SPOTLIGHT

Tropicana Las Vegas, ticketmaster.com

Immortal Image

Jalles Franca ’s impersonation of Michael Jackson is nothing less than amazing at MJ Live, a tribute act that will have you out of your seat and dancing along to some of the greatest pop music of all time.

Franca does it all in this show—the moves, the look, the voice, whether singing or talking to the audience. He’s accompanied by a keyboardist, a guitarist and a drummer, and his pitch-perfect versions of “She’s Out of My Life,” “Beat It” and “Bad” will have your jaw on the fl oor. Better yet are the ensemble dance numbers to such classics as “Thriller,” “Billie Jean” and, especially, “Smooth Criminal,” a number that just slays with its combination of choreography and special e ects (including, yes, that legendary Jackson lean).

For fans of the younger Jackson, good news—there’s also a tribute to The Jackson 5, complete with Afro wigs, early ’70s fashions and lots of nostalgia. –Ken Miller

The Mirage, 702.792.7777

Shake It Up, Baby This show will make you want to twist and shout

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are ever-present in spirit at The Mirage, where Olivia Harrison recently made a pilgrimage to revisit the show that pays tribute to her late husband’s band. She was in Las Vegas to accept a Grammy for All Things Must Pass: 50th Anniversary Edition when she attended a performance of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, re-experiencing “Something” as only Mrs. George Harrison can.

While there’s nothing you can do that can’t be done in Las Vegas, re-experiencing The Beatles LOVE should be high priority. Having recently passed its 16th anniversary (it debuted June 30, 2006) a shot of LOVE is just the antidote for post-pandemic blues, or anything else that ails us. That antidote begins musically when the Beatles’ career was coming to an end. After the audience is beckoned to “Come Together,” Starr’s instantly recognizable pounding from “Get Back” kicks LOVE into overdrive. That fi nal song from the fi nal Beatles studio album paves the way for the dancing, soaring, rolling and strolling cast members to parade onstage. The Let It Be rooftop concert at Abbey Road Studios inspires the scenario, but the abstract narrative travels back to 1940s Liverpool, where “A Day in the Life” is drawn on to refl ect the turbulence of the war-torn time the Fab Four were born into.

It’s also where Father McKenzie appears, writing words for a sermon that no one will hear. He’s one of many characters that come to life in the show, including sly Doctor Robert, expectant Lady Madonna, ostentatious Sgt. Pepper and stu y Mr. Piggy. A whole gang of sea creatures fl oat in the theater-in-the-round during “Octopus’s Garden” while a winged creature tries to fl y in the dead of night during “Blackbird.”

There are some truly magical moments where technology and performance meet, most sensually during “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” An aerialist interprets “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” above a performer bound to the ground with wheels. Groupies are fashionably attired as they fl ash mob onto the stage for impromptu dance parties, silk rope artists slide and slither beneath golden rays during “Here Comes the Sun,” and if there’s a Blue Meanie onstage during “Glass Onion,” it does not mean Pepperland is in danger. Daredevils get high with a little help from Beatles music, trampolines, bungee cords and skate ramps. One particularly poignant segment features a trapeze duo performing to McCartney’s “Yesterday.” –Matt Kelemen

Caesars Palace 702.731.7560

Aged to Perfection

When a steakhouse has a nearly 150-year legacy, you know you’re in for something special. The original Old Homestead Steakhouse in New York City dates back to 1868, and all that experience and knowledge is brought to bear at the Las Vegas outpost.

Whether you opt for surf (Petrossian caviar with a blini accompaniment) or turf (8-ounce American wagyu rib cap or 24-ounce bone-in “Gotham” ribeye), you’ll be doing so in ultimate comfort with an attentive waitstaff and a serene ambience. Make sure to take advantage of the signature cocktail menu, highlighted by the Boulevardi-Eight (Octomore 11.1 Scotch, Carpano Antica and Amaro Montenegro) and Free the Diplomat (single vintage Diplomatico rum, Fernet Blanca, Liquor 43 and citrus zest from bitters).

For a meal to remember, order the Ultimate Dinner for Two, where sharing is the focus. It includes a succulent 34-ounce bone-in porterhouse, chopped salad and your choice of sides and dessert (I recommend the Big Fat Chocolate Cake!). –Ken Miller

Visit the Capitol

You read the books, saw the movies and imagined what it would be like to inhabit the world of Panem. Now you can join the rebellion without having to worry about being attacked by a hive of genetically altered hornets or blade-wielding Tributes, as The Hunger Games: The Exhibition awaits inside the District at MGM Grand. Superfans can get up close to actual costumes worn by actors, interact with touch-responsive tech features and pull arrows back in bows to shoot exploding targets in the virtual shooting range that is the highlight of the attraction. Get in touch with your inner Katniss. –Matt Kelemen

MGM Grand, 702.531.3826

Decades of Delight

It’s been one of the Strip’s most successful male revues ever since opening nearly 30 years ago, and last month Thunder From Down Under celebrated its 20th anniversary at Excalibur. Thousands of women have been entertained during that run, with celebrity audience members including Heidi Klum, Chrissy Teigen and countless more. The show received a proclamation from the Clark County Commission, declaring July 5-13 as Thunder From Down Under Week.

If you’ve got a special occasion coming up—bachelorette party, birthday, graduation, heck, even a divorce—this is the show to celebrate. These men fulfill every audience member’s greatest fantasy, be it a fireman, cowboy or vampire. Every seductive number includes the awesome Australians shedding strategic items of clothing, all to the deafening roar of the excited crowd. –Ken Miller

Excalibur, 18+, 702.597.7600

Spice Up Your Day Popular Mexican eatery gives you more options for lunch

Popular Mexican restaurant ¡VIVA! announced weekday lunch service this summer, adding to its brunch on the weekend, and that means more of the dishes that made this place from chef Ray Garcia such a hit.

What should you look for? Well, the barbacoa melt at both brunch and lunch combines short rib and smoked Gruyère with a little chipotle Thousand Island and escabeche; and the lunch menu spotlights the torta, a bolillo stu ed with carnitas, black beans, quesillo (a cheese) and fl avor-fi lled guacamole.

You can fi nd the chicken enchiladas on the lunch and dinner menus, and they are fi lled with cheesy goodness, with both requesón and feta. Or try the king salmon, which comes with sweet corn, chorizo and vadouvan spices.

If you are heading into weekend brunch, ask about the bottomless sangria—if you want to ease up on the alcohol, try an agua fresca, which lifts with the tastes of coconut and cucumber. But you can order bottles of tequila, mimosas and champagne if you’d like.

Seafood is big for all meals at ¡VIVA!, and the restaurant is known for the ceviche, with yellowtail and cucumber in a spicy leche de tigre. Shrimp cocktail is concocted with Clamato, cucumber and avocado, while the coctel mixto includes octopus, shrimp, snapper, scallops, cucumber, avocado, radish and cilantro.

And although carnivores will fi nd a ton to eat here, like chicken tinga wood-fi red quesadillas (pictured), barbacoa, steak, duck mole, and ancho-rubbed lamb ribs, vegetarians haven’t been left out; enjoy grilled pineapple, beet salad, heirloom tomato salad and a tamal with kale and poblano. And the beans here are vegan as well.

Churros are favorites for many to end with, and these come with a chocolate sauce to accent. But the unusual pastel de camote, a sweet potato cake with fruit, may tickle your fancy with piloncillo and stone fruit. And playing o the classic cake, the tres leches fl an comes with berries and a cookie crumble. –Nina King

Resorts World Las Vegas, 702.676.6020

Get Lost in the Mozz

From Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro comes the newest Italian eatery in town, where you can get pizza, house-made “mozz,” paninis and salads, plus sweets as well. The Boss Cafe by Buddy Valastro is tucked down a passageway in The Linq Hotel. From the mozz bar, order up the yummy cheese with a topping like basil pesto or pickled spicy peppers, olive oil and focaccia. Get a solid chopped salad or indulge in sandwiches, which range from a caprese to chicken Milanese. For dessert, get a slice of cake, cookies or a lobster claw (selection will change). –Nina King

The Linq Hotel, 702.490.2873

3215 S. Rancho Drive, illuminarium.com

Projected Perfection

Illuminarium’s colorful exterior contrasts strikingly with its surroundings. Inside, a menu of programs is offered in the lobby. Once a program is chosen, a warm-up room, divided by two rows of plush white chairs that would not look out of place in a Stanley Kubrick film, provides a preview of what is to come. Floral imagery from its O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers program can be projected onto walls and segue into an Apollo rocket launch lifted from SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond.

The main course is a larger adjoining sense-in-surround venue with a floor that rumbles with thunder during WILD: A Safari Experience. “Awe-inspiring” doesn’t do justice to the 360-degree scenes and sounds of savannahs and rainforests, where gorillas emerge from the mists of every sightline. Flowers carpet the floor during the tribute to Georgia O’Keeffe, and stars move with visitors’ footsteps as the enormity of our solar system is manifested during SPACE.

The possibilities of hosting viewing parties for major sports events in Illuminarium’s technologically forward environment are well-apparent. –Matt Kelemen

Private, Elegant and Delicious

It’s all about the New Orleans attitude at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which enjoys a very exclusive feel at Harrah’s: You gain access to the restaurant through its very own elevator. And a very elevated experience this is, from cocktails like the Reyes Rita (perfect for summer heat, made with Patron reposado, Ancho Reyes Original, vanilla-jalapeño agave with a Tajin rim) to appetizers like a tangy cucumber salad loaded with spicy lobster.

But let’s be honest: Most of you are here for the steaks, and Ruth’s Chris maintains the high standards that have made it a North American success. You’ll find every cut imaginable here, from an 11-ounce filet and cowboy ribeye to T-bone and porterhouse for two. They all pair wonderfully with sides like fire-roasted corn, topped with salsa verde, and roasted Brussels sprouts. –Ken Miller

Harrah’s, 702.693.6000

All-in-One Fun

It’s been a great o -the-Strip mainstay for millions of visitors for many years, and this year Silverton celebrates 25 years of dining, gaming, live entertainment and much more.

Twin Creeks Steakhouse has been serving up worldclass dinners for many years, and executive chef Jaimee Pepe keeps things exciting here with plenty of fl avorful takes on steakhouse staples . And, of course, its steak program is comprehensive—everything from petit fi let mignons to Prime hand-cut New York.

Families will defi nitely want to check out the Silverton Aquarium, a 117,000-gallon, free attraction that features mermaids swimming Thursdays through Sundays, not to mention thousands of tropical fi sh.

For one of the best shopping experiences for the outdoorsman, it’s hard to beat the Bass Pro Shops, a two-story, 165,000-square-foot retail paradise with something for the hunter, fi sherman or camper. It also includes an enormous freshwater aquarium where you can catch seminars and speakers. It also acts as a museum of sorts, with dioramas of wildlife donated by many exhibits. There’s also an indoor archery range and a live duck habitat. –Ken Miller

3333 Blue Diamond Road, 702.263.7777

Good Ol’ Days

Who doesn’t love the Rat Pack era of Las Vegas? Whether it’s the movie Ocean’s 11, in which Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. rob fi ve di erent casinos in one night, or those performances at the Sands Hotel, the suit-clad gang, which always stressed having fun with a drink in your hand, has crystallized a moment in time that remains endlessly appealing.

But there’s another way to enjoy that era of Vegas history: The Rat Pack is Back at Tuscany resort, a tribute show like no other in the city. To start with, it’s performed in the property’s Copa Room (where else, right?), and features impersonators performing dead-on impressions of their counterparts: Chris Jason as Frank, Drew Anthony as Dean and Kyle Diamond as Sammy. Add in live music and you have an irresistible evening of fun—with a drink in your hand, of course. –Ken Miller

Tuscany, 702.893.8933

Swing All Night

Enjoy some of the greatest music by one of the world’s greatest rock bands while enjoying some quality family time at KISS by Monster Mini Golf, which o ers a fun time for all skill levels across cleverly designed courses, all with a KISS theme (including a large Gene Simmons tongue!). And after besting your family members in a friendly game, check out the gift shop and arcade, including—naturally—a KISS pinball machine. There’s even a themed wedding chapel, if spending your special day on the course is your dream. –Ken Miller

Rio, 702.558.6256

Flamingo, 702.733.3111

Mob-Era Memories

Hearken back to vintage Vegas at Flamingo

As has been glamorized in such movies as Casino and Bugsy, Las Vegas was a much di erent town when the mob was involved. And while that chapter in our history may be fi rmly closed, you can still go back in time and revel in the history of mobbed-up Vegas at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse, as much a great restaurant as it is a great tribute to a bygone era.

The entrance to the venue is actually the “back way,” in the form of a faux bakery which leads to a variety of sights—a see-through kitchen where you can see desserts being prepared or meats aging, archival photos of Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, a raw bar, and a vast dining area that has a ’20s and ’30s vibe thanks to designer Jonathan Adler, with retro touches like a custom beaded fl amingo piece (which reportedly took nearly 100 hours to create). If you ever wanted to get that speakeasy feel, this is the place to be.

Classic steakhouse staples abound on the appetizer menu, from a seafood tower that goes on forever with Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, poached shrimp and East and West coast oyster selections, to 17th century onion soup smothered in Gruyère gratin. A true highlight here is the hand-cut prime beef tartare, one of the best examples of this staple that we’ve encountered on the Strip, amplifi ed by tru e crème fraîche and served with pan-toasted country bread. Please share!

The steaks range from wet-aged to dry-aged and hit every popular cut, from fi let mignon and prime bone-in ribeye to tomahawk ribeye. Other great main courses include free-range roasted chicken, domestic lamb chops, pan-seared Scottish salmon and seared diver scallops. Sides are, as you would expect, all the classics, from Brussels sprouts and sautéed onions to potato gratin and asparagus, but if you want to go a bit fancier, try signature sides like tru e potato purée, tru e Parmesan fries and lobster mac and cheese. –Ken Miller

Top Spot

If you’re looking for sexy ambience and some of the best cocktails on the Strip, head to The Dorsey. This bar and lounge is a favorite among the Vegas industry and loved for its lush surroundings, cool soundtrack of R&B, underground hip-hop and old-school jams and its inventive cocktail recipes. The menu is extensive so we offer up some of our fave choices: Spicy Flamingo, Coney Island Express, Penicillin and the Booze n’ Juice, where you can pick your own spirit. –Kiko Miyasato

The Venetian, 702.414.1945

Rio, 855.888.3463

Food With a Kick

Mexican cuisine gets boosted to 11 at Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho, where you can not only find tantalizing appetizers and delectable cocktails but more-than-satisfying main dishes.

Start your south-of-the-border journey here with Guy’s world-famous signature margarita, the Caliente, made with jalapeño-infused el Jimador tequila, triple sec, fresh cilantro and house-made margarita mix. We recommend pairing this with a heaping bowlful of Guy’s Guacamole, blended with serrano chile, sweet onion, radish, lime and cilantro. (Want to kick it up? There are lots of sweet additions, from chorizo to roasted pineapple.)

For an appetizer that will have every head turning your way, order the Trash Can Nachos; they’re brought over in a large metal pitcher with a bottom that gives way with the press of a trigger, releasing the contents onto your plate. From there, you’ll have your choice of a wide range of classics, from pork chili verde enchiladas and Drunken Fish tacos to carne asada chimichangas. –Ken Miller

Sip on the Strip

If you and your buddies just want a casual hang to enjoy some yummy food and maybe a pint of beer, head to Beer Park. This rooftop venue offers indoor-outdoor seating, faux grass with picnic tables and some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip.

Did we mention Beer Park offers nearly 40 beers on tap, as well as beer cocktails, classic cocktails and wines on tap? Besides stocking the Budweiser brands, there’s domestic and imported beer and hard-toget large-format and very limited-edition bottles, too. Not sure what beers to get? Try one of the beer flights, where you can order several different options.

Soak up all that alcohol by ordering one of Beer Park’s tempting food offerings like mac and cheese egg rolls, truffle fries, chili verde nachos and a breakfast burger; or share some meat entrées like barbecue pork ribs and short rib tacos. –Kiko Miyasato

Paris, 702.444.4500

BREZZA

When brunch is on the menu, your dining choices need the upscale flair and options only Resorts World Las Vegas can offer. Begin your Sunday brunch experience at Brezza. Embrace the traditions of Italy with a menu of modern coastal Italian fare featuring housemade pastas Caviar Gnocco Fritto, Frittatas and cannolis. Don’t forget to peruse the cocktail menu for Diane’s Bloody Mary, espresso martinis, Bellinis, and mimosas.

Presented by

RESORTS WORLD BRUNCH

WITH US

CAVIAR BAR

At the Caviar Bar, the name precedes its lavish reputation. You’ll want to brunch here for the chance to savor some of the finest caviar selects around. Once reserved solely as a special occasion indulgence, Michelin-starred chef Shaun Hergatt’s selections of Kaluga and Golden Ossetra caviar are truly the stars fo the menu. Whether guests prefer a caviar-centric dish or organic salmon, tartares, Wagyu beef, or crab cake eggs benedict, the dishes keep the fun flowing for eventful mid-day dining bliss.

VIVA

You’ll find plenty of time for brunch behavior all weekend long with authentic Mexican food at Viva for their Saturday and Sunday brunch menu. Enjoy a collection of cultural favorites such as handmade corn masa tortillas and freshly prepared ceviches, guacamoles, and salsas. Order Chorizo Con Huevos or breakfast burritos with the always tempting bottomless sangria. Viva brunch is your weekend treat complete with bold flavors, regional dishes, and seasonal ingredients.

FUHU

Let’s take experiental vibe dining and add brunch! FUHU Las Vegas wants your Saturday brunch mixed with an unexpected twist on contemporary Asian cuisine. This isn’t your typical brunch offering. At FUHU, you’ll find Wagyu Beef Potstickers, Frois Gras & Roast Duck Buns, Snow Crab Scramble Dynamite, and Ube Pancakes. Up your indulgence with oyster shooters and endless mimosas, bloody marys and marias. When you need your brunch to step it up, reserve your next vibe for a Saturday at FUHU affair.