Keeping Blue-Eyed Soul Alive

Imagine a young basketball player saying he wanted to have LeBron James’ athleticism, Steph Curry’s shot-making ability, Shaquille O’Neal’s size, and Michael Jordan’s fierce will to win. Sounds a little overly ambitious, right? Well, it’s basically the equivalent of what Felix Cavaliere wanted it all in his musical career: “Marvin Gaye’s voice, Ray Charles’ piano, Jimmy Smith’s organ, Phil Spector’s production and the Beatles’ writing,” Cavaliere once said. “Put them all together, and you’ve got what I wanted to do.” History will judge how close Cavaliere got to reaching his lofty goals, but one thing isn’t debatable: He’s enjoyed an extraordinary career in the music biz.

As a founding member of pioneering 1960s rock group the Young Rascals (later shortened to The Rascals), Cavaliere lent his voice, Hammond B-3 organ and songwriting skills to No. 1 classics, including “Good Lovin’” and “People Got to Be Free.” Including his solo work, Cavaliere’s résumé includes 10 Top 20 singles, six Top 20 albums and four hall of fame inductions (including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997). Perhaps most impressive? At age 76, Cavaliere continues to keep alive the blue-eyed soul sound of the ’60s with Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals. –Matt Jacob

Golden Nugget, 8 p.m. June 7, starting at $39 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster

Classic Italian

Photo by: Peter Harasty

With Andiamo Steakhouse, one of the city’s top destinations for prime beef and Italian favorites, each return visit reveals a new detail or a different dish, which is why Andiamo is one of the most memorable dining rooms in Vegas.

The grande meatball, tender and rich with a deeply flavorful tomato sauce and fluffy ricotta, remains the most popular appetizer. Pasta courses are also a must here. Try the agnolotti, handmade pasta filled with ground veal and coated with rich spinach mascarpone crème, black truffle and wild mushrooms, or the tortellaci Guiseppe, handmade ricotta-filled pasta tossed together with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, spinach, roasted tomato and a creamy marsala sauce.

Andiamo serves up braised veal osso buco, Alaskan red king crab legs and marinated Colorado double-bone lamb chops. But once you set your eyes on that perfectly charred long-bone ribeye steak that just touched down the next table over, it’s hard to focus on anything else. –Las Vegas Magazine Staff

The D, 5-11 p.m. daily. 702.388.2220

A Locals Favorite

Photo by: Bill Hughes

Much like a certain famous Boston Bar, Huntridge Tavern is one of those establishments where everyone seems to know everyone else. It’s one of the city’s longest-standing bars, and serves up some of the cheapest beers and shots of Jameson around. It’s a quintessential part of the downtown experience, and by the time you leave, you’ll probably feel just like a local yourself. –Ken Miller

1116 E. Charleston Blvd. 702.384.7377