out of your

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P UBL ISHERMichael Skenandore

EDI T ORI A LEDITOR Matt Jacob

SENIOR EDITORS Paul Szydelko, Xania Woodman

A&E EDITOR Cindi Reed

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Camille Cannon

SENIOR WRITERS Steve Bornfeld, Geoff Carter, Lissa Townsend Rodgers

CALENDAR COORDINATOR Ian Caramanzana

SENIOR CON T RIBU T ING EDI T ORMelinda Sheckells (style)

CON T RIBU T ING EDI T ORSMichael Green (politics), Al Mancini (dining),

David G. Schwartz (gaming/hospitality)

A R TCREATIVE DIRECTOR Ryan Olbrysh

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Cierra Pedro

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Anthony Mair, Krystal Ramirez

V EGASSE V EN.COMDIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Nicole Ely

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Herbert Akinyele

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PRODUC T ION / DIS T RIBU T IONDIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION Marc Barrington

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S A L ESBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Christy Corda

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alyse Britt, Robyn Weiss

IN T ERNS Will Carter, Kayla Dean, Shannon Kelly, Rachel Kerr,

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Ryan T. Doherty | Justin WenigerPRESIDENT Michael Skenandore

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LAS VEGAS WEEKLY CITY MAGAZINE | FOUNDED FEBRUARY 2010

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You have proven over the years how much you love Las Vegas, but there have to be things about the Best City Ever that irritate you. What are a few of your biggest gripes?Believe it or not, I could write a book (or at least a frothy 7,000-word blog post) about this subject. (The DMV! The wind! The traffic!). But here are five top contenders: The state of public education isto put it

mildlyconcerning. I saw the writing on the wall back in the 1980s when some of the best teachers at Clark High School were enticed away to launch the Meadows School. Before that, when the city was a fraction of its current size with only a handful of private schools, the rich kids, the poor kids and all those in between mixed in public schools. The lesson: Dont un-derestimate the impact of an egalitarian educa-tion system in manifesting an egalitarian society. Las Vegas must be the chain store and

franchise capital of the world. Ill never forget the few years I lived in a new suburb (dont ask) and seeing the excitement when Chilis finally opened. Given the two-hour queue on opening day, you would have thought Hubert Keller had just launched a new Michelin-starred diner. A city of risk-takers should be a little more ad-venturous when it comes to neighborhood food offerings, but few people here care as long as Chick-fil-A comes ... and opens on every corner. Many newcomers love to complain that they

cannot meet anyone in Las Vegas worth meet-ing. Ive covered this topic before, but I recently met a bartenderjust eight months into her stint herewho was already hightailing it back home because she found it impossible to meet anyone. Hint: Maybe its your attitude, and not the city. But sure, well be your scapegoat! Which leads to: Thanks to our Grand Central Station sen-

sibility, Las Vegas has very little institutional memory on which to lean. That means the story of Las Vegas is too often framed by eager-but-clueless recent arrivals than by those who actu-ally live it. Remember when wed all get annoyed at the parachuting journalists who dropped in, looked around and then pooped on us in a major news outlet? Now, too often, they are us. Relatedly, our city attracts an interesting

demographic of second-chancers, disappear-ing acts, gamblers, performers, carpetbaggers and con artists. That local color is fine by me. But the regular folks who thought Summerlin was merely Irvine with a few bingo rooms and buffets often have a difficult time accepting Sin City. That adds to a tiresome public discourse about Las Vegas that is already fairly negative.

Too many arrive with expectations that Las Ve-gas cant fulfill or problems that no city can solve. As Los Angeleno Matt Kennedy once commented on a Vice story ripping Los Angeles, People dont get cancer here; they bring it with them. Exactly.

Questions? AskaNative@VegasSeven.com.

J A M E S P . R E Z A

CHARACTER STUDY

Calculated RiskReal estate developer sees a hidden gem in a historic casino

By Paul Szydelko

ON SHELVES BEHIND THE DESK OF REAL estate developer Joe DeSimone Jr. stand the exquisite attention to detail found in George F.Wills Men at Work, the soaring inspira-tion provided by a quote from NFL legend Vince Lombardi and conservative theories espoused by Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged.How much DeSimone might

lean on these three infuences as he grows into his role as the new owner of Railroad Pass hotel-casinoa fxture on U.S. 93-95 between Henderson proper and Boulder City since 1931is anyones guess. This much is certain: In the nations oldest continuously operating casino, which he acquired from MGM Resorts International earlier this year, DeSimone, 48, saw an opportunity to diversify his portfolio. After founding First Federal Realty in 1996 and com-pleting one apartment building and fve professional offce com-plexes, the leap into the gaming industry represents more of a professional progression than a personal passion for the Long Island, N.Y., native.Among DeSimones frst tasks

was a fresh coat of exterior paint and a new roof for Railroad Pass, which houses 320 slot machines, 120 rooms, a William Hill-op-erated sportsbook, a buffet, steakhouse and caf. (DeSimone owns the property, but has yet to com-plete the regulatory process to become the licensed operator; he anticipates clearing that fnal hurdle during a Nevada Gaming Commission hearing July 23.) One thing guests wont see is his name on the property or on his favorite dish on the cafs menu. My ego doesnt allow for that, he says.The cosmetic enhancements aside, DeSimone,

who moved to Henderson in 1991, isnt planning any kind of mass overhaul of Railroad Pass. For now, he just wants to maximize its potential in ways his predecessors could not. [Railroad Pass] does well, he says. But there are so many revenue centers and cost-effciencies that can be imple-mented in a property like this that might have been overlooked by the previous owners because they had bigger and more important things to look at.For instance, on one of his frst visits after tak-

ing possession, DeSimone discovered the bar in the sportsbook did not take debit or credit cards. There are countless opportunities to improve the experience for the customers, add customers and make sure were running as effciently as possible.DeSimone is also committed to improving the ex-

perience for his workforce. In accordance with the purchase agreement with MGMwhich had owned the property since 2005he retained all 200-plus

employees. He says he sensed relief when those employees were told a local independent business-man was now signing their paychecks and planning to reinvest. To that latter point: DeSimone, who purchased 40 acres adjacent to the developed 20-acre property, is studying whether to add a travel center to better accommodate the estimated 40-50 truckers who stop there nightly on the trek to and from Arizona. Beyond that, he intends to retain Railroad Pass intimate character and its appeal to Boulder City residents, while attracting more Hen-derson residents as the Boulder City bypass and Interstate 11 are developed.The travel experience for people from Boulder

City doesnt change [with the bypass]; the travel ex-perience for people from Henderson only changes to the extent they cant make an immediate left-hand turn into our property where the stoplight [currently] is, he says. A lot of prospective pur-chasers might have had some concerns as it relates to that; I have a lot of optimism as it relates to that.Actually, DeSimone has a lot of optimism about

everything. Even though his frst foray into hospi-tality and gaming has come with a steep learning curve, hes fully embracing the experience when others might be overwhelmed: Its a fun adven-ture. And its a perfect property to buy for your frst casino.

Tap-dancing twins Sean and John Scott of Absinthe are our Best Dancers (see page 54).

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BEST NEW L ATE-N IGHT EATS

Siegels 1941Lets face it: There isnt a lot to munch on as you wind down a late-night Downtown bar crawl. So were excited that El Cortez has fnally opened its 24-hour eatery, Siegels 1941. Like most casino coffee shops, the Mob-themed space has a little something for everyone, depending on the time of day. But the offerings from 11 p.m. through 11 a.m. are es-pecially diverse, and include break-fast choices, burgers, sandwiches, bar-style snacks and pastas. Whatev-er your mood, youll fnd something that will hit the spot. In El Cortez, 702-385-5200, ElCortezHotelCasino.com.

BEST PL ACE TO PAY HOMAGE

TO THE BUFFALO WING

Anchor BarThe Buffalo wing has been a bar-food staple for so long, many have forgot-ten that the spicy little kicker, in fact, has provenance. It was invented in the 1960s in (surprise!) Buffalo, New York,

at Anchor Bar, and now Las Vegas boasts its very own outpost. Perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, the dreamy drummettes come in nine favors, but you should focus your attention on the originalwith the heat level turned up to suicidal. This ones a game changer, and after one order, youll question every Buf-falo wing youve ever eaten in your life. In the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, AnchorBar.com.

BEST PANCAKE SELECT ION

PantryThe Mirages 24-hour coffee shop wants you to feel like youre eating in Moms kitchen, and your Mom appar-ently is really good at making a wide variety of pancakes. Daily and sea-sonal fapjack specials might include tiramisu or pumpkin, or be as grandi-ose as to be made with seven different types of chocolate and topped with 23-karat gold fakes. Theres always the Valrhona milk-chocolate variety, based on the chefs grandmothers recipe, as well as pancakes studded with blueberries and the classic but-termilk version. The short stack at your neighborhood waffe house will never measure up again. In The Mirage, 702-696-7050, Mirage.com.

BEST GR ILLED CHEESE

W ITH MEAT ON IT

Short Rib Grilled Cheeseat Fat ChoyTucked into a corner of the tiny Eu-reka Casino, chef Sheridan Sus Fat Choy is one of the Valleys best-kept dining secrets. The pork belly bao and sesame noodles alone are well worth a visit, but its the short rib grilled cheese that will guarantee return trips. A mix of provolone and ched-dar swaddles a generous helping of tender short rib served on buttery sourdough bread slathered with on-ion jamin a word, intoxicating. Guy Fieri recently stopped by to flm for an upcoming episode of his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so dont count on Fat Choy remaining a hidden gem for much longer. In Eureka Casino, 702-794-3464, FatChoyLV.com.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Glutton and VegeNationThis year saw the arrival of Downtown restaurants VegeNation and Glutton, next-door neighbors whose menus couldnt be more different. The two form a sort of yin/yang in Downtowns ever-evolving dining sceneGlutton suggesting indulgence with a menu full of savory meats, and VegeNation priding itself on restraint via an en-tirely plant-based menu. However, they do have one thing in common: a fagship burger. The Glutton Burger features grilled sirloin, American cheese blend and bread-and-butter pickles, while the VegeNation Burger boasts a superfood patty (think beets) with lettuce and tomato. Go ahead and enjoy one for lunch and the other for dinnerdont worry, we wont judge. Glutton, 610 E. Carson Ave., Suite 110; VegeNation, 616 E. Carson Ave., Suite 120.

BEST TH ING S INCE SL ICED BACON

SpeckLike belly, guanciale and bacon before it, fnding the next big thing in pork is a serious pursuit among chefs and foodies. This year, watch for specka fatty smoked bacon-like cut from

D I N I N G & D R I N K I N G

Our sixth annual tribute to all thats great about Las Vegasfrom the place to go for pancakes (topped with 23-karat gold flakes) to our favorite new resident (and not just because hes worth $600 million).

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Tyrol, Italy, near the Swiss borderto pass over the most respected palates in town. Chefs are experimenting with recipes where bacon would have been the go-to. Now replacing it with other salty, fatty pork counterparts such as specka rich, nutty, sweet, but-tery, luscious smoked ham laced with aromatics of juniperto me is a no-brainer, says local chef Brian Howard. Bacon, as much as I love it, can be produced in under two weeks. But it will never have the complexity and depth of favor of a ham thats well fed, cured and aged in the right environ-ment for a minimum of 10 months. You can fnd speck in dishes such as al cipollotto e speck pizzette at Julian Ser-ranos Lago in Bellagio, or discover its rich, versatile qualities this fall at Howards forthcoming Downtown res-taurant Grazing Pig Charcuterie.

BEST TABLESIDE CAESAR SAL AD

Joe Vicaris AndiamoSteakhouse in The DHidden away on the second foor of The D is arguably Downtowns top steakhouse. And when it comes to the tradition of the tableside Caesar salad, Joe Vicaris doesnt miss a beat. Ex-pertly prepared by a tuxedo-wearing server, a dozen full romaine leaves are delicately tossed into a thick dressing whose ingredients are whisked togeth-er one at a time right in front of you. Topped with a handful of croutons and large, razor-thin slices of Reggiano, this salad takes the Caesar game to a new level. In The D, 702-388-2220, TheD.com.

BEST WAY TO LOSE YOUR

FO IE GRAS-G IN ITY

Cotton Candy at Bazaar MeatFoie gras is one of the most misun-derstood foods on the planet. Its a favorite target of animal rights activ-ists, despite the fact that foie ducks live far better lives than most of the animals that Americans eat. Still, the taste and texturereminiscent of meat-favored buttercan be tough to process the frst time you try it. Thankfully, Jos Andrs has found a way to make it less scary: He put it on a stick and wrapped it in cotton candy. Trust us: Youll fnd the com-bination of light, airy spun sugar and rich, fatty meat quite sublime. In SLS, 855-761-7757, SLSVegas.com.

BEST SURPRISE ETHNIC D ISHES

Filipino food at AndreasFilipino food is often humble and hearty, but it can sometimes be a little unapproachable if youre not familiar. Fortunately, the native fare is slowly infltrating our culinary mainstream, thanks to chef Joe El-evado at Andreas in Encore. Example: sisig, a traditional bar snack thats best enjoyed with cold beers, is usu-

Joe Vicaris Andiamo

Steakhouse tableside

Caesar salad.

BEST OF THE CIT Y

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ally made with the offal bits (pig ears and face), but Elevado tones it down, using everyones favorite crispy pork belly mixed with bits of jalapeo and red onion for texture and crunch. Then he tops it with an egg and serves it all on a sizzling platter. Theres also Elevados take on crispy pata, a pork shank with crackling skin served with house-made pickles and black vinegar to cut into the luscious fat of the pata. Its so elegant, some might not even be aware theyre being introduced to traditional Pinoy cuisine. In Encore, 702-770-3463, WynnLasVegas.com.

BEST SUSHI ROLL INSP IRED BY SOUP

Tom Yum Roll at IchizaThis roll brings the hot-and-sour favors of the classic Thai specialty Tom Yum soup into solid form. Made with shrimp tempura, veggies, herbs and lemongrass on the inside, and topped with more shrimp, cilantro

and chili sauce, the roll tastes almost exactly like its brothy inspiration. Congratulations: You now may enjoy your favorite soup in the desert sum-mer heat without looking completely insane. 4355 Spring Mountain Rd., Suite 205, 702-367-3151, IchizaLasVegas.com.

BEST RESTAURANT ROW

Carson AvenueFremont East may still be the coolest stroll in town for cocktails, but just a block to the south, Carson Avenue has emerged as Downtowns top dining drag. Start just east of Las Vegas Boulevard at Kerry Simons Carson Kitchen, and before the end of the block you can stop to grab a doughnut at O Face or perhaps some sushi at Bocho. The next block offers the adjacent VegeNation, Glutton and Zydeco Po-Boys. And on opposite sides of the intersection at Carson and Seventh Street, youll fnd Natalie

Youngs breakfast and lunch spot Eat, plus the back entrance to The Perch in Container Park. If youre keeping score, thats one street, barely two blocks and eight diverse restaurants.

BEST ALTERNATIVE TO CHIPOTLE

Braddahs Island StyleYou can fnd a traditional Mexican food joint in this town almost as eas-ily as you can fnd an aspiring DJ. If you want something different, hit fast-casual chain Braddahs Island Style. The model is similar to Chipo-tleschoose between a bowl, bur-rito, salad or tacosbut with distinct, favorful Hawaiian offerings such as seaweed rice, mango salsa, kalua pig, grilled huli huli chicken and pulehu steak. Why should Americas favorite burrito chain be worried? The lo-cal company, started by a former Chipotle regional manager, recently opened its fourth Las Vegas location

with a ffth slated for Henderson. And owner Christopher Campbell says he wants 500 locations nation-wide. Watch your guac, Chipotle. Multiple locations, BraddahsTacos.com.

BEST RE INVENT ION

Radio City Pizzeria/RetroscenaBeef heart tartare? Grilled octopus with squid ink parsnip puree? From a pizza joint? Under new owner-ship, Radio City Pizzeria has shown us they have so much more to offer, including more gourmet items such as crudo, fresh pastas with pesto that changes weekly and other surprising choices. Sure, you can still order a slice of pepperoni or cheese through the walk-up window, but we recom-mend heading inside and trying one of the upgraded pies with such items as chicken oysters and broccoli rabe, or guanciale and chorizo, all party-cut into squares so the crust can hold the heft of the toppings. While it does have that neighborhood hipster feel to itespecially now that amaro bar Retroscena has opened in the back alleyRadio City manages to pull it off without feeling overwrought. 508 Fremont St., 702-982-5055.

BEST RESTAURANT HACK

The C-Line (cold-items-only)at Shake ShackShake Shack is a New York City leg-end, and when it opened its frst location west of the Mississippi here, those who had never experienced its juicy burgers on hinged buns slathered with secret sauce became overnight fans. Devotees focked to New York-New York to experience the Shacks holy trinity of burger, crinkle-cut fries and shake or concrete (a custard with various mix-ins). But the best part about this location is the walk-up C-line window, where you can skip the burger/fries line inside and go straight for the cold treats. Worshippers, rejoice! In New York-New York, 725-222-6730, ShakeShack.com.

D I N I N G & D R I N K I N G

The Tom Yum Roll

at Ichiza.

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BEST BLOODY MARY PRESENTATION

HearthstoneBottomless Bloody Mary brunches have become as synonymous with Las Vegas as the hangovers that spur the need for such a thing. But what about when bottomless just isnt enough? How about taking a cue from what Vegas does best: bottle service! The Hearthstone team has created a special serving tray packed with ev-erything your hangover requires: a bottle of the house vodka, 50 Bleu; house-made chipotle or traditional Mary mix; and a selection of garnish-es and hot sauces. The best thing is it stays with youright on the tableso relief is never out of reach. And at $70, its not a bad deal if your entire group is in need of a liquid Band-Aid. In Red Rock Resort, 702-797-7344, HearthstoneLV.com.

BEST USE OF AVOCADO

S INCE AVOCADO TOAST

Avocolada atTropical Smoothie CafDespite a rumored avocado short-age, the avocado toast craze (did you miss it?) washed over both coasts this year like one of those CGI continent-refacing tidal waves from a summer blockbuster. But now we see your dry, fancy toast and raise you a cool, re-freshing smoothie. The Avocolada (592 calories; 416 with Splenda) launched as a special in March, blending avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut and lime into Paleo manna thats here to stay. Oh, and if the shortage rumors are true, you can bet CrossFitters will be guarding the stockpile. Various locations, TropicalSmoothieCafe.com.

BEST LOUNGE REFRESH

Vista Cocktail LoungeNothing is sadder than a beauty thats past her prime. Except maybe a beau-ty thats waaaay past her prime. Which is why were overjoyed to see Shadow Bar get the full Swan makeover as Vista Lounge, courtesy of Hakkasan Group. Gone are the busty dancing girls (unless, you know, someone drops a beat), and here to stay (hopefully) are open seating, computer-generated skyline views, tasteful furnishings and even more tasteful cocktails. Now if only that view were as real as those busty ladies In Caesars Palace, VistaCockailLounge.com.

Less flash, more FlashPour! That would be the battle cry of

veteran barman Nick Houck that is, if he had time for that

sort of thing. Hes been busy of late, working the levels of Vegas

Sevens annual Bols Best Bartender competition that spanned

three weeks, and ultimately taking home the prize.

This competition is designed to test a range of

skills that a modern professional bartender should

display, says Anthony Pullen, Lucas Bols USA

brand development and education manager, who

created the competition. The goal is to encourage

participants to challenge themselves to refine skills in which

they might not excel. The only way to win is to be well rounded,

not necessarily an expert at one particular discipline.

The competition, which drew 35 participants, was split into

three rounds: knowledge and accuracy via a written exam and

pour test; speed and efficiency, by way of a four-cocktail timed

practical; and service and personality, comprised of a mixology

competition and a live trial, managing a busy crowd at Whist

Stove & Spirits in The District at Green Valley Ranch. The bar-

man with the highest average score was the winner.

Nick played the game real smart, Pullen says.

He took the time to study, and prepared well for

the different rounds. He was aware of his strengths

and weaknesses, then applied himself to earn the

most points he could out of each round.

Houck is the creator of the FlashPour precision

pour spout (FlashPour.com), so winning this competition figures to

boost his side business. More than that, the Aria barman is simply

thrilled to prove to people that a true dyed-in-the-wool union bar-

tender can be the best bartender in Las Vegas. Xania Woodman

CHECK OUT NICK HOUCKS MIXOLOGY ROUND RECIPE ON PAGE 101.

BEST BARTENDER

Nick Houck

BEST OF THE CIT Y

Christine Robinson and Betsy Fretwell.

BEST BREATH OF FRESH A IR

Tony Sanchez College sports have always been home to a peculiar cult of the coach. The hard-ass who makes you run laps is regularly hailed as a savior, saint or CEOoften all of them at the same time. Never is that so true as when a college football program on the brink of irrelevance (see: Michigan) or ut-ter obsolescence (see: UNLV) hires a new guy to make everything OK. On September 19, Michigans fresh saviorJim Harbaugh, the capable and irascible former San Francisco 49ers coachwill host UNLVs Tony Sanchez, who most recently coached Bishop Gorman High School.The day is unlikely to turn out well

for the Rebels (theyre 33-point under-dogs for a reason), but thats utterly be-side the point. Sanchez, who was hired in December, has so far been very un-like Harbaugh, in a good way, charming Las Vegas fans, media and business folk, and making UNLV football, which has had fve winning seasons in the past 30 years, once again a viable topic of local sports-radio conversation. Suddenly, UNLV is getting a frst-rate on-campus training center, and talk has, almost miraculously, resumed about the pos-sibility of an on-campus stadium.Sanchezs pedigree as a high school

coach is impressive: In six seasons at Bishop Gorman, his teams won six state titles and went 85-5 while playing a national schedule. In the process, the Gaels became something close to a household name in the sort of households where high school football teams are household names. Sanchez coached such stars as Anu Solomon (starting quarterback at the University of Arizona), Alize Jones (an elite tight end headed for Notre Dame), and Cordell Broadus (a standout wide receiver who signed with UCLA).Sanchez will certainly get a

honeymoon with UNLV fans. Tune in a couple of years from now to see if it has led to a happy marriage.

BEST HUMAN H IGHL IGHT REEL

Derrick JonesIf you believe Derrick Jones, hes won every dunk contest hes ever entered. Now, theres no way to fact-check such a statement, since jam-fests

arent offcially sanctioned by a su-preme governing body (although their meetings would defnitely liven up C-SPANs programming). But after seeing the UNLV newcomers vast collection of highlights onlineseriously, it seems like every time Jones leaps, it goes viralwere will-ing to take his word for it. Bank on the 6-foot-7 incoming freshman to regularly defy gravity this season as he challenges Larry Johnson and An-thony Bennett for the crown of best dunker in UNLV history.

BEST UNLV SALESMAN

Todd SimonTalk to any of the young prep basketball stars being recruited by the Rebels and their stories usually begin the same way: I got a text from

Coach Simon. Going into his third year as an assistant under UNLV head coach Dave Rice, Simon is already recognized as one of the nations best recruiters, with a massive network of high school contacts following his stint as head coach at Findlay Prep in Henderson. And nobody is better than the affable 34-year-old at mining this generation of basketball talentRashad Vaughn, Patrick McCaw, Justin Jackson and Ike Nwamu are just a few of Simons recent recruiting successes.

BEST DEC IS ION BY A LOCAL K ID

(ACCORDING TO UNLV FANS)

Stephen ZimmermanAs Chris Rock famously said, a man is only as faithful as his options. And prep wunderkind Stephen

Zimmerman had options: The 7-foot Bishop Gorman grad could have chosen anywhere in the country to play college ball, and the nations most iconic programs wanted him, from Kentucky to Kansas to North Carolina to Indiana to UCLA. But in the end, Zimmerman wasnt swayed by the grass-is-greener lure of some faraway campus, choosing instead to stay home and play his one collegiate season (maybe two, if the Rebels are lucky) at UNLV. For that decision alone, Zimmerman cemented himself as a hero to the Scarlet and Gray fanatics.

BEST POWER TR IO

Bryce Harper, Kris Bryantand Joey GalloProducing a generational talent like Bryce Harper was huge for the Las Vegas baseball scene, as the Las Vegas High/College of Southern Nevada product openly reps the 702 at every opportunity. But with Kris Bryant (Bonanza High) and Joey Gallo (Bishop Gorman High) also making big noise in the big leagues this season, it appears Southern Nevada is poised for an unprecedented run of diamond dominance. Bryant joined MVP candidate Harper on the National League All-Star team, and Gallo made his mark by slugging fve homers in his frst 25 games after his mid-season callup. And did we mention that not one of these guys is older than 23?

BEST DEMOCRAT IF YOURE

A REPUBL ICAN

Marilyn KirkpatrickThanks to an anti-democratic amendment to the Nevada Constitution, it takes a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise taxes. But getting even a simple majority for anything would have been diffcult during this years session, with Assembly Republicans sharply divided between very conservative and completely right wing. This is where Marilyn Kirkpatricks help came in handy: She held her 17-member Democratic caucus together when Republican leaders needed to be able to pass legislation so that they could run in 2016 on the platform that they werent totally incompetent at governance.

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BEST OF THE CIT Y

BEST USE OF A LONGTIME DEAD SPACE

Rock in RioIn roughly a year, a long-vacant lot on the Strip transformed into sprawling festival grounds where some of the worlds most popular actsincluding Metallica and Taylor Swiftconvened over two weekends in May. The Rock in Rio USA Festival reportedly attracted more than 170,000 people, and, more importantly, brought some much-needed hope to the troubled North Strip. Though Rock in Rio wont return until 2017, the site will continue to host festivals, concerts and sporting events. As for its name? Its called the City of Rock. Starship would be proud.

BEST PL ACE TO TRAVEL BACK IN T IME

Ice Age fossils at Tule SpringsNational MonumentLocated where Decatur Boulevard runs past Shadow Ridge High School and into the Clark County Shooting Complex, this place is easy to miss.But a little extra effort is worth it, as this stretch of the newly designatedTule Springs National Monument is chock-full of Ice Age fossils. The bar-ren wash and gullies opened up dur-ing the early 1960s Big Dig, and while the space isnt particularly beautiful in the middle of a summer afternoon, it turns an orange shade of magic at dawn. Pay a visit tomorrow, and you may even run across a woolly mam-moth tooth. Pay a visit down the road, and you may fnd a visitors center and designated walking paths.

BEST POOL FOR ACTUAL SWIMMING

UNLV Student Recreationand Wellness CenterIn Las Vegas, the phrase swimming pool is a bit oxymoronic. Thats be-cause our poolsfrom multi-lagoon casino complexes to puddles at day-clubs to the foatie-flled chlorine-gobbler in your buddys backyardusually arent conducive to channeling your inner Michael Phelps. Thats where the UNLV Student Recreation and Wellness Center comes in. Along with an array of cardio machines and weights, handball courts and basket-ball courts, running tracks and class-rooms, your $25 monthly member-

ship fee grants you access to a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a good-size soaking pool and jumbo-size hot tub. Every-thing you need to get that workout in, followed by a little lazy chill-out. Its still a pool, after all. UNLV.edu/SRWC.

BEST FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTER

Gay & Lesbian Centerof Southern NevadaWhen last months Supreme Court ruling legalized marriage equality, a celebratory rally was staged at the Downtown complex known to many as The Center. Really, it was just the latest example of the facility proving its value to a city core that probably didnt realize until recently that it needed such a place. In addition to the education and social services that The Center provides to the gay, lesbian and transgendered commu-nitiessuch as free vaccinations and HIV/STD teststheres free access to Internet-equipped computers, and the wonderful, vegan-and-carnivore friendly Bronze Caf. The Center also offers meeting space for addiction recovery groups, has a free lending library and even a half-court where neighborhood kids can shoot hoops. In other words, its a community center in every sense of the phrase. TheCenterLV.org.

BEST PL ACE TO EDUCATE YOUR K IDS

(WHILE YOU GET YOUR DR INK ON)

Writers Block bookshopand Atomic LiquorsThis is what we call a win-win: Drop off your kid at Writers Block book-shop for one of its free book clubs and workshops, which range in

topic from poetry to horror fction to playwriting to Dungeons & Dragons role-playing. While the young ones are having their fun, you stroll across the street to Atomic Liquors, the citys oldest freestanding bar, to learn some history yourself. On your syllabus: 20 microbrews on tap and a variety of specialty cocktails. We dont remem-ber learning being this fun, for kids and adults alike. The Writers Block, 1020 Fremont St., Suite 100, 702-550-6399, TheWritersBlock.org; Atomic Liquors, 917 Fremont St., AtomicLasVegas.com.

BEST L IT TLE PARK THAT COULD

The Waiting Game(Sixth Street and Carson Avenue)In the spirit of Parks and Recreation, the Nature Conservancy, UNLV, Iowa State University and the Downtown Project teamed up to drop a postage-stamp gathering place with a handful of potted plants and box benches near the corner of Carson and Sixth. The

space is beginning to gather uncool graffti, the plants are taking a beating from the summer heat, and its titleThe Waiting Gameseems ominously terminal. Still, once you get there, its hard to not to #ParkletVegas and root for this little Charlie Brown of a park.

BEST REASON TO BEL IEVE UNLV S

PROF ILE IS ON THE R ISE

Senate Bill 514In early June, Governor Brian Sando-val signed SB 514an appropriation bill that directs $27 million into UNLVs coffers. The funds will be used to help establish a medical school (the frst in Southern Nevada) and an Interna-tional Center for Excellence in Gam-ing Regulation, as well as support the Boyd School of Law and fund a new academic building for the College of Hotel Administration. Sandovals gift is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to pushing our hometown uni-versity toward to top-tier status.

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BEST PL ACE TO GET YOUR

JAPANESE GAME ON

So Good ArcadeWith the rise in popularity of console gaming, arcades have essentially gone the way of iPods and DVDstheyre nearly extinct. At So Good Arcade, you can (literally) tap into your youth, as $20 buys you a night of visual fun and friendly competition via a variety of imported Japanese arcade cabi-nets. According to co-owner Austin Gee, this is the only place in Las Vegas where you can button-mash in the fghting series BlazBlue, and the only place in America where youll fnd the rhythm-based Maimai. Who knew so much culture (and fun) would be hid-ing in a Spring Valley strip mall? 3455 S. Durango Dr., Suite 104, 702-776-8808, Facebook.com/SoGoodArcade.

BEST USE OF OLD COMIC BOOKS

Critical Care ComicsWhy trash your old comics when you can give them to Batman? Criti-cal Care Comics is a nonproft thats fghting the face of unhappiness through a team of dedicated cosplay-ers. Theyll slip on Peter Parkers mask,

shimmy into the Dark Knights tights and don Supergirls cape to deliver your old comics to children in the hos-pital. Jason Golden founded Critical Care because he wanted to give back; a cancer survivor, he got through the tough times with a little help from his superhero friends. You can donate your back issues by dropping them off at Cosmic Comics (3830 E. Flamingo Rd., Suite F-2), or Goldens crew will come to you and pick them up. Facebook.com/CriticalCareComics.

BEST REASON TO BE HAPPY

YOUR FL IGHT IS DEL AYED

American Express Centurion LoungeRather than sit in those uncomfort-able chairs near the overcrowded gate while waiting for your fight to depart, take a load off in this luxe hospitality suite. The AMEX Centu-rion Lounge at the D Gates in McCar-ran International Airport is the frst of American Express six lounges in the U.S. Its use is restricted to card-holders and complimentary for those at the Centurion or Platinum level. Membership indeed has its privi-leges: Amenities include televisions, shower suites, semi-private work-spaces, an open full bar, Wi-Fi and catering by Scarpettas Scott Conant. So posh is the experience that youll almost hope your fight gets canceled. TheCenturionLounge.com.

BEST WAY TO GET TO PARADISE

Hawaiian Airlinesdirect flight to/from OahuTo be clear: Were not talking about Paradise, Nevada. In less than six hours, you can go from the searing desert to the tropical beaches of Oahu, thanks to Hawaiian Airlines multiple daily non-stop fights. By avoiding that annoying L.A. layover, you get a couple of extra hours to spend snorkeling in the warm blue waters, dining at delicious restau-rants and relaxing in luxurious resorts minutes away from great shopping. And while the fight back to reality is always a drag, at least doing it nonstop gives you extra time to do that laundry and mentally gear up for your return to the grind. HawaiianAirlines.com.

BEST STAYCATION TH IS S IDE

OF PARADISE

The Westin Lake Las VegasKayaking. Stargazing. Roasting marshmallows over an open fre pit while surrounded by sounds of nocturnal creatures. Yes, such a getaway actually exists in this Valley at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort, which offers the most un-Vegas escape while still remaining within eyeshot of the Strip. Here, the lake isnt choreographed to a Celine Dion song, and nobody is dropping any bass. The only thing youll be dropping is your stress. Forget a staycation; we may just move here permanently. 101 Montelago Blvd., Henderson, 702-567-6000, WestinLakeLasVegas.com.

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American Express Centurion Lounge.

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BEST USE OF P IATAS

Justin FavelaThe past fve years have been a festa of piata-packed exhibits for artist Justin Favela. We shopped at his mini-market performance piece in North Las Vegas and traveled to the fuffy border-crossing fantasyland Piatopia at P3 Studio. For the recent Chop Shop at Alios on Main Street, he carved up older works, crafting a contingent of mini low-riders, frilly piata hubcaps, wheels of pizza and a glittering array of Selena signatures. Using low-brow materials, Favela pulls in high-art concepts to intermix with Chicano-American culture. And with piatas in the show, every exhibit is a party!

BEST ART AU NATUREL

The Graffiti HousesThey are, in their rough way, stun-ningly beautiful. Three boarded-up houses at Casino Center Boulevard and Hoover Avenue (kitty-corner to the Newport Lofts) are covered in exqui-site, fne-lined graffti, down to their last square inch. (Someone even paint-ed the rocks around the houses.) Origi-nally curated by a crew that included street artists Vyal, Man One, Dytch, Tiki J, 7 Seas, King 157, Black TCB, Aceix and Vegas Seven 2014 Intriguing Person Ras One, the structures speak colorful volumes about our hardscrabble Arts District. These houses are hard to miss, though you soon might: A sign promis-es a shipping-container shopping plaza will soon occupy the spot. See them while you can.

BEST WAY TO GET THAT V INTAGE SOUND

11 th Street Records/StudioHidden behind East Fremonts 11th

Street Records is a new recording studio that looks, inexplicably, like its been there since 1960. 11th Street owner Ronald Corso built National Southwestern Recording to deliver the sound and feel of the classic studios (Sun, EastWest, Capitol, etc.) where artists such as the Beatles, Johnny Cash and Elvis did their best work. Hes got-ten the look down (acoustic tile, check-erboard foor, muted colors), but more importantly, hes gone to lengths to emulate that warm sound. His fastidi-ousness resulted in a studio thats al-ready been used by local and national acts, including Moon Boots and Hamell on Trial. But Corso wont be entirely happy until his studio produces a Pet Sounds or Revolver: Id like to be a part of great records being made, Corso says, even if its just handing another producer the keys to the place and saying, Go for it. 1023 Fremont St., 702-527-7995, NationalSouthwestern.com.

A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Piatopia creator Justin Favela.

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Shops. With grace and athleticism, the Scott brothers make tap dancing cool by integrating contemporary styles such as hip-hop. It wasnt long before they were hired to perform in Vegas Nocturne at Rose.Rabbit.Lie. in the Cosmopolitan, where they were yet again a highlight. When that show closed, the duo moved the dance party to Absinthe at Caesars Palace, where their moves shine even brighter on a rising circular stage. AbsintheVegas.com.

BEST WE TOLD YOU SO

ShamirOK, so weve had very little to do with the rapid commercial and critical as-cent of 20-year-old singer-songwriter Shamir Bailey, the North Las Vegas native whose debut album Ratchet was announced with a building-size billboard in Times Square. Sure, we put the dance/folk-music performer on the cover of our Intriguing People issue in January (and, if we were any less humble, we might add that it was his very frst magazine cover). But everything that came before and after that2014s critically acclaimed Northtown EP; the respectable showing on Billboards Twitter Emerging Artists chart (Ratchets frst single On The Regular charted at No. 36, and its fol-low-up Call It Off at No. 15); and the rave reviews from The New York Times, Pitchfork, SPIN, NME and, yes, even Billboardall that is the product of Shamirs talent, passion and raw savvy. Still, were kinda pinching ourselves that we had this fast-rising pop-music juggernaut on our cover six months ago. You would be proud of that, too.

BEST NORTH L AS VEGAS

ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

(NOT NAMED SHAMIR)

Recognizing RealNorth Las Vegas frequently gets a bad rap, but the opposite is burgeoning at Recognizing Real. Open since January 2014, the skate and streetwear shop also functions as a recording studio and live music venue, with concerts almost weekly. Its become a community haven

for skaters and hip-hop heads alike. Says owner Austin Cogar, The homies dont have an outlet to do their thing, or a place to go to stay out of trouble on a Friday night. Cogars even eyeing larg-er spacesbut hes not leaving North-town. We started here. It wouldnt feel right anywhere else. 845 W. Craig Rd., Suite 102, North Las Vegas, 702-666-3255, Facebook.com/TheRecognized.

BEST COLLECT ION OF D IVAS

Las Vegas StripThe grandest Las Vegas diva? Frank Marino, natcheveryone else plays for second. But the busiest diva ac-tion is still on our famous Strip. Proof? Britneys fans still demand a piece of her at Planet Hollywood. Mariah Carey brought her voice and her cleavage (which should count as three divas) to Caesars Palace. Diana Ross dropped in at the Venetian, her voice sounding 50 years younger than she is. Reba McEn-tire is giving good diva between Brooks & Dunn at Caesars. Singing impres-sionist Vronic DiCaire is 50 divas in one when she works Ballysincluding her mentor and Queen Diva Celine Dion, who will return to the Colosseum (which she helped build) in August. And diva-dynamo J.Lo hits Planet Hol-lywood to do her Jenny-from-the-Block thing in January. Room for more divas? Simple as saying: Move over, dahling.

BEST LOUNGE S INGER

Michael MongeMarinate a voice box in fne wine, wrap it in silk and install it in Mi-chael Monge actually, dont bother. Nature already did. Smooth and swingin, this ex-Bronx car-repair-shop owners Vegas-style Cinder-fella storyplucked from NowhereVille when Steve Wynn caught his set at a Florida restaurant and recruited him posthasteonly deepens appreciation of his talents. Whether hes belting Sinatra-style on The Lady Is a Tramp or lending his own chic interpretation to a Billy Joel or John Legend signature tune, Monge is a boomerang back to old-school classits in his sound, in his style, in his presence. 9 p.m.-1 a.m.,

Wed-Sun, Eastside Lounge at the Wynn, $10 cover charge, one-drink minimum, 702-777-9966, WynnLasVegas.com.

BEST BURLESQUE CHOREOGRAPHER

Jennifer RomasDancer Jennifer Romaswell call her the queen of the sexy Vegas revueis as comfortable performing a pole act as she is choreographing a new show. Some of her Strip credits include Striptease the Show at the former Saha-ra, iCandy Burlesque at the Tropicana, Splash at the Riviera and Monster Circus at the Las Vegas Hilton. Most recently, shes taken all that talent and used it to produce, choreograph and star in the sweet little burlesque show Sexxy at the Westgate Las Vegas. On July 4, the show celebrated its six-month an-niversary. We cant wait to see where she takes it next. Jennifer Romas Presents Sexxy, 10 p.m. Tue-Sat, Westgate Cabaret at Westgate Las Vegas, 800-222-5361.

BEST UNDER-THE-RADAR CONNECT ION

TO THE MOVIE BUSINESS

CinemaConTechnically speaking, CinemaCon is the Offcial Convention of the Na-tional Association of Theatre Owners. But beyond showcasing new technol-ogy and popcorn favor dust, its also the time when A-listers food our town to plug their vanity projects and studio executives promote their summer blockbusters. It makes Vegas glisten with that Tinseltown glowat least for a few days every April. CinemaCon.com.

BEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

Aces of Comedy at The MirageSure, you could point to the wide-ranging lineup, from hip comedy (Nick Swardson) to dad comedy (Jay Leno) to gay uncle comedy (Kathy Griffn). But the one reason above all that Aces of Comedy at The Mirage is the best showcase in town? Its the place that has booked Bill Burr, one of the fve funniest standups working in the biz today. Always a top-shelf performer, the last few years have seen Burr enter that zone where hes

gone from great to unassailable (think Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, circa 1997-2003). Take a spin through Burrs Monday Morning Podcast to get a taste, then try not to buy tickets next time Aces books him. Mirage.com.

BEST UNKNOWN COMIC(S)

YOU SHOULD CATCH

Garfunkel and OatesLipshtick at the Venetian has done solid work of its own on the comedy-showcase front, and the one thing it has going for it that Aces of Comedy doesnt is its willingness to bring in acts that are great, but not-yet main-stream. Enter Garfunkel and Oates (Nov. 7), the musical-comedy duo of Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci. Theyre guitar- and ukulele-wielding quiet assassins, whose cheerful, twee delivery hides the absolute daggers they plunge in song. Case in point: The Loophole, a ballad of protecting ones virginity by use of, um, the back door. Technically, its not forbidden. Venetian.com, Facebook.com/Lipshtick.

BEST REASON TO HAVE FA ITH

IN THE FUTURE OF L AS VEGAS

ENTERTAINMENT

Cancellation of Duck CommanderFor once, someone actually did go broke underestimating the intel-ligence of the American people. Duck Commander, a musical based on the Robertson familys redneck poseur reality show, Duck Dynasty, opened at the Rio with a bang on April 8 and closed with a whimper on May 17, playing to audiences that reportedly flled about 10 percent of the theater. The show had Broadway names in its pedigree and professional polish, but, well, how many people come to Las Vegas for entertainment that involves faith and family? Interestingly, Duck Commander shared its host casino with magician duo Penn & Teller. Penn Jil-lette is an outspoken atheist, while Robertson family patriarch Phil Rob-ertson often speaks of various trag-edies being Gods punishment. If Duck Commander got canceled while Penn & Teller were in their 14th year in Vegas and headed for a Broadway residency well, perhaps ol Phil oughta rethink that divine judgment thing.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: GRACE BASCOS, KAT

BOEHRER, STEVE BORNFELD, CAMILLE CANNON,

IAN CARAMANZANA, GEOFF CARTER, JEN CHASE,

KAYLA DEAN, GENEVIE DURANO, NICOLE ELY,

MICHAEL GREEN, MIKE GRIMALA, MATT JACOB,

SHANNON KELLY, JENESSA KENWAY, RACHEL KERR,

ARIC LAIRMORE, ZONEIL MAHARAJ, AL MANCINI,

BRENT MARTELLI, GREG BLAKE MILLER, DAVID

MORRIS, JESSIE OBRIEN, RYAN OLBRYSH, CINDI

MOON REED, KURT RICE, STEPHANIE RIVERS,

LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS, AMBER SAMPSON,

JASON SCAVONE, DAVID G. SCHWARTZ, MELINDA

SHECKELLS, BRIAN SODOMA, BILLY STEFFENS,

PAUL SZYDELKO AND XANIA WOODMAN.

A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Recognizing Real.

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NIGHTLIFEYour city after dark and photos from the weeks hottest parties

Get It RightBubba Sparxxx is still on the lookout for Ms. New Booty

By Kat Boehrer

WARREN ANDERSON ANDY MATHISBEST KNOWN AS BUBBA SPARXXXis known to the mainstream for fnding Ms. New Booty in the hit radio track, released in 2005, featuring the Ying Yang Twins. Since then, the recording artist has been working on music that fuses his experiences living in rural Southern towns with his passion for hip-hop. A Nashville transplant by way of Atlanta, the country rapper recently spoke with us about his work in the music world since making his heinie-honoring hit. Mathis will perform live and judge the booty-shaking contest at the Flamin-gos Go Pool on August 7.

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Ready to chat about booties

and your Las Vegas show?

Yes. Booties and Vegas go hand in hand.

About a year ago you

said in an interview that

you were working on

country recordings.

Hows that going?

If you trace back the roots of all the hip-hop stuff I did, with pretty much the exception of Ms. New Booty, every-thing was very country. I grew up on a farm. Ive always had country culture present, even in my more traditional hip-hop stuff. I have always just wanted to blend the two worlds to-gether. Even if it wasnt the instrumentation of country, I always wanted to sort of keep country culture present. Ive been living in Nashville, so Ive put out two al-bums that were decid-edly country hip-hop.

Are you working on another

one now?

Im probably going to put out a new album, I would say by March. Im really just starting to work on my newest album. The last few I put out have been in-dependent; even though I did have a distributor, for the most part it was an independent release.

Why go independent?

It gives you more free-dom. Ive kind of done the major-label thing. Its not really, at this point in my life, where my bread gets buttered, you know?

Are you trying to make

radio-appropriate tracks?

As far as the country-music songwriting that Im doing, yeah, Im defnitely trying to make stuff thats viable for country-music radio. But as for my own stuff, theres not really a radio format for what Im try-ing to do, and what Ive been doing. Its pretty much Web-based. Hip-hop radio is a certain sound, its a certain box that the music has to ft in to really be viable, so thats just not really what Im doing now.

And you work with

traditional country

artists, right?

I did a song with Rodney Atkins, whos had like six No. 1 records. I just did a song with Lee Bright, whos also had quite a few No. 1s. Like I said, Im trying to marry the two worlds more and more, in a way thats not corny.

Have you been collaborating

with other hip-hop artists

as well?

Im in Nashville right now. Thats pretty much whats here: country artists. I did the Atlanta thing for a while, and thats when I did work with the Ying Yang Twins and when I was signed to Outkasts record label. Now, its just kind of a different page in my life, just doing the Nashville thing now. Im actually a very good country-music writertraditional coun-try musicso Ive been working on some of that type of stuff. Its been go-ing well, so Im going to stick with it for a while.

Youll be judging the booty-

shaking contest at the

Flamingo. What makes for a

good booty shake?

Its really just enthusiasm more than anything. Its not even about how big a girls butt is, or how its shaped, or any of that. Its about the enthusiasm level, and the twerking process. Thats what Im going to have my eyes peeled for.

Ideally, though, what does

the perfect booty look like?

I dont really like too huge a butt. I just like supple, well shaped, not-too-frm-but-just-frm-enough. And just the right amount of poke-out. I dont like it to be too drastic, but just a real good, solid apple shape.

So a girls got to be getting

her squats in before this,

huh?

Preferably.

What if a guy wants to get

up there? Would he have a

fighting chance at winning?

I dont necessarily get into the Mr. New Booty thing. But Ive defnitely had guys get up there and throw their names in the hat. I encourage everybody to come up and have a good time.

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Bubba Sparxxx performs live at

Haze in 2012.

Ive always had country culture present, even in my more traditional hip-hop stuff. I have always just

wanted to blend the two worlds together.

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July 23 Duck, Duck, Booze with DJ Stellar

July 30 DJ Karma spins

July 31 DJ Kyle Flesch spins

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July 24 Cedric Gervais spins

July 25 Porter Robinson spins

July 27 Vice spins

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July 24 SPYONvegas Hot 100

July 25 Calvin Harris spins

July 26 Krewella spins

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Aug. 5 DJ Cass spins

Aug. 7 DJ Corona and Aybsent Mynded spin

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Restaurant reviews, news and a coleslaw that rocks!

Its kind of catching on because the sushi indus-

try is trying to look to America for new ideas. And

theyre starting to look to us for creativity. {PAGE 100}

Hangar steak tartare with confit egg yolk.

Dining on the Couch

Therapy is good for

your stomach

as well as your soul

By Al Mancini

RESTAURANTS COME AND GO, ESPECIALLY IN THIS town. Talented chefs, on the other hand, tend to stick around. Take for example the recent closing of Comme a, the Cos-mopolitans beloved French bistro. I def-nitely miss the place. But I take comfort in the fact that longtime executive chef Brian Howard is preparing to open mul-tiple new concepts this fall. And the man who replaced Howard when he exited his position to start planning those concepts, Daniel Ontiveros, has already opened the doors at what is emerging as Downtowns latest favor of the moment, Therapy.The new restaurant occupies a piece

of prime East Fremont Street real estate that formerly housed a Dollar Store. But despite its predictable recaptured urban decor, nothing about the space looks like it was done on a budget. The large room is beautiful, with high-end light fxtures and other classy touches ac-centing the predictable exposed heating ducts and brick walls. (Ironically, in a city where so many decorators are try-ing to dress down brand-new corporate spots to look like urban renovations, this space with true street cred has gone out of its way to class things up without sacrifcing authenticity.)Therapys menu offers upscale spins

on American comfort food. But as this nation is such a melting pot, that means incorporating various ethnic infu-ences. Take, for example, the oxtail empanadas: perfectly faky pastry pockets packed with meat thats so well seasoned theres no need for the rather uninteresting harissa lime crme frache that accompanies it. And the hangar steak tartare with conft egg yolk in a mason jar is a delicious throwback to the chefs French roots.

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GThis Is How We RollOur critic puts aside his prejudices and explores the American-style sushi roll

By Al Mancini

IVE NEVER BEEN SHY ABOUT THE FACT THAT IM NOT A BIG FAN OF CRAZY sushi rolls with lots of ingredients. The only rolls Ive ever come across during my brief visits to Japan have usually been intended for takeout and generally contained a single type of fsh, while Americans often think 'the more ingredients the better'and they love those ingredients deep fried and drown-ing in sauces. I don't have a problem with chefs who make the latter, or the people who enjoy them. But when I eat sushi, I want to taste the fsh and appreciate the chef's knife skills. As a result, I usually stick with nigiri or sashimi. And Other Mamas chef Dan Krohmer, who began his sushi career slinging wild rolls in Sacramento before serving as a sushi chef in both Japan and Masaharu Morimotos Philadelphia restaurant, confrms that the majority of Japanese chefs share my opinion.

For a long time [the Japanese] thought it was a horrible form of disrespect, he explains. But, he continues, things are starting to change, even in Japan. I was in Japan last year, he says. And they come out with a quarterly book for sushi that all the chefs buy. And I opened it up and it had shrimp tempura rolls and eel with avocado rolls. Its kind of catching on because the sushi industry is trying to look to [America] for new ideas. And theyre starting to look to us for creativity.OK, so much for my snobbery. I still don't care for the con-

cept, but as Krohmer points out, the proliferation of this trend does allow for some interesting favor combinations. So, as a tip of my hat to everyone who enjoys this culinary art form, Ive been doing some research to fnd some of the more exotic and interesting sushi rolls in town. Heres what I found.

TUNA MANGO PASSION

If youre anything like me, you probably dont associate fruit with sushi. But it actually works quite well. The chef starts with a basic spicy tuna roll, then tops it with slices of unseasoned tuna and fresh mango. The sweetness of the fruit offers a nice contrast to the heat inside the roll, as well as adding overall freshness. $15, Zenshin in South Point, 702-797-8538, ZenshinAsianRestaurant.com.

HIGH STEAKS

Having steak in sushi isnt as crazy as it sounds. At restaurants in Japan, and even some high-end spots in Las Vegas, you can often fnd prized A5 wagyu offered in nigiri form. Yellowtails offering isnt quite that decadent. The beef on this shrimp tempura roll is flet mignona fairly simple twist on surf and turf. What makes it really interesting is the semisweet A1 ponzu sauce that accompanies it. $36, Yellowtail in Bellagio, 702-693-8300, YellowtailLasVegas.com.

CHOP CHOP BANG BANG

Blue crab is not a variety you often see in sushi preparations, and being an East Coast boy, that caught my attention im-mediately. The crab forms the inside of this roll, along with cucumber and tempura fakes for crunch. On the outside, the chef layers shrimp, avocado and pop rocks. The latter really dont bring a lot of bang to the mix, though they do give you bragging rights for having the most unusual sushi ingredient in town. $19, Rice & Company in Luxor, 702-262-4774, Luxor.com.

SQUARE ROLL

This off-menu dish itself (shikai maki, or "square roll") is fairly simple. The chef combines what are probably the three most popular fsh in the sushi world: tuna, salmon and yellowtail. For a touch of sweetness, he adds tamago (egg custard). What makes it a real showstopper, however, is the fact that its square, rather than round, also making it very, very hip. Market price, Mizumi in Wynn, 702-770-3320, WynnLasVegas.com.

MASA TORO WITH CAVIAR

If youre OK with eating blue-fn tuna (arguably the worlds best, but also endangered), theres no better place to do it than at BarMasa. The chef fies it in daily from Japan, promising it will be on your plate within 24 hours of being taken from the water. And since youre splurg-ing, why not top it with caviar, for the most expensive sushi roll in town? $240, BarMasa in Aria, 877-230-2742, Aria.com.

From top: Masa toro with caviar from

BarMasa, and tuna mango passion from

Zenshin.

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scout in Los Angeles who set up a meeting with a record label rep to discuss a $200,000 pub-lishing deal. During the meet-ing, the suits played Robinsons music and rapped along to his songs.They knew all the words. It

was crazy. I thought, Oh, my God, Im almost there, Rob-inson says. But there was no follow

up. He was told to be patient, but weeks went by without a word. In the past, hed get ex-cited and agonize while check-ing his phone for missed calls. This time, he didnt sweat it.My biggest mistake was

waiting for something to hap-pen, he says. Now if I have a meeting with someone, thats cool, but Im still gonna hit the studio tomorrow.Robinson released Audra,

named after his older sister, independently on July 2. Its not a six-fgure payout, but the move has yielded some rewards.With the release, Robinsons

rap moniker Love at First Sound is buzzing on hip-hop websites around the world. His chosen stage name was prophetic in a way. Audra has enamored listeners since its release. Without a market-ing or publicity machine, hes managed to get noticed by na-tional online music magazines Hypetrak, Earmilk and Complex Magazine-owned Pigeons & Planes, along with blogs in the U.K., Spain and New Zealand. Hes received support from es-tablished artists including Aus-tralian producer Ta-Ku, who told Robinson in a text that Audra is super inspiring. New York rapper Mickey Factz was so impressed with Robinsons beats that Factz' next album will feature production solely by Robinson. Hes very progres-sive with his sound, Factz told Los Angeles Power 106 FM.That sound wasnt created

overnight. Audra has been in the works for four years with a majority of the songs recorded in 2012 and 2013, Robinson says. He wasnt comfortable with his own voice and wasnt happy with how his music sounded, so he worked on his vocals, learned how to sing, and rewrote and reproduced songs until he got it right. The result is a moody re-

cord, somber and gravely emotional at times with four-ishes of braggadocio and bold, experimental production. But its far from an easy lis-ten. Audra is deeply personal, with songs about depression and breakdowns, each held

together by real voice mes-sages from the eponymous sister. While Robinson doesnt shy from the weighty topics, his sisters words paint a far bleaker portrait of the young artist. One notable take is from Apartment 222, where she pleads with her brother not to commit suicide. Robinson says he was so

passionate about his music that any ounce of rejection would launch him into a state of dejection. He never harmed himself, but admits to thinking about it. Nothing in life is too serious for some-one to have those thoughts, but anyone whos suicidal, its because theyre very pas-sionate people who want to change the world but cant. If I cant change the world, why

should I live? he says.Already living in his car and

struggling to get his music heard, Robinson felt insecure, isolated and unloved by those around him when he was working on Audra. I got 100 numbers in my phone but cant call anyone to talk to. Thats the worst feeling, he says.One of the few he could

count on was his sister, who served as a voice of reason in his darkest moments.My sister is my consistency,

my guardian angel, my god, he says. I didnt release this project to gain fans or to get a radio single or to get signed. This shit was my therapy. All these voice mails would be on my iTunes, and Id listen to it like music.Its hard listening to Audra. I

dont think there will be a day Ill be able to listen to it all the way through, he adds.Its even harder for the al-

bums namesake.A Minneapolis native with

a different mother than Rob-insonneither likes to use the term halfAudra moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV. Now 44, she was 18 when Robinson was born during her freshman year. She treated him like a son. Id take him to class with me. People thought I had a baby by a white man because thats how much I had him, she says. To this day, my friends always ask, hows little B doing?Although Audra returned to

Minneapolis when Robinson was 13, the two have main-tained a close relationship. They keep in touch with fre-

quent visits and, as evident by Audra, phone calls. A few days after the albums

release, Audra had yet to lis-ten because of how prevalent her voice is on the record. Its diffcult. I left those [messag-es] for him to encourage him. Its personal, she says. When Audra fnally gave the

album a listen, she says she was overwhelmed with joy. I cried. He did a great job, and Im proud, she says. My kid brother has talent ... Watch out, world!Strangers have also re-

acted passionately. Robinson's Soundcloud and Instagram are full of messages from listeners as far as South Af-rica. One in New York was so touched by Audra (and Audra) that she sent him this note: You cant imagine how much this album has helped me. Your sister has a heart of gold. I wish I had a sibling that spoke to me the way she speaks to you. The things she says on all of your songs is exactly what I needed to hear today and your writing is so healing and inspiring.Thats what the purpose

was: to help. It wasnt so I could make it onto a blog or maga-zine. It was just supposed to exist and help, Robinson says. Thats cooler than money.Although he says hes ful-

flled with the response and attention hes received so far, Robinson isnt close to where he wants to be.Im open to being signed. I

would love a platform to share my story and really change the game, he says. I dont want to just make it to the playoffs.With that in mind, Robinsons

already preparing his next proj-ect. He says its almost ready; he just wants to add more structure and layers, as hes got-ten better at songwriting and production. Hes kicked around various names for it, but after being inspired by a recent trip to Disneylandhis frst everhe wants to call it Coloring Outside the Lines. Its gonna be more experimental, he says.With one album under his

belt, Robinson plans to spend the next two months in Min-neapolis with his sister and visit New York. After that, hes got his sights set on L.A. While it might be tough to catch a break in a city where every-ones trying to make it, Robin-son is ready for the challenge. People are scared to go to

L.A. They say, Oh, theres too much competition, he says. Well, if youre thinking that, then you already lost.

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My biggest mistake was waiting for something to happen. Now if I have a meeting with someone, thats cool, but Im still gonna hit the studio tomorrow. BALTIMORE ROBINSON

SIBLING SONG Love at First Sound's debut album, Audra, explores his deep relationship with his sister.

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LOVETT OR LEAVE IT Lyle Lovett

doesnt have that big mop of hair anymore,

but his talent remains immense. Hes

mastered so many genres, it's a shame hes

released just 11 studio albums in the last 30

years. Lovett and His Large Band play The

Smith Center on July 25 ($25-$99).

WILLIE OR WONT HE? Willie Nelson,

the legendary singer-songwriter, who

won the Gershwin Prize for Popular

Song from the Library of Congress, has

been at it for nearly 60 years. Sounds

a little Crazy, no? Nelson plays the

Chelsea on July 26 ($35-$105).

ON SALE NOW Canadian singer-

songwriter Lights is quietly becoming

an electro-pop powerhouse with three

albums under her belt, including last years

Little Machines. Expect standouts like Up

We Go and Running With the Boys when

Lights plays Vinyl on Aug. 18 ($18-$35).

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The five-piece metal outfit from Raleigh, North Carolina, gave a stunning performance with enough

time changes and sophisticated instrumentation to satisfy even the most die-hard progressive rock

fans. Between the Buried and Me delivered eight complex compositions (calling them songs would

be doing them an injustice) that dipped into a dozen genres, including Southern rock, jazz, and of

course, the bands groovy, technical death metal roots. Tommy Giles Rogers Jr. led the pack with

fierce, guttural howls that would seamlessly transition into smooth melodic vocal passages in Memory Palace. Lead guitarist Paul Waggoner demonstrated his

musical prowess by sweeping and tapping in Lay Your Ghosts to Rest, while drummer Blake Richardson furiously smashed as many cymbals as there were

time changes. This all came to a crashing climax when the band journeyed through 20 minutes of multi-genre goodness in Ants of the Sky and Prequel to the

Sequel. They nailed the bluegrass segment of the former and finished with the challenging melodies of the latter. As an encore, the band played a metal rendition

of Queens Bohemian Rhapsody, which was fitting for a band that covered so much ground in just over an hour. Ian Caramanzana

CONCERT

[ ALBUM REVIEW ]

Ronnie Vannucci Jr. Goes Straight in Big Talks Sophomore ReleaseWith Straight In No Kissin, Big Talk proves itself

as an offshoot worthy of playing on the main

stage. In his side project, Killers skin-slapper

Ronnie Vannucci Jr. ditches his drum kit for six

strings and a microphone. And while his guitar

playing isnt as magnificent as his drumming, the

39-year-old makes up for it with catchy power-

pop numbers and a lively vocal performance

reminiscent of Weezers Rivers Cuomo. The

album is full of huge, anthemic hooks, such as in

lead single, What Happened to Delisa? Vannucci

Jr. and company channel the playful vigor of the

Ramones in Hold That Line, and enter noise

rock territory with an abrasive, feedback-ridden

guitar solo in All My Lovin. Animal Husband

possesses just the right amount of poppiness to

be a radio smash while retaining the rock n roll

swagger the frontman is known to exemplify. In

summation, this is an impressive, well-rounded

sophomore effort thatll sit comfortably in the Las

Vegas music canon. (Little Oil Records)

Ian Caramanzana

ALBUMS WE'RE BUYING1 Tame

Impala, Currents

2 Jason

Isbell, Something

More Than Free

3 Between

the Buried

and Me, Coma Ecliptic

4 Future, DS2 (Deluxe

Edition)

5 Cradle of

Filth, Hammer of the Witches

6 J. Cole, 2014 Forest

Hills Drive

7 Meek Mill, Dreams Worth

More Than

Money

8 Tyrese, Black Rose

9 The

Chemical

Brothers, Born in the

Echoes

10 Ratatat, Magnifique

According to sales

at Zia Record

Exchange at 4503

W. Sahara Ave.,

July 13-19.

Between the Buried and Me Leaves No Stone UnturnedBrooklyn Bowl, July 18

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[ OLD LADY IN A MOSH PIT ]

SIMPLY THE BESTRecalling favorite memories of Las Vegas concerts past

By Lissa Townsend Rodgers

LAS VEGAS MAY CALL ITSELF THE ENTERTAIN-ment Capital of the World, but some-times I wonder if we truly deserve the title. Sure, weve got all manner of Cirque shows and residencies but touring acts still often skip us. If any of these artists return, though, you should buy your ticket immediately.Dolly Parton at the Colosseum at

Caesars Palace, 2004: If a perfect hu-man being exists, it may just be Dolly Parton. At a rare date in Celines house, Dolly displayed her impressive talentthe woman plays a dozen instruments, has written more than 3,000 songs and her voice is still a crystalline wonderand glowed with enough warmth and charisma to light up the Strip 10 times over. She took us through her lengthy career with an impassioned Jolene, a sassy Whyd You Come in Here Lookin Like That, a heartbreaking The Grass Is Blue and sang 9 to 5 while accompanying herself with the clicking of her long, bubblegum pink fngernails. A goddess.Prince at 3121 at the Rio, 2006:

Princes shows are never less than spectacular, but this one was some-thing special. It was the day of James Browns funeral and Princes guest artist was none other than sax great Maceo Parker, Browns consigliere of soul. Both seemed to sense that this show needed to be worthy of the Godfather, and both men left everything on the circular stage that night. Sure, there was Kiss and 1999 and Purple Rain, but there was also Sex Machine, delivered as only Prince can.

New Order and Johnny Marr at Boulevard Pool at Cosmopolitan, 2013: I attended this gig with a few old friends who, like me, were high school weirdos. A friend of a friend had a cabana and a lot of Champagne. It felt like we were all fnally getting compensated for the times jocks threw stuff at us in the cafeteriaespecially once Marr lit into the Smiths Shop-lifters of the World Unite and a few other of the bands chestnuts, searing guitar riffs in full effect.New Orders glittering sound and

colorful visuals melded with the neon lights and video projections of the Strip, creating a 360-degree experi-ence. Bizarre Love Triangle and Blue Monday had the whole crowd dancing, while a fnale of Joy Divi-sions Love Will Tear Us Apartas a giant photo of late singer Ian Curtis was projected behind the bandwas both reverent and celebratory.The Fucked Up at Triple B, 2014:

I had only heard a few of the Canadian punk bands songs before I decided to check out this gig, but Iand every-one elseleft a raving fan. Its hard to evoke rage and joy simultaneously, but the Fucked Up do it with their furiously ecstatic anthems to lifes many struggles and few triumphs. Frontman Pink Eyesa big man with a big personalityreeled through the crowd, holding up the mic for sing-alongs, hugging people, dancing and generally being the guy Henry Rollins wishes he was. The rest of the six-piece band (three guitarists!) provided tight, ferce backing.

New Orders 2013 performance at Boulevard

Pool is a classic.

Jurassic World (PG-13) Business at the retooled dinosaur theme

park off the coast of Costa Rica has hit a

plateau. Scientists led by B.D. Wong have

responded to requests for a new star at-

traction. Behold the genetically engineered

hybrid Indominus rex. Chris Pratt is the

hunky raptor trainer. Bryce Dallas Howard

is the uptight operations manager. Vincent

DOnofrio is the InGen security honcho,

out to weaponize the parks dinosaurs for

military purposes. I wasnt expecting the

world, but I wouldnt have minded sharper

jokes and grander action scenes.

Inside Out (PG) A move to San Francisco shakes up Riley

(voiced by Kaitlyn Dias). Her emotions

scramble to work out an equilibrium. In ad-

dition to ringleader Joy (Amy Poehler) and

her flip side, Sadness (Phyllis Smith), theres

Anger (Lewis Black); Disgust (Mindy Kaling)

and Fear (Bill Hader). Joy and Sadness are

plunked down into uncharted territory near

Rileys long-term memory storage. They

must find their way back to the control

center, amid an array of animation styles and

dimensions, and assist Riley in her darkest

moments as she settles into her new life.

Dope (R) Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is a high school

senior who lives with his bus driver mom

(Kimberly Elise). The events of Dope send

Malcolm and his friends into a criminal and

lucrative orbit. At a birthday party thrown

by drug dealer Dom (A$AP Rocky), guns

are pulled and Doms Molly gets stashed

in Malcolms backpack. From there Dope be-

comes a survival comedy, with Malcolm on

the run, though theres a romance between

Malcolm and Doms sometime squeeze

(Zoe Kravitz). Pharrell Williams executive-

produced; Forest Whitaker narrates.

Ted 2 (R) Ted 2 unites Mark Wahlbergs insecure

wallflower character with the chubby little

cubby all stuffed with fluff and racial, sexual

and scatological insults voiced by co-writer/

director Seth MacFarlane. Madly uneven,

more so than the mediocre 2012 hit, this

ones an easy predictive call. Ted the talking

teddy bear is celebrating his new marriage.

John (Wahlberg) is now a lovable loser. Teds

marriage to his fellow grocery store cashier

sours, until the plush toy and his bride decide

to have a baby. The serious bits in Ted 2

relate to Ted being revoked of his civil rights.

Magic Mike XXL (R) Magic Mike XXL comes up a little short

compared with the original, director Steven

Soderberghs blithe and bonny Channing

Tatum showcase inspired by Tatums days

as a male stripper. This time the jokes are

heavier, more on-the-nose, though a surpris-

ing percentage of them work anyway. And

yet the sequel earns its singles, reasons that

are simple and quite unusual. Its an amiably

ramshackle road-trip movie, with the guys

reuniting because theres a male stripper

convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Alums include BDR (Joe Manganiello);

Terminator Genisys (PG-13) Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) tells of the

nuclear devastation and the rise of the

machines in voiceover, focusing on the

three billion killed off on Judgment Day

2017. The narrative starting point is 2029,

with the human resistance being led by

Reese and his mentor, John Connor (Jason

Clarke). Thanks to time travel, were soon

back in 84, and then in 2017, on Judgment

Day eve. Sarah Connor, the tank-topped

Mother Courage of the revolution, is por-

trayed by Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones.

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You like to visit Jol Robuchon and LAtelier de Jol Robuchon in MGM Grand in spring, summer and fall/winter. Whats your agenda for these visits?To create seasonal dishes. Whenever I travel, I try to bring something new, something fresh, an invigorating idea or concept. We cant sit back and relax. Something that always sur-prised me when I frst started coming to Las Vegas 10 years ago was that the menus stayed stagnant from season to season. You have to change your dishes seasonally, and you have to change as much as possible.

Produce can now be sourced from around the world, allowing restaurants to work around seasonality. Whats your approach? We really base our ingredients on what we have available to us. Yesterday, we had someone in to show us organic produce that was available in this season so that I could taste it. I try to stay local. California, which may not be considered local in Las Vegas, really isnt very far from here, so in some cases we are forced to go a little far-ther. Our cheese trolley has a little bit of French cheese, but I try to stay away from international

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Jol RobuchonThe Chef of the Century on his approach to seasonality,

the role of indulgence and avoiding family confict

By Xania Woodman

ingredients. A good 70 percent of our trolley is actually California cheese or American cheese.

You travel a great deal. What are some of your favorite destinations?Lets be honest: I only go to the cities I want to go to. So I only open restaurants in places that I want to go to. There are certain locations where Ill never open a restaurant because I never want to go theresome location that really doesnt please me much. Im not saying this because Im in Vegas, but I very much en-joy Vegas. New York City is unique. Tokyo is a beautiful place. I like Hong Kong and Monaco as well.[For relaxation], the

countryside near one of my houses in Spain is one of my favorite places. Nobody knows about a very small city, Calp, just on the beach in the sun. Its beautiful, [but] its too simple for a lot of people.

Dinner at either of your Las Vegas restaurants is an indulgencein terms of price, time and even calories. What role does indulgence play for todays diner? I went to eat at Masa in New York recently. Although the price was a little elevated, it will leave a lasting impres-sion. Its not the type of restaurant you go to every day by any means, but it is certainly an experience.Las Vegas has a large local

base and a lot of regular clientele; we [also] have all these [visitors] from Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, and they, too, are becoming amazing regular guests for us. Every time I come, I see people when I walk though the restaurant and they say, Oh, we saw you last year!If Im seeing these people

on a regular basis, then it means that [they had] a pleasurable experience. Its not as if theyre lacking in choices or variety with regard to restaurants. The biggest satisfaction I can ever take from this is to see regularity in clientele and to know that people do want to come back.

Do you have any projects youre particularly passionate about? I do. Mostly in France, because thats where I live,

but very recently we did an event at the Chateau Versailles to raise funds for cancer research. I work with a lot of oncologists be-cause it