Las Vegas Mixtape v36: Van Gogh Immersion, Arts District Swagger, and Wallet-Friendly Eats

Track #5: Around Town Medley

There would be peace on the planet  if world leaders ate this before negotiating. (Image: Vegas 411)

It’s hard not to hear the loud buzz surrounding Solamente Pizza on West Sahara Ave, so I finally stopped in to pick up two exceptional Neapolitan pies: “Meat Lovers Pizza” and “Pizza Bianca Meal,” the latter made with honey-whipped ricotta. Solamente’s signature dough—“made from a blend of imported Italian flours”—instantly reeled me in, along with the top-shelf ingredients they use.

Behind the counter are those magical ovens. (Image: Vegas 411)

Poking around the fast casual eatery’s website, I learned that Solamente’s “naturally leavened dough is fermented for multiple days.” You’ll also be glad to know that “the high hydration level and developed gluten network give the dough a delicate texture, merging the softness of a pillowy brioche with the crispy crunch of a baguette.” Clearly, there’s an exact science to the creation of a standout pizza.

Why stress out when you can bathe in this whimsical decor?  (Image: Vegas 411)

While at The Shops at Crystals to see the above-mentioned Van Gogh immersive experience, I wandered over on Level 2 to master Chef Jose Andres’ casual but ultra- stylish Bar Centro, located downstairs from his other Spanish spot, the seafood-centric Bazaar Mar.

During the day, Bar Centro serves coffee from Lamill (the LA-headquartered specialty coffee roaster), tea, and pastries from Spain. Dinner—consisting of tapas, caviar, and more—is only available Friday and Saturday from 5-7pm.

This is where you will learn what a “xux0” is.(Image: Vegas 411)

For a late afternoon pick-me-up, I ordered an iced green matcha latte and a Nutella cream “xuxo.” Of this Catalan pastry, Andres says: “A good croissant is a beautiful thing, but a xuxo is for the gods!” I will let the French and Spaniards go to battle over that.