Adjust a pop-rock anthem to reveal this downtown dining destination’s de facto theme: “Celeb-rate good times—come on!”
These celebs—movie actors, TV stars, “reality” personalities, musicians, singers, rappers, Olympic athletes, baseball/football/hockey/UFC bigwigs, even “adult” performers—do indeed rate.
“Our biggest tag line is, ‘You never know who you’ll be sitting beside,’” says Richard Wilk, director of business development and buzz marketing at The D Las Vegas, where he shuttles celebrities to Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, the elegant upstairs hideaway where they chow down on selections stretching from a pound and a half of Maine lobster to 32 ounces of ribeye steak.
“I send them a limo, I bring them down to eat,” says Wilk, a veteran casino executive. “And we’ve hit TMZ a few times with things that have gone on there.”
Charlie Hunnam and Chuck Zito with Richard Wilk
Through the tunneled entryway opening into the burnished décor of dark leather booths, velvet curtains and gentle lighting, the stars shine—such as Charlie Hunnam, who dined with Sons of Anarchy comrades Mark Boone Jr. and Chuck Zito. “(Other diners) are respectful because it’s a higher-end restaurant,” Wilk says. “There were 10 women who knew he was there but they waited. When we got out, he got mobbed, but he took pictures with everyone.”
Other thespians who’ve sampled suppers: the “super” contingent of Mehcad Brooks (Supergirl’s strapping James Olsen) and ex-Man of Steel Dean Cain; Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver, Miami Vice); Steve Schirripa (The Sopranos); Louis Lombardi (24, The Usual Suspects); and Pitch Perfect stars Skylar Astin and Anna Camp. Plus, from that other Hollywood: adult headliners Tori Black and Jada Stevens.
Another Andiamo reality? Reality stars: Exercising fork-lifting and booze-sipping skills have been Survivor/The Amazing Race competitors/twin sisters Natalie and Nadiya Anderson, and the Counting Cars crew of Ryan Evans, Roli Szabo and “Horny Mike” Henry. Plus some locals you’ll recognize—Pawn Stars luminaries Rick and Corey Harrison and Chumlee, whose famous shop is the proverbial hop-skip-jump from The D.
Prefer sports stargazing? Cast sidelong glances at Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte and Cullen Jones; NFL-ers Melvin Gordon (Chargers), Trae Waynes (Vikings) and Justin Pugh (Giants); and WWE wrestlers Seth Rollins and Bill Goldberg. UFC fighters who developed an affinity for Andiamo include Ronda Rousey, Luke Rockhold, Frank Mir, Randy Couture and Miesha Tate.
“Arianny Celeste is the hottest girl for UFC,” Wilk says of the celebrated ring girl. “Playboy put her on the cover, she’s been a Maxim and FHM girl, so when she comes in websites go crazy to get her picture.”
Often footing the bill for UFC feasts is its president Dana White. “He’d set up for 30 of his people to eat here and say, ‘Give them anything they want,’” Wilk says.
UFC Octagon girls Brittney Palmer and Arianny Celeste
Singers who’ve lubed their larynxes and loaded their bellies include ex-Four Seasons member Tommy De Vito, John Popper, Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows and Oscar-winning rapper DJ Paul (co-composer of “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from Hustle & Flow)—who was presented with an “Oscar birthday cake” by Wilk, as go-go dancers frolicked around him.
“I love creating moments and memories for these people,” Wilk says.
Next on his radar: Rihanna and presidential candidate Donald Trump, the latter with a caveat: “I might have to put him in a back room and close the curtain.”
Perhaps he prefers to tweet in private.
The D, 5-11 p.m. daily. 702.388.2220
