SPOTLIGHT

The D, 702.388.2220

So Much to Enjoy

Odds are many of you have checked out Circa Resort & Casino by now, Derek Stevens’ latest project in Las Vegas. If you have, you know that he’s all about the complete experience, including great food. And it all started with Andiamo Steakhouse, Stevens’ world-class restaurant at his first property in Sin City, The D.

You really feel like you’ve stepped back in time once you walk through Andiamo’s doors. This is a classic steakhouse in every sense, from the servers who prepare Caesar salads tableside (a highlight we really recommend) to the classic cocktails on the menu.

Couples will want to consider the grande meatball (pictured), or the 32-ounce tomahawk, a massive ribeye that will turn every head. Whatever you decide on, we recommend the restaurant’s signature “Zip” sauce. There’s simply nothing else like it in town. There’s also lamb chops, veal osso buco and a Berkshire pork chop for meat lovers, as well as a vast pasta menu. Shrimp scampi here is a can’t-miss option. –Ken Miller

Play Time Superstar’s residency pulls out all the stops

Densely packed with hit songs and fan favorites, some of the biggest and silliest stage props ever seen in a Vegas show, and an eye-popping, kaleidoscopic array of colorful video content and production effects, Katy Perry’s Resorts World Las Vegas residency, Play, follows the journey of Katy Doll, who is purchased from a vending machine at the Perry Playground arcade and mistreated by a boy named Henry in a sort of twisted version of Toy Story.

A psychedelic animated video creates the narrative as Perry assumes the live-action role of Katy Doll, performing rollicking versions of “California Gurls” and “Waking Up in Vegas” after emerging from a 16-foot-tall orange toilet bowl, where the cartoon Henry thoughtlessly deposited the cartoon Katy. This is the second act, after Perry has already dueted with the equally gigantic and quite musical bed and chair on “Chained to the Rhythm,” showing shades of Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

Katy Doll makes her way from the bathroom to the backyard and into a trash can before being retrieved by a loving little girl and reunited with her friends from the arcade—you know, Left Shark and the Roaring Lion and all the rest. Perry shuffles through an infinite supply of brilliant costumes created by Zaldy, Heather Picchiottino and Johnny Wujek, and never seems to tire of cranking out the hits like “Hot N Cold,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Part of Me” and “Wide Awake.” She slowed briefly for a quick version of 2007 track “Lost,” eliciting more shrieks from fans clamoring for deep cuts.

The finale finds Perry going full Vegas glam in an incredible yellow and orange rhinestone dress and parading with her singers and dancers across a sprawling, sparkling staircase, belting out “Teenage Dream,” “Smile” and “Roar.” Then she returns by herself for the most powerful vocal performance of the show on Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All” and her own 2010 megahit “Firework.” It’s the best of Perry and Vegas, all in one colorful package. –Brock Radke

Resorts World Las Vegas, axs.com

Take Your Swing

Do you have a drive to succeed? But you’d rather that drive be with a golf club in your hand? Get to Topgolf Las Vegas, where you can play games in the multitiered driving range that go from beginner (like Angry Birds) to advanced. You can even virtually play some of the top courses in the world. If you want to improve your game, it’s possible to book lessons, too. With plenty of food and drink to accompany your games, it’s a guaranteed good time. –Nina King

4627 Koval Lane, 702.933.8458

Westgate Las Vegas, 702.732.5277

Making the Cut

For one of the best steaks in Vegas, head to Edge Steakhouse at Westgate Las Vegas. Start with a classic shrimp cocktail (you really don’t see those much in Vegas, so you’d better take advantage). Wedge salads and French onion soup are always popular—and with good reason.

Cuts include filet mignon, bone-in and dry-aged, ribeyes, dry-aged New York strip, and a wagyu strip loin that’s to die for. Half roast chicken, Skuna Bay salmon and Alaskan red king crab legs give you even more options for your entrée. Top those off with caramelized onions, seared scallops, or roasted bone marrow. And for a decadent side, the portobello mushroom stuffed with Boursin cheese, or mac and cheese, with three cheeses and black truffle, will really give your mouth something to celebrate.

And dessert? Try a trio of ice cream, cheesecake or Tahitian créme brûlée—or go big with a chocolate sphere with brownie, praline nut crunch, chocolate mousse and salted caramel sauce. –Nina King

Rides and Much More

It may be a bit chilly and windy outside, but inside Adventuredome, it’s always the right time to head out with the family and play carnival games, ride a roller coaster or watch the tykes ride the merry-go-round.

For the adrenaline junkies in the family, check out this trio of high-speed attractions: Canyon Blaster roller coaster, which has two loops and corkscrews and reaches speeds of 55 mph; El Loco, another coaster that drops you 90 feet with some serious G’s; and Sling Shot, which shoots you in the air and back down again. Elsewhere in this 5-acre playground, play arcade games, hop on a rock-climbing wall and bungee jump. There’s also an Extreme Ride Theater, featuring 4D movies. –Ken Miller

Circus Circus, 702.794.3939

Liquid Love Cirque du Soleil’s water-based production shines

Often described as surreal and ethereal, Cirque du Soleil’s landmark production “O” at Bellagio is more than the Montreal-based entertainment giant’s most successful show around the world. It’s one of the most technically advanced theatrical presentations anywhere, arguably equally iconic in Las Vegas to the wondrous dancing fountains that front the hotel and casino at the heart of the Strip.

The water is perhaps the most celebrated element of “O”, the 1.5-million-gallon pool that serves as the diffuse foundation of one of the Strip’s all-time greatest venues. No matter how many times one has visited this theater inspired by a 14th-century European opera house, the way that water is used so masterfully to convey the idea of infinity and other otherworldly themes continues to astound.

Once the curtain rises and the stage is revealed, the introductory scene makes dramatic and immediate use of the beautiful proscenium as red-coated characters fly across the space and a trapeze duo act sets the tone. An island arises in the middle of this magical body of water and an impressive hand-balancing act performs on seemingly stable ground, a physical connection that gradually builds the scale of the show.

When it seems things have taken a serious turn, it’s time to bring out the clowns, resting on the roof of their floating home. “O” is constantly, effortlessly, balancing between scenes of smile-inducing whimsy and emotional, high-tension moments. And there’s a full band along with live vocalists filling the theaters with music.

Of course, everyone has favorite acts and scenes from “O”: perhaps the joyous celebration when the acrobats emerge to play on the powerful Russian swing; or the near finale when a trapeze artist descends from above, balancing on her head; or the inside-joke, blink-and-you’llmiss-it moment when the show’s underwater scuba crew surfaces like a squadron of beached seals. There are times to laugh and cheer and times to sit quietly, stunned at the artistry and befuddled at the creativity behind this masterpiece. And then there is the desire to come back and see it all over again. –Brock Radke

Bellagio, 888.488.7111

Got What You Want

Have you got a crew who aren’t quite sure if they want burgers or pizza or steak? Haul them off to Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar at Red Rock Resort, where you can find all those items, but given a lift with quality ingredients and an extensive wine list for the vino aficionado. Some of the highlights here might include tuna pizza; a flaming crab dip with toasted garlic naan; lollipop chicken wings; and a charcuterie board. Wood-burning stoves provide a great ambience.

Go light with salads like the roasted beet, Caesar, and apple and quinoa. You can add chicken or shrimp if you need a little extra protein. The prime rib French dip features caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and horseradish cream, while the cheeseburger can be amplified with egg, bacon or avocado. The restaurant makes a mean Impossible burger, too, with vegan cheese and avocado spread. Hearthstone offers an array of entrées, from steak and chicken to salmon and pasta. As might be expected with wood-burning ovens, there are pizzas like pepperoni, meatball, short rib and truffle. –Nina King

Red Rock Resort, 702.797.7344

Sublime Stout

At the Guinness Store, one of Ireland’s most celebrated exports gets its proper due. The store, next to Irish bar and pub Rí Rá, features a huge range of themed merchandise, slippers, koozies, glassware (including custom-engraved pint glasses), T-shirts and hoodies and much more. And, best of all, beer! You can sip on a pint of the signature stout right there at the in-house bar, or purchase a six-pack of brews to enjoy at your leisure later, which, we’re sure, you definitely will. –Nina King

The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, 702.632.7773

Lookin’ Good

The Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck really is a cool attraction on the Las Vegas Strip—and one with some of the best views of said Strip. Hop aboard the elevator—with glass walls so you can watch as you climb higher and higher—that takes riders 46 stories into the air to the top of the half-scale replica of the real deal in France.

Once at the top, the open-air, wraparound observation deck provides optimal views of the Bellagio fountains show across the street and sights up and down the boulevard.

When you are back on the ground, make sure to stop by the property any time between sunset and midnight. Then, look and point your camera upward for the Eiffel Tower’s recurring nightly light show that dazzles and illuminates the attraction with choreographed lights dancing up and down the tower. –Kiko Miyasato

Paris Las Vegas, 888.727.4758

Immersive Art

London-based illustrator Vince Fraser can be considered a pioneer in perfecting a blend of sight and sound while illuminating where the immersive path can lead with Ase: Afro Frequencies, a stunning Afro-Surrealist exhibit that runs through April 18 at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Fraser collaborated with spoken-word artist Ursula Rucker to create Ase for a show in Miami that ran from May until December. Less than two weeks after it closed, it was installed at BGFA. Ase (ah-shay), a philosophical belief held by the Yoruba people of West Africa, is drawn on to invoke power and change. The word itself can be translated as “as it shall be done.”

Here, masks move and change size as participants learn to position themselves effectively in front of adjacent cameras. The result is in-the-moment intrigue that sparks interest in the meaning behind the masks. They scintillate with the observer’s movements, but not quite so astoundingly as in Afrotude, where depth cameras concoct a life-sized figure that mesmerizingly pulses and revolves to the beats in front of a kinetic floor-projection that serves as animated carpeting. –Matt Kelemen

Deep-Fried Heaven

How many times have you watched an episode of Hell’s Kitchen and heard Gordon Ramsay scream at the Red or Blue team: “This fish is (expletive) still swimming!” What always ends up happening is that the chef then returns with a perfectly cooked piece of fish, and all you can think is, “Man, I really want some fish right now!” Lucky for you, Ramsay offers that perfectly cooked cod at Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.

You can enjoy the classic British coupling with tartar sauce, but Ramsay also offers other dipping options, including curry and mango, sriracha aioli and Dijon mayonnaise. And there’s a secret combo: Just ask for the “G Spot” and get a combo of fish, chicken and shrimp. Fans of Ramsay’s famous sticky toffee pudding dessert can find great variations here. –Ken Miller

The Linq Promenade, 702.322.0529

Bellagio, 702.693.7871

A Sweet Time

Ever been curious to see how chocolate is made? Now you can, at one of the premier chocolatiers in the Las Vegas Valley. Ethel M Chocolate Factory offers not only a look at the process— chocolatiers are visible from a viewing aisle—but a 3-acre botanical cactus garden. In addition, you can take a 30- to 45-minute chocolate-tasting experience, complete with “Official Chocolatier” certificate at the end. (There’s also a wine-pairing option available). –Ken Miller

2 Cactus Garden Drive, 702.435.2608

PERFORMANCES TUESDAY-SUNDAY

SCAN TO PURCHASE

Entertaining Cuisine Caesars Palace restaurant celebrates hit show

Entertainment meets flavor at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, one of the most popular restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. Named for Ramsay’s hit reality series, the dining room will be instantly recognizable to fans with its now-iconic red and blue kitchens. And the cuisine fans see being served on the show is all here, from the pan-seared scallops and lobster risotto to filet mignon—although, unlike the show, all are cooked to perfection each and every time, of course.

Take a seat in the high-energy dining room and get ready for a real adventure. The signature cocktail list has a bit of everything, from the Meet Your Maker, made with Maker’s Mark, of course, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, mint, apple, strawberry and cinnamon, to the Peat’s Dragon, featuring Ardbeg Scotch, Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur, lemon and egg white. But fans of Ramsay will love the Notes From Gordon, a cocktail featuring Plymouth dry gin, green tea, lemongrass, peach and lemon. In addition to a delicious sip, you’ll get a note with the drink containing a bon mot Ramsay has said on his show. (“This crab is so undercooked, it just told me its name is Sebastian!”)

Most know about Ramsay’s beef Wellington, a juicy cut of meat surrounded by a pastry shell in a red wine demi-glace, but explore the rest of the menu and you’ll find other delights. Jidori chicken scallopini is pure decadence, served with roasted pee wee potatoes, artichokes and lacinato kale, while crispy skin salmon is perfectly complemented by warm white beans, sea bean salad, Iberico chorizo, all in a citrus beurre blanc.

It wouldn’t be a Gordon Ramsay experience without the sticky toffee pudding for dessert, but if you want a change of pace, there’s also salted peanut decadence, a caramelized peanut crisp and peanut butter crémeux, served with salted peanut ice cream. –Ken Miller

Caesars Palace, 702.731.7373

Star Power

The flavors of the world come together beautifully at International Smoke, a partnership of Michael Mina, who has opened several other successful restaurants on the Strip, and actress/author Ayesha Curry. Its focus is fire, and the menu is packed with personality.

Start with “Toyko” fried chicken, flavored with ginger-soy marinade, furikake and sriracha aioli. Continue with “Peking” pork belly bao buns, a revelation with cucumber, green onion, chicharron and barbecue hoisin sauce. Then head back to the States with Ayesha’s fresh-baked cornbread, kicked up a notch with Thai red curry butter. Or head south with ‘Sinaloan’-style Mary’s chicken, with achiote, salsa macha, sauce pastor, sweet potatoes and avocado.

Meat-lovers have plenty of choices, from St. Louis-cut pork ribs and smoked Korean-style Prime short rib to a 16-ounce Delmonico ribeye and an 8-ounce, center-cut filet mignon. Add sides like pork belly fried rice, truffle whipped potatoes and barbecue rib tip mac and cheese. –Ken Miller

MGM Grand, 702.891.3922

Real Magic?

You may be a bit intimidated by the prospect of going to a mentalist’s show, but trust us: the star of Banachek’s Mind Games Live is very approachable. Banachek’s a humble guy who fully admits at the beginning of his show that he’s not a psychic—just an entertainer who uses his five senses and, for lack of a better word, magic. But that doesn’t seem to make him any less impressive when he tells you the numbers that are on your hundred-dollar bill or driver’s license. Just sit back and enjoy the magic! –Ken Miller

The STRAT, 702.380.7777

Magnificent!

Do you want to see for miles and miles and miles and miles? You can at Grand Canyon West, and if you are on the Skywalk, it’ll seem like miles and miles to the canyon floor. The Skywalk at Eagle Peak is a specially constructed, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that juts over the chasm, allowing you to check out the canyon walls and rock formations as well as the native plants.

And although the Skywalk itself is magnificent, there are plenty of other places to explore while you are here. You’ll find Guano Point, leading to trails like Highpoint Hike. Here you’ll view the remains of a crumbling tram, which miners once used to get to and from a guano cave where fertilizer was mined. Want to get your heart racing? Try ziplining 3,200 feet up at speeds of up to 40 mph—you know, if that were a school zone, you’d get a ticket. –Nina King

grandcanyonwest.com or 888.868.9378

SCAN CODE FOR TICKETS