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.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/260044
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL POWERS/POWERS IMAGERY (TIM AND FAITH); JEFF GALE (VÉRONIC) Two high points: meeting our December cover stars, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (I'm a major fan), and wearing this spectacular Osman dress from the new Rent the Runway showroom in Cosmopolitan. Our gracious and indefatigable (she did an interview after hours of shooting) Spring cover girl, Véronic DiCaire, took a break to pose with me. Like most people who live and work in entertainment meccas, I lead a life that's generally less exciting than you might think. Despite photographic evidence to the contrary, I don't socialize with celebrities in private clubs every night. But this month, I took a little break from my regularly scheduled program of asceticism and went out. A lot. Call it what you will, I consider it important research, and it reminds me that I can do things here that aren't possible in any other city. Like, for instance, eat the entire Mediterranean and most of the Adriatic in a blowout lunch at the newly reinvigorated Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare in Wynn, then drive straight to an eight-course meal at Nobu in the Hard Rock, and walk (or wobble) only steps away to a Zac Brown Band concert at The Joint. I believe the kids these days classify this kind of experience as "epic." I'm always happy to play tour guide, and showing off some of Las Vegas's scenery—such as the breathtaking 100 -acre ranch on which we shot Véronic DiCaire's feature, and the Neon Museum (see our fashion feature on page 118), which houses some of our historic treasures—was a highlight. Going out this month also reminded me of Las Vegans' incredible generosity as a community. Two days before Christmas, local but nationally renowned food critic Max Jacobson was hit by a car, and a month later he remained in critical condition. With speed that only the professionals could muster, Rick Moonen and Elizabeth Blau, along with scores of chefs, restaurateurs, friends, and admirers, gathered to raise more than $275,000 for the Jacobson family at an incredible dinner cooked by more than a dozen marquee-name chefs at Rx Boiler Room. I g iggled as people bid against themselves to drive up the donations. Las Vegans even do good in high style. Enjoy our Spring Fashion issue; we had a wonderful time creating it. Follow me on Twitter at @andreabennett1 and on vegasmagazine.com. ANDR EA BENNETT ABOVE: I sampled Paul Bartolotta's work on most of these amazing fish when he unveiled his restaurant's stunning renovation, or at least I attempted to. LEFT: John Katsilometes, who wrote our cover story, joined me at Hakkasan for its Hakkasan Gives Back dinner, benefiting Three Square Food Bank. 28 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 028_V_FOB_EdLetter_Spring14.indd 28 2/10/14 4:51 PM