Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010 | 12:05 a.m.
"We wanted to create something that would be unique to Rok that you're not going to be able to get anywhere else," said Magnone of Rok Vegas' seasonal cocktail. Well, consider it mission accomplished. No relation to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, the Ginger Spice is general manager Rob Boyer's ode to autumn, made with Bailey's Irish cream, Goldschlager and homemade ginger-infused Absolut vodka. It's topped off with gold leaf, caramel-flavored whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
As fickle as the nightlife industry can be, it's rare that you find someone with the loyalty and dedication to stick it out in one job for several months, let alone several years. GianCarlo Magnone is part of that breed, having been a bartender at New York-New York's Rok Vegas nightclub since its August 2008 opening.
"All the bartenders, the whole staff, we have a really, really good time here ... and that translates over to the guests," Magnone said. "If you're having a good time, the guest ends up having a good time, no matter what."
A veteran of the hospitality industry for 15 years, Magnone moved from San Diego, where he had been studying at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, for the opportunity to be a part of the Las Vegas scene.
While the new position required a move out of state, it also meant that he'd be able to finally ditch the "cleaner, straight-edge look" he was forced to apply at boutique hotels in California.
"When I got the opportunity to come out here, I just ran for it," he said. "But it was kind of scary, because coming out here, you're working with some of the best bartenders in the entire world. ... I figure, if I'm going to be doing this now, I might as well just do the absolute best that I can do, and this is the place to do it."
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