Las Vegas Weekly

September 11, 2008 · 2:15 PM

Exclusive preview photos: Peek at the new luxury Lavo nightspot

By Robin Leach

Lavo

Photo: Lavo

A million-dollar-plus spending spree in Spain, Morocco, Turkey, France and Italy has all wound up here on the Strip. The extensive travels by Rich Wolfe and Mark Packer, owners of the top-grossing Tao restaurant at the Venetian, have resulted in a brand new nightspot: Lavo. Now with all the shopping finished and the goodies imported safely and on display at the Palazzo, the unique restaurant and boutique nightclub celebrates its official gala celebrity opening this weekend.

As expected, Luxe Life has the first official photo-peek of the new luxury Mediterranean and Roman-themed nightspot. For the curious, Lavo is the Latin for "bathe or cleanse." Thus, water plays an important part in the revelry and is ever present starting with the flowing fountain assembled from Turkish pots behind the hostess reservation desk. Turkish water basins flank a bridge that leads from the restaurant to the 4,500-square-foot, second-floor nightclub with its glazed tile arches that open up to a domed ceiling above the dance floor. Restroom facilities have a unique pedal operation that shoots a stream of water down from the ceiling for hand-washing in the giant basins. Gorgeous girls -- known as "voyeur models" -- are dotted around the lounge and restaurant as entertainment while sponge-bathing and showering in sexy oversized seductive tubs. Yep -- you’ll want to jump right in!

During the extensive shopping trips, Mark and Rich were emailing photos of decorative items, crockery, cutlery, glassware and serving platters from their cell phones to and forth and with co-owners Jason Strauss and Noah Tappenberg, who run the Tao nightclub at the next door Venetian. Their objective was to develop a unique concept that would provide guests with “wow moments” that begin immediately entering the space and continue throughout their visit.

Rich told me that on one visit to Morocco, he’d casually mentioned to one of his shopping guides, over morning coffee, his frustrations at finding the exact right tiles for Lavo.By 6 p.m. that same evening, on the fourth meeting of the day, he was presented with perfect samples. “It was exactly what we were seeking,” Rich said. "We then told the local artisan that he would need 3,000 tiles completed in 11 days in time to make the shipment heading for Vegas – and by working round the clock he made it!

“The chandeliers hanging in the lounge portion of the front bar area are made by the same person who makes all of the lighting for the King of Morocco. The hanging lamps that adorn the curved wall behind the bar were inspired by a décor piece found on a table. They were turned upside down and recreated as lighting fixtures. There is not a single wall that is just paint throughout the entire space -- every surface is either covered in tile, fabric, or leather, or textured to create an old world feel. We used brass, tile and marble materials throughout to create the bathhouse feel. The tables and chairs are constructed 2 inches lower than what is typical in a Vegas restaurant to encourage lounging and socializing.

“The walls that lead up to the bridge to the nightclub are covered in leather and adorned by door-knockers. During construction there was a small flood that damaged the leather but we actually liked the effect and kept it in the final design. The bridge to the nightclub is lined with actual Turkish bath sinks from the 1800’s.

“Once inside the nightclub a marble bar represents the bathhouse experience of lying on warm marble in a Hamman. The leather walls behind several VIP tables feature brass towel holders that continue the bathhouse concept and provide something to hold on to when dancing on the ledge above the banquette. The mural on the back wall of the nightclub rotates every few months. The antique piece found upon exiting the elevator into the nightclub was found in a basement in Morocco. Upon inspection we discovered an inscription showing that it was a gift from the head of Egypt to the head of Turkey and had long been forgotten.

We’ll continue to evolve the space as even more unique objects are found on future shopping expeditions over there. Even after three years since opening Tao we still find objects of interest on our world travels to bring back for Tao in the Venetian.”

Hollywood stars and celebrities have discovered the restaurant – even before this weekend’s official gala. There’s even a DJ booth right there at the demarcation line of lounge and dining tables! I was there when everybody from Perez Hilton to Paris Hilton with Benji Madden arrived along with Adrian Brody and Tara Reid. Even rival hoteliers Steve Wynn and Venetian president Rob Goldstein have given a thumbs-up verdict to the unique menu and food items. He commented: "From its inception our goal was to build a resort that offers customers a unique and compelling entertainment and retail experience. We are excited for Lavo restaurant and nightclub to join the other great attractions at The Palazzo, such as Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant C, Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10, our Broadway show Jersey Boys and our incredible retail collection that includes the 3-story Barneys store.”

Chef Ludo Lefebvre, who won raves for his stay at the famed award-winning L’Orangerie restaurant in West Hollywood, leads a team of chefs at the 300-seat restaurant in serving up Mediterranean classics from such countries as Italy, France, Spain and Morocco. The food is fabulous and the menu is magnificent -- and totally unique. The platters are designed to be shared among friends and are brought to the table continuously rather in the more traditional appetizer-entrée-desert service.

The charred octopus salad was a sensational starter but you could choose between an asparagus with fried egg panini or eggplant and goat cheese bruschetta. The sliders vary from a chicken parmigiano to a falafel and hummus crispy eggplant. I can recommend without hesitation the chicken paillard and the crispy artichokes, and rob your piggybank for the $28 Ultimate Pizza with lobster, truffles, cheese and crispy potatoes. We’re not done yet because if steak, salmon or tuna aren’t your wish, grab the old-school shrimp scampi with panzanella or the Paella Valencia. Leave room for the Chocolate Lavo Obsession or the cold red berry soup. Lavo serves both Turkish and Moroccan coffees plus Moroccan mint or French Lemon Ginger teas -- plus the usual American ones. Some are served as finger foods and even the smaller dishes are split for dining friends.

You’ll be torn between the bar, the lounge, the nightclub and the restaurant -- but perhaps the highlight of all is the balcony that commands the greatest view of the Strip -- and as the cooler weather arrives the perfect dining after dark spot. The Mediterranean-theme continues out there, too, with hookah masters preparing the hookahs for the wonderful smoking tradition.

Without a doubt the entire place is a masterpiece marrying casual elegance with chic designer stylings. Rich Wolfe summed up for me: "It turned out better than we even dared hope -- and we can honestly say it’s a true Vegas first, not a copy, not a replica. It’s a true original and everybody tells us that it is really beautiful.”

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