6 minute read
spotlight Restaurants, bars, attractions
The One and Only
Sahara Las Vegas restaurant stresses originality
If money is no object when it comes to dining, allow us to introduce you to one of the most unique, unforgettable dining experiences on the Las Vegas Strip. Bazaar Meat by José Andrés has been an award-winning restaurant since opening in 2014, and one meal there will be all you need to understand why. Andrés is and remains a towering figure in the culinary world, not only for his revolutionary dining concepts, but his humanitarian efforts as well. He’s a man who’s serious about life and food. You’ll feel his passion in every bite here.
The dining room itself is impressive, large enough to accommodate big groups, but with separate rooms if you so desire. Service is nothing short of impeccable. Be prepared to know your server very well by the end of the night. You’ll notice the small touches in everything here, starting with drinks. You can opt for a Salt Air margarita, featuring Milagro tequila, Combier and lime, all topped with … salt air. (Yep, you read that right!) Want a beer? You gotta try the Almanac Farm to Barrel Series, with products brewed with produce from local farms in Northern California and barrel-aged using a variety of woods. Think you’ve tried everything? A sour will make you realize you’re only scraping the surface.
The surprises you’ll encounter with the cuisine are worth the trip alone. We won’t spoil any of it for you, but if you order the Ferran Adria “Olives,” you’ll want your camera at the ready.
And when you hear the words “Kobe Airbread,” nothing can really prepare you for what will arrive. We can promise this: You’ll be fighting your tablemates for the last one. –Ken MIller
Sahara Las Vegas, 702.761.7610
Immersive Art
See a legendary artist’s work like never before
If there ever were a definition of artistic genius, it’s certainly that of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter who produced some of the most revered canvases in history. Those pieces provide the framework for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, one of the most unique art exhibits out there, and one of the most popular at the moment.
After exhibitions in several cities across the world, Las Vegas’ Van Gogh exhibit opened inside Area15 just a few weeks ago, providing a 360-degree, digital “virtual museum” in which to experience the works of the artist. It’s been suggested that it’s one of the best activities for a date, and we’d have to agree with that, as it marries classical music with the beauty of Van Gogh’s creations like Starry Night, possibly his most famous work.
Different paintings are paired with different musical selections, which provide a means to change the mood of each presentation. And each period excites emotion, which is why we recommend it for date night!
When you first enter the large, rectangular room, you’ll notice a series of archways on each wall and no real structure. Choose any spot at all—the views are all excellent. If you are with your sweetie on that date night, go ahead and hold hands, order a beverage, and wait. You’ll be transported through 300 of the artist’s works, woven together by the music and quotes from the artist’s letters to his brothers.
It’s not completely stars, fields and sunflowers, though. The display moves through Van Gogh’s life, folding in the tragedy of Van Gogh’s last years, and the pain he went through. His mental illness is addressed and his residence in an insane asylum. Connecting to the website on your phone will let you explore a timeline of events and a plethora of information about his life and his art. –Nina King
3215 S. Rancho Drive, area15.com
Sights of the Southwest
Tour company offers endless options
If you want to see the sights, and you want someone else to do the driving (or the flying), then a guided tour is what you want. Gray Line offer a range of tours throughout the Southwest that depart right from Vegas.
Possibly the most famous attraction in the Southwest is the Grand Canyon, and it is worth taking a day to experience. From Las Vegas, choose from comfortable tours to either the West Rim or the South Rim. Luxury bus tours are pretty much all-day affairs, and you’ll get to experience some of the most iconic, breathtaking views from both locales. For both, you’ll get hotel pick-up and drop-off.
The West Rim tour takes you to the Skywalk, a glass bridge that actually hangs out over the canyon. It really tests your mettle. You’ll also see Guano Point, Eagle Point and Hualapai Ranch. Another option for the West Rim adds in a helicopter flight and pontoon boat ride as well.
The South Rim tour takes you into the national monument, with stops at the famous lodge, the visitor’s center and other cool sights. You can also do this with a luxury limo van, and a recent option lets you explore the canyon in a Hummer. One of the neatest things about Gray Line’s Grand Canyon tours are how many different experiences you can pack into one day, from the bus ride with rugged desert views to helicopter flights to let you see the sights from the air.
And if you don’t want to dedicate an entire day, book the four-and-a-half hour tour to Hoover Dam by luxury bus, and choose one with a helicopter flight for even more thrills and a bird’s-eye view of the famous structure and enormous Lake Mead.
Gray Line even offers tours to Laughlin and to the Valley of Fire if you’ve already seen the Grand Canyon. –Nina King
graylinelasvegas.com or 702.739.7777
Fun Flavors
Chef’s Korean heritage shines in Park MGM venue
Is there a more likable chef on the Las Vegas Strip than Roy Choi? From his ground-breaking food truck, Kogi, to his numerous restaurants throughout California and his numerous television shows, Choi is just everywhere at the moment, and has helped introduce numerous cuisine styles to the masses, but they all have one thing in common: they’re uncomplicated and just plain fun! And nowhere is this concept more apparent than at his Las Vegas restaurant, Best Friend at Park MGM.
Best Friend’s menu is a nod to Choi’s Korean heritage, and just in case you weren’t sure Choi is dedicated to making this experience as fun as possible, just take a look at some of his menu titles. Start with “Dranks,” which include a highball with Suntori Toki blended whiskey, fancy soda water and citrus, and the Salty Dog, featuring Ketel One Botanical Rose and Grapefruit vodka, grapefruit and pink peppercorn. (There’s also an extensive wine and beer list.)
Then move over to “Vegas Sh*t,” which includes (obviously) options found only on the Las Vegas Strip. Choose from a dry-aged tomahawk, served with gochujang maître d’hotel butter, or the grilled whole fish, served with jalapeño ponzu and garlic veggies.
There’s also a terrific barbecue menu, with kalbi (bone-in short rib), a vegetable combo featuring baby bok, carrots and long beans, spicy pork served with gochujang and sesame, and soy-marinated garlic chicken.
If you’re having a tough time deciding where to start here, you might want to opt for the Chef Menu ($55 per person), which includes banchan (pictured above), kogi tacos, slippery shrimp, kimchi fried rice, barbecue spicy pork belly or garlic chicken, barbecue bulgogi ribeye or kalbi, and either a date cake or lemon pie. This might be one of the best values in all of Vegas! –Ken Miller
