The recently renovated Monte Carlo (to the tune of $550 million) has morphed beautifully into one of the finest boutique hotels on the strip: MGM Park. This is not your typical sprawling casino but a carefully curated group of eateries and entertainment in a partnership with MGM Resorts and the Sydell Group.
Kicking off on December 28th Lady Gaga will also begin her residency at the resort. As if that were not a good enough excuse to visit soon, here are seven more enticing reasons why you need to book that JetSuiteX flight and head to this new gem in Sin City.
EATALY
If you think you’ve seen them all, think again. This rendition of the popular restaurant meets marketplace is so chic it feels like you’re at a salon in Milan and not right off the strip. This Eataly is the largest one to date spanning 40,000 square feet with two full-service restaurants and three bars – for a start. They also feature a Nutella counter and a massive dessert section with imported chocolates. You can find hanging hams, salumi, and wheels of cheese at every turn – collectively, there are over 300 varieties from 20 regions – plus a butchery, Roman style handcrafted pizza, a mozzarella bar, a fishmonger, a fresh pasta counter where you can watch the live action and Italian street food specialties from rotisserie chickens to panini. If you have any questions on the offerings from Executive Chef Nicole Brisson, there are educational tutorials and classes. Remember: you are here to eat, shop and learn and you can do it 24/7 only at the Vegas location.
Best Friend
L.A. Son Roy Choi has opened what might be his most fun concept to date just next door to Eataly. The entrance looks like a Bodega where you can buy everything Ramen noodles to t-shirts next to a bar that serves boozy slushies you can take to go. We are already partial to sitting at the bar and window shopping while sipping a sesame infused tequila with fresh watermelon juice. Enter past the red plastic curtain to another bar, DJ booth and multi-media screens that add to the sensory experience where you can eat your way through Choi’s best culinary hits from Kogi Korean BBQ to Commissary.
ON THE RECORD
Los Angeles is also represented well with the latest nightlife venue from the Houston Brothers (Jonnie and Mark). Similar to their 80’s inspired Break Room 86 at the Line Hotel in Korea Town, there is a dramatic and thematic speakeasy entrance that starts with a record store and leads up to a set of escalators (we won’t spoil the final surprise) to a world of private Karaoke rooms and bars that pivot into stages to reveal burlesque dancers. There are plenty of cozy booths and even a private room lined with classic album covers called The Record Parlor to celebrate into the wee hours. The welcome outside patio features a double-decker bus that will also be a bar and DJ booth, plus a food window for late night bites.
NoMad Hotel
This New York and LA transplant comes in the form of a hotel within a hotel on the top four floors of MGM Park. With a seductive separate check-in area and snazzy gift shop, you can also enjoy the award-winning food of Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara in the namesake restaurant or all-day bar lounge.
Juniper Cocktail Lounge
This gin bar by the way of Washington, D. C. features a wide variety of cocktails from a classic tart gimlet to a frothy Ramos Fizz. If you’re a dirty martini fan, try their genius version topped with what seems like a mile of salty olive foam with orange bitters and a rosemary garnish speared with olives and a tiny potato.
Bavette
Conveniently located right next door to Juniper, this hidden enclave features a romantic super club meets the Magic Castle vibe and décor but also holds one of the best spots for a steak from Chicago’s famed Hogsalt Hospitality (the group behind Au Cheval who has won numerous awards for their burger). While they do have a burger, the varied cuts of quality beef, fried chicken, crab cakes, wedge salad, loaded baked potatoes and excellent service – a staple in their Windy City outpost - should keep you entertained well into the night.
Primrose
Don’t overlook this all-day diner space just off the lobby. Not only is the greenhouse themed décor and wicker chairs lovely, but they have an outdoor patio and delicious French-inspired fare. The burger with Gruyère is the best new sandwich on the strip and the Lavender Sgroppio with Absolut Elyx, crème de Violette, Prosecco, and lemon sorbet is a work of pure art.
Lastly, if your feet do take a beating, they have a home-inspired spa on the second floor that features heated lounging chairs and offers some of the best deep tissue and hot stone massage– with meditation therapy - that should cure any ails from an indulgent night on the town.
