My Las Vegas

You should never be short of things to do in Las Vegas – but expert guidance will help you get the most from your time there. Local resident Marisa Finetti reveals her favourite food and drink hotspots

This Dusty Little town in the Mojave desert has come a long way from neon signs and 99-cent shrimp cocktails. As a local, I embrace these iconic gems from Las Vegas’ colourful history. Barely a century old and still one of the youngest US cities by tourism standards, Vegas has been enticing the world over. But there’s more to this city than the glittering jewel of the Las Vegas Strip.

Our raw, beautiful desert enjoys sunshine nearly year-round and showcases our very own geological masterpiece, Red Rock Canyon – a paradise for rock climbers, hikers, cyclists, photographers and nature lovers alike. Nearby Mt Charleston provides a reprieve from hot summers, not to mention some of the best alfresco dining around. While at sunset, amber and lilac skies and clouds of cotton candy rival any spectacle on the Strip.

We are a treasure chest for those seeking 24-hour indulgence by way of entertainment, gaming and shopping, but it is our dining scene that adds serious sparkle. Ignited by our chefs’ insatiable appetite for innovation and adventure, we see this in eateries and fine-dining establishments near and away from the glow of the Strip.

Las Vegas is also a veritable jackpot for wine lovers. Here is where I discovered my love for wine, owing my passion to our incredible sommeliers, whose enthusiasm and convivial pours quench my desire to keep exploring this life-long journey.

Vegas celebrates wine in its own exuberant ways: from trophy bottles, and tastings of more quirky wine styles, to luxurious winemaker dinners and multi-day food festivals that draw visitors from all over.

A respite from the bustle is always welcome at neighbourhood spots like The Black Sheep ( www.blacksheepvegas. com) with its list of small-production wines, or The Study ( www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com) on the Strip, where you can savour caviar flatbread and Champagne while spinning a favourite vinyl. A visit to Chinatown (see below) is a weekly tradition for many residents: find everything from ramen to tapas, while beverages span the range from Qinba tea to Madeira from the late 1800s.

Las Vegas’ cocktail scene invites us to bars where the Rat Pack once shared drinks, to gilded jewels like Rosina ( www.venetian.com) and to Vetri Cucina and Mr Coco, hidden inside Palms ( www.palms.com).

Our burgeoning downtown is the centre of arts and culture with an eclectic assortment of must-visit destinations, including Esther’s Kitchen ( www.estherslv.com), where i always ask for the ‘secret’ reserve list.

And finally, world-class pizzaioli spoil us with teeth-sinking happiness for one and all throughout our suburban sprawl – with Lambrusco di Sorbara never far from reach.

Marisa Finetti is an award-winning freelance food and wine writer based in Las Vegas