WHO: The well-suited Bryan Tamayo, 38, Senior Beverage Manager for Tao Group Hospitality Las Vegas. The Filipino American from Portland, Ore., made the ripe, floral and herbaceous cocktail Appley Made behind the bar at Lavo Italian Restaurant at The Palazzo.
THE COCKTAIL: “The cocktail is named Appley Named, a cheeky name riff on an Apple Martini. There’s a little bit of roasted apple, Absolut Elyx, elderflower liqueur and a little bit of lemon juice to balance it all out. It’s shaken and served up with a little bit of rosemary sea salt foam on top. We wanted to tap into the coastal vibe of the restaurant.”
BRYAN’S FAVORITE COCKTAIL: “I love tropical drinks, and I love tiki bars. A good Zombie in an immersive tiki bar, you can’t beat that. I love the vibes of all of it. Stray Pirate is incredible, their vibe is incredible, and they have a great Zombie. And Frankie’s, of course, is a legend in town.”
WHAT BRYAN LOVES ABOUT LAS VEGAS: “The food scene here is incredible. I grew up in Portland, and they also have an incredible food scene, but the mixing of culture here – Chinatown is incredible for authentic food, for modern food. The Strip does what it does best, including high-end. If you go to North Las Vegas, you can get authentic Mexican food. Las Vegas is a one-stop shop for excellent food.”
A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT ABOUT BRYAN: “Um, I’m a recovering ‘World of Warcraft’ addict. I mean yes, but no. I produce music at home. I have a small studio I’ve been building over time. It’s for fun – it scratches that creative itch in a different way.”
PRIME PRO TIP: The 16-ounce Meatball at Lavo is a signature menu item, and Lavo recently reopened after a renovation – the décor and ambiance are now Italian countryside.
IF YOU GO: Lavo Italian Restaurant at The Palazzo | TaoGroup.com
Appley Made: Absolut Elyx | St Germain Apple | Lemon | Rosemary
Photo: Daniel Howard
