2006 Readers’ Choice

What would Grand Canyon look like from the bottom, if it were made out of wood? That's the question to ponder inside Stack, the cavernous new restaurant at the Mirage, where walls are solid redwood. Chef Brian Massie's latest effort, Bellagio's Fix, is called an American steakhouse. But he says his fare, such as adult tater tots laced with Brie and bacon, and crunchy tuna tacos, are comfort foods. Who cares? The steaks here, especially a 24-ounce bone-in cowboy steak, are amazing. Inside the Mirage, 791-7111.

The Original Pancake House is the breakfast chain (started in Portland, Oregon, in 1953) that runs like an independent. It's famous for the Apple Pancake, an appley, sugary, cinnamony mound of gluttony, but OPH does all facets of breakfast exceedingly well, the food prepared with heaping helpings of TLC and served by some of the nicest waitresses in town. 4833 W. Charleston Blvd., 259-7755. 8620 W Cheyenne Ave., 396-8220. 4170 S Fort Apache Road, 433-5800. Inside Green Valley Ranch, 617-7777.

The standout food at this swank pub was developed by uber-chef Joe Romano, once the head chef at Charlie Palmer Steak, which is some pedigree for bar food. Try dishes like a Thai peanut noodle salad, Joey's barbecued shrimp with Maytag blue-cheese slaw, or any of the eight types of gourmet chicken wings, all faithfully produced by Romano's protégé Lance Marcos. Just don't stain the velvet sofas. 6515 S. Jones Blvd., 221-4120.

A perpetual fave, this three-local-outlet franchise has so many followers it's the virtual Deli Lama of deli food. Soups, a loaded salad bar, wraps, muffulettas, clubs, Southwestern-style chicken and rich desserts are some of the headliners, and for the caloric-concerned there are such lighter-weight concoctions as the veggie wrap with spinach, fresh mushrooms, Asiago cheese, sprouts, pico de gallo and guacamole, served with fruit, steamed veggies or chips. And, of course, stacked sandwiches with all the trimmings. 3910 S. Maryland Parkway, 893-9799. 1000 S. Rampart Blvd., 967-9008. 1281 Warm Springs Road, 898-0474.

Because it is, first and foremost, friggin' delicious. Because it really is fat—a Fatburger has an inviting heft, unlike the wimpy burgers at other places; yet it's not freakishly large, some gimmicky patty. Because if you want freakishly large, well, baby, three words far ya: double king burger. Because you can get an egg on it if you want to, and, brother, if you know what's bad for you, you want to. Because those plank-like fries are deee-lish, and never mind the carping of purists. Because this is the apotheosis of the hamburger, and the hamburger is modern America's emblematic food, and you're an American, aren't you? Aren't you!? Multiple locations.

If you could bottle the buzz at these upscale, Chinese-themed bistros, you would make a handsome profit. Whether or not this is painstakingly authentic Chinese fare is moot; the lines are long here, and the customers rapturously loyal.

The specialty here is Mandarin-style wok cooking. Popular dishes include chicken lettuce wraps, salt and pepper shrimps and orange peel beef. In The District at Green Valley Ranch, 361-3065. 1095 S. Rampart Blvd., 968-8885. 4165 S. Paradise Road, 792-2207.

RM is short for Rick Moonen, a transplanted New Yorker who has quickly become the master of all creatures from the sea here in Vegas. He champions sustainable seafood, so don't look for farmed, endangered or commercially tasteless fare in his sleek, aquatically-themed dining room. Try barramundi from Australia, or herb-crusted Dover sole done on a Dungeness crab brandade. Moonen also makes the best clam chowder in town at R-Bar, his casual restaurant just downstairs. Inside Mandalay Bay, 632-7777.

Come for catfish so flavorful you'll slap your mama. Come for addiction-forming fried chicken (crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside). Come for the spicy, tangy—spitangy!—red beans and rice. Come for the corn cakes, appetizingly pancakey slices of cornbread that could be the best thing since manna from heaven. Come for the banana pudding—so creamy and overrun with vanilla wafers, you'll want to give up sex. Well, maybe not. 3923 W. Charleston Blvd., 453-7685.

Sure it's corporate, but this popular restaurant doesn't always play it safe. There are terrific, thin-crusted, brick-oven pizzas to cut your teeth on, creative entrées such as roast chicken cannelloni and veal saltimbocca and good desserts like tiramisu and swooningly rich tortes. Practically everyone who comes here is dipping the house rosemary foccaccia into a crab, spinach and artichoke dip. In The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, 735-4663. 9500 W. Sahara Ave., 869-1540.

Add Agave to the list of first-rate off-Strip restaurants, a pink and red stucco palace that recalls Antoni Gaudi's wacky Barcelona architecture. The menu is laden with an enormous variety of Mexican specialties: al pastor, crisp bits of barbecued pork that are a boon to the taco; fish tacos done Baja-style; an amazing barbecued-duck quesadilla; and a rock-shrimp chile relleno to die for. There are also dozens of premium tequilas. 10820 W. Charleston Blvd., 214-3500.

The namesake pizzas are good, sure, but the salads are huge and scrumptious. Although the offerings are surprisingly diverse—from the Thai chicken salad to the chopped salad—we choose the reliably delicious grilled-chicken salad, which comes with walnuts and gargonzola tossed in balsalmic and topped with a chicken breast. And, like the others, even in its half-size portion it arrives as an enormous hill of lettuce and mixin's on the plate. Yum. 6500 W. Sahara Ave., 227-6000. 4300 E. Sunset Road, 507-1281.

Best Steak


N9Ne

This pulsating, hip steakhouse has a youthful buzz and is perennially filled with hardbodies and fashion plates. Chef Dakake is a genius with meat. His prime, aged steaks are cooked at 1,200 degrees, which seals them in a crisp crust, keeping them moist and juicy on the insides. The starter course in meat here is a 12-ounce filet. The 40-ounce bone-in ribeye, pepper-seared and served with wild mushroom mashed potatoes, is definitely the Ph.D program. Inside the Palms, 833-9900.

Do you even need to read this item? We could be printing vital state secrets in this paragraph and no one would ever know, because once you saw the category title, Best Cup of Coffee, your mind auto-filled the next blank with Starbucks and you moved on. That's how ubiquitous the chain is and how good its coffee is. Hold the company's corporate domination against it if you want to, but you can't deny that its products are, in fact, damn fine. Multiple locations on pretty much every intersection in the world.

Of course. With more than 600 different bottled beers available downstairs (for anyone) and 550 types of whiskey upstairs (for members of the Whiskey Attic club), plus a staff skilled in the lost arts of Southern hospitality and product erudition, this was not only a natural winner for city's best beer selection but could have also won for the exquisite drinker's most splendid paradise. And in consideration of the pub's infallible menu, it could've easily been selected for heaven on Earth. 4700 South Maryland Parkway, 597-9702.

Thirsty? Drink beer! And start at the Strip's original on-site brewery. This pub is known for brewing six beers, from their most popular Las Vegas Lites to Silver State Stout, as well as a seasonal Brew Master's Special, and each costs only $4 a glass. But the funnest part of an outing to the Monte Carlo Pub is ordering a Giraffe: a tall, cylindrical plastic container with spouts filled with three or five liters of your favorite beer and brought right to your table. In the Monte Carlo resort; 730-7777.

The club is named after a citrus fruit and orange is used in the decor, so it only makes sense there's a speciality drink menu with tangerine-based cocktails available, including a tangerine cosmopolitan, mojito and the frozen Tangerine Dream. When you combine that with a spacious patio, burlesque dancers and world-renowned DJs, is it any wonder our discerning readers chose T.I.'s hot spot as the best place to enjoy tongue and eye candy? Inside T.I., 894-7580.

This establishment, tucked into the corner of the strip mall at Paradise and Harmon, beat out some better-known neighbors. It offers two-for-one drinks, including top-shelf cocktails, from 4 to 8 p.m., which puts it in perfect sync with the start of our workday here at the Weekly. The walls are covered in airbrushed murals and all of the spring-break accoutrements one could hope for. Throw in a full American-Mex menu, 11 varieties of margaritas and a wall of plasma TVs, and Paradise certainly lives up to its name. 4480 Paradise Road, 434-0031.

Pizza is one of those foods that's easy to make but not easy to make well. Metro makes it well, with hand-tossed dough, fresh toppings and rich sauce. They've also got some pretty tasty pasta dishes, a warm environment and attentive service. It's a neighborhood pizzeria in the best sense. 1395 E. Tropicana Ave., 736-1955. 4001 S. Decatur Blvd., 362-7896. 4178 Koval Lane, 312-5888.

Delight: Fresh banana cream cheesecake, white chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake, chocolate tuxedo cream cheesecake, key lime cheesecake, chocolate pecan turtle cheesecake, Dutch apple caramel streusel cheesecake ... and dozens more. Big, indulgent slices. Or whole cakes. Eat 'em there, take 'em home, sin in many flavors wherever your choose. The District at Green Valley Ranch, 207-6372. 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 792-6888. 750 S Rampart Blvd., 951-3800.

Wonder what readers love best about Scores? Could it be because the club has a name made famous on Howard Stern's show? Could it be that the steak is said to be fantastic? Could it be the numerous local specials meant to bring people in the door? Perhaps it is the classy décor that, you know, makes us feel like gentlemen when we go to a gentleman's club. Or, just maybe, there is another reason. Call it an X factor or a Y chromosome. 3355 Procyon St.; 812-7472.

Gambling, guffawing and (show)girls—a perfect night out in Vegas. The first and the last are easy enough to come by, but if you're choosy about that middle one, our readers recommend the Comedy Stop at the Trop. Encased in a classic, old-Vegas-style showroom with generous seating for 300 and a full bar offering frozen cocktails and food service, the Stop rotates comics weekly, and some have opened for the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Paula Poundstone, and appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Friends. $19.95, including one drink and a tip. Call 492-3960 or 866-80-SHOWS.

The Bellagio continues to bring a touch of lovely to the Strip, and its art gallery is always a center of attention. There's nothing like getting up close and personal with the masterpieces, and the Gallery has brought works from Monet to Van Gogh here, and is right now featuring The Impressionist Landscape exhibit. A draw for locals ($12) and tourists ($15), an annual membership is $45—and, hey, audio tours are available in four languages! Inside Bellagio, 693-7111.

It's hard to imagine Southern Nevada's concert scene without the House of Blues. Sure, it's a corporately run chain—a rather incongruously named one at that—and it's inside a casino, requiring us to park about a mile away to see a show. And, yeah, drinks are a tad pricey. But complaints end there. HOB offers affordable tickets, easily accessible bars, above-average sightlines and, most importantly, the best sound in town. Whether you prefer dancing on the floor or sitting in the balcony (wimps), it's hard to imagine a more intimate or user-friendly experience. And the venue lives up to the "Unity in Diversity” credo hanging above the stage: Where else can folks catch Death Cab For Cutie, Rob Zombie, Sean Paul and Norm MacDonald in the same room? Nowhere, that's where. Long live HOB. Inside Mandalay Bay, 632-7600.

Best Local Rock Band


The Killers

A tad obvious, perhaps, but it's good to see Las Vegans are proud of their conquering hometown heroes. Whether you adore "Mr. Brightside" or loathe it, there's simply no denying the Killers' international appeal or the staying power of debut album Hot Fuss. Since its release nearly two years ago, it's been a mainstay on the U.S. and U.K. charts. The little-quartet-that-could has opened for U2, drawn six Grammy nominations and inspired its fair share of hipster backlash. At present, Mssrs. Flowers, Keuning, Stoermer and Vannucci are at work on their all-important sophomore effort. Will it kill like the first or fall flat in the face of wild expectations? Either way, those questions haven't been asked of a Las Vegas band before. Yes, Slaughter included.

Best Dance Club


Light

Is it because the club just passed its fifth birthday in December? Is it because it was the first to introduce bottle service at VIP tables? Is it the constant flow of beautiful people—famous and unknown—and waitresses in elegant evening gowns? Is it DJ Crooked, fresh from New York, who keeps the 9,000-square-foot club hoppin'? Whatever the factors, this elegant club at the top of the escalators is a hit with our readers. Inside Bellagio, 693-8300.

The voting in the Best Dance Club category was so close, so intense, that this category sprang into being almost spontaneously—an acknowledgment that both Pure and Light (above) deserve recognition (and this category is here to stay). Pure has 40,000 square feet, and every inch is packed with all you'd expect from what E! named the nation's top nightspot. Four rooms, each with its own DJ and different music, including DJ AM spinning Fridays and the Pussycat Dolls performing five nights a week. There are beds in the VIP section, a patio overlooking the Strip, a never-ending stream of celebrities and casino-floor-clogging crowds vying to get inside. When even the little nook behind the elevator is reserved for bottle service, it's not surprising Pure tops this singular category. Inside Caesars Palace, 731-7873.

There's no shortage of hotel bars and lounges in this city, but finding one that makes you forget you're surrounded by clanking slot machines, newlyweds and drunk Midwesterners wearing black socks with sandals can be a challenge. But not at Caramel. Comfy seats, a perfectly positioned high-top and attentive staff will take you away faster than Calgon. The jury's still out, though, on whether that healthy, green grass on the tables is there as visual refreshment or cruel taunting about your own lawn being dead. Inside Bellagio, 693-8300.

This is Krave's second win in the two years it's been open. The club features the erotic show The Fashionistas, Planeta Macho and a hip-hop night every Thursday, plus one of the hottest Saturdays of any nightclub in town (complete with a boutique Girlbar). But it is the Strip location that separates Krave from its competitors and makes the club proof of the increasing desirability and visibility of marketing to the gay, lesbian and transgender community here in the Entertainment Capital of the World. 3663 Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon Avenue at the south end of the Aladdin; 836-0830.

Hang up your comfy robe. Dip into a Jacuzzi next to a giant window facing a private waterfall—after getting a Swe-Atsu massage or the heavenly Southwest Hot Stone Therapy. Tucked in the back of Green Valley Ranch, abutting the salon, this spa has it all, from the Famous Hot Cinnamon Facial to Pumpkin/Omega peels. And there's no need to traipse through the casino to get there; park right next to the door. Relax. 2300 Paseo Verde, Henderson, 617-7777.

It's a testimony to this local franchise's cachet that its newest outposts, in Green Valley and on Rainbow between Lake Mead and Vegas Drive, are packed like the Valley's hottest nightclubs on most evenings—veritable Bellagios of bulk. Aisles upon aisles of the latest sweat-inducing, calorie-burning, waistline-reducing equipment—not to mention a smorgasbord of aerobic classes that will literally kick the fat off your ass (death to the inventor of cardio-kickboxing!)—ensure that once you leave the club, you'll be ready for the club. Multiple locations.

Yes, sir: This is Las Vegas. Disappearing inhibitions, people acting beautiful, even if only for a night, and rock 'n' roll everywhere—pouring from the speakers, protruding from the walls and plastered across the faces of people leaving the bar and grill as the sun rises. Both tourists and locals come here to squeeze the very last drop out of life or to forget its endless hardships, and no one leaves without experiencing the very pulse of our restless city. 4480 Paradise Road, 898-3525.

The sexiness of Coyote Ugly's bartenders can't be contained by the bar's walls, with jean-and-tank-top-clad girls even gyrating on the counter in the hall, where impatient partiers can buy drinks while waiting in line. Inside, Danielle Della Valle epitomizes the hot staff: a gorgeous brunette in low jeans and snug bikini top whose dancing skills on the bar are as alluring as her aptitude with a bottle of Jack and her expertise with a soda gun, spraying the crowd with water while her equally stunning cohorts grind to Kid Rock's "Cowboy." Proof that God exists is that you can catch them seven days a week, starting at 6 p.m. each night. Inside New York-New York, 740-6969.

For some, clubbing is more than a pastime. It's a job that is taken very seriously. As with any job, having the appropriate wardrobe is key. Bebe has a finger on the pulse of the nightlife scene and sells the hottest, most eye-catching and sexiest trends in women's clothing to the clubbers who know what's in and what's not. Bebe also offers all the mandatory accessories, including belts, hats, handbags, jewelry and shoes. Multiple locations.

Readers passed over independently owned Big B's and Zia for a name they've known for decades, and it's hard to fault them. Tower cooked up the recipe for record-store success when its first location opened in Sacramento in 1960, and battles on today even as the 800-pound downloading gorilla pounds on its glass doors. But plenty of folks still believe there's nothing better than thumbing through physical CD rack after physical CD rack, uncovering new favorites and rediscovering old ones. Pull up to a listening station or flag down an employee for suggestions. And when you've loaded up your basket with music, Tower has plenty more in store, from DVDs and books to video games and toys. 4580 W. Sahara Ave., 364-2500. 611 Mall Ring Circle, 434-2566.

Need a new hard drive? Best Buy's got 'em. Upgraded speakers for your car? Check. The latest Mariah Carey album? Yep. A brand new fridge? Uh-huh. You see where we're going with this. If you're into one-stop shopping, Best Buy is your dream come true. The "Big Blue Box" probably sells something every member of your family can get excited about, often at a reduced price. The store keeps up with trends, stocking plenty of iPod, cell-phone and satellite-radio accessories, but you can still find a turntable or two on the shelves. 611 Marks St., 434-5536. 3820 S. Maryland Parkway, 732-8283. 2050 N. Rainbow Blvd., 631-4645. 10950 W. Charleston Blvd., 228-6492.

Best Entertainer


Clint Holmes

The Clint Holmes Show is the single most notable thing about Harrah's casino. This category would not be nearly as big a deal in any town that didn't call itself The Entertainment Capital of the World, and it says something that Holmes has owned categories like these for years. Seemingly an endless scenester for every charity performance, local jam and public event, he has been the Strip's most locally dedicated headliner. But the reason he's so welcome everywhere is the energetic charisma Holmes brings to everything he does. At the top of the list of those things is his show. At Harrah's; tickets are $59.95, 369-5000.

Seven years into his job as Vegas' guardian/cheerleader/governmental bully/windbag/one-man political-action committee/one-man sales team/gin drinker-in-chief and a lot has been said about Hizzoner. Here's what hasn't: We need him more than he needs us, which is the essence of a hero. Downtown needs him because so few people give a rip about it. Reporters need him for quotes (off with their thumbs!) and investigative fodder (the Nixonian way he runs City Hall). Sports fans need him in hopes of landing a pro team. Channel 4 needs him (why else would you watch the government channel?) The mob needs him to keep its legacy alive. You get the picture.

Hypnotist Anthony Cools thinks his being named this year's Best Local Villain is a matter of jealousy, pure and simple.

In a community where so many of us have to kiss the asses of tourists, Cools says, "I make tourists hump furniture and get paid for it. Then they thank me.” The Canadian Cools markets his adults-only show as "good, clean, dirty fun,” and has his own devoted fans to prove his popularity. Called "hypno-hos,” they're addicted to the orgasms Cools delivers via handshake at the end of each performance and reappear at show after show, hoping to sneak past his keen eye and get another. Wait a minute, shouldn't that make him Best Local Hero? At the Excalibur, 597-7600.

She's tall. She's got dark hair and exotic looks. And she's got a figure that could melt an iceberg. But when told she's been named the sexiest Las Vegan, Jill is surprised (but still poised): "It's very unexpected and quite exciting." Hoping that she won because of both her looks and personality ("I try to come across as outgoing and friendly"), she notes she might've won thanks to her repeat customers. Guys, start reserving those tables now. Pure, inside Caesars Palace; 731-7873.

Screw the morning zoos and hotheaded hosts. They try too hard and scream too loud. This is just a guy and a girl on the radio, with quirky quips and often oddball banter—but easy to get up to, pleasant to shower with, friendly as driving companions. Their programming philosophy seems to take its cue from those old Sinatra lyrics: "Nice and easy does it ... Nice and easy does it ... Nice and easy does it every time."

What could we ------ say about ------ ------ that hasn't been said a million ------- times before, except now he can say all those ------- words on ------- satellite radio?

Love him or hate him—and a lot more Weekly readers tend toward the former than the latter—on either X-treme Radio or Sirius Radio over the last year, Howard Stern will not be ignored, nor denied his crown, tweaked slightly to read: "King of All Satellite Media." Siriusly. www.sirius.com.

"Chipper." Dictionary definition: "Lively. Sprightly. Manteris, Sue." Okay, that last one's not in Merriam Webster's. But we hereby suggest they add it. In a job that takes her from announcing murder details and questioning field reporters to hosting chefs and sampling the culinary goods, the pixie-ish News 3 at Sunrise and News 3 at Noon anchor sprinkles her segments with equal parts solemnity and sauciness—a master of TV tonality for all occasions. Easy on the eyes, soothing to the ears, adept at both TelePrompTer news-reading and extemporaneous chitchat, she's one chipper dame who knows that though news comes first, personality's a close second.

We're not sure if local writer/actor/comedian Dinant (who's shortened his first name to J.Son for some reason) is actually in need of a reality show, since, according to his website, he's already made appearances on such august programs as Inked, Caesars 24/7 and MTV's Fear. But anyone that determined for attention isn't going to stop there. www.jasonwriter.com.

Massie, a burly fellow who'd look at home on a rugby pitch, cut his teeth at Charlie Palmer Steak and N9Ne before becoming head chef at Fix in the Bellagio. We've always admired his way with steak, but now he's expanded his range at Stack, the new restaurant at the Mirage. He's a clever fellow with a highly developed inner child, as dishes such as Japanese-style spicy crab stacked on little rice cakes, and pigs in the blanket—cocktail franks wrapped in pastry—demonstrate. Inside Mirage, 791-7111.

Mon Ami Gabi is helping to keep romance on the Strip alive. The French bistro offers al fresco dining with a patio that sits directly opposite the Bellagio fountain. It's the ambience as well as the food that makes it the perfect place to take a first date. The dishes are simple and fresh and arrive at the table looking rich and exquisite, and the wine selection is extensive. It will take a good $200 to do it right, but Mon Ami Gabi is not the place to cut corners, and it's worth every penny. Inside Paris Las Vegas, 944-GABI.

Deep, bold, breathtaking colors—and they're not even in neon. For your visitors who are convinced that the Vegas aesthetic is almost entirely composed of silicone and Cirque du Soleil, the gorgeous natural wonders of Red Rock Canyon are a delightful way to unsettle their geographic prejudices and correct their ignorance. Operated by the Bureau of Land Management, Red Rock is a sprawling park—travel it by car or bike or just walk or hike—bursting with rock formations of brilliant red sandstone, gray limestone and Aztec sandstone, and teeming with desert wildlife, including wild burros. Stunning views of wooded canyons, desert washes and a cascading waterfall add to the ambience of an area that was underwater about 65 million years ago. Subtract the water, add the gift shop and voila!—Red Rock Canyon. Admission is $5 per car. Call 515-5350 or visit www.redrockcanyonlv.org.

Perhaps this should be the best place to leave kids, since Gameworks' massive video-game extravaganza provides hours of fun for youngsters whose parents might want to wander elsewhere on the Strip. Then again, with video games as sophisticated as they are these days, parents might just want to stick around and play, too. 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 432-4263.

In Las Vegas, not only can adults be adults—buying a beer, a pack of cigarettes or a loaf of bread at 3 a.m. if they so choose—but they can also exercise their freedoms at that hour in the comfort of shirtsleeves, for the early morning air in Southern Nevada is cool and delightful in the warmer seasons and, more often than not, rainless and bearable in the colder ones. There's much to appreciate in this city, but nothing more than its warmth and convenience.

The front dining area of the restaurant Fix is one of best places to spy on the elite as they act sexier and cooler and dress better than the rest of us. That's right, let's face it, the rich are more interesting to look at than your average tourist. And at Fix, the undulating waves of the roof offer an inviting glance in at a restaurant and bar generally packed with people who seem to know their way around the shops on Rodeo Drive. The cost of admission to Fix can be as cheap as a drink at the bar or the amazing dessert doughnuts. Inside Bellagio, 693-8400.

These days, you can get yourself pierced just about anywhere. That's why it's comforting to encounter the professionals at Diversity, and not some random mall employee, when it comes to sticking needles through various parts of your anatomy. They'll also draw some pretty pictures on your skin if you like, and probably not judge you if you want one of those Chinese character tattoos. 2310 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 382-8820. 300 S. Decatur Blvd., 821-1584. 4700 S. Maryland Parkway, 736-0916. 4401 N. Rancho Dr., 454-1300.

Compiled by Richard Abowitz, Josh Bell, Steve Bornfeld, Scott Dickensheets, Rachel Heisler, Damon Hodge, Max Jacobson, Joshua Longobardy, Spencer Patterson, Martin Stein, Stacy J. Willis