Hot spot
Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
The Entertainment Capital of the World certainly lives up to its name, but as Brittney Levinson discovers, beyond the bright lights and late nights, there’s more to Las Vegas than you might think.
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here’s no denying Las Vegas is a bucket-list destination for many; the endless calendar of worldclass entertainment, abundance of luxury shops and high-end resorts is enough to entice most travellers to the US city. But beyond the gaming and nightlife, the city is becoming a hot spot for business events groups, who are drawn in by the large-scale venues, thriving restaurant and bar scene and endless attractions beyond The Strip.
Foodie haven While it’s not something you hear about often, Las Vegas’ culinary scene is world-class. At every turn, a new celebrity restaurant or bar has cropped up, serving cuisines from all over the globe with a Vegas twist. The Venetian Resort, centrally located on The Strip, offers a huge variety of dining options, all located within walking distance of the accommodation and adjoining Sands Expo Convention Centre. The newly rebranded Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano offers Italian fare in a casual, yet refined atmosphere, while Chica explores the flavours of Latin American cuisine in a vibrant all-daydining setting. If Asian fusion is more your vibe, the new Mott 32 restaurant and bar at The Venetian is a must-try. The menu takes inspiration from Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing cooking, while 42 Spice Summer 2019
the space itself blends New York industrialism with classic Chinese elements in a sophisticated way. The venue doubles as an event venue, with multiple sections that can be utilised for intimate dinners or more extravagant cocktail parties. For authentic American dining, Smith & Wollensky offers its famed steakhouse experience over two levels in The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes. The venue is complete with an impressive wine wall, butcher room, a private dining room overlooking the promenade and event spaces for 400 guests. True foodies will have heard the buzz about chef Roy Choi’s Vegas restaurant, Best Friend, which opened at Park MGM in early 2019. The establishment certainly lives up to the hype, drawing you in instantly with a neon-clad bar that Choi refers to as the Liquor Store. Serving up cocktails and Best Friend merch, the bar leads into the main dining room, where the menu is a delicious mash-up of Korean and Los Angeles-style cuisine. Think Korean tacos, kimchi fried rice and lobster Kung Pao. Another star in the culinary line-up at Park MGM is Primrose, a Frenchinspired restaurant serving up brunch through to dinner. The indooroutdoor venue can also be booked for functions of up to 500 guests, while its private dining room is an intimate space for 32.
Kaos Dayclub at The Palms
Asian fusion dining at Best Friend, Park MGM
Mott 32 at The Venetian Resort