Luxe Life Blog
Peepshow star Shoshana Bean’s Las Vegas Top 10
While Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach is on vacation and attempting to work as little as possible from afar, Vegas DeLuxe will be featuring celebrity guest columnists for the first half of this month until Robin’s return. If you’re knowledgeable about Las Vegas, the names should be familiar. Today, we start it off with Broadway singer, actress and dancer Shoshana Bean, star of Peepshow in Planet Hollywood.
By Shoshana Bean
I’ve only been here a short month and have barely begun to experience all that Las Vegas has to offer. I’m not even certain that my three-month run here will be enough time to really become a Vegas veteran. But I will admit to being somewhat of a creature of habit.
That said, I have already fallen in love with so many places that will be difficult to part from when I leave in September. I’ve narrowed it down to my Vegas Top 10.
Favorite Caesar salad: Spago in the Forum Shops
I like to think of myself as a Caesar salad snob. I’m not easy to please. So far, no one can beat Spago’s hearts of palm Caesar, which I find appropriate given the restaurant’s location. I should expect nothing less! This salad wins for the freshness of the lettuce, the exact right amount of Parmesan cheese and dressing (not too much, not too little) and the piece of cheesy toast that comes with it! It’s light and filling and makes a perfect snack to fuel the rest of your shopping trip at the Forum Shops.
The bed scene in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood. Shoshana Bean is second from left, and Holly Madison is second from right.
Favorite shoe store: Shooz at the Forum Shops
After you finish the best Caesar salad, you can run right across the way for dessert. Shoes! I am a shoe whore. A beautiful pair of shoes is like a work of art to me. Therefore, I have chosen Shooz at the Forum Shops as my favorite shoe store. Their selection spans a wide range of prices and styles from flats and flip-flops to the highest of platform heels, from conservative and modest to completely outlandish and crazy. They always have good sales, and they carry some of my favorite hard-to-find brands (L.A.M.B., Report and Rock & Republic). It’s a relatively small store, so you can’t get too overwhelmed, the salespeople are incredibly friendly and helpful without applying pressure, and the music is always good! They even accept returns within 10 days (with receipt and shoes being in original condition). What more could you ask for? (I mean, I'd like them to carry Louboutins, but that would probably make the store even more dangerous for me.)
Favorite auto repair shop: Raymond’s Auto Service
Upon arrival, my car alerted me that I was due for “Service B” (an oil change, filter change, blah, blah, blah, boring). For those of you who own foreign cars, you know to avoid getting serviced at the dealership if at all possible. You will be raped and pillaged for all you’re worth. So I Googled foreign car service/repair shops in the area and got a few quotes for my Service B. It was Raymond’s thick and charming Italian accent that initially sold me over the phone. I knew I had to get my car serviced there, not only for the reasonable quote, but in order to meet this man! He did not disappoint. Raymond and his right-hand men, Cesar and Mo, have taken such exquisite care of my car and me since I’ve been in Vegas! They work fast and efficiently, their prices are the best, and the banter with Raymond while you wait is worth the price of the service. (Tell them I sent you, and give them all a healthy dose of grief for me.)
Favorite pool: The Four Seasons
As difficult as it is to pick favorites when it comes to pool experiences, I have managed to do so! I’ve visited quite a few, but none can compare to The Four Seasons Hotel pool. I happen to enjoy a relaxing, quiet and peaceful pool experience. I’m not one for the loud music, dancing in the water, club-style environment that some of the pools in town have created. The Four Seasons boasts a clean, smaller, more private pool surrounded by lush palms and plants. The staff is incredibly attentive and friendly, the lounge chairs are comfortable and easy to adjust, the menu of food is amazing, and you are pampered the entire time with cold towels, ice water and relaxing music and water misters. It’s the best place to lie out and spend a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
Holly Madison, Josh Strickland and Shoshana Bean of Peepshow in Planet Hollywood.
Favorite show on The Strip: ???
Well, Peepshow, naturally! But coming in a close second is Wayne Brady: Making It Up at The Venetian. It is variety entertainment at its very best. He is one of the most underrated, diversely talented men of this generation. You do not want to miss his show. You will laugh, dance, sing along and have your mind blown by his skills as a comedian, improv artist and vocalist.
Favorite nearby escape: Mt. Charleston
Barely a 45-minute drive from The Strip, you can find fresher air, bluer skies, lower temperatures, green trees and beautiful hiking trails. I spent a lovely afternoon hiking with my dog and enjoying the quiet and gorgeous scenery. Vegas natives all have the same thing to say about Mt. Charleston: “There’s nothing to do up there!” Precisely.
Favorite shoe repair: Shoe Lab
I brought in the very first pair of Louboutins I ever purchased to Karlo at Shoe Lab. They are now 6 years old and in need of a little TLC. When I walked in and placed them on the counter, Karlo looked at them, then at me and sighed. “I’ve been in this business for 19 years. When I see a beautiful pair of shoes treated this way … it hurts my heart.” I knew I’d found my sole mate! Karlo can make any pair of shoes or any bag look completely brand new. He can reheel, resole, repaint, reconstruct … there is literally nothing he can’t do. They have customers from all over the world that send items in for repair. Karlo is the superhero of shoe and bag repair, and I will never trust another with my treasures.
Holly Madison and Shoshana Bean in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood.
Favorite off the Strip eating/drinking: Firefly
In the same shopping complex as Shoe Lab, located just close enough to The Strip to reach easily, and just far enough away from The Strip to host a mellow, but fun crowd, Firefly has won my heart. It is dark and cozy, and you can choose to sit at couches or tables, outside or inside. The tapas menu is my personal favorite. There are so many delicious little bites to choose from, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the sangria is killer. They also have wonderful music, often provided by a DJ. Great atmosphere, great food, great people!
Favorite onion rings: The Peppermill
While many businesses and buildings around it have not stood the test of time, The Peppermill still stands in all its 1970s glory. I love it for so many reasons, not the least of which is the flaming pit of love (as I call it) located in the Fireside Lounge. It reminds me of the diners back in New York. They have an endless menu and super fun drinks to share that come in giant glasses the size of fishbowls. Not only do they have the best onion rings in Vegas, but also I feel very confident in saying they may possibly have the best onion rings in the world. They are gigantic, sweet, fresh and fried to perfection. While you dine, there is never a shortage of characters to people watch. I love this place.
Favorite meal on the go: Tacone in the Miracle Mile
Their menu covers everything from wraps, salads, sandwiches, grilled meats, smoothies and quesadillas. My personal favorite is the Campfire wrap. Sandwiches and wraps come with the most amazing seasoned potato chips, the service is fast and friendly, and it’s easy for me to grab on the way to work, leaving work, between shows or on a break from shopping. And they have a salsa bar! Oh, not to worry, they also serve the tourist favorite Yard drinks!
It was very difficult to choose a mere Top 10 favorites. This city has such a surplus of amazing restaurants, tourist attractions and shops. I am so glad I had the chance to be here for an extended period of time to begin to experience all it has to offer.
Thank you, Las Vegas, for taking such good care of me!
XOXO,
Shoshana
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.
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