A&E

Starlight on 66 treats the senses at Resorts World Las Vegas

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Brown butter lobster rolls at Starlight on 66
Photo: Resorts World / Courtesy

Over the past 20 years, the Las Vegas skyline has advanced from “kinda weird” to “kinda gorgeous.” The Wynn’s glass towers, CityCenter and the High Roller changed what was fundamentally a city of trifurcated rectangles and one observation tower into a varied assortment of shapes, textures and colors as fanciful as anything built with Lego.

That’s the Las Vegas that Starlight on 66—Resorts World’s 66th-floor lounge—serves up in cinematic fashion, and they serve it alongside excellent cocktails and small plates.

Soon after you’re seated, you’re served a complimentary dish of house-made truffle and pecorino potato chips and sweet-spicy mixed nuts with sesame—an umami-rich prelude that fills you with an immediate want of cocktails. Try the Twilight ($25), a silken mix of No. 3 London Dry Gin, Crème de Violette, Chambord, lemon, egg white and simple syrup. If you want something dessert-like to chase that truffle taste, try the Banana Bread ($25)—Howler Head Banana Bourbon, coconut syrup and almond milk.

Or, if this observation lounge has you feeling extra-observational, get an Old Fashioned mixed at tableside. Starlight offers several variations on the theme, but the New Fashioned—Johnny Walker Black Label, Luxardo, house made orange simple syrup and Angostura aromatic bitters—caught my eye first. They also offer a wide-ranging wine list and a selection of champagnes.

The small-plates menu offers plenty of savory points of entry, from garlicky brown butter lobster rolls ($25) served in toasted brioche; Wagyu beef sliders ($21) with baby gem lettuce, caramelized onions, aged cheddar, tomato and remoulade; or blackened watermelon with goat cheese cream, cucumber relish and a red wine reduction.

Whether you end your visit with yuzu cheesecake ($13) or simply by admiring the Andy Warhol portrait of Lady Diana Spencer that adorns the entryway, be sure to step out to the patio and admire how far we’ve come. Starlight on 66 puts two decades of Valley growth into a stunning frame.

STARLIGHT ON 66 Resorts World, 702-676-7766. Daily, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

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