On the Strip: Vanderpump Cocktail Garden
There’s a reason why Lisa Vanderpump was one of the most sought-after celebs for fans and guests to snap a selfie with during the recent Vegas Uncork’d Grand Tasting event. Superstar chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Guy Fieri were all over and yet the reality TV star and glamorous Hollywood restaurateur was the most captivating personality, and that’s because Vanderpump’s style is fun and flashy, elegant and seductive.
She’s captured that vibe and bottled it up at her new Vegas venue, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden (Caesars Palace, 866.227.5938). Dress flirty and fashionable and indulge in a pink margarita or the Cold Blooded blood-orange Old-Fashioned while snacking on crispy blue cheese stuffed olives, spicy salmon tartare cones or lobster and avocado naan flatbread. It’s a stylish spot but doubles as a romantic hideaway, especially if you’re sharing the Vanderpump rosé cake for two, wine-infused sponge cake with rich strawberry buttercream. This enchanted garden offers a lot more than charming atmosphere. –Brock Radke
Off the Strip: Evel Pie
Evel Pie
Evel Pie (508 Fremont St., 702.840.6460) celebrates the style and image of legendary Evel Knievel. The Snake River special, named in honor of his canyon jump, is topped with red sauce, mozzarella, caramelized onions, roasted red pepper and rattlesnake sausage for a spicy yet balanced flavor profile. Rattlesnake is actually a lean meat, so it’s cut with pheasant to provide enough fat for a sausage. As with all the pizzas, this crust is tossed at 60 degrees and fermented for two days to produce a thin but soft and chewy texture. That’s one tasty snake. –Rob Kachelriess
#trending: El Dorado Cantina
Mojitos
Adjacent to the Sapphire gentleman’s club just off the Strip, El Dorado Cantina (3025 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, 702.722.2289) is known for its health-conscious Mexican cuisine. But the new seasonal menu offerings are focused on drinks and desserts, including three mojitos and perfect-for-summer watermelon or jalapeño-cucumber margaritas. If you need something sweet, try the chef’s signature Nieve de Naranja, house-made orange ice cream served in an organic orange with whipped cream and berries. –BR
