godfrey: @skot_somers

 

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)