15 minute read
SPOTLIGHT
Paris, 702.944.4224
C’est Bon
It’s been one of Las Vegas’ most popular dining destinations for years, and once you enter Mon Ami Gabi, it’s obvious why: This French-themed restaurant has some of the best views in town, not only of the people on the Strip outside, but also of the Bellagio fountains just across the street.
But it’s the food you’ll come away remembering most. From breakfast and brunch specialties to lunch and dinner delights like trout almondine, roast chicken, steak au poivre and cavatelli pasta with gulf shrimp, there’s something for every palate. And desserts are not to be missed here, especially the gala apple tarte tatin. –Ken Miller
Bellagio, 702.693.7068
Float Above the Rest
Enjoy luxury accommodations with beloved Cirque entertainment
Having been to Cirque du Soleil’s magnifi cent production “O” several times, I was thrilled to get the o er to enjoy the show’s La Grande Expérience, a VIP-level treatment. But at the same time, I wondered if it would actually heighten what I already consider to be one of the best Strip productions of all time. Trust me: It absolutely does.
La Grande Expérience begins before you even enter the “O” theater at Bellagio; you wait, along with other couples who have purchased the experience, in a comfortable room just o the main ticket line. About 40 minutes before showtime, a show representative escorts everyone to a VIP area, stocked with champagne, fresh fruit and charcuterie.
The next 30 minutes are a complete immersion into the world of “O,” including a short virtual tour behind the scenes and a visit from cast , who pose with you for commemorative photos and talk to you for a few minutes. Then it’s o to an elevator that takes you to a private box , all with ideal views of the theater and stage—you can see everything while enjoying more champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, all while an “O” usher attends to your every need.
After 24 years, “O” still stands as one of the shining jewels of Las Vegas entertainment— more than 17 million have enjoyed its endless pleasures, from the stunning soundtrack (performed live each and every time by a nine-piece orchestra) to the stage that transforms from solid ground to a deep pool of water.
The large ensemble cast includes world-class abilities of every type, from acrobats to divers to swimmers (there are even a few Olympians here), and the costumes help to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The gentle yet physical slapstick of many members is instantly endearing, giving the show a humorous spice to go along with the thrills, chills and deep emotions you’ll fi nd yourself giving into. –Ken Miller
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 702.693.5000
Fine, Fresh Flavors
Well, we’re happy to report that Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has primo dining options top to bottom. Right near the top is Todd English’s Olives, a version of his classic concept that was previously housed at Bellagio.
Everything on English’s menu begs to be sampled. The TE signature Greek salad almost doesn’t need a fork to be enjoyed; its various, ultra-fresh ingredients like whipped feta, pepperoncini gelée, olives, tomato and cucumber ribbons are served on a bed of iceberg and radicchio. Herb ricotta-stuffed ravioli are served alongside sweet sausage ragu and Parmesan cream. Get a bit of sauce on your fork, dab it on a piece of ravioli, and take your sweet time savoring all those flavors.
Larger entrées are no less impressive. Untouchable Veal Parmesan is served in a size that makes it almost resemble a pizza. The tender meat below is smothered with mozzarella, fried basil and “Nona’s ragu.” Classic chicken Milanese looks as good as it tastes, with this version served alongside arugula, Parmesan cream, tomato and lemon vinaigrette.
The banana tiramisu is as nice to eat as it is to look at, a banana cake topped with espresso whipped cream. –Ken Miller
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 702.693.5000
Speed Up
A roller coaster that dips, turns and flips on the inside, outside and around a Las Vegas Strip casino-hotel? Totally, dudes! For many, many years The Big Apple Coaster has been delighting thrill seekers—and those that want a thrill just for the day—as the roller coaster hits a top speed of 67 mph. For a couple of white-knuckled minutes, feel free to scream your head off as the coaster takes you through a 180-degree heartline twist and dives from the height of 203 feet! You can even take this plunge while saying your “I do’s.” Yes, you can get married on the Big Apple Coaster—because Vegas! –Kiko Miyasato
New York-New York, 702.740.6969
Unified Voices
Two of television’s top talent competitions have produced a dream team. Daniel Emmet, a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and Pia Toscano, a finalist on American Idol, will perform for the first time in a onenight-only premiere at Westgate Las Vegas.
Their concert, Simply the Best: A Night of Duets, is presented by Mondays Dark, and will be held at one of the most iconic showrooms in Vegas—the International Theater, host to such legendary acts as Elvis Presley and Barbra Streisand (and, more recently, Barry Manilow).
Emmet and Toscano have both shown impressive range throughout their respective careers, with Emmet’s strength being opera and Toscano’s being pop and rock. In other words, expect their show to include a bit of everything, from pop and classical to rock and Broadway. –Ken Miller
Westgate Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, starting at $49.95, ticketmaster.com
Mid-Morning Morsels
Italian favorite has brought back brunch
For fans of both Italian cuisine and brunch, the perfect storm on the Las Vegas Strip is Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano, which recently brought back its brunch menu.
Fans of the Northern Italian-themed restaurant are no doubt familiar with chef Angelo Auriana’s passion for authenticity, quality and deliciousness. His regular menu features a wide variety of favorites, from grilled Mediterranean sea bass to slow-roasted pork belly, not to mention made-to-order pasta. And now that passion extends to the mimosa crowd!
It’s certainly easy to get in a brunch frame of mind here, offered Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., by starting with something buzzworthy—literally. The Bloody Mary is a beast, featuring garlic-infused vodka with “Matteo’s Mix.” Add some poached shrimp and crudite and you’ve practically got a meal! If mimosas are more your thing, Matteo’s offers a range of flavors—orange, prickly pear, pineapple or blood orange.
Auriana’s touches are all over the brunch menu: The Benedict, in addition to two poached eggs, olive toast and Hollandaise, features mortadella; a white bean casserole is done up Tuscan-style, with roasted mushrooms, rosemary, garlic and chili flakes; and steak and eggs gets seriously elevated in Filetto E Uova, featuring pancetta-wrapped filet mignon, pan-fried eggs, roasted potatoes and arugula.
Other highlights include pappa al pomodoro, a San Marzano tomato soup with Crescenza cheese and a sunny-sideup egg, salmone marinato, cured salmon, crisp potatoes, capers, red onions, lemon and Stracchino cheese, and gamberi, sautéed shrimp with baked polenta, roasted potatoes, Dijon mustard and peperonata.
How about something sweeter? Wait until you try the ricotta pancakes, with blueberries, mascarpone crema, orange marmalade and maple syrup. –Ken Miller
The Venetian, 702.414.1222
Luxor, 702.262.4400
Let It Sink In
Whether you’re a fan of the 1997 Leonardo DiCaprio-Kate Winslet fl ick or you’re curious about the 1912 catastrophe, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition o ers an understanding of that fateful journey.
Stroll from room to room where you’ll fi nd more than 250 items that have been recovered from the sunken vessel. The collection continuously evolves, too. Recently added items include paper money, which miraculously remained intact after being submerged 12,000 feet underwater for more than a hundred years .
Throughout the exhibit, you’ll read about the many people who were aboard; what brought them to the ship; what they hoped to do upon arrival in America; and what family they brought along or left behind.
On the Titanic, no expense was spared for fi rst-class passengers. As you enter the Grand Staircase replica, the grandeur of the elegant metalwork, artistic glasswork and glamorous crystal chandeliers is apparent.
The greatest marvel here is the Big Piece, which, as implied, stands as the largest recovered part of the wreckage to date. –Em Jurbala
Farmhouse Fresh
The newest restaurant in Las Vegas, The Bedford by Martha Stewart, opens this week in Paris. The décor is inspired by Stewart’s New York farmhouse, a version of which has been seen in many episodes of Stewart’s TV shows. The menu at The Bedford features a mix of signature dishes and seasonal o erings featuring local sources and some of Stewart’s favorite brands . In a release , Stewart said, “Our menu will be delicious, depicting the very same kinds of foods I serve my friends and family. Dining at The Bedford will be immersive, fun, unexpected, and utterly delectable.” –Nina King
Paris, 702.946.7000
All About the Bubbles
If you’re a fan of the carbonated water craze that has hit a high in the last year or so, and you’re headed to Tao Beach Dayclub , then you are going to love the newest thing to hit the cabana tables.
Venerated water brand evian recently introduced evian Sparkling at an event presided over by The Bachelor’s Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell. Through Aug. 12, you can hydrate yourself and check out the glittering replica of the French Alps (evian water is sourced after it has fi ltered through glacial rock in the Alps, so it’s fi tting) and check out Swarovski crystal-covered evian bottles (designed by artist Sara Shakeel). If you are feeling a little “extra” thirsty, order the evian water service, where the beverage is delivered to your table with a huge, 2-to3-foot, pink Ei el Tower replica by your servers. You can also order light cocktails crafted with evian . –Nina King
The Venetian, 702.388.8588
Creative Complex
Over its fi rst year, AREA15 o ered a large array of immersive experiences that play with perceptions and stimulate the senses. It’s only gotten larger since then; you could spend an entire day here and not see everything the enormous complex has to o er.
From the time you enter, there’s just so much to look at and experience, like Shogyo Mujo, a 12-foot-tall skull that welcomes you inside. You can zipline Haley’s Comet to the Emporium Arcade Bar Las Vegas and play some of your favorite arcade games of all time, as well as pinball and foosball.
It might be best to promenade around the bi-level building fi rst and take in the entirety of AREA15’s o erings. Easily accessible virtual reality experiences that don’t require substantial time commitments or complicated suits—from fl ying like a bird to indoor golf—await. Don’t miss Wink World, which features six infi nity-mirror rooms and really opens up your senses.
Hungry? Try The Beast by Todd English, a restaurant described by the man himself as “If Mad Max and Burning Man had a child.” English’s menu o ers dry rub brisket, ribs and a halfpound hot link served with fi ve fi ery sauces. Spicy Korean hot dogs and a fi ve-patty cheeseburger called The Kraken provide incentives for a follow-up visit. –Las Vegas Magazine Sta
Grab Your Sunnies
It’s rainbow-colored skies above as the famous LGBTQ+ pool party Temptation Sundays is back for its 12th season. The event pops o every Sunday beginning at 1 p.m., and both hotel and non-hotel guests must make reservations in advance (space is limited). Everyone is welcome to jump on it at this popular pool party—just bring an open mind and heart and get ready to get on down to live DJs, special guest performances and more.
For those looking for the poolside VIP experience, there are multiple cabanas as well as padded VIP lounge chairs and spacious day beds. To make the day at the pool extra sweet, book that cabana, which includes entry for up to six guests. Each comes with four padded lounge chairs, water and juices, fruit and snacks, mini fridge, free Wi-Fi and much more. –Kiko Miyasato
Luxor, 21+, luxor.com/ TemptationSundays
3215 S. Rancho Drive, area15.com
Shell Indulgence
If you’re craving lobster while in Vegas but don’t want to shell out tons of cash on a fancy lobster dinner, then head to Lobster ME, a casual eatery that serves up fresh lobster and other seafood specialties like crab and shrimp. The signature lobster rolls are the main attraction, such as the Maine Roll, which is slathered with mayo and a special seasoning, but you’ll also fi nd comfort foods like the delectable lobster grilled cheese. Warm the soul with a cup of New England clam chowder, or break your diet with the lobster- and crab-loaded fries. –Ken Miller
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, 702.562.7837
Excalibur, 702.597.7600
Burning Up Cure your night fever at tribute show
In 1978, I was obsessed with two movies: Grease and Saturday Night Fever. I went to see Grease three times (waiting in line what seemed like hours each time), and although I was too young to see Fever, I was struck by two things: Its poster, featuring a mythical-looking John Travolta, striking his now-classic disco pose in a white suit; and the soundtrack, particularly the tracks by the Bees Gees—I had simply not heard anything like it before. To this day, that music still captivates me and takes me back.
In other words, I’m the ideal audience for The Australian Bee Gees Show, a tribute to the legendary trio of The Brothers Gibb—Maurice, Robin and Barry, rendered beautifully by Wayne Hosking, David Scott and Michael Clift, respectively (on the night I attended, James Simpson and Matthew Baldoni fi lled in as Robin and Barry).
They bring back 1978 to brilliant, vivid life, delivering crisp, note-perfect renditions of not only every Fever classic they wrote, either for themselves or other artists—“Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “More Than a Woman,” “If I Can’t Have You” and “Jive Talkin’”—but also the theme to Grease, written by Barry. (The Bee Gees were simply everywhere back then!)
But that’s only the beginning of the fun on tap. The trio performs nearly 30 songs over the course of 70 minutes, some in their entirety, some in small snippets or as part of medleys. There’s also a fair amount of humor throughout— Hosking will comment on how good that night’s audience is at singing along (and how he says it every night, but really means it this time), and during a moment when all three men are singing into one microphone, Hosking gets forced to the side so that just two men can sing, and he’s not sure what to do with himself until rejoining his bandmates at the mic.
Best of all, the audience is fully encouraged to dance at “Club Mo,” o to the side of the stage. When the disco starts, the theater is transformed into a nightclub—and people like me are transported right back to 1978. –Ken Miller
Sip Away
Tucked close to Light Nightclub in Mandalay Bay is S Bar, an elevated lounge in the former Red Square area, specializing in craft cocktails. And, boy, they’re good. There Should Be Unicorns features hibiscus gin, nigori sake and strawberry cream soda, accented by cream, a strawberry and sprinkles. Other options are the Snow Globe, with mezcal, green tea citrus cordial, lime and grapefruit tonic, and the Starry Night, with pear brandy, lemon, butterfly pea flower and sparkling rosé. –Nina King
Mandalay Bay, 702.632.7707
Sahara Las Vegas, 702.761.7610
Dressing Up ‘Classics’
Inside the beautifully renovated Sahara Las Vegas you’ll find one of the best restaurants in all of Vegas, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés. The interior is gorgeous.
Bazaar Meat is essentially a steakhouse, but with some of the most innovative “classics” you’ll find. It’s an exciting menu, from appetizers to entrées—known for foie gras cotton candy mini cones, liquid olives and gazpacho shots. Beef carpaccio is a classic, and you can get that here with sirloin, Savora mustard and rolls. But you’ll also find the beefsteak tomato tartare, a dish that is vegan, but looks like a tartare—it’s incredibly flavorful, too. Go for salmon tartare or the jamón Ibérico de bellota. The ham has wowed fans for years, and amazingly really tastes of acorn. Get oysters or king crab from the raw bar, or a “Not Your Everyday Caprese” salad, where the heirloom tomatoes and basil pesto are accompanied by liquid mozzarella.
And the fire pit, dominating the kitchen, issues forth such things as a quarter of a suckling pig, dry-aged strip loin in monumental sizes (20 ounces), or the more petite flat-iron steak (8 ounces). Each steak is sourced from a producer from New Zealand to Texas. –Nina King
Elevated Experience
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.
Back on the ground, make sure to stop by the property any time between sunset and midnight and look and point your camera upward for the Eiffel Tower’s recurring light show that dazzles and illuminates the attraction with choreographed, dancing lights up and down the tower. –Kiko Miyasato
