Seeming to have materialized overnight, the Palazzo Resort at the Venetian is now open to the public, and although many features of the new property have yet to be completed—such as Tao’s Turkish bathhouse-themed restaurant/lounge—the Weekly was granted an exclusive first tour of the soon-to-be opened Sala (“living room” in Spanish) at Dos Caminos restaurant. Originally a New York-based “Mexican kitchen,” Dos Caminos is marking its first venture this side of the Mississippi and the inaugural launch of the Sala Lounge concept.
Technically, Sala lies within Dos Caminos’ 20,000 square feet. With a nod to Tao’s downstairs lounge/restaurant combo, nightlife operations manager Justin Brilman (formally of N9NE Group) explains that Sala, opening to the public around January 20, is not solely for patrons awaiting tables, but will have a nightlife pulse of its own. Though attire is dressy-casual, bottle service is reasonably priced and there’s no cover charge, Brilman maintains this isn’t your average restaurant-lounge pairing. “Essentially, the lounge will be its own private entity,” he explains, but “we also want the restaurant patrons to stick around and have fun.”
Dos Caminos, or “two roads,” is an apropos name, as the single entrance—lined by five-gallon water jugs pouring back and forth—diverges into two very separate areas inside. Designer David Rockwell has filled the space with vivid color, dark wood accents, papier-mâché tiles and lush draperies, as found in a Mexican bazaar. “I don’t think there is a single wall in here that’s just painted,” says Brilman. Additionally, the restaurant provides guests with private dining options, including a separate room and bar for up to 75 guests.
Brilman calls Executive Chef Scott Lindquist’s cuisine “modern Mexican with a lot of traditional influences. It’s not your boring refried beans and rice. Everything they do has a twist to it.” Sala will offer Dos Caminos’ full menu during lunch and dinner hours. Though Dos Caminos is slated to operate from 11 a.m. to midnight, the lounge will remain open until 3 a.m. with a special late-night menu.
Sala’s 50-foot-long bar, with its Día de los Muertos-inspired skull-design backdrop, extends to the right of the entrance, and is a likely first stop for patrons. Bottle service is available at banquettes snaking throughout the lounge and in an alcove tucked between the entrance and the bar. And if that isn’t private enough, Sala boasts three tricked-out private cabanas.
In addition to the more than 35 selections of tequilas available by the bottle and 130 by the shot, MIT-educated mixologist Eben Klemm has created flavored tequila salts, such as “sparkling habañero” and “tequila barrel salt,” served in resealable test tubes for guests wanting to bring a bit of their experience home.
For patrons not opting for bottle service, Sala provides smaller tables and custom “tree stump” seating for those needing to take a load off without the threat of being shooed away by some guy with a flashlight.
The adjacent restrooms are definitely worth a mention. Individual unisex stalls are arranged in a circle, each with its own sink and commode. The clear glass doors become opaque when locked, another element similar to Tao. Just remember, if you can see us, we can see you, so double-check the lock.
For now, Sala’s cocktail servers will wear the classic “little black dress,” a welcome departure from the over-saturation of corseted bustier uniforms. The men’s black uniforms will have the added touch of vibrant neckties, with colors changing seasonally.
As the night continues, DJs Cyberkid and Megaman start spinning. Brilman expects the lounge to liven up and the energy—as well as the volume—to increase to full-blown club levels. While there isn’t a dance floor, he says that if you feel like shaking your money-maker atop one of the snakeskin banquettes (with custom-designed purse drawers), you’re more than welcome.
And for those who’ve consumed one too many signature Blueberry Pom Margaritas or Cosmo del Diablos, the Palazzo suite elevators are conveniently located within stumbling distance, and guests will soon be able to return to Dos Caminos in the morning for a breakfast Brilman could only describe as “a hangover cure for sure!”