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/836019
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SLS LAS VEGAS (CLEO); COURTESY OF STANDARD & POUR (STANDARD & POUR); MADISON FREEDLE (MORELS STEAKHOUSE) CRITIC'S CHOICE FFEARLESS FOODIE JOHN CURTAS RATES AND ROASTS HIS BEST AND WORST RESTAURANTS FOR A LIVING. WE ASKED HIM TO PICK THREE DISHES YOU MUST SAVOR THIS SUMMER. CHERRY TOMATO AND BURRATA SALAD @ Standard & Pour Nothing says summer like fresh tomatoes. Combine them with cool, creamy burrata cheese and a tangy, green olive emulsion vinaigrette, and you have a seasonal salad that is as refreshing as it is satisfying. After you're done congratulating yourself on your healthy choices, don't miss the adult strawberry shake here—where house-made strawberry ice cream meets crème de fraises liqueur poured over shortcake. It may undo all those light bites, but it's as cool as a dip in your pool. 11261 S. Eastern Ave. #200; 702-629-5523; standard andpourlv.com MEZZES @ Cleo Mediterranean cultures perfected the art of hot weather eating thousands of years ago. They do it with mezzes—a wide variety of healthful, small dishes to nibble on—and the assortment at Cleo is second to none. Just point to any one of the 24 kebabs, dips, veggies, spreads or sausages and dive in. My favorites: babaganoush, Brussels sprouts leaves with hazelnuts and Fresno chili, carrots with harissa, labneh with feta dip, dolmades, spicy cigars, and lamb kefta. SLS Las Vegas, 702-761-7612; slslasvegas.com CAESAR SALAD @ Morels Steakhouse There's only one way to make a proper Caesar salad: fresh and tableside. At Morels, they toss it to order, and they invariably get it just right. This Caesar is very traditional: Romaine, eggs, lemon, anchovies, fresh croutons, good Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. That's why it's so good. The Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-607-6333; morelslv.com . John Curtas can usually be found at eatinglv.com. clockwise: Mezzes at Cleo; Morels Steakhouse's classic Caesar salad; cherry tomato and burrata salad at Standard & Pour. 44 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM SCENE SUMMER DINING