It’s not hard to spot David Bell, operations manager for Proper Eats Food Hall and Easy’s Cocktail Lounge at Aria—just look for the best-dressed man walking the floor. When this man wears a suit, he wears a suit—decorating in themes with the accessories to match, from his shoes, ties and watches to pocket squares, brooches and tie pins.
But it’s not just about dressing to the nines for Bell; what’s more important is the job he does in those dapper duds. “Have a connection with your team,” he says. “When I became management, I wanted to change the narrative. I feel like sometimes people feel just because they have a title that they’re entitled to tell people to do things. Whereas, I can’t send my people to war if I’m not on the front lines with them. If you know your manager is (helping), then you know you have a support system behind you.”
Bell has a long work history—he’s been a cook, food runner and pastry chef, worked in fueling and baggage at the airport and, finally, moved into management roles at pools, restaurants and casino floors. Before he joined Proper Eats three months ago, he was part of the opening team of Resorts World, where he managed that property’s giant food hall. “I’m a jack of all trades,” Bell says, laughing. “I’ve done it all.”
But it’s at Proper Eats—with stalls from some of the industry’s biggest brands, celebrities and chefs—and Easy’s Cocktail Lounge—which is a hidden speakeasy within the food hall—that Bell has found his groove. “I want to implement positive changes and help grow the company,” he says.
Libation: Sake To Me
After ordering your food, take a seat at the food hall’s Proper Bar, which overlooks the property’s pool area. Here, imbibe specialty cocktails inspired by the cuisine of each stall, like the Sake To Me, inspired by the Temaki stall, which serves sushi and nigiri. The cocktail mixes Grey Goose vodka, Nigori sake, strawberry syrup and lemon juice.
Benefit: Keep an eye out for pop-ups with new restaurants to bring additional flavors and concepts to the food hall.
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