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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‒ Secret Source ‒ VIC "VEGAS" MOEA VERANDA The ideal brunch destination (in-the- know guests go for the mini doughnut machine) also hosts afternoon tea and has an intimate lounge on its lush, pool-facing patio. While it's also a great power breakfast and lunch spot, its secret strength is as a sanctuary from Vegas's evening chaos. The Four Seasons, 702-632-5121; fourseasons.com BARS & LOUNGES CASA FUENTE CIGARS At a decade old, Casa Fuente is an institution in The Forum Shops. Those who are serious about their cigars can choose from the selection in the walk-in humidor and belly up to the bar in the newly renovated space for an unusual assortment of cocktails and spirits, including Casa Fuente's own Kavalan Sherry Cask Strength Whisky and Jack Daniel's Casa Fuente Single Barrel Whiskey. The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-731-5051; casafuente.com CENTER BAR A legend in its own right for 20 years and counting, Hard Rock's celeb- favorite Center Bar is back and better than ever after undergoing a full-scale renovation. Expect rock stars. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702-693-5000; hardrockhotel.com CLIQUE BAR & LOUNGE A distinct counterpoint to the Cosmopolitan's high-energy club scene, Clique offers light bites and tableside cocktail service in a sexy, matte black and shimmering gold room inspired by women's jewelry and boasting a dramatic backlit bar. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7939; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com THE DORSEY For those who love a classic, labor- intensive mixed drink formulated by a famed master mixologist (and with a minimum of electronic dance music), enter The Dorsey, whose cocktails are designed by Sam Ross of Attaboy and Milk & Honey. Don't miss the Penicillin, a smoky-sweet remedy for everything—made with single-malt and blended Scotch, honey, ginger, and lemon.Venetian, 866-659-9643; venetian.com FIZZ David Furnish and Elton John's two-story Champagne bar is an exquisite blend of '70s-style bronze accents and faux-fur prints. Caesars Palace, 702-776-3200; caesars.com FRANKIE'S TIKI ROOM Down authentic (and authentically strong) tiki drinks in a retro space with hand-carved furnishings, vintage post- ers, and an exotic soundtrack. You'll find original carvings by Tiki Bosko (who made art for the Tropicana) and Leroy Schmaltz, the king of tiki carvers. 1712 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-385- 3110; frankiestikiroom.com FRANKLIN While the Delano celebrates its desert surroundings with neutral décor that brings the outdoors in, the hotel's lobby bar, Franklin, provides a lush, modern contrast with dark leather furniture, warm wood walls, gold accents, and a fireplace. Delano Las Vegas, 702-632- 7888; delanolasvegas.com THE GOLDEN TIKI Located in Chinatown, the newer of Vegas's two favorite tiki bars features tropical drinks, talking tiki statues, and a giant conch shell. Look for "shrunken heads" of local celebs. 3939 Spring Mountain Road, 702- 222-3196; thegoldentiki.com HERBS & RYE From Gothic "alcoholic remedies" to quaffs from the Golden Age to the perfect Sazerac, Herbs & Rye is darkly and wittily vintage. Owner and award-winning mixologist Nectaly Mendoza's place is where the industry goes at the end of the night to take the edge off. 3713 W. Sahara Ave., 702- 982-8036; herbsandrye.com MANDARIN BAR Unofficially called "The Edge" due to its perch in one of the hotel's particu- larly sharp corners, Mandarin Bar's VIP area requires advance booking, so call ahead to relish the awesome 23rd-floor views afforded by three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Mandarin Oriental, 888-881-9367; mandarinoriental.com PARASOL UP With colorful fabrics and hanging lan- terns, this casino-level lounge just underwent a million-dollar renovation and still offers some of the best people- watching in Las Vegas. The updated drink menu features five barrel-aged craft cocktails available on draft. The bar's counterpart, Parasol Down (an escalator ride away), overlooks Wynn's picturesque Lake of Dreams. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3392; wynnlasvegas.com PETROSSIAN BAR Just like its New York sibling, Petrossian Bar celebrates caviar and vodka in a loungey atmosphere (prepare for con- spicuous consumption; it's right on the edge of the casino floor). INSIDER TIP: Petrossian also has one of the most civi- lized high teas in town: Think fresh scones and clotted cream accompanied by a pianist commanding the one-of-a- kind Steinway. Bellagio, 702-693-6163; bellagio.com PRESSED JUICERY With multiple locations in Nevada, you can drink all the cold-pressed designer juice you like (including recent limited selections like Pressed Juicery's pink and blue—spirulina!—lemonade collab- orations with Vogue ). Both newbie and WHO: Corporate executive chef of Nicholas and Company food distributors; owner and creator of 7 Sinful Subs; Spike TV's Bar Rescue expert chef and former Food Network Star finalist. TASTE OF HOME: "At the New York-style Bagel Café (301 N. Buffalo Dr., 702- 255-3444; thebagelcafelv.com) I'd order the NYC pastrami that I can't live without, and take some quarter-sour pickles with it." MORNING, SUNSHINE: "Can we all agree that Roberto's Taco Shop (multiple locations; robertostacoshop.com) makes the best breakfast burrito on earth?" HOME ON THE RANGE: "My favorite down-to-earth classic restaurant is the Chuckwagon Restaurant in Longhorn Casino (5288 Boulder Hwy., 702-435-9170; longhorncasinolv.com) for the classic old Vegas home cooking. It truly takes you back. And don't forget to play the tabletop Pac-Man when you pass through!" TAKE JAZZ FRIES WITH THAT: "Don't be surprised if you see more FukuBurger ( food truck, plus Fukuburger Chinatown, 3429 S. Jones, 702-217-0758; fukuburger.com) locations popping up. Those are brothers after my own heart." The SOURCE: SCENE 94 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM