Friends With Benefits Mauro Villalobos

Beverage director is enjoying the psychedelic ride

When Mauro Villalobos was invited to join Spiegelworld’s first Las Vegas restaurant, show and bar concept—Superfrico, OPM and Ski Lodge at The Cosmopolitan—in 2021, he says, “The selling point for me was when they said, ‘The whole concept is going to be pizza and psychedelics.’ And I was like, ‘Two of my favorite things! Fun, high-quality products, but not too serious.”

Being psychedelic and creative is part of Villalobos’ personality, he says, and he puts that to work when he’s creating cocktails for all three hot spots as the beverage director. He brings a decade of experience in mixology to the job, working in top cocktail spots on the Strip and downtown, with a special nod to his time spent at NoMad Bar at NoMad Hotel. “I was like a well-made piece of steel, and they sharpened me up,” Villalobos says.

Now, he’s using his talents to train the next generation of bartenders at Superfrico and OPM and the Ski Lodge, where we sat down for the interview and photo shoot. “My favorite part of the job is mentoring the young staff,”

Benefit Ask about the secret reliquary room inside of Superfrico.

• Libation • The Sun King

The Sun King cocktail is a top seller at Superfrico—one sip and you’ll understand why. “It’s like if a margarita and a michelada had a baby,” Villalobos says. It’s mixed with jalapeño-infused tequila, prickly pear syrup, lime, basil, cucumber, spiced Aperol and “tomato fluff,” a special blend of spices and tomato juice. –KM he says. “I get a lot of satisfaction from mentoring and growing the team.”

Together, Villalobos and his team are whipping up some trippy specialty drinks that add to the experience of Spiegelworld’s playground. “It’s kind of a like a smorgasbord of your senses—visual, taste, sound, weird random acts happening throughout dinner,” he says. “It’s like Alice in Wonderland—the deeper you go the more you find. Make sure to try all three, that’s the ultimate experience. We’re like the ultimate psychedelic house party.” –Kiko

Miyasato

By Nina King

Morimoto Las Vegas highlights the chef’s cuisine in a dynamic environment

As soon as you step into Morimoto Las Vegas, you’ll experience a zen-like feel that accelerates into a culinary energy, fed by the cocktails and exemplary Japanese cuisine. The sleek and plush seating in the dining area and at the sushi bar are set against a gorgeous wall of Yasumichi Morita photographs, creating a vintage look. Tucked back behind the main dining area are teppanyaki grills perfect for groups.

energy, the opening of many global restaurants, including Morimoto Las Vegas.

Start with appetizers, and order enough that the table won’t fight over the last morsels—whitefish carpaccio, with soy, yuzu, ginger and garlic; hamachi tacos finished with a spicy yuzu kosho, guacamole and lime; and tuna pizza with anchovy aioli are must-order items. Hot appetizers include kakuni, a 10-hour pork belly served with rice congee; pan-fried gyoza; and rock shrimp tempura. Laksa noodle soup comes with tonkotsu broth, ground pork, red curry and egg noodles. Tempura calamari salad combines crunchy fried rings with fresh greens.

Entrées range from braised black cod with a ginger-soy reduction to grilled hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) with grated daikon; whole lobster; chasu pork on rice; and angry chicken with roasted peppers.

Morimoto Las Vegas also has several steak options, from a 16-ounce wagyu New York strip to Japanese A5 wagyu, all with a sweet onion and garlic jus. Sides include shishito peppers and spicy green beans. Duck fried rice is sure to appeal to almost everyone at the table, with Thai basil and a fried duck egg accenting the dish. Although the sushi and sashimi menu isn’t crazy large, you will find enough items that making a choice could be di cult. Best to order a variety of maki so that no one goes hungry—try soft-shell crab, spicy tuna and spicy yellowtail rolls, or maybe an avocado roll or an ume shiso roll. Once you add in a few choices o the sushi and sashimi menu, like Japanese red snapper, fatty tuna, smoked salmon, tamago, Japanese wagyu, ikura pickled eggplant or uni, you should be fully satisfied. Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy sushi is to let the chef do the choosing; the chef’s combination here comes in two sizes—just order the large, you know you can handle it.

Presented by RESORTS WORLD

Fuhu Shack

Allow your cravings to wander to FUHU Shack. This casual outpost of Zouk Group and Resorts World’s vibe dining restaurant, FUHU, serves up a western reinterpretation of one of China’s most desired dishes with Peking Duck Burritos. Yes, succulent roast duck, in a burrito.

Kuru Kuru Pa Teriyaki Bowls

When it comes to style, excitement and celebrity-led food experiences, Kuru Kuru PA Teriyaki Bowls could be your next stop. Yakitori is known as a Japanese type of grilled, skewered meat. During or after cooking, the meat is typically seasoned with a preferred sauce or salt. Kuru Kuru PA Teriyaki Bowls comes to Resorts World Las Vegas from the creative minds of DJ Steve Aoki and his restaurateur brother Kevin Aoki. This Japanese and anime-inspired concept features a variety of yakitori, kushiyaki and yaki onigiri along with a selection of signature drinks and mochi.

EXPLORE THE MOST MICHELIN PLATE & BIB GOURMAND CONCEPTS UNDER ONE ROOF

Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling

The authentic flair of global fare at Resorts World Las Vegas is unmatched. Tour renowned eateries that Michelin-rated accolades could not pass up. Here you will step into the Famous Foods space where your passport to exceptional dining begins. Order a few items from Au Chun Shandong Dumpling to prime your palate. The dumplings and handpulled noodle dishes from this restaurant gem, earned a Bib Gourmand recognition in the 2020 Michelin Guide.

Geylang Claypot Rice

We knew one Michelin mention at Resorts World could never be enough, so here you’ll savor (and enjoy) Geylang Claypot Rice. Founded over 40 years ago and one of Singapore’s favorite claypot eateries, Geylang Claypot Rice earned a Michelin Plate in 2016 and serves up traditional Southeast Asian rice dishes slowly cooked in traditional claypots with a variety of savory ingredients.

Streetbird Las Vegas

You’ll definitely need to save room for Streetbird Las Vegas. This beloved staple by James Beard Award-winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson, is a love letter to one of America’s favorite foods – hot & spicy fried chicken. The chef’s spin on this comfort food classic also brings light Samuelsson’s impressive repertoire and includes his famous Hot Honey Chicken & Waffle, Wild Wild Wings, and Mac ’n Green. With so many award-winning locations, where will your next Resorts World food adventure lead you?

From left to right:

Roast Peking Duck & Steamed Rice Bowl

Assorted Jidoris | Vegetarian Guo Tie

Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich | Beef Claypot Rice

IT’S ONE THING to get to see one of your favorite Strip shows again; it’s an entirely di erent matter when you get the VIP treatment at said show.

Blue Man Group has long been a part of my life as a Las Vegas resident. I saw them for the first time at Monte Carlo (now Park MGM), and when they moved to The Venetian, I caught them there as well. They’re now ensconced

By Ken Miller

as one of the anchor shows at Luxor, and I’ve been several times. Each iteration of their show has something di erent, small tweaks that show how hard they work to keep it fresh.

The recently added VIP experience is something megafans like me will definitely want to pony up for. As almost any Blue Man fan will tell you, having a drink during the show is practically a must. And you receive a food and drink voucher upon picking up your VIP package. Your night is already o to a perfect start, but the VIP experience is just beginning.

The show itself is unbridled fun, set to some of the most propulsive music you’ll hear on the Strip (all performed live). The three Blue Men prove that almost anything can be used as an