Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Bravo, Lisa Vanderpump, VPR
Dylan Hafer
Once upon a time, if you visited Las Vegas, there was approximately a 30% chance that you’d see a Vanderpump Rules cast member having the most destructive weekend of their life. Between the cheating scandals and the emotional meltdowns, those were the best days of our lives. While the original VPR crew may no longer be wreaking havoc on Vegas, over the past few years, the show’s OG matriarch has ensured that every visitor to Sin City can still experience a little bit of the Vanderpump magic for themselves.
We’re all familiar with Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood establishments, and I’ve also reviewed her sultry spot in Lake Tahoe, but in the past few years she’s quietly been building a mini-empire on the Strip, recently opening her third Vegas concept at the iconic Flamingo resort — Pinky’s By Vanderpump. I’m not normally a Vegas person (my anxiety wouldn’t be great for figuring out the rules of poker with strangers), but when I was invited to experience it the LVP way, I obviously had to say yes.
Any time you’re visiting an LVP destination, the decor and vibes are just as important as what’s on the menu. As always, Lisa and Nick Alain teamed up to bring the vision for Pinky’s to life, and quite simply? They freaked it. It’s the largest of her three spots in Vegas, and the interior has major Ozdust Ballroom vibes. From green glass chandeliers to the many flamingo-themed fixtures (and a custom painting of LVP riding a giant flamingo), Pinky’s is the most whimsical thing Lisa Vanderpump has done, and it all comes together surprisingly well. But the most striking feature of the space is a true Vegas rarity: natural light. In these casinos, you almost never know what time of day it is (that’s on purpose), but Pinky’s has an entire wall of glass that faces directly onto Las Vegas Boulevard. Whether you’re there for a sun-drenched brunch or a moody nightcap, windows are always a good thing.
Speaking of brunch, let’s talk about what Pinky’s has to offer in the culinary department. The menu’s two signature starters, the Pull Apart Bread and Goat Cheese Balls, are both absolute musts for the table. The bread was also a favorite at Wolf, and it tastes just as good when you’re not at elevation. As for the Goat Cheese Balls, at this point, they’re a Vanderpump institution, but I appreciate that each restaurant applies a twist to the basic fried, gooey original. At Pinky’s, they’re paired with strawberry and hot honey, in what amounts to my favorite preparation so far.
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Other hits at the table were the Mini Lobster Rolls (each topped with a potato chip and a dollop of caviar), and flights of deviled eggs and crispy rice, which add clever twists to trendy offerings with various toppings and garnishes. Our Frittata Breakfast Sliders and Cheese Birdcage (it’s cheese, but in a birdcage) were largely forgettable, but I’ve certainly eaten worse meals in a Las Vegas casino. For dessert, the Pinky’s Baked Alaska was a delightful surprise, and the Rainbow Fruit Tartlets are a fun choice if you’re looking for an Instagrammable sweet that won’t make you need a nap.
I’m assuming half of you reading this are only ever going to come to Pinky’s for a round of cocktails, and on that front, you won’t be disappointed. From the twisted minds of the people who brought you the drink at Vanderpump à Paris that comes with a literal tiara, this place has an appropriately Tim Burton-esque cocktail menu. My personal favorite was the It’s Hot, Honey (it’s a very spicy marg, and I had three), but if you’re looking for something a little more out there, they’ve also got an old fashioned that’s delivered inside a cage, or a martini that comes with a caviar bump. When in Vegas, right? Or, if all else fails, there’s never a wrong time for a bottle of Vanderpump Rosé.
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And one more thing: our servers at Pinky’s were seriously some of the best I’ve ever had. I don’t know if these crazy kids are hoping that the Bravo cameras will show up one day and turn their lives upside down, but until then, they’re serving those caviar martinis like their lives depend on it. So, should you drop everything and plan a trip to Vegas just to take a picture in front of the giant stone flamingo statue at Pinky’s? Let’s not get carried away. But if you do find yourself with a free evening on the Strip, Pinky’s is a solid option for drinks, dinner, or a trip to the LVP merch section (every one of these places has one).