Las Vegas Mixtape v37: Fetish Fever, Standout Steakhouse, and Sparkling Rock Fashion

Track #5: Around Town Medley

Together as one—that’s how it’s done. (Image: Vegas 411)

I never miss the opportunity to attend the Summerlin Patriotic Parade on July 4, particularly because its starting point is right around the corner from where I live. This year marked the parade’s 30th anniversary, and it was joyous to watch creatively designed motorized floats on which sports teams, military personnel, and dancers waved to an estimated 35,000 people lining the streets.

An important message—front and center—that shouldn’t be swept under the carpet. (Image: Vegas 411)

This parade is where people come together, leaving behind their individual news feeds, to celebrate patriotism and Vegas’ heartwarmingly rich cultural diversity. Consciousness-raising was also part of the experience. One large vehicle meaningfully stood out, emblazoned with the words “Stomping Out Veteran Suicide”—a subject that should forever remain front and center.

It’s easy to feel sexy and fabulous here. (Image: Vegas 411)

I’m adding the newly opened KROK—a spinoff of Mama Surang’s Thai Kitchen in the southwest area—to my list of the best Thai restaurants in Chinatown Vegas, joining Lamaii, Weera Thai, and Krung Siam.

The ambience is colorful, sexy, celebratory—a perfect setting to enjoy their “Krok-Cajete,” described as Thai-style guacamole and prepared tableside. Another buzzy dish is the “Crabzilla Fried Rice” made with real crab.

A beautifully plated vision of summer. (Image: Vegas 411)

Thanks to Chef TK from Thailand, what emerges from the kitchen here is smart, delicious, and beautifully presented. On our first visit, it was easy to surrender to the charms of the green papaya salad, crispy pork belly, the “crying tiger” beef, pad Thai with chicken, and a dessert—fresh mango with sweet sticky rice—that celebrates the glory of summer. Scrolling through their Instagram, I’m already plotting a return visit and dreaming about those crispy calamari rings and beef brisket panang curry.