ML - Vegas Magazine

2013 - Issue 4 - Summer

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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TASTE ABOVE: Baby back pork ribs at Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, with a hoisin sauce glaze. LEFT: Culinary Dropout's coleslaw is already earning raves around town. Blue Ribbon's fried chicken is served with wasabi honey dipping sauce. the best of barbecue COUNTRY-FED, ALABAMA-BRED TAYLOR HICKS REVEALS WHERE HE DINES WHEN HE'S NOT PERFORMING AT PARIS LAS VEGAS. BY EMMA TROTTER S inger-guitarist—and American Idol season five winner—Taylor Hicks works up quite an appetite performing five nights a week at Napoleon's Lounge, inside Paris Las Vegas. In his rare off-time, the Southern gentleman favors good old-fashioned home-style cooking. Celebrating his one-year Vegas anniversary this summer, Hicks—the first "Idol" to secure a long-term Vegas residency—has been indulging in the city's premier culinary offerings, finding new spots dishing up many of the rustic flavors that he craves. Quite the wiz in the kitchen, Hicks even has a chef's secret for making chicken salad: "I marinate the chicken overnight in sweet tea and pickle juice, which provides that authentic Southern flavor." Not a cook yourself? Indulge in the posh version at Cosmopolitan's only 24-hour restaurant, The Henry—it comes with tomato, bacon, and lettuce on cranberry nut bread with a side of truffle tater tots. Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, 702-6987980; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com Corn "One of my favorite places to bring friends and family from out of town is Gordon Ramsay Steak, which I believe is one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas," he says. "Corn on the cob is a staple of any summer barbecue, but this restaurant puts its own spin on it with its fire-roasted corn." Add even more down-home flair with the Brussels sprouts with corned bacon and a Pimm's Cup. Paris Las Vegas, 702-946-4663; parislasvegas.com Deviled eggs Deviled eggs are a classic picnic treat, but Hicks knows where to find them year-round. "I love the 'Little Piggy' Deviled Eggs with applewood bacon at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill," he says. "They come deconstructed so you can have a little fun putting the filling into the hard-boiled egg." Caesars Palace, 702-946-4663; caesarspalace.com Fried chicken and wings Vegas's tastiest fried chicken is found, ironically, at Cosmopolitan's Japanese hot spot, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill. "To me, the secret behind great wings is to make them a little sweet and not too spicy," Hicks says. "I prefer for them to be smoked, and for that smoky flavor to permeate every last bite. Another secret is to flash-fry the wings right before serving them so that they have a nice, almost-caramelized crust. Of course, a good dipping sauce is a must." Blue Ribbon agrees: Its decadent, crispy fried chicken and wings are both served with wasabi honey sauce on the side. Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, 702-7360808; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com Hamburgers What could be more all-American than a hamburger? Hicks has tried every variety at one of his favorite haunts, Gordon Ramsay BurGR. "My favorite is a bacon cheeseburger, and Gordon's twist is the Farm Burger, which has duckcontinued on page 64 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS (HICKS); JACOB ANDRZEJCZAK (RIBS); COURTESY OF THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS/BLUE RIBBON (CHICKEN); COURTESY OF CULINARY DROPOUT (COLESLAW) Chicken salad Taylor Hicks 62 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 062-066_V_SC_Local Flavor_Sum13.indd 62 6/18/13 12:25 PM

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