CUSTOM TAILORING & FASHIONABLE READY TO WEAR.MEASURING BY APPOINTMENT 702.698.7630

CUSTOM TAILORING & FASHIONABLE READY TO WEAR.MEASURING BY APPOINTMENT 702.698.7630

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Departments18 the hit list9 things we love about Vegas right now.

29 strip searchryan michael Craig soars above the nightlife competition; kim wood builds a career one bottle at a time.

34 the cellarHakkasan’s wine expert fnds crafty wine pairings for Far east favor profles.

38 Behind BarsProtein in a glass? why not! egg whites make for eggs-cellent cocktails.

The Guide72 shOpPut a ring on it with these gossip-worthy adornments.

76 dineTe taco takeover: the people, the places, the bites and the sips.

80 relaXtreatments to bring out that summer glow; nail Art 101; 15 minutes with a skin-care veteran.

84 happeninGsunlV exhibits another side of jerry lewis; our highly rated list of cultural outings.

87 MeMOrial day WeeKend 2014From day to night, the ultimate guide to an unforgettable holiday weekend.

96 the endmacklemore and ryan lewis paint the town red … and blue … and yellow ...

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A LUXURY CONQUEST

CrystalsAtCityCenter.com • Located next to ARIA® Resort & Casino • Clothing and accessories provided by Donna Karan • Jewelry provided by Bulgari

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10 vrated.com

editor’s letter

Melinda SheckellS Editor-in-ChiefFollow us on Twitter @vegasrated

despite what some people—namely college basketball fans—would

have you believe, the “M” in May stands for “madness.” Two factors

play into my thought process. The first is Memorial day Weekend.

about seven years ago, when dayclubbing started to become popular,

the weekend that officially kicks of summer took on a whole new

meaning. Four days of complete debauchery spilled over from the night

to the day and back again, as the world’s best dJs and musical acts found

their way to las Vegas. This year is no different: check out our annual

MdW Guide (Page 87) for a roundup of the hottest action in town.

new club openings are another staple of Memorial day Weekend—

last year, daylight at Mandalay Bay made a splash on the scene. This

year, drai’s Beachclub and nightclub opens high atop The cromwell on

the corner of Flamingo Road and the Strip. Yet another reason why this

month is so crazy: the large number of events, concerts and spectacles

that will flood the city. One of the most prominent is Vegas Uncork’d,

scheduled for May 8-11. The annual foodie fête, now in its eighth year,

brings together all the best chefs for dinners and dine-arounds.

in celebration of May Madness we’ve decided to produce features

in this issue for which i’m completely “mad.” Our cover, from artist alec

Monopoly, captures one of the most exciting things going on in nightlife

today: a painting residency. Monopoly, who always appears masked in

public, is best known for the live art sessions he does with dJ avicii. also,

we catch up with actor/dancer/singer/tech whiz harry Shum Jr. from

Glee, who is appearing in two upcoming movies and is heavily involved

with las Vegas’ downtown Project (read more on Page 60). Plus, as you

dig deeper into this issue, you will notice that it is indeed our drinking

issue, and we celebrate imbibing in all forms, on and off the Strip, with

some very inspiring cocktails uncovered by Rated beverage expert Xania

Woodman (Page 38).

Summer is finally here. Time to enjoy all the madness that comes

with it!

the m word

although it’s less than a decade old, red rock resort is preparing to undergo a face-lift thanks to a $35 million infusion from parent company Station casinos. In addition to upgrading their super suites, redrock will add a slew of new restaurants. Te Light Group and partner Brian massie will venture of the Strip for the frst time with the opening of Hearthstone Kitchen and cellar in September. It’s going to be a rustic american neighborhood dining experience, with a seasonal and sustainable menu. all the action will center on the woodfre oven, and I personally can’t wait to sample the charcuterie bar or have a glass of wine in the private enoteca.

on the other side of town at sister property Green valley ranch, there will be $20 million in upgrades over the next year, including a second Pizza rock outpost from master pie-maker tony Gemignani, a mercadito and tippling Hall from chicago’s Sandoval Brothers, a new keno lounge, and spa and hotel room renovations. outside, the marquee already got a touch-up when it was replaced with a 30-foot Led screen.

COMING SOON

tony Gemignani

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XANIA WOODMANContributing EditorCocktails, spirits, beer and wine are what fuel this veteran Las Vegas writer and editor to travel the world. She most recently returned from South America, where she drank many a Pisco Sour, just one of myriad classic cocktails made with egg white. That kitchen staple in its many forms—white, yolk and whole egg—was the focus of her feature this month, “The Incredible, Bevable Egg” (Page 38). “It can virtually disappear into a cocktail or it can be the star, but try making certain drinks without it and, well, that would be one sad Pisco Sour!”

ANTHONY MAIRSenior Contributing PhotographerMair (right) hails from the U.K., but it’s the dance vibes of American R&B and hip-hop that get this chap going. So having the opportunity to shoot the multitalented Harry Shum Jr. (“Moves Like Harry,” Page 60) was a welcome assignment. “Working with Harry was an absolute pleasure. As photographers, we can never capture dance—we can only freeze it. It was amazing to watch him move in front of the camera. I’ve never had to shoot someone so unpredictable in movement, but I couldn’t be more happy with the results!” Follow Mair on Twitter and Instagram @amairphoto.

UNA LAMARCHEWriterLaMarche is a native New Yorker who used to deface her high school desks, so she was thrilled to get the chance to talk to New York-bred graffti renegade-turned-Wynn Las Vegas artist-in-residence Alec Monopoly for the cover story (“Hot Property,” Page 42). “Underneath that enigmatic persona is a thoughtful artist who’s incredibly down-to-earth,” she says. “He’s Andy Warhol for a new generation.” When not interviewing cutting-edge artists, LaMarche writes comic essays and novels. Follow her on Twitter @sassycurmudgeon.

SUNII HENDRIXStylistHendrix credits her 10 years of experience in luxury retail as the most signifcant training for her career as a fashion stylist. By working with a variety of clients, she has fostered a versatile and fresh approach to a profession that continually offers new challenges. Styling Harry Shum Jr. for “Moves Like Harry” (Page 60), was an experience she’ll never forget. “It was amazing to watch Harry make the clothes come alive with his charismatic dance moves.” Get styling tips from Hendrix on Instagram @suniihendrix.

contributors

CASEY BRENNANWriterAs a former Las Vegas nightlife publicist, Brennan has seen her share of impressive venues. But after talking to managing partner Ryan Michael Craig (“Raise the Roof,” Page 29), she’s confdent that Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub will be tough competition. “Being up on the rooftop and seeing the whole Strip is going to be such an amazing new nightlife experience,” the New York-based writer says. “I’m looking forward to lots of memorable nights there.” Follow Brennan on Instagram at @ThirstyNYC and on Twitter at @thirsty_nyc.

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Ryan T. DoheRTy | JusTin WenigeR

pResiDenT michael skenandore

ChieF FinanCiaL oFFiCeR kevin j. woodward

assisTanT ConTRoLLeR donna nolls

eDiToRiaL DiReCToR phil hagen

CReaTiVe DiReCToR sherwin yumul

CReaTiVe DiReCToR CusTom pubLiCaTions benjamin ward

ViCe pResiDenT, maRkeTing & eVenTs kyle markman

maRkeTing CooRDinaToR maureen hank

geneRaL aCCounTing manageR erica carpino

miChaeL skenanDoRe pubLisheR

assoCiaTe pubLisheR christy corda

eDiToR-in-ChieF melinda sheckells

Design DiReCToR sa lien

managing eDiToR genevie durano

assoCiaTe eDiToR jessica acuña

Copy ChieF paul szydelko

Copy eDiToRs sean defrank, matt jacob

eDiToRiaL inTeRns lisa cheung, alena cruz, kel dansby, devin howell, javon issac, jessica kantor, susanna kelly,

allison kyler, tye masters, john r. schmitz

ConTRibuTing eDiToRs grace bascos (dining), geoff carter (culture), jen chase,

claire wigglesworth (fashion), xania woodman (beverage)

ConTRibuTing WRiTeRs casey brennan, laurie brookins, camille cannon, nicole ely, maureen hank, una lamarche,

al mancini, benedetta pignatelli

gRaphiC DesigneR jesse j sutherland

senioR ConTRibuTing phoTogRapheR anthony mair

ConTRibuTing phoTogRapheRs elizabeth buehring, jon estrada, brian klutch, zack w, lucky wenzel

Vp business DeVeLopmenT jacqueline bicknell

DigiTaL saLes manageR nicole scherer

aCCounT manageR brittany quintana

DiReCToR oF pRoDuCTion/DisTRibuTion marc barrington

aDVeRTising manageR james bearse

DisTRibuTion CooRDinaToR jasen ono

SAL E S @ VR AT E D . COM V R A T E D . C O M E DI TOR IAL @ VR AT E D . COM

f ace bo ok . com / ve g asr at e d @ ve g asr at e d ve g asr at e d . t u m b l r . com

Vegas/Rated® is a registered trademark of Sandow Media, LLC and used in partnership with WENDOH Media Companies. Vegas/Rated (ISSN 2162-6340) Vol. 3, No. 9 is published monthly by WENDOH Media Las Vegas, NV.

3 0 7 0 W E S T P O S T R O A D , L A S V E G A S , N V 8 9 1 1 8

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN KLUTCH

How much has Phoebe Philo changed the face—and fortunes—of Céline? Consider that it’s only been six years since the designer took on the creative direction of the famed French house, and in that time she has not only reshaped the brand’s aesthetic both on and off the runway, but she’s also infuenced one aspect of the industry far more than you might realize.

You’ll see Philo’s modernist impact most clearly this month when Céline debuts its frst Las Vegas boutique, a 4,300-square-foot space set to open May 14 in The Shops at Crystals. Here you’ll fnd a comprehensive look at the Céline universe in women’s ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories. The store launches with Philo’s spring/summer 2014 collection, which indeed seems tailor-made for Las Vegas with its emphasis on sleek, sculpted lines and a color palette heavy on black, punctuated with accents of primary colors.

That latter detail is also key to one of the hottest handbags of the season, Philo’s Trapeze, seen here in bold color-blocking of brilliant blue, yellow and black. Since debuting the Trapeze in 2011, Philo has offered up the style in a vast array of colors and fnishes, while its shape, with its protruding winglike gussets, has resulted in a new handbag silhouette that’s been embraced by a wealth of A-list labels.

Philo also contributed to the look of the Crystals boutique, part of a strategically planned global rollout of 15 stores throughout 2014.

“We are not really multiplying our presence in cities, but we want to open some relevant stores in the important cities while keeping the distribution fairly tight,” Marco Gobbetti, CEO of Céline, told Women’s Wear Daily in March; the Crystals location will be Céline’s fourth boutique in the U.S., after New York, Beverly Hills and Miami, but should quickly fnd favor among locals and visitors alike. “The American client is one of our best clients,” Gobbetti says, “so we know that we have an enormous potential there.” In The Shops at Crystals; celine.com –LAURIE BROOKINS

The ‘IT’ BagSHOP

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tHe NeW StaNdard IN BeaUtYNARS Cosmetics, the now-Shiseido-owned makeup and skincare line created by François Nars, is opening its sixth freestanding boutique at The Forum Shops (the others are in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York). The store is another collaboration with Nars and art director-editor nonpareil Fabien Baron of New York’s Baron & Baron. Sharp lines and mirrored surfaces meet Chevron-patterned marble flooring in the single-story space, which pipes in music created for the boutique by French DJs Les Jumeaux. Also on hand: four makeup stations, a cash wrap that’s done in a high-gloss red lacquer that mimics the brand’s Jungle Red lipstick and a high ceiling with large screens featuring rotating short films created by NARS. Two features—unique 413 BLKR products, named for the first NARS boutique, and an LED screen on the back wall—are both perfectly suited for Las Vegas. A personal coup: “François’ Favorite Things,” an Oprah-esque corner of for-sale objects that have inspired Nars (including films, books and photographs), will be rotated quarterly. The derma magnate, who remains the creative director of the company, took a breather from shooting his current personalities photography book to chat about best-selling Orgasm (blush), our times’ profuse lack of mystery and how to tame the Las Vegas dryness.

You already have a shade named Viva Las Vegas in your arsenal. Why the name? Many of my shades are inspired by flms. This one is a reference to the ’60s flm starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. It is a sheer taupe lipstick with a little shimmer. Very reminiscent of ’60s mod style.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? Is your idea of it more Viva Las Vegas, Casino or Showgirls? I’ve only seen the city through a cinematic lens, and I love the portrayal of the energy and vibe from the ’60s and ’70s flms. Viva Las Vegas is the flm that comes to mind when I think of the city. The music, the romance, the spirit.

The heat and dryness of Las Vegas are notoriously tyrannical on the skin. Which NARS products do you suggest to tame the combo? I love our overnight NARSskin Aqua Gel Hydrator because it locks in moisture, leaving skin hydrated. Our Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is another key product. It protects skin with SPF 30, and the hydrating ingredients combat heat and dryness. It is light enough to let your natural skin shine through but provides just enough coverage to conceal imperfections.

You have oftentimes said that you fnd the void of mystery of the times to be dispiriting (Monsieur Nars does not own personal Twitter or Facebook accounts). Las Vegas’

proud motto is “what happens here, stays here.” You should be partial to it. Today everything seems overexposed. I quite like the Las Vegas motto. It speaks of preserving a bit of mystery.

Your newest book, Tahiti: Faery Lands just came out, and it is an ode to the enigmatic and the exotic. Tell us about your fervor for French Polynesia (Nars owns the private Island of Motu Tané off the coast of Tahiti). As soon as I arrived in Bora Bora I was just mesmerized by the colors and the structure of the island. I love the ocean; I love the sea. As a makeup artist there’s so much to be inspired by on a tropical island. You are constantly hit by different shades of lights, sand, sunsets and vegetation.

Is it true that in one year you have sold as many Orgasm blushes as the weight equivalent of a 3,475-pound Lamborghini Diablo? It is defnitely our best-selling shade. I never anticipated this blush to do so well. I think it is a combination of the color and the name. It looks good on every skin tone, and the name is a bit audacious—women remember it. It was so popular that we created a lip gloss, a multiple (a 3-in-1 product, that highlights, sculpts and warms eyes, cheeks and lips), an illuminator and nail polish. In The Forum Shops at Caesars; narscosmetics.com –BENEDETTA PIGNATELLI

6SHOP

vrated.com 29PHotoGraPH by lucky wenzel sHot on location at double down saloon

RaisE thE Roofthe man known as RMC takes partying to a new level

STRIP SEARCH

As he prepares for the Memorial Day opening of the highly anticipated Drai’s Beachclub and Nightclub 11 stories above the Strip at The Cromwell, Ryan Michael Craig (a.k.a.

RMC) is working nonstop, barely sleeping—and loving every minute of it.

“Drai’s is going to completely change Las Vegas nightlife,” says RMC, managing partner of Drai’s. “It’s the most beautiful spot on the Strip. The view is incomparable, and there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

Inside the nightclub, all the tables face the dance foor and the energy of the music, which ranges from EDM and house to Top 40 and commercial hip-hop. While phenomenal DJs will be on tap, the club itself is the star here. The rooftop features more than 4,400 square feet of wraparound LED. Food and beverage don’t take a backseat, either: Inventive cocktails and gourmet food are available at the nightclub and pool. And look out for some of the most creative bottle presentations this city has ever seen, says RMC. After all, this has Victor Drai’s stamp all over it.

“Victor is a hands-on visionary,” RMC says. “He’s a pioneer in our industry, and he has a sense of fow, design and décor that nobody else possesses.”

RMC—started as a busboy and built a solid career in the Las Vegas nightlife industry for more than 11 years—has played a major role in the rooftop venue’s debut, spending countless days on site to ensure that no detail is overlooked. And while he spends most of his waking hours working, he makes time for rides on his motorcycle once a week. “A group of us nightlife industry folks—we call ourselves the ‘Sons of Sindustry’—ride out to Arizona or Southern California,” RMC says. “It’s a great way to reboot and de-stress.”

On an unexpected night off, RMC, who admits to loving “proper mixology bars,” can be found at Rose.Rabbit.Lie and Commonwealth, unwinding at local bars such as The Lodge and Home Plate or indulging at Yellowtail, Prime Steak or Top of the World, which he calls a “hidden gem.”

But when Drai’s fnally opens, RMC admits that those nights out will become rare, and there are no signs of slowing down. “We are in the process of expanding to other key cities,” RMC reveals. “There’s a lot happening, but I’m excited for the challenge. I get to put everything I’ve learned to the test.”–CASEY BRENNAN

When he moved to Vegas, Ryan Michael Craig worked the graveyard shift for six months at a tanning salon near 24 Hour Fitness—in order to make connections, because he heard that was where the nightlife people worked out.

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Genie in a bottle

Hakkasan’s wine expert uncorks the magic of Cantonese dishes

By Al ManciniPhotography by Elizabeth Buehring

THE CELLAR

One expects to fnd amazing wine lists in fne French and Italian restaurants. Cantonese cuisine is a little different. The Chinese don’t have a strong tradition of drinking wine with dinner (they

prefer a grain-based “wine” called huangjiu and a grain spirit known as baijiu), which presents some unique challenges in putting together a wine list at Hakkasan, arguably Las Vegas’ top Cantonese restaurant. Fortunately, they have the resources of Christine Parkinson, whom renowned wine expert Jancis Robinson once called “one of the most creative wine buyers in the U.K.”

The former chef, who trained in a long-gone restaurant in Canterbury and later served as head chef in a small hotel in Broadstairs, discovered her passion for wine while attending hotel school at Westminster College. “I had never really drunk [wine] before taking Liquor Studies,” Parkinson says, noting the irony. After several management jobs in the hospitality industry, where she always ran the wine programs, in 2001 she was asked to create the wine list for the original Hakkasan in London, Hakkasan Hanway Place. She says it was her “dream job,” because it fnally gave her the chance to focus on wine. Today, Parkinson is group buyer for Wine & Non-Food for Hakkasan Group, and oversees its operations in London, Miami, New York City, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Shanghai, Mumbai and, of course, Las Vegas. She’s in charge of maintaining the wine lists at each location, which is no easy task. “The dishes are not great partners for

wine if you get it wrong,” she cautions. “[The menu] is based on Cantonese cuisine, so there’s a lot of sweetness in the dishes. There are also sour or spicy notes. And there are ingredients such as Chinese chives that can be very hostile to wine.”

Moreover, Hakkasan’s food is served family style. So when you choose a wine, Parkinson says, “you’re not looking for a specifc match, because people come in here and eat more than one dish.” Because of that, each of the 300-plus wines on Hakkasan’s list in each of its 12 locations has been chosen for its ability to pair with everything on the menu. Finding such versatile wines, however, is an arduous process.

Just a month ago, Parkinson made a visit to the U.S., making her frst stop in Las Vegas. Every other Tuesday, beverage manager Constantin Alexander conducts a tasting session with two members of the wine team and a member of the staff where they sample dozens of bottles of wine. From that sampling, they select four to six they think might be worthy of the wine list. Each of the potential wines is paired with four dishes that represent the four basic favor profles on the menu: mild, savory, sweet and spicy. Unless a wine performs valiantly in every category, it doesn’t make the list. (Some days none qualify.)

“The idea is, the wine can live with all the different types of food, and it can be enjoyed,” Parkinson says. But, she continues, the process can be brutal at times. “We do discard a lot of wines, and sometimes they’re really good wines. It’s a bit heartbreaking.”

Hakkasan is unique in the way it arranges the wine on its list. Rather than sort them by region or varietal, Parkinson has created categories that include Curious (unusual grape varieties), Spiritual (wines that embrace a biodynamic

philosophy, Genius (new classics) and Terroir (wines that offer a sense of place). To show off the characteristics of each category and the versatility of each wine, Parkinson pours three to accompany a meal of crispy silver cod, stir-fry black pepper rib eye with Merlot, and a tofu, aubergine and shiitake mushroom claypot in black bean sauce.

TASTING NOTESFirst up is a 2010 Moscoflero, Skouras ($74)

from the Curious section of the list. It hails from Peloponnese, Greece. “Most people would never have heard of the Moscoflero grape,” Parkinson says. It’s a foral, delicate grape somewhere between pinot gris and moscato that cleanses your palate after a more savory dish like the rib eye.

Then, we have a 2010 Coyam from Emiliana Organic Vineyards in Colchagua Valley, Chile ($125). This red blend is on the Spiritual page of the list because of the holistic growing philosophy of its producers. “I’ve visited them,” the sommelier assures me. “They have animals and livestock on the farm, and they grow everything beautifully.” The result is an elegance one might not expect from red grapes grown in a warm climate, which works beautifully with mild dishes.

Finally, Parkinson has selected a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc “Te Koko” from Cloudy Bay in Marlborough, New Zealand ($165). This wine is classifed as a Genius, or new classic. “This is not the well-known Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc,” she says. “This is the big brother, in a sense. It’s seen oak.” That oak character harmonizes well with the umami-driven favors of Hakkasan’s food.

In MGM Grand, 702.891.7888; hakkasanlv.com

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Te sweetness of the Champagne and honey sauce on the silver cod would make

many red wines taste metallic, but the Coyam copes by its

ripeness, and because there are no green notes in the wine.

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The rich, savory flavors in this Coyam harmonize with the savory notes from the shiitake mushrooms, aubergine and tofu in a clay pot.

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BEHIND BARS

The world’s perfect

protein in a cocktail?

You bet.

By Xania WoodmanPhotography by Jon Estrada

The egg has been a vital ingredient to bartenders almost as long as it has been to chefs. OK, maybe not quite that long, but for many of the same reasons: Eggs are packed with protein and hold the power to retain and transmit favors and aromas; to impart luxurious body and a silky mouth-feel; and to emulsify into an espuma or to form a frothy cap. They lend an essential element—that of a sturdy foam with staying power—to the Pisco Sour and myriad other varieties of sour, not to mention the fzz, fip, nog and posset, classics with their beginnings in the earliest days of the cocktail as well as of our nation.

America’s passion for the egg as it pertains to mixology, however, has dampened over the ages. Frothee, an egg-free replacement, does the trick of giving certain drinks the appearance of a proper foam, but achieves neither the body nor the richness. Happily, the cocktail renaissance of the last 15 years has brought the egg back from the brink, reigniting bartenders’ imaginations and desire to not only faithfully re-create such classics as the White Lady, Tom Collins, Ramos Gin Fizz and Tom & Jerry, but to come up with their own edgy, eggy creations. Here, we shake up a little of both.

Rum DiaRiesAs served at Lavo Lounge, $14

In a mixing tin, combine:

1½ oz. Caliche rum ¾ oz. New Zealand sauvignon blanc syrup (1:1 ratio of granulated sugar to wine, simmered and cooled)¼ oz. Giffard Vanille de Madagascar liqueur 1 oz. fresh lime juice 2 dashes Scrappy’s cardamom bitters 1 egg white ¾ oz. ruby red grapefruit juice

Cover and dry shake (no ice) for 20 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds.

Fine strain into a chilled 7½-ounce cocktail coupe and garnish with grapes and a grapefruit spiral.

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All Dressed

in WhiteFar and away the most common form of egg you’re likely to encounter in a cocktail is the white. Just spirit, citrus, sugar and egg white (plus maybe a little carbonation) make magic when modifed in countless ways, such as in the Silver Fizz and the Clover Club. “I love the texture that egg white brings to a cocktail,” says Rodger Gillespie of The Palazzo’s Lavo Lounge. “It’s an airy, almost fuffy feel on the tongue. It gives dryness to a sweeter cocktail and adds great visual appeal. I love making foams and espumas, and the sour is one of my favorite styles of drinks.”

It was the Pisco Sour in particular that frst clued Gillespie in to the egg’s place behind the bar. “The creaminess of the egg white mixed with the lime juice, pisco, simple syrup and bitters makes an amazing yet simple cocktail,” he says. His original creation, Rum Diaries, is a nod to the Pisco Sour, as well as to the classic Hemingway Daiquiri. Whereas egg whites bring more texture to a cocktail than favor, they can have a certain raw, eggy aroma. “When using egg whites, the dry shake [without ice] is a must, and perfuming the egg white beforehand really helps.” Here, Gillespie’s workaround is his New Zealand sauvignon blanc-infused simple syrup, which gives Rum Diaries a heavenly citrus-foral lift. Lavo Lounge, in The Palazzo, 702.791.1800; lavolv.com

insider intel / “wait, what?!”Enough time has passed since the start of the cocktail renaissance that someone recoiling in horror at the idea of fresh eggs in their cocktail is now more of a novelty than the eggs themselves ever were. But, as it’s still bound to strike fear into the hearts of some imbibers, it bears repeating: Fresh eggs are exactly what you want! In fact, the fresher the better: less than a week old, kept cold. Tat’s it! “Te egg whites get a bath in citric acid [lemon juice, lime juice] ... and alcohol,” Lavo Lounge barman Gillespie explains to egg-white neophytes, “which is a good sterilizer for anything.” Still shaking in your boots? “I prefer to use fresh egg whites when available,” Gillespie adds, “but for high-volume service, pasteurized works just fne.”

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While egg whites do lovely things to a cocktail, giving it some texture and developing a nice foam, egg yolk is downright naughty, imparting a mouth-feel that is unctuous, sensual, seductive. Little is known about the Broken Spur other than it appeared suddenly in a number of cocktail books in the late 1920s and early 1930s, says Nectaly Mendoza, owner of locals favorite Herbs & Rye, also an avid collector of cocktail lore, recipe books and vintage bar equipment. At Herbs & Rye, Mendoza faithfully re-creates classic cocktails to the letter, and lets the customer decide whether they like it or not; he sets ego aside and refuses to tweak recipes to suit modern tastes. Don’t like it? Perhaps that’s not “your drink” then. You don’t have to like everything on his menu.

“We know it is a very risky cocktail [to offer] due to the egg yolk,” Mendoza says. “But we fgured if we can get our guests to trust us to give them something amazing every time, no matter what we put in it, then we are doing a good job.” Herbs & Rye recipes rarely mention brand names; however, Mendoza prefers Osborne white port, Oxley classic English dry gin, Dolin sweet vermouth and Pontarlier Anis, although he favors Bols Anisette for personal use. Combined with fresh yolk, the effect is like canary-yellow satin sheets to both the eye and the palate. “It is one of those drinks that is tough to put together in your head, but it is amazing once you try it,” Mendoza says. Herbs & Rye, 3713 W. Sahara Ave., 702.982.8036; herbsandrye.com

Broken SpurAs served at Herbs & Rye, $9

In a cocktail shaker, combine:

¾ oz. gin ¾ oz. sweet vermouth 1½ oz. white port 1 tsp. anisette 1 yolk of one egg

Add ice, shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg over the top.

CoIn FLIp As served at Vesper, $15

Crack an egg into a mixing tin and whisk briskly (no ice). Add:

1½ oz. Fernet Branca ¾ oz. Navan vanilla liqueur ¾ oz. ginger syrup1½ oz. half and half

Add ice, cover and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

Coat the inside of an 8-ounce cocktail coupe with three dashes of Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate bitters.

Double-strain the contents of the mixing tin into the glass.

COCKTAILS

A Golden Oldie

insider intel / bar math Gin + lemon juice + sugar + seltzer = Gin Fizz. Add an egg white and you get the Silver Fizz. Add a yolk instead for the Golden Fizz. And the whole egg? Behold: the Royal Fizz. But if the whole-egg thing still makes you blanch, try Advocaat, a Dutch egg liqueur that does the work for you.

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The Whole

TruthYou probably won’t encounter too many whole-egg cocktails, especially not in summer when it’s so hot outside you could, well, fry an egg. But don’t dismiss it entirely. “Whole eggs provide the best of both worlds,” property mixologist Mariena Mercer of The Cosmopolitan says. “You get the silky texture and the rich favor.” The most typical whole-egg drink is eggnog, cousin to the fip, made with spirit, cream, whole egg, sugar and various wintry spices. Although the fip has its origins in Shakespeare’s time, on the Strip, Vesper Bar in The Cosmopolitan serves the Coin Flip, a modern nod to the drinking game created by the military and perfected by Las Vegas bartenders.

Here, the base spirit is actually a bitter Italian liqueur, Fernet Branca, and the sugar is infused with ginger in homage to the classic ginger beer-back many Branca devotees request. If it sounds like liquid dessert, just wait: Navan vanilla-infused Cognac contributes an even greater depth of sweetness. From there, using a whole egg adds a depth of favor and a creaminess that is almost reminiscent of a custard. And the coating of the glass with atomized bitters layers the fnal chocolate notes to complete the favor profle—liquid dessert at its best. It won’t refresh you on a hot summer day, but is easily the sweetest note on which to end the night. Vesper Bar, in The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

Te more you shake a cocktail with egg white, the more texture, foam and head your cocktail will have. “Any cocktail with egg white, I shake for more than a minute,” Mercer says. But the more you shake a cocktail with ice you run therisk of diluting it. Hence, the vigorous dry shake, performed without ice. Here are a few more egg tips from the lady known as Ms. Wizard.

feeling lazy? “Try an Aerolatte, which is anespresso wand that rapidly whips that eggwhite into shape.”

use egg whitesparingly. “It shouldn’t overpower the favors or aromas of the other ingredients in thecocktail, instead breed alchemy and balancewhile rounding out the cocktail.”

perfume your eggs before use. “I slice ginger and leave it in the egg car-ton over night. Te aroma permeates the shell, and the whites take on the gin-ger aroma. Tis works with rose and orange water, and savory herbs as well.”

repurpose your bar equipment. “A Hawthorne strainer actually works brilliantly as an egg separator; it’s a total life/bar hack.”

insider intel / keep ’em separated

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Known to mask his face to the public, Alec Monopoly does so in style—whether it’s with a fashy hand gesture or a Hermès scarf—as shown here while posing in his Los Angeles studio.

by Una LaMarcheportrait by Anthony Mair

Street artist Alec Monopoly brings his spray cans to Vegas’ hottest nightspots

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he frst call goes straight to voicemail. A generic fembot—you know her, she narrates most default phone greetings in her halting but pleasant Hillary Clinton alto—informs me that the number I’m trying to reach is not available at this time and invites me to leave a message at the tone. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, the number I’m trying to reach belongs to the anonymous street artist Alec Monopoly, a man whose real name is unknown to all but

his closest confdants. He routinely hides his face whenever he appears in public—which is often these days, considering that he’s one of the hottest young properties in the art world and the heir apparent to Banksy, with pieces hanging in Miley Cyrus’ house, on Justin Bieber’s red carpet and on gallery walls attached to multimillion-dollar price tags. Why should his voice be any less mysterious than the rest of him?

But on the next try it rings, and Monopoly amiably apologizes for missing the frst call. He has a good excuse: He was busy painting a giant egg for an Easter-themed charity hunt sponsored by Fabergé. The three-dimensional shape makes for a challenging canvas, he admits, but after more than a decade of scaling walls and climbing billboards, he’s not really fazed. Monopoly is a man who thrives on adventure.

To that end, in January, Monopoly entered into a yearlong residency at Wynn Las Vegas, in which he’ll appear at Encore Beach Club, Surrender, Tryst and XS on select dates to create pieces live amid the revelers. Unlike traditional DJ residencies, his ongoing collaboration with the nightlife properties is much more artistic and freewheeling. He works with the Wynn team to choose meaningful dates for him to attend and participate on the fy, to keep an open-ended feeling of creativity. And while it might not seem like painting in a nightclub packed to capacity and thumping with high-decibel beats would be anything like silently tagging an abandoned building in the middle of the night, Monopoly sees the experiences as strikingly similar.

“On the streets, I’m stressed,” he explains. “I’m really on edge: I’m worried about the police; I know I have to be fast. In a club, I’m nervous because I’m worried that I’ll mess up, or that I’ll trip and fall.” (Monopoly works on a platform next to the DJ booth.) He draws off that panic to feed his creative energy—and the vibe doesn’t hurt, either. “I’ve been going to XS for years,” he adds. “It’s my favorite club in the world.” All works Monopoly does live are either pre-sold, destroyed or auctioned for charity.

“The audience is in total awe while watching him work,” says Wynn nightlife impresario Jesse Waits, who frst met Monopoly at Sundance when they teamed up for a pop-up event and was immediately blown away by his talent. “We were lucky to develop a relationship with him at such an early point in his career. He is a true component of pop culture, and I’m convinced this is just the beginning of a hugely successful career and overall infuence in the scene itself.”

A decade ago, Monopoly could never have foreseen being up on these kinds of literal and fgurative pedestals. Back then he was just another teen in New York City, trying to emulate idols such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, tagging walls and dodging cops. But when the 2008 economic crisis hit, he found inspiration in the Wall Street bigwigs falling from grace in the public eye. “I started painting Bernie Madoff, surrounded by Monopoly money,” he says. “And then

I realized that Madoff was just like the Monopoly Man. So I started painting him instead, putting him everywhere around the city.” The combination of Monopoly’s studied skill (he learned photorealistic painting techniques under the tutelage of his artist mother), ubiquitous tagging of “Uncle Pennybags” and smart social commentary made him stand out from New York’s hordes of street artists.

Since then, he’s had a meteoric rise, with two acclaimed gallery shows, an exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach and high-profle collaborations with Paramount Pictures, Madonna, Diplo and Avicii. Monopoly could easily afford to spend the rest of his life painting canvasses in sunny studios, but that wouldn’t make him happy. “My true passion,” he says, more than once, “is graffti.” By which he means real graffti—the illegal kind.

Monopoly still hits the streets whenever he can, and is often given walls to paint by cities eager to be marked by his unique, geometric signature (the “E” in Alec is made up of three stacked lines, a nod to Basquiat; the “C” is topped with Haring-esque movement marks), but the thrill of unsanctioned street art that hooked him as a kid is what he seeks out most.

Monopoly only does illegal work in what he calls “positive places”—abandoned structures or sites that have already been tagged by other artists—and rarely in “clean” cities such as Vegas that tend to scrub public graffti before it dries. But he still worries constantly about the police, which is just one of the reasons he’s always photographed with a bandana tied just below his eyes, like a dapper Old West bandit. He was arrested a lot when he was young, and doesn’t think he’ll get special treatment just because he’s famous now. “If anything,” he says, “they probably want to make an example out of me.”

Although Uncle Pennybags has somewhat ironically made him very wealthy, Monopoly imagines that there will come a day when he lays his namesake character to rest. Many other pop icons, from Twiggy to Robert De Niro to Jack Nicholson, show up repeatedly in his work, and since his fount of inspiration is American culture itself, the possibilities seem endless. “Honestly, I started Mr. Monopoly in response to what was going on [in the economy],” he says. “I never thought it would still be relevant six years later.” His own snowballing relevance, too, is a subject that continues to surprise him. “In my mind,” he laughs, “I’m a nobody just doing my thing.”

T

“I started Mr. Monopoly

in response to what

was going on in the

economy.”

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@alecmonopolyKeep up with the adventures of Alec Monopoly on his Instagram, where the renegade is nearing 100,000 followers. From his ... ahem ... illegal antics to his jet-setting lifestyle–the artist has collaborated with Te W Hotel, CoverGirl and Ultra Music Festival, to name just a few–there’s no shortage of Monopoly happenings.

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Along with his grafti works, Monopoly does acrylic painting, ofering more permanent pieces of his artistry. Tis page: “Hello Tis Is Richie”; top right: “Piano Monopoly.”

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art for a causeIn addition to rubbing elbows with A-list celebrities and commandeering fve-deck yachts for Art Basel blowouts, Alec Monopoly lives up to the “sensitive artist” cliché by partnering with charities— remember that Fabergé egg?—every chance his schedule allows. On May 2, Monopoly created a live piece at Hi: Healthy Indulgence, a collaborative event between Wynn’s Jesse Waits and Sean Christie and Larry Ruvo of Keep Memory Alive and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. –UNA LAMARCHE

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Pool partying never looked so fresh thanks to an infusion of streetwear into summertime staples. Basic chicks not invited.

Photography by Zack W

out RAGE ouS

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Do you know how hard it is to pick the best bars in a city built on the pillars of vodka and whiskey (and tequila and gin)? But the Rated staff was more than up to the task of fnding the most drink-worthy establishments you should belly up to, whether you’re just visiting or you call this joint home. So cheers to you, and may the spirits always move you.

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SAGEShawn McClain’s shining jewel of a restaurant is renowned for its sophisticated take on American cuisine, but its mixology program is also one for the books. From farm to table to highball, you’ll always know what’s in season at Sage.

the buzz: Dark walls, dim lights and seductive pops of purple and green make you forget you’re steps from a hotel lobby.

the pour: Season and produce dictate the menu, so ask your server what to drink (Virginia, if you’re lucky). If available, order the Jalisco With Love, Elusive Spring or Smoke With No Mirrors.

history, distilled: If drink is your feast of focus, Aria’s meticulous property mixologist Craig Schoettler is your guide. A cocktalian wunderkind, at 27 he’s already “formerly of” Chicago’s acclaimed Alinea, Aviary and Drumbar. Care for some absinthe? Sage has 10 different incarnations of the green fairy.

rated, straight up: Sage’s bar combines the divine (decor), refned (edibles) and sublime (cocktails), where a random Wednesday with a Schoettler concoction could become a new high holiday. In Aria, 877.230.2742; aria.com –JEN CHASE

Bartender Robert Shultz.

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THE STUDY BAR

AT ROSE.RABBIT.LIE

Many rooms comprise Rose.Rabbit.Lie, the game-changing nightlife spectacle at The Cosmopolitan, but your frst stop should be The Study Bar.

the buzz: The Study is the thinking person’s speakeasy—those books and records on the shelves are for your reading and listening pleasure. And keep an eye out for the tap dancers who unexpectedly glide across the bar with grace and aplomb.

the pour: Globally inspired cocktails such as Heavens to Budapest and Clouds Below Hokkaido make you dream of faraway lands, but the one drink that captures the spirit of The Study? Down the Rabbit Hole. Naturally.

history, distilled: The Cosmopolitan pulled quite the trick out of its hat when it opened Rose.Rabbit.Lie. earlier this year, and chief mixologist Marshall Altier calls The Study “an escape and a journey unto itself.” We couldn’t agree more.

rated, straight up: A place to experience one of the most refned cocktail programs in the city and bone up on The Decameron? Pull up a chair. You’ll want to stay awhile. In The Cosmopolitan, 877.667.0585; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com–GENEVIE DURANO

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COMMONWEALTH

Commonwealth is honest, authentic, classy and best of all, this place has soul.

the buzz: The main floor is a swanky Downtown meeting hall dripping with turn-of-the-century artifacts, crystal chandeliers and a very curious art collection. If you fancy some fresh air, the rooftop serves as an open-air lounge perfect for live music and DJs, with neon from the vintage El Cortez Hotel across the street providing mood lighting.

the pour: Pre-Prohibition inspired cocktails—think Whiskey Rub and Senator in Peru—set the tone. The bar also boasts an impressive line of beers by the bottle and on tap.

history, distilled: Part of the Downtown Las Vegas renaissance happening east of the Fremont Street Experience, Commonwealth opened in November 2012.

rated, straight up: Commonwealth is a vibrant social destination buzzing with energy. Added bonus: the Chandelier Sessions live music showcases every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. 525 Fremont St., 702.445.6400; commonwealthlv.com –SA LIEN

MANDARIN BARTreat yourself to everything over the top … 23 foors up, to be exact.

the buzz: Enter into a classic but contemporary lounge with foor-to-ceiling windows 17 to 19 feet tall that give you the most exclusive view of the Las Vegas Strip, while a four-piece band serenades you.

the pour: The cocktail menu is crafted seasonally by mixologist Michael LaPenna and features Le Grand Saint Rosé, a sparkling vodka found only at a few locations in Las Vegas.

history, distilled: Mandarin Oriental Group opened its frst location in Hong Kong in 1963 and is known for some of the most sought-after properties in the world.

rated, straight up: Once you fnd your way up to the bar, there’s no need to make plans for the rest of the evening. There’s an extensive bar menu by executive chef David Werly—try the Stellar Bay Oyster Beignet (deep-fried oysters topped with caviar)—and the live music soon turns this lounge into a dance foor. In Mandarin Oriental, 888.881.9367; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas –ALLISON KYLER

ATOMIC LIQUORSThere’s something to be said for history, especially in this town where we spend so much time reinventing it. Atomic Liquors, Las Vegas’ oldest freestanding bar, has stood the test of time since 1952.

the buzz: This little bar just down from the Fremont East District is the watering hole for a young Downtown crowd, from hipsters to Zappos employees.

the pour: Go for Strawberry Fields or the F-bomb.

history, distilled: Bar patrons used to sit on the roof of the building and sip cocktails while watching the distant atomic blasts. When renovating the old tavern, the owners found a foor safe containing receipts from its early days. The receipts, along with more of the bar’s artifacts, are displayed throughout.

rated, straight up: Come for a lesson in history, stay for the 19 microbrews on tap. 917 Fremont St., 702.982.3000; atomiclasvegas.com –NICOLE ELY

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FREAKIN’ FROG

We can neither confrm nor deny UNLV’s status as a party school, but if you’re lucky enough to spend your college years in this town, then you’ll know that the Freakin’ Frog is an education unto itself.

the buzz: This dive bar is nothing fancy, but it’s home base for many brewski devotees and UNLV students and professors.

the pour: Go for one of the craft beers on their menu.

history, distilled: Freakin’ Frog was Las Vegas’ frst craft-beer spot and is one of the largest in America with almost 1,200 brews to choose from.

rated, straight up: Not only does Freakin’ Frog host one of the best beer selections in Las Vegas, it also houses the by-appointment-only Whiskey Attic, which features more than 1,000 whiskeys from around the world. 4700 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 8, 702.217.6794; freakinfrog.com –NICOLE ELY

FIZZ LAS VEGAS

Don’t let the sun go down on you without checking out this oh-so-classy space that has Elton John’s stamp all over it.

the buzz: Champagne, cognac and ivory all over, Fizz with its cozy banquettes is like Caesars Palace circa early ’70s, just a little more modern.

the pour: The Champagne cocktails, of course. Of more than 15 specialties, the Fizz Noir (pictured) is a good place to start.

history, distilled: Photography from the collection of Caesars’ resident piano man Sir Elton and his partner, David Furnish (also Fizz’s creative director), adorns the space, lending a certain luxe homeyness that makes Fizz feel like your own (very opulent) living room.

rated, straight up: Lounge or Champagne bar? We don’t care. Once you wind your way down the sunken entry and leave the din of Caesars’ slots behind, in our opinion, it’s a top spot for getting lost. In Caesars Palace, 702.776.3200; caesarspalace.com –JEN CHASE

The lobby bar is an important part of the Vegas mystique—a meeting place, a rendezvous point and the perfect locale to start or end the night. Press inside Four Seasons Las Vegas is the star of the genre. And when the action and the futes bubble inside, the scene spills over outdoors, onto the poolside terrace.

the buzz: The sleek Hollywood Regency decor, including leather seating in the lobby and whimsical high-back chairs, make you want to

check in and hang out.

the pour: No trip to Press is complete without trying the Hemingway Daiquiri and the Grapefruit Negroni.

history, distilled: Transforming the unused space within the check-in area last year has created a new heartbeat in the hotel. Bar manager Sanjiv Gupta is instrumental in crafting Press’ liquid identity—both his specialty and speakeasy-inspired cocktails incorporate the

freshest ingredients of the season.

rated, straight up: Press is preferred for a casual yet sophisticated meeting—morning, afternoon or evening. It’s also a great spot for light bites. Don’t leave without trying the crab-cake sliders, mini pear brioche grilled cheese or wild-mushroom fatbread. In Four Seasons, 702.632.5000; fourseasons.com/lasvegas –MELINDA SHECKELLS

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365 TOKYO

Future Restaurant Group’s new members-only speakeasy was inspired by owner Michael Cornthwaite’s honeymoon in Japan. Only by passing through a mirror do its members gain access to the diminutive bar secreted within a limo-tinted box that hangs over Fremont Street.

the buzz: It’s members only. No, really. With just eight seats to offer, you have to actually be a member (there are only 365 memberships) to make a reservation (or go with someone who is). So how can you tell the haves from the have-nots? Members open the door with their fngerprint.

the pour: Go ahead and sweat the technique, as there are many: ice spheres hand-chipped off the block, liquid-nitrogen frozen cocktails, wood-smoked cocktails, layered shots and spirits siphon-infused with botanicals mere moments before becoming your martini.

history, distilled: Lead barman Seong Ha Lee hales from Seoul, South Korea, but he’s spent most of his career in Japan. So expect to be welcomed in Japanese and given a hot hand towel and cucumber water before being presented with the menu—would you prefer that in English, Japanese or Korean?

rated, straight up: Cocktailing becomes sport where there are no rules, no soda guns and the soundtrack is strictly jazz—vinyl, of course. In Inspire, 107 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.489.9110; frglv.com/property/365-Tokyo –XANIA WOODMAN

If wine is your thing, forget the Strip and head to Hostile Grape, a contemporary underground wine bar at the M Resort that is anything but hostile.

the buzz: Deep, low, dark couches foat on terra-cotta brick tiles under a cloud of oak-barrel ribs perfect for relaxing and sampling what is arguably the city’s largest selection of wines by the glass.

the pour: Try more than 160 wines in self-serve samplings of 1, 3 or 5-ounce pours. And when you’ve outgrown the sample size, there are more

than 400 wines available by the bottle.

history, distilled: Hostile Grape, which opened in 2009, introduced Las Vegas to the measured, self-service pour.

rated, straight up: Sometimes you want a break from the Vegas hustle, and this is the perfect place to chill. Plus, where else in town can you sample so many wines by the glass? In M Resort and Spa, 702.797.1000; themresort.com–SA LIEN

You’re in for some luck of the Irish. Nine Fine Irishmen inside New York-New York is your one-way ticket straight to the land of four-leaf clovers.

the buzz: Mahogany wood, dim lighting and cottage-like nooks set the mood for snuggling with your favorite lass or lad.

the pour: Fill your own pint at the brand-new Draft Master tables, perfect for pairing with traditional favorites such shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash.

history, distilled: A sobering thought: This bar is named for the nine Irishmen who were a part of the uprising against England in the 19th century.

rated, straight up: Hit up this joint because you love to drink. A lot. But don’t worry … no one will notice once the band starts playing wild Irish music and dancers perform the electric jig every night starting at 9. In New York-New York, 702.740.6463; ninefneirishmen.com –ALLISON KYLER

NINE FINE IRISHMEN

HOSTILE

GRAPE

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TOPMAN blazer, trousers and dress

shirt Topman in Fashion Show.

GIVENCHY shoes Barneys in Te Grand

Canal Shoppes at Te Venetian and Te

Palazzo. VAN HEUSEN tie stylist’s own.

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THOM BROWNE sport coat and BELSTAFF jeans Barneys. VINCE pullover Neiman Marcus

in Fashion Show. BALENCIAGA sneakers Balenciaga in Te Forum Shops at Caesars.

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Long before you knew him as the affable Mike Chang on Glee, Harry Shum Jr. was grooving on your television screen. Shum was one of the dancing silhouettes in the ubiquitous iPod commercials that introduced the iconic Apple device back in 2004. The commercial was a telling precursor to the career that would emerge: football-stud-turned-dancing vocalist on Glee; dancer who has been on tour with Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and T-Pain; tech connoisseur with Web series The LXD and Hulu series Caper

and, most recently, the launch of his website, Tenth & Fourth. The multitalented star also boasts million-plus followers on Twitter. Costa Rica-born and California-raised, Shum is also hitting the big screen with a supporting role in Moms’ Night Out and a lead in the late-summer release of Revenge of the Green Dragons. He also found time to fall in love with Downtown Las Vegas. Rated sits down with Shum to talk about his connection to the city, his love of tech and his upcoming movies.

How did your interest in Las Vegas develop? I was at a TED conference, and a gentleman named Tim Chang, from Mayfeld Fund, was telling me about Downtown Project and Las Vegas [Downtown Project is a private urban revitalization enterprise, funded with $350 million of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s personal money. Its objective is to spur the revitalization of Las Vegas’ city core, through a combination of real estate developments, investments in startup Web companies and investments in education and the arts.]. I’m not a big gambler—that was my perspective of Vegas since I was a kid. But this changed [when I learned] what [Downtown Project] was trying to do. I fell in love with it. I got to meet Tony, and we got to talking. It was like seeing something from the very beginning—a city that’s trying to build up its name, culture and community.

Tell us about CatalystCreativ and your involvement with Downtown Project. CatalystCreativ gets people from all over the world to come and experience what Downtown Project is doing and take a tour of Zappos. You meet businesses that are a big part of the community and trying to uplift it. Everyone in the Project is so supportive of each other. I went to speak at CatalystCreativ twice: The frst time I brought my family, and the second time I brought a whole bunch of friends. I started recommending people who I think would be cool and [can] make an impact in the community.

You were part of the inaugural Life Is Beautiful festival. How did that come about? I love music festivals, and I’ve been visiting parts of Downtown Project for the past two years. When Tony and my friend Amanda Slavin [CEO and founder of CatalystCreativ] said they were doing a music festival, I was like, “Oh, I’m in!” They asked me to speak at the Learning Is Beautiful portion, where you could gain knowledge or hear other people’s experiences. I told [my story] of what it was like growing up, [of being] a shy kid from another country coming into this whole big world. It was really cool to see a packed house and people coming in, wanting to hear someone talk about [their life] experiences.

You have a new website, and you’re an investor in the app Dumbstruck. How did you become involved with tech? Before I became an actor, I loved trying new tech. If I found something I loved, I always wanted to share it with people. Over the years, I’ve developed a reputation among friends and castmates as the go-to guy for the latest in anything cool tech-related. It was just a hobby of mine. Dumbstruck is an awesome app that has the same concept as Snapchat but with a twist: Instead of someone responding by sending another picture back, someone can send a picture of something funny or something sentimental and it captures six seconds of your reaction to it. I also launched a website in April called Tenth & Fourth. There’s an audience out there that loves tech but doesn’t know the technical jargon. [In Tenth & Fourth,] I share stuff I think is cool and that benefts people. Technology should enhance your life and make life easier.

There’s a big tech community growing locally. Are any Las Vegans backing your projects? I would love to do something with Tony, but there’s nothing concrete yet. Vegas is a big part of the future of tech, and that’s why I’ve been coming here to test the waters and see what’s happening.

You have two movies coming out, Moms’ Night Out and Revenge of the Green Dragons. Give us previews. Moms’ Night Out comes out Mother’s Day weekend. It’s really cool, because it’s gone from [being an] indie [film] to now getting a Sony wide release. It’s like a PG version of The Hangover, [but] with moms having the night out. I play this irresponsible young father who ends up losing his baby in a tattoo parlor. It’s a crazy night of adventures. It’s a really fun film, and stars Sean Astin, Sarah Drew and Patricia Heaton. In Revenge of the Green Dragons, I play a gang leader who causes havoc on New York City, which is very close to [the character I play] in Moms’ Night Out [laughs]. I don’t want to judge him, but he is very evil, which I’ve never played before. It’s based on a true story about immigrants who came to America in the ’80s, and they get into the wrong deal with gangs whose operations pollute the city with violence and corruption. It’s a very intense film, and Martin Scorsese executive-produced it.

“If I found something

I loved, I always

wanted to share it with

people.”

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THOM BROWNE jacket Barneys. SAND COPENHAGEN dress shirt Neiman Marcus. G-STAR RAW cargo pants DNA2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. BALENCIAGA sneakers Balenciaga.

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THE DETAILSWith great anticipation, Rated caught up with Shum for a day of fashion and fun at Los Angeles’ Emerson Theatre, a venue by sbe, the global hospitality company behind SLS Las Vegas. Opening Labor Day Weekend 2014, SLS will be home to brands such as The Bazaar by José Andrés, Katsuya and Umami.

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Where to BuY

TOPMANFashion Show, 702.866.0646; topman.com

BALENCIAGAThe Forum Shops at Caesars,

702.732.1660; balenciaga.com

BARNEYSThe Grand Canal Shoppes

at The Venetian and The Palazzo,

702.629.4200; barneys.com

DNA2050The Cosmopolitan of

Las Vegas, 702.698.7610;

emporiumdna.com

NEIMAN MARCUSFashion Show, 702.731.3636;

neimanmarcus.com

PAUL SMITHThe Shops at Crystals,

702.796.2640; paulsmith.co.uk

Photographer ANTHONY MAIR

amairphoto.com

Stylist SUNII HENDRIX suniihendrix.com

Grooming TROY PEPPINtroypeppin.com

Creative DirectorSA LIEN

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Opposite page: G-STAR RAW jacket, jeans and shirt DNA2050. Shoes model’s own.

Tis page: GIVENCHY shirt, RAG AND BONE trilby Barneys. SAND

COPENHAGEN pants Neiman Marcus.

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guidethe

your key to the city

SHOP DINE HAPPENINGS PLAYRELAX

The Guide SHOP

Make it ring Photography by Anthony MairContributing Fashion Editor Claire Wigglesworth

A city that shines bright like a diamond is a ftting home to the fashiest conventions of them all. JCK, the jewelry industry show, comes to Las Vegas May 29 to June 2, and Couture lands at the Wynn May 29 to June 2. That’s where all the newest adornments will be unveiled—from timepieces to settings. But for the rest of us mere consumers, there are plenty of stores with fne gems. Take a look at some of our favorite big-league baubles.

1 2

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1 TIFFANY & CO. Unenhanced Yellow Sapphire ring set in platinum with diamonds Tiffany & Co. in Via Bellagio.

2 TIFFANY & CO. Chryso-beryl Cats Eye set in plati-num in a Ruffles diamond setting Tiffany & Co. Right: HARRY WINSTON Traffic diamond ring Harry Winston in The Shops at Crystals.

3 Top: H.STERN Iris ring in 18-karat Rose and Noble gold with diamonds H.Stern in The Shops at Crystals. Far Right: H.STERN Cobble-stones ring in 18-karat gold with assorted gemstones H.Stern. Far left: H.STERN Cobblestones ring in 18-karat Noble gold with quartz H.Stern.

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Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays anymore. The humble Mexican snack has gained immense popularity thanks to gourmet food trucks, where the taco has been elevated with more

sophisticated and high-end ingredients. Here are a few of our favorite taco joints.

best-bet tacosDiablo’s CantinaThe Strip-front, tequila-fueled Mexican restaurant is a fun option, with loud music and great people-watching. Diablo’s tacos created by chef Brian Massie are exactly what the doctor ordered after a long day of navigating Las Vegas, when you want something comforting and familiar to be washed down with a margarita. Street-taco options change daily, and the Baja fsh tacos—with grilled mahi mahi and cole slaw—are refreshing. Go bold with the jalapeño chicken tacos, featuring slow-roasted bird with plenty of kick. In Monte Carlo, 702.693.8300; diabloslasvegas.com

the socal-style tacoDesnuDo taCos Bigger than traditional street tacos, Desnudo’s varieties aim to feed those whose souls are close to San Diego. The carne asada is a must, and for vegetarians, there’s hongos, a mixture of marinated wild mushrooms with bold favors. The unusual suspect on the menu is chivo, or goat, which is tender and gamey. And keep an eye out for specials such as pork belly. 3240 S. Arville St., 702.982.6435

fancy non-mexican tacoChina PoblanoJosé Andrés’ Asian-Mexican hybrid tacos get a pass since they’re done with a touch of Andres’ Spanish fair. Between the Yucatan-style cochinita pibil and carnitas, and the Viva China, flled with beef tendon, oysters and Sichuan peppercorn sauce, you’ll start being fexible on what you consider appropriate fllings for tacos. In The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7900; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

self-proclaimed “best taco in vegas” tacotaCos & tequilaI have to agree that T&T’s No. 1 Alambre taco is indeed, one of the fnest on the Strip. Flour tortillas are flled with steak, bacon and melted Oaxacan cheese, with poblano chilies and onion and cilantro garnish for bite. No. 1? I won’t commit to that, but defnitely up there. In Luxor, 702.262.5225; luxor.com

drunk tacostaCos el GorDoThe walk-up taqueria in the shadows of Wynn and Encore is the real deal: cheap and good, with minimal English spoken by the expert taco makers behind the counter. Be prepared for a line pretty much any time of day (or night), but there are separate lines based on your level of taco profciency. There’s the standard adobada and carne asada, and then the hard-core line for those interested in tripe, cabeza and lengua. 3049 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.641.8228–GRACE BASCOS

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TACO MANIANo need to run for the border for these tasty treats

not a tacoJust because it’s folded in half does not make it a taco

José’s Tacos, JaleoTin-sliced Jamón Iberico serves as the shell for a caviar flling. Tat’s right—really expensive ham wrapped around really expensive fsh roe. Not a taco. In Te Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

caviar Tacos, rose.rabbiT.lie. A Yukon gold potato serves as a shell, flled with Hackleback caviar ($15). Or, if you’re flled with money, Russian osetra caviar ($78). No real taco elements. Not a taco. In Te Cosmopolitan, 877.667.0585; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

banh mi Tacos, Guy Fieri veGas KiTchen & barCrisp baguette for a shell? Stufed with frecracker pulled pork, pickled vegetables and cilantro. Vietnamese sandwich hybrid maybe. Not a taco. In Te Quad, 702.731.3311; thequadlv.com–GRACe BASCOS

The silencio and viva tacos at

China Poblano.

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On May 9, UNLV’s Barrick Museum’s doors will swing open on the frst public exhibition in the United States of more than 200 select images captured by Jerry Lewis

from the 1950s through 1970s.For this collection, titled Jerry Lewis: Painted

Pictures, the legendary Las Vegan, who has been shooting for seven decades (and to this day is never more than an arm’s length away from an array of loaded flm cameras), shares a tiny portion of his extensive body of work: lyrically abstract, richly colored photos that pulsate with a proprietary brand of gestural expressionism Lewis discovered through many years of experimenting with the movement of color. Combining highly kinetic shooting techniques with technical processing treatments results in a unique style that Lewis himself calls “painting pictures.” The exhibit will run through September 27 and is curated by Michele C. Quinn, MCQ Fine Art and sponsored by South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, where Lewis performs from time to time.

“As long as there is light and color I can create.

I saw in the camera what I wanted,” Lewis said. “The still pictures were there and then I gave them a degree of action. I consider myself a person who goes along with what my creative process tells me to do. ... There is so much you can fnd out about life through photography, so much you can discover. There’s so much more to test—that’s my point of view.”

Not surprisingly, Lewis isn’t shy when sharing another point of view—his general disdain for digital cameras. “Everybody on the planet has a camera now, and it’s minimized what photography is. Your phone camera is a wonderful advancement, but don’t try to get romantic with it because you can’t bring emotion to that. It’s too quick, it’s too brief, it’s devoid of passion. And to show the picture on that phone to another person, it’s no big deal—they’ve got their own damn camera in their pocket. I could sit them all down now and say, ‘Listen, you’re not getting the loveliness of photography. I can do anything I want with my cameras, and you can’t.’ But you can’t tell that to people who are having such a good time.”

And what prompted Lewis to share vintage analog works with the digital camera-toting masses?

It was at the urging of longtime friend and neighbor Michael McGraw that Lewis decided to show the images. “‘You have got to do something with these!’ And I said, ‘But I already did! I had a marvelous time creating them!’ But if people enjoy looking at them, that’s fne. I already had my fun.”

McGraw and Quinn then were given access to Lewis’ warehouse to pull the images, and Quinn had UNLV students document and record the hundreds of photos to help them edit the list down to 200.

The subject that eluded Lewis the longest and demanded every ounce of his photographer’s patience, effort and skill is also included in this exhibition.

“Lightning. I fnally got it in Mexico City. Lightning says, ‘Here I am, now I’m gone.’ Time, energy and space—all together in the same microcosm, and if you’re not there at the right time—it’s gone! I set up three cameras, all on timers, and I sat in a suite during a storm. I [could] hear the rumbling, so I knew it was coming. I can’t shoot thunder, but I can shoot what it becomes. And I got that picture! I spent three days with Technicolor in Mexico City working on the processing.”

Jerry Lewis: Painted Pictures runs concurrent with the Jerry Lewis Film Festival, a free screening from Lewis’ extensive flmography, with a new movie every week at 6 p.m. Thursday starting May 15. 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702.895.3381; unlv.edu/barrickmuseum –LAUREL MAY BOND

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PICTURE THISA look at the work of Jerry Lewis from another lens

“Someday down the road I’m going to be talked about for the

work I did and the photography will go on . . . but until then, I’m going

to keep taking these pictures.”

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Summer Kickoff

Things to Do This Memorial Day Weekend

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6Enter the Light

Why wait for the weekend? Start making your Memorial Day memories Wed., May 21, when Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike ignite Light. The rising duo is just the catalyst to the excitement ahead. While Cirque du Soleil’s costumed performers wow you with their acrobatic elegance, your ears will be treated to a soundtrack from top electronic-music acts such as Krewella, Alesso, and Sultan + Ned Shepard. Carl Cox will spin a rare after-hours session in Light. You won’t get much sleep, but that’s what Monday is for, right? In Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, 702.693.8300; thelightvegas.com

5 In 2013, Rehab celebrated a milestone: one decade of daytime debauchery. Just don’t let that lead you to believe they’re slowing down. In fact, programming has expanded this summer to include two days (not one) of poolside partying. The Memorial Day blowout begins Sat., May 24, as rapper J.Cole lights up the stage. On Sun., May 25, music mogul and rhyme maker Puff Daddy brings it home. In Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5555; hardrockhotel.com

Another Stint at Rehab

LIGHT in Mandalay Bay.

Robin Thicke inaugurated the summer season at Rehab.

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