In the past 20 years, the Las Vegas skyline has gone from “kind of weird” to “kind of beautiful”. The glass towers of the Wynn, the CityCenter and the High Roller transformed a city of three-part rectangles and an observation tower into a varied selection of shapes, textures and colors that are as imaginative as anything that was built with Lego.
This is Las Vegas, the Starlight on 66 – the lounge on 66.
Shortly after you are seated, you will be served a free dish of homemade truffle and pecorino potato chips and sweet and tangy mixed nuts with sesame seeds – an umami-rich starter that will instantly fill you with a craving for cocktails. Try Twilight ($ 25), a silky blend of No. 3 London Dry Gin, Crème de Violette, Chambord, lemon, egg white and simple syrup. If you want something dessert-like to chase after that truffle flavor, try the banana bread ($ 25) – Howler Head Banana Bourbon, coconut syrup, and almond milk.
Or, if you can be particularly observed in this viewing lounge, have an old fashioned mixed for you at the table. Starlight offers several variations on the theme, but the new fashioned ones – Johnny Walker Black Label, Luxardo, homemade orange syrup, and Angostura aromatic bitters – caught my eye first. They also offer an extensive wine list and a selection of champagnes.
The small plate menu has plenty of hearty entry points, from lobster rolls with garlic in brown butter ($ 25) served in toasted brioche; Wagyu Beef Slider ($ 21) with baby salad, caramelized onions, aged cheddar, tomato, and tartar sauce; or blackened watermelon with goat cheese cream, cucumber relish and a red wine reduction.
Whether you end your visit with yuzu cheesecake ($ 13) or just admire the Andy Warhol portrait of Lady Diana Spencer that adorns the entrance, be sure to head out onto the patio and admire how far we’ve come are. Starlight on 66 brings two decades of Valley growth into a breathtaking setting.
STARLIGHT ON 66 Resorts World, 702-676-7766. Daily, 5pm – 2am
