shhh, don’t tell
from the editor
MELINdA SHECkELLS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
“Window dressing” (Page 34) shot by eva mueller in Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas captures the energy of a singular hotel-room window. Who knew one background could provide such a dynamic canvas. BotteGa veNeta dress Crystals at CityCenter, 702.220.4751; bottegaveneta.com 8 / vrated.com
Melinda: Ryan Reason; styling: nicole chandleR; haiR: MaRshall VanieRland; Makeup natasha chaMbeRlin; dolce & gabbana dRess, neiMan MaRcus, Fashion show; Model: bottega Veneta dRess: eVa MuelleR; undeRgRound dinneR: las Vegas photo & Video
The Men’s Issue of Vegas/Rated is dedicated to all those thrill-seekers out there whom I admire from afar. And afar is the operative word here, because you won’t ever catch me jumping off a building or riding a motorcycle through the desert. I am totally content to stay on solid ground—in fact, walking in heels is challenging enough. But for those looking for an adrenaline rush, the Las Vegas Valley is a mecca for outrageous activities, from land sailing to skydiving. There’s even a heavy-equipment playground where you can operate a bulldozer or excavator for a day. Talk about a great way to release tension. (See Page 120.) Exhilarating adventures tend to work up a man-size appetite. Good thing there’s Allegro at Wynn Las Vegas, where chef Enzo Febbraro’s multicourse tasting menu redefines extravagance, and Strip House at Planet Hollywood, where the decadent goose-fat potatoes elicit a different kind of thrill. Both are great places to take a date or get a little wild with the boys. (See Page 47.) Of course, what’s a Men’s Issue without a little something for the ladies? Meet the seven winners of our second annual Best Man contest. (A dose of eye candy starts on Page 68.) Not yet satisfied? Take in a concert by a pop priestess (Page 81) or party like an insider (Page 100). Oh and last but not least, I think you can’t get more manly than Anthony Bourdain (Page 84), who graces our cover and gives an exclusive interview. Cool? Better than that. I say zool (look it up)! This issue has it all, so stop reading and start doing! Rip out a few pages, make a reservation and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
If you experience Las vegas either from the perspective of a savvy traveler or an in-the-know local, then you know that the vIP experience in this town is unparalleled. one of the places that oozes exclusivity is Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas. Te day before New Year’s eve, I was invited to be a guest at the resort’s first underground dinner series, a bespoke, invite-only event at an undisclosed venue. our host, cosmo ceo John Unwin, personally selected the attendees—quite an honor. at 7 p.m., 40 guests boarded luxury coaches in the porte cochère at Te cosmo. champagne was served, and as the wheels of the bus went round and round, the good times started to roll to Parts Unknown (incidentally, the title of cover boy anthony Bourdain’s new reality tv show). as we traveled north on Interstate 15, we all took bets as to where we would end up. about the only thing we all agreed on was tasty eats would be awaiting us upon arrival. exiting downtown, the mob museum came into view. delighted with this choice, I reveled in the fact I would be dining in a historic post officeturned-museum filled with cool vegas lore. Inside, two massive square tables were set up in what was once a courtroom where the U.S. Senate held hearings on organized crime. at each place setting was a book. Te subject matter was—what else?—the mafia (mine was titled Te Last Mafioso). We feasted on a five-course dinner (with wine pairings) prepared by chef Levi mezick of restaurant 1833 in monterey, california, and chef rory Herrmann, formerly of Bouchon. Highlights included the sunchoke soup with white-truffle foam, white-truffle risotto with iberico ham, Parmesan and spinach, and a decadent bourbon pudding.