Las Vegas Mixtape v22: Pizza Paradise, ‘80s Music Mania, and Mickey Hart’s Rhythmic Pulse

1. Track #1: Double Zero Pie & Pub @Chinatown

How do you get people who are divided by politics on the same side—at least for a little while? May I suggest they all eat pizza together at Double Zero Pie & Pub in The Center at Spring Mountain in Chinatown?

Chef-Partner Michael Vakneen’s much-touted pizza eatery opened in 2023 in the same row of businesses as The Golden Tiki, Lee’s Sandwiches, and Mas Por Favor. It has already earned a spot at #45 on the “50 Top Pizza USA 2024” list (one other acclaimed Vegas spot, Pizza Rock, is sitting pretty at #28). The restaurant also offers antipasti choices like the “Acciuga Piccante” (marinated roasted red peppers with capers and white anchovies).

In this relaxed brick-walled pub setting, distinguished neo-Neapolitan pies pizzas with a light and subtly crisp crust emerge from a custom-made wood-fired oven.

The multi-flavored “Short Rib All Arancia” pie admittedly has a lot going on—including orange chimichurri, chives, mandarin crisps, tangerine oil, Parmesan, and pistachios—but all the ingredients were seamlessly merged.

Those with adventurous palates should also cozy up to the pie made with white sauce, speck (a cured, lightly smoked ham), fig jam, and candied pecans.

2. Track #2: Howard Jones, ABC, Haircut One Hundred @Theater at Virgin Hotels

The early-to-mid ‘80s were alive and well at the Theater at Virgin Hotels for the dream bill of Howard Jones, ABC, and Haircut One Hundred: three British “New Wave” artists who are united by their tight songcraft, buoyant pop melodies, and percolating rhythms.

Their music was the soundtrack for that era’s general optimism—and all three artists came across infectiously in front of an adoring crowd looking for safe harbor from this mad political season.

Headliner Jones, armed with his “keytar,” hit the stage like Elton John in an oversized pink overcoat and flashy sunglasses. The music was upbeat—with bright-sounding synths and electronically fired drums—and his vocals easily sailed into the upper register.

Impressively, Jones’ voice movingly embodies the hope and melancholy of his big hits “Things Can Only Get Better,” “What Is Love,” and “No One Is To Blame.”  Performing an urgent version of “Human” by Vegas’ favorite sons, The Killers, was a smart touch to fully own the crowd.

ABC’s ringleader Martin Fry, looking as debonair as David Bowie and Bryan Ferry, was vocally captivating from start to finish. The band was greeted with thunderous applause for nearly every neo-soul pop hit they played, including “The Look of Love,” “Be Near Me,” and the pointed “The Night You Murdered Love.”

One particular set highlight was Fry’s fabulously wry “How To Be A Millionaire.” Its lyrics are as relevant as ever: “I’ve seen the future, I can’t afford it/Tell you the truth, sir, someone just bought it.”

Openers Haircut One Hundred filled their short set with the cheery and funky pop hits from their only album, “Pelican West.” Having seen them perform in 1982, the year the album was released, it was exhilarating to hear the reunited Nick Heyward-fronted band dive into “Love Plus One,” “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), and “Fantastic Day”—complete with their perfectly executed horn parts and scratchy guitar rhythms—like time didn’t skip a beat.

Long live the ‘80s.

3. Track #3: 1228 Main @Arts District

Outstanding restaurants in the Arts District, like Main St. Provisions and Esther’s Kitchen, have been joined recently by newer spots like 1228 Main (where I’ve now dined twice) and Palate (where I need to go).

The spacious 1228 is owned by David Robins. He’s a former San Francisco chef who’s been the longtime director of culinary operations for Wolfgang Puck, one of the eatery’s business partners. Head chef Nick Butterfield rolls out classic dishes with modern flair, and it was terrific to enjoy them in a hip setting with whimsical lighting fixtures.

Start with the crunchy, spicy, and visually dazzling appetizer “Salt & Pepper Shrimp” (I’ve had it twice). Move on to entrees like the grilled salmon with avocado yogurt, the “Cast Iron Chicken” with sweet corn puree, and the “Spaghetti Pasta” with pancetta and chili. 1228 makes good on its boast of using only the freshest ingredients.

Couldn’t leave without ordering the magical “Warm Apple Crumble” with vanilla ice cream.  All the desserts and pastries here are made fresh daily, and we took some to go. There’s also a separate bar area where you can dine.

4. Track #4: Mickey Hart’s “Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience” @Area15

On a night off from Dead & Company’s recent 30-show run at the Sphere, original Grateful Dead drummer/master percussionist Mickey Hart was on hand with the band’s other original member, Bob Weir, for a red carpet-screening of “Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience” at The Portal inside Area15.

The Torey Champagne-directed documentary, narrated and scored by Hart, is airing now on ESPN. It explores the “rhythmic connection between music and sports” with insightful interviews from top athletes. It underlines the similarities between musicians and athletes by noting that both need stamina, hyper-focus, and a stay-in-the-groove mentality to achieve peak performances.

Hart definitely knows all about this, given the multi-hour marathon shows by the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company.

After the screening, The Portal’s doors were opened to the venue’s outside area, where guests were treated to a performance by local favorites the Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, who hold court Monday nights at the Copa Room inside the sprawling Bootlegger Italian Bistro.

5. Track #5: Around Town Medley: Eddie Trunk 60th birthday party @Copa Room and Scotch 80 @Palms Casino Resort

The ever-growing Vegas rock musician community turned out in force for the 60th birthday celebration of SiriusXM personality Eddie Trunk at the Copa Room inside Bootlegger Italian Bistro. His “Trunk Nation” show on the Volume channel is essential for rock fans who tune in for his interviews and honest critiques. Trunk, who divides his time between Vegas and New Jersey, sometimes tapes shows at the newly opened Sirius XM studio inside the Wynn Hotel.

Toasting Trunk at Bootlegger were Criss Angel, Bruce (KISS) Kulick, Les (The Cult) Warner, Phil (Ozzy Osbourne) Soussan, Micki Free, Todd Kerns (Slash), Franky Perez, and many more. One musical highlight on a night filled with many was Perez fronting an all-star line-up for an inspired rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Its sadly timeless lyrics were written by Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, who recently left Encino, CA for his new home in Vegas.

On Mondays-Thursdays, Scotch 80–the high-end, beautifully designed steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort—offers a wallet-friendly “Social Hour” with “almost two dozen dishes and beverages at 50% off.” The special menu runs in two shifts: 5 to 6:30 pm and 8:30 to 10 pm (perfect for late arrivals like me).

We thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese-accented Miso Glazed Chilean Seabass, plated with shiitake, truffle dashi, tobiko, and bok choy.  It was deliciously priced at $27–half off the usual $54 price tag. Equally impressive was the New Zealand King Salmon with Parisian melted leeks and caviar butter blanc, a lovingly prepared $52 dish marked down to $26. And the complimentary Japanese milk bread was divine.