11 minute read
SPOTLIGHT
Rio, 702.777.2782
It Takes Two
The Las Vegas Strip is anticipated to reopen 100% on June 1, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the return of two of the most iconic magicians in the city’s history: Penn & Teller, recipients of a Las Vegas Magazine Hall of Fame honor this year and the longest-running illusionists on the Strip (this year marks 20 years since their show at the Rio began).
What makes Penn & Teller truly fascinating is how ubiquitous the act has been over the decades; some fans discovered them on the Showtime series Bullsh*t; some discovered them on the CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us; some discovered them when they were regulars on late-night talk shows in the ’80s and ’90s; others discovered them here. But regardless of how you discovered them, there’s very little we need to tell you. They’re entertaining, revealing, insightful and quintessentially Las Vegas. –Ken Miller
Lead Foots, Rejoice!
One thing that never gets old in movies is a great car chase—one where you can feel the power of the muscle cars as they open the throttle, burning rubber at every turn. And one thing that never gets old in Las Vegas is getting behind the wheel and experiencing that thrill for yourself. And at SpeedVegas, hitting top speeds in a Corvette is only the beginning.
Yes, you can go for straightaway speed on the facility’s 1.5-mile track in your choice of machine (Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches), and for as many laps as you want. But when you’re finished, make sure to head over to SpeedVegas’ custom-made, 1.4mile dirt track, full of jumps to allow your state-ofthe-art off-road vehicle to catch some serious air.
And even though Las Vegas will hopefully open to 100% capacity on June 1, safety will still be top priority at SpeedVegas, including a UVC lightbox sanitation and disinfecting system for helmets, acrylic glass shield protectors in every vehicle and a rigorous cleaning schedule. –Ken Miller
14200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 888.274.4365
Eat It All
If you get hungry, but want to experience more than a burger to fill you up, then the Wicked Spoon buffet has you covered. Although most buffets have closed in Vegas, Wicked Spoon reopened in March for breakfast and brunch from Thursday to Sunday. Even before the restrictions of the past year, the buffet stood out.
Gourmet dishes are still individually plated in small potions, although they are now given to you by a server. You might find such things as the short rib bone marrow, egg Benedict, egg salad toast, pork birria tacos, and mini wedge salads (I’ve been known to have many mini portions of this gem). Bottomless beverage packages include mimosas, beer and champagne. Reservations are strongly suggested. And the desserts are fabulous as always, with gelato, panna cotta, brownies, cake ... you name it. –Nina King
The Cosmopolitan, 877.893.2001
Get Mom Pampered
The Spa at The Linq is celebrating moms with some Mother’s Day specials. Book your mom one of the three special treatments—a mani-pedi, facial or aromatherapy massage—and she’ll not only feel like bliss afterwards, but she’ll get to take a home a fab spa box with goodies inside valued at more than $60. (Take-home swag is the best!) If there’s a group of five or more, think about booking the luxurious VIP experience, where guests are treated to a private spa party for two hours with refreshments and a takehome gift included. –Kiko Miyasato
The Linq Hotel, 702.794.3242
A New Perspective Virtual museum excites awe and emotion
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. 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 accompanying website on your phone will let you explore a timeline of events and a plethora of information about the significant periods of his life and his art. –Nina King
3215 S. Rancho Drive, area15.com
Honky-Tonk Hot Spot
There are really a lot of reasons to visit Gilley’s at Treasure Island. Perhaps it’s the beautiful Gilley’s Girls, dressed in bikinis, cowgirl boots, chaps and cowboy hats—watch as they light up the saloon with their fun energy and dancing talents. While line dancing is currently on hold, guests can still enjoy Gilley’s live musical acts. Every Friday and Saturday evenings, local musicians hit the stage for some country music and bluegrass love. And, on Sundays, more live music keeps the day of relaxation laid-back with ambient music by live musicians along with food-and-drink specials.
Which leads us to another reason for visiting this Strip hot spot—food and drink. If you like down-home country flavor, it’s all here. Barbecue, steaks, racks of ribs, chicken and chili, along with all the fixings. Gilley’s also packs a punch with its drink menu, filled with spiked Texas teas and lemonades, specialty cocktails, beers on tap and drink specials like beer buckets, five beers for only $25 or a beer and a shot for only $10.
Oh, and did we mention the mechanical bull? Claim your eight seconds of glory now! –Kiko Miyasato
Sweet Serenity
I’ve said it many times to people who have visited me in Las Vegas, “If you’re on the Strip and you’re a sweets lover, you’ll find nirvana at Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York-New York.”
The two-story destination has all the Hershey’s candy products on the market, huge sections of different varieties of Reese’s, Jolly Ranchers, Hershey’s Kisses, the list goes on and on. Plus, there are gifts, collectibles, apparel and even chocolate-flavored lipstick.
But the real heaven lies within the instore bake shop. Yup, freshly made sweets fill case after case of goodness—cupcakes, candy, cookies, cakes, pastries—you’ll have a hard time deciding what to try.
With the weather warming up, guests can also stop by the in-store milkshake bar for an ice-cold, thick sweet treat made with real ice cream and Hershey’s chocolate syrup. I’m telling you now, this place is a chocolate and candy lover’s paradise! –KM
New York-New York, 702.740.6969
Treasure Island, 702.894.7223
Call of the Wild
It’s a nice respite from the buzz of the Las Vegas Strip, and it’s an attraction that many might not know about, but everyone really should. The Wildlife Habitat can be found on the Flamingo’s 4-acre tropical grounds, and is free for guests to stroll, stop and take a break and take in the beauty of nature and its inhabitants. You’ll come across flocks of Chilean flamingos, swans, ducks, koi fish, turtles, pelicans, sacred ibis and more, instilling a little peace in the heart of the of the city. –KM
Flamingo, 702.733.3349
Sensory Delights Celebrity chef stresses uniqueness with every bite
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
A Sexy Hoedown
We guarantee it: You’ll never listen to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” or Little Big Town’s “Better Man” the same way again after experiencing “X” Country. This ultra-high-energy, adults-only show features some of the most gorgeous women in the world displaying athleticism the average human can only dream of—and sometimes with cowboy boots on! The performances range from the sensual, slow-paced variety to line dancing that will make you feel exhausted and titillated at the same time. Find out why, in some ways, Vegas is still the Wild West. –KM
Harrah’s, 18+, 702.777.2782
MGM Grand, 702.891.3001
East Meets West
Fans of Iron Chef no doubt know how big a deal Masaharu Morimoto is. His restaurant empire spans the globe, and his influence on the culinary world is vast. A meal at any of his restaurants promises a combination of Japanese and Western ingredients to create something truly unique. You can experience this at his eponymous restaurant in Las Vegas.
From appetizers like tuna pizza (with anchovy aioli, olives and jalapeño) to toro tartare (sour cream balanced against wasabi), you can feel East and West influences, and that extends to pan-fried pork gyoza, combining Napa cabbage and sake ginger sauce.
Entrées range from braised black cod with a ginger-soy reduction to Angry Chicken served with roasted peppers. The steak selection includes Japanese wagyu, both A-5 and F-1. All are served with Morimoto’s sweet onion and garlic jus. Make sure to pair your entrée with terrific sides like blistered shishito peppers in yuzu soy, spicy green beans in a Chinese barbecue sauce, and roasted marble potatoes in sea salt. –Ken Miller
Oh, Momma!
Get on Mother’s good side this year with a gift from Ethel M Chocolate Factory, or schedule a virtual tasting class for the two of you for May 15. You get six types of chocolates for two, a tasting chart and gift bag. Reservations must be made by May 9.
The chocolatier also has a number of special gift collections perfect for Mother’s Day, from a 12-piece truffle collection to a cactus-themed collection. If you really want to go all out, order a basket, which contains both bars and bites, in milk and dark chocolates and even sugar-free.
At the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson, you can tour the factory in person with Mom and walk around the cactus garden, take an in-person tasting class (size is limited and reservations are available online), and let Mom choose all her favorites. –Nina King
