ML - Vegas Magazine

2013 - Issue 1 - Winter

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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LOCAL FLAVOR Hit up the bar at the renewed Red Square for handcrafted cocktails by mixologist Michael Monrreal. Oscar's favorite: bone-in prime rib. and where Carolyn digs into one or two chicken tacos. "If we want a nice little Mexican respite, we go up to Pepe's," Oscar says of the burrito, torta, and quesadilla haven. "He is a friend of ours and prides himself on the quality of his product. They treat us like a king and a queen, and it makes it very special." Three locations; pepestacoslasvegas.com Piero's Italian Cuisine A restaurant practically synonymous with the Goodman name (yes—he even has a favorite booth always waiting for him), Piero's is a dimly-lit icon with a storied history and some of the best Italian cuisine in town. Though Goodman says it's tough to have a meal there without people constantly interrupting him, he can't stay away from the scaloppine Milanese. "I have the veal, where they split it in half and pound it," he says. "It's breaded and very thin." Other highlights for a shared dinner with loved ones: calamari, fresh seafood salad, and linguine with clams. 355 Convention Center Dr., 702-369-2305; pieroscuisine.com Salvatore's Ristorante Italiano rib. (Carolyn is also partial to the Alpine Village Famous Chicken Supreme Soup.) "I'm not a dessert guy, and she's not a dessert lady," he says. "But after eating there, she always wants chocolate ice cream for some reason." Plaza Las Vegas, 702-386-7227; plazahotelcasino.com Pepe's Tacos A Vegas institution for authentic Mexican food at a good value, Pepe's Tacos frequently welcomes the Goodmans to any of its three locations, where Oscar says the tilapia is waiting for him upon arrival 54 An old-school gem in Summerlin's Suncoast, the Goodmans enjoy fine Italian cuisine in this restaurant that boasts live piano music and is owned by their longtime friends. "Bob Harry is always very gracious when we go there," Oscar says. "I like the fresh fish. They cook it with a Parmesan-type crust, and I enjoy that. Carolyn usually goes for a pasta." Pasta is always a good choice, especially the pillowy gnocchi or any of Salvatore's several varieties of ravioli. Meat-lovers should spring for steak or the chicken picatta. Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 702-636-7111; suncoastcasino.com sharing the love LIGHT GROUP'S EXECUTIVE CHEF BRIAN MASSIE UNVEILS RED-HOT RED SQUARE'S SHARED-PLATES MAKEOVER. BY EMMA TROTTER T he red-lit Red Square, famed for its vodka ice locker room (slip into one of its four new faux fur coats to take a peek) has received an ultra-hip food and booze face-lift by the Light Group. Brian Massie, the Light Group's corporate executive chef, says that Red Square, which reopened December 10, is transitioning from the heavier Russian dishes of yore to Chef Brian Massie shared plates and classic entrées. "People want to go to a venue and try multiple things and not have to break the bank to do it," he says. Red Square's beloved caviar selection has expanded and maintained its caviar happy hour deal. "There's a great à la carte steak menu, fun sides, and really good bar food with everything from caviar and buffalo chicken lettuce wraps to smoked salmon caviar pizza. We also have created the Greatest Hits: crab cakes, tuna tartare, and hibachi skewers." Red Square is one of three Mandalay Bay restaurants transformed by the company, and is located next door to Light, the nightclub that opens in March in the old Rumjungle space, making it an ideal pre-party destination. (Hit up its 24-hour sister restaurant, Citizens, after the club.) On Valentine's Day, try a fun flight of rare vodka. "Then tuck away into a corner," he says, "where no one will see you." Mandalay Bay, 702-693-8300; mandalaybay.com/dining/red-square V PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PLAZA HOTEL AND CASINO (OSCAR'S) continued from page 52 to much fanfare. "I have my special martini there," he says. "They pour me the Bombay Sapphire in a huge glass, and they put a jalapeño in it." Aside from having face-time with diners, the romantic atmosphere lets him and the missus sneak in some date time as well. "When you go into the dome, you are overlooking the Fremont Street Experience with all the iconic lights that made Las Vegas famous," he says. "The steaks are first-class, the service is good, nobody bothers you, and you can have a really romantic evening there." His recommendation for a couples date is sharing his own preferred order: Oscar's bone-in prime VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 048-054_V_SC_FoodnBooze_SMD-Guide_Win13.indd 54 1/2/13 1:36 PM

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