An Evening Spent With Southern Food & BAZ Star Crossed Love

An evening in Vegas! There are several options available but I just had the most perfect Saturday night. This took place at  The Venetian and The Palazzo which are two of the most elegant, friendly casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Both of these casinos have wonderful restaurants, bars  and entertaining fun shows.

Our night started off with a stop at the delicious southern themed restaurant Yardbird Southern Table & Bar which is right off restaurant row. When you dine here expect good old southern cooking and great cordial service. Since the show started at 7:30 we decided that drinks and appetizers were in order to nosh on. After being seated at a comfortable booth, where the lighting is extremely flattering it was time for cocktails! They serve the best cocktails at Yardbird. They take their cocktails so seriously that on your drink menu they illustrate what type of hand harvested ice cubes will be served with your drink. For example with the Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade the ice cubes are square and mix perfectly with the Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon, blackberry puree, fresh lemon, cardamon and Angostura Bitters. So refreshing on a hot humid Vegas night! Yes it does get humid here in Las Vegas. But for me, the drink of my dreams is the Yardbird Old Fashioned. Strong and relaxing, one sip and you can feel the stresses of the day dissipate with the strength of the bacon-infused Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon, Angostura bitters, orange bitters, maple syrup. All blended perfectly together and served in a lowball and wait for it, poured over a 2’ sphere ice cube. This is perfect, the ice does not melt it simply cools the alcohol and it goes down so smoothly. So if you are looking for the perfect Old Fashioned then go visit Yardbird Southern Table and Wine.

Deviled Eggs

Macaroni and Cheese

Since we were eating light appetizers were in order. On the menu you will find a selection that will make you want to order each and every one. We decided on the Macaroni and Cheese, Grits, Deviled Eggs and Smoked and Roasted Bone Marrow. All exceptional and just right for light bites. The Grits were hot and covered with Vermont sharp cheddar cheese a true home cooked Southern dish and with just the right amount of salt. The deviled eggs at Yardbird are just a little different than what you might of had at your backyard BBQ. These are garnished with dill, chives and smoked trout roe. Saving the best for last is the Bone Marrow. In a word, FABULOUS! The bones are cut in half and then the marrow is smoked and roasted. Every bite is a decadent rich taste of beef. Spread on toasted country bread with the onion marmalade everyone should have this dish once. There is a reason marrow is referred to as “God’s Butter” it is that distinctive and scrumptious. After an hour spent relaxing sipping and noshing we said goodbye to the staff at Yardbird and we were off the the next stop - BAZ Star Crossed Love in The Palazzo Theatre.

Harold Zidler  

The Sparkling Diamond Satine

If you are a fan of over the top sets, great vocals and LOVE then BAZ is your show. This show takes you on a journey that is based upon the movies directed by Baz Luhrmann, movies that explore the greatest gift of all LOVE. From Romeo and Juliet we have the star crossed lovers from different houses with a heartbreaking destiny awaiting them. Then with The Great Gatsby the frenetic pace of the Golden years of the 20’s are brought to life and the story of Gatsby and Daisy unfolds. However my personal favorite is Moulin Rouge, a love story to cross all boundaries, it involves The Sparkling Diamond who is a  famed Courtesan of the stage and a penniless writer. Throw in a rich and titled suitor and this story has all the glorious songs you could wish for; including a little bit of Marilyn Monroe and Nirvana.

Diamond Dogs (Moulin Rouge) 

BAZ takes all of these great love stories and brings them to the stage and intertwines them in a way that when unfolding before your eyes; is simply breathtaking. Harold Zidler is perfectly cast and you would swear that it is indeed Jim Broadbent from the original movie. His job is to keep the musical moving along and he does this brilliantly. When The Diamond Dogs take the stage (dancers at the Moulin Rouge) it is with a burst of color and cleavage. Watch out for the Green Fairy and her Violin!

Romeo & Juliet

Juliet is so breathtaking beautiful and young and as her and Romeo breath life into Shakespeare’s immortal words on the stage your heart will beat a little faster; “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” So says Romeo when he lays eyes upon his fair Juliet. The costumes of Juliet and Romeo stay true to the movie directly by Baz Luhrmann.

Gatsby

Daisy

If you have not seen either film about Gatsby then you might not understand the triangle between Daisy, Gatsby and her husband Tom Buchanan. Gatsby is an enigmatic character who is driven  by his love for the elusive Daisy who slipped through his hands and he is back to win her love. It is the roaring 20’s when everything is bright and golden and Jazz babies danced in mansions by deep blue pools with glasses of unending champagne. BAZ brings these scenes to the stage and you can feel yourself slip back into time with the dance numbers and flappers sparkling on stage where every night was a party.

The stage and theatre have been re-configured to fit the show. There are several seating options available including On Stage VIP, Runway VIP, Lounge VIP and Banquette and Theatre seats ranging from $176 - $62. This entire arrangement is set up to imitate an intimate nightclub and the dancers move among the audience which helps create the nightclub ambiance and atmosphere. All in all with the stunning vocals, the fabulous costumes, the choreography and acting this show is a MUST see. So take your wife, girlfriend, significant other and enjoy! Oh and one last thought, the drink prices are swell!

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
The Venetian Restaurant Row
3355 S Las Vegas Blvd.
LV NV 89109
702-297-6541
www.runchickenrun.com/

Full Cast -  www.palazzo.com/entertainment/shows/baz.html#cast
The Palazzo Theatre
July 9 - December 31, 2016
DARK DAYS - Monday
Time - Tuesday - Sunday
7:30 p.m.
3325 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
For tickets - www.palazzo.com/