Life has comes full circle for Luqi Xu, general manager for the newly opened Copper Sun at Resorts World Las Vegas.

As he grew up in China, one of Xu’s favorite restaurants was Happy Lamb, a hot pot brand with more than 700 restaurants spread across the country. Last year, the brand made its debut in Las Vegas with Copper Sun, its first-ever fine-dining concept, and Xu is running the restaurant. “It’s like a circle,” he says. “I never thought one day I’d be working at one of my favorite childhood restaurants.”

Xu brings many years of experience to running Copper Sun. He started working in restaurants long ago in L.A., where his parents owned a Chinese dumpling restaurant. When his family moved to Las Vegas in 2011, he began a career on the Strip, first as a busser at properties like SAHARA Las Vegas and Wynn. After lots of hard work and a goal of running restaurants, he moved into a management role at X Pot at The Venetian Resort.

“I love to guide guests through our experience,” Xu says. “I love to see the guests enjoying our food. I like to walk around the restaurant and see the smiles, surprise and happiness on their faces trying this food. We want to bring hot pot to the people.”

Has Xu found his happy place?

“I never would have thought I’d be here,” he says. “… I’m on the way to success; I’m still climbing the ladder. I’m happy that I’ve had this opportunity to run a brand that I loved from my childhood, but I still have more to do. I want to accomplish more.” 

Libation: Beijing Peach

First, try Copper Sun’s house specialty cocktail, the Beijing Peach, mixed with jasmine-infused vodka, white peach purée and lemon juice. Then, move on to the rest of the menu, with tempting picks like the honeydew mojito, buttered plum Old-Fashioned and peanut butter boulevardier.

Benefit: Break out the camera to capture the giant crispy fried dough stick appetizer, prepared tableside.

Resorts World Las Vegas. rwlasvegas.com

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