I think this was in the Caesar's Forum Shops, one of Las Vegas' most exclusive shopping venues, but the feature I wanted to note in this picture is the great painted ceiling - a feature that is found throughout most of the large casinos but one that adds a lot to the experience. I think the Aladdin has my favorite of the painted ceilings, and at the Aladdin you can even see an indoor rainstorm - especially great for kids and raining down about every half hour for most of the day and night.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wolfgang Puck Restaurants in Las Vegas
Wolfgang Puck is a culinary legend who does not seem to tire of bringing new amazing restaurants into play, especially in Las Vegas where he just opened CUT, a very upscale steakhouse in the Pallazzo, itself a new all suites venue located adjacent to the massive Venetian Sands complex.
Following are descriptions of some Puck Restaurants from the official website of Wolfgang Puck:
Spago Las Vegas:
Synonymous with fine food and celebrity clientele, Spago continues to be the preeminent Las Vegas trendsetter in cuisine, service and design. Distinguished as the spark that ignited the Las Vegas culinary phenomenon, Spago is located in The Forum Shops at Caesars just steps away from the casino and Colosseum Theatre. The restaurant’s dramatic, yet warm interior design presents a sophisticated and stylish environment for the applauded California-style cuisine of Chef Wolfgang Puck. With indoor patio dining in the casual café, considered as the best people watching in Las Vegas, and a more formal dining room with two private banquet facilities for special events, Spago provides a variety of dining options. Spago consistently dazzles in a city known for its many stars and remains one of the most popular dining spots for tourists and locals alike.
Chinois Las Vegas:
When the bold flavors of Asia meet the creativity and passion of America’s most innovative chef, Wolfgang Puck, the result is the unique Asian cuisine served at Chinois. Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars, this sister branch of Santa Monica's Chinois on Main, originally created by Barbara Lazaroff in 1998, offers a hip, contemporary environment with additional design work by Todd-Avery Lenehan. Perfect for mixing and matching, the menu includes modern interpretations of Asian classics to produce an incomparable dining experience. Chinois also features a full-service bar and alluring private dining space.
CUT Las Vegas:
CUT in Las Vegas is the second location for master chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck’s critically acclaimed, award-winning Beverly Hills steakhouse of the same name in the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. Widely acknowledged as one of the most popular restaurants in the United States, CUT has raised the bar within the fine dining industry and has garnered high praise from prestigious publications including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times (Three Stars), Wall Street Journal and Wine Spectator and was named one of the top three steakhouses in America by Bon Appetit Magazine.
Located at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Avery Brooks & Associates designed the 160-seat restaurant and 60-seat bar, providing a modern aesthetic to the traditional steakhouse. Adjacent to the restaurant’s main dining room is an energetic, upscale bar and lounge showcasing exclusive custom cocktails, classic drinks and a smaller menu called “Rough Cuts” featuring CUT’s popular appetizers. It provides a perfect vantage point to people watch into the bustling Shoppes at The Palazzo, overlooking the famous Barneys New York. Private dining space also is available featuring a fully retractable bronze glass wall that opens to a contemporary wine display.
Postrio Las Vegas:
Postrio Las Vegas combines the style of Wolfgang Puck’s critically acclaimed San Francisco restaurant with the romantic ambiance of Venice, Italy. Located on St. Mark’s Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, the restaurant provides a perfect setting for both casual and more formal dining. Offering a stellar menu of seasonal American cuisine with Mediterranean influences, Postrio offers guests two dining experiences. The elegant and intimate dining room features colorful jewel tones and trademark Venetian design elements. For a more casual setting, Postrio offers a festive patio on St. Mark's Square. The restaurant also features two private dining rooms with a separate bar.
Following are descriptions of some Puck Restaurants from the official website of Wolfgang Puck:
Spago Las Vegas:
Synonymous with fine food and celebrity clientele, Spago continues to be the preeminent Las Vegas trendsetter in cuisine, service and design. Distinguished as the spark that ignited the Las Vegas culinary phenomenon, Spago is located in The Forum Shops at Caesars just steps away from the casino and Colosseum Theatre. The restaurant’s dramatic, yet warm interior design presents a sophisticated and stylish environment for the applauded California-style cuisine of Chef Wolfgang Puck. With indoor patio dining in the casual café, considered as the best people watching in Las Vegas, and a more formal dining room with two private banquet facilities for special events, Spago provides a variety of dining options. Spago consistently dazzles in a city known for its many stars and remains one of the most popular dining spots for tourists and locals alike.
Chinois Las Vegas:
When the bold flavors of Asia meet the creativity and passion of America’s most innovative chef, Wolfgang Puck, the result is the unique Asian cuisine served at Chinois. Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars, this sister branch of Santa Monica's Chinois on Main, originally created by Barbara Lazaroff in 1998, offers a hip, contemporary environment with additional design work by Todd-Avery Lenehan. Perfect for mixing and matching, the menu includes modern interpretations of Asian classics to produce an incomparable dining experience. Chinois also features a full-service bar and alluring private dining space.
CUT Las Vegas:
CUT in Las Vegas is the second location for master chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck’s critically acclaimed, award-winning Beverly Hills steakhouse of the same name in the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. Widely acknowledged as one of the most popular restaurants in the United States, CUT has raised the bar within the fine dining industry and has garnered high praise from prestigious publications including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times (Three Stars), Wall Street Journal and Wine Spectator and was named one of the top three steakhouses in America by Bon Appetit Magazine.
Located at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Avery Brooks & Associates designed the 160-seat restaurant and 60-seat bar, providing a modern aesthetic to the traditional steakhouse. Adjacent to the restaurant’s main dining room is an energetic, upscale bar and lounge showcasing exclusive custom cocktails, classic drinks and a smaller menu called “Rough Cuts” featuring CUT’s popular appetizers. It provides a perfect vantage point to people watch into the bustling Shoppes at The Palazzo, overlooking the famous Barneys New York. Private dining space also is available featuring a fully retractable bronze glass wall that opens to a contemporary wine display.
Postrio Las Vegas:
Postrio Las Vegas combines the style of Wolfgang Puck’s critically acclaimed San Francisco restaurant with the romantic ambiance of Venice, Italy. Located on St. Mark’s Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, the restaurant provides a perfect setting for both casual and more formal dining. Offering a stellar menu of seasonal American cuisine with Mediterranean influences, Postrio offers guests two dining experiences. The elegant and intimate dining room features colorful jewel tones and trademark Venetian design elements. For a more casual setting, Postrio offers a festive patio on St. Mark's Square. The restaurant also features two private dining rooms with a separate bar.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Chinois Restaurant, Las Vegas
I think it was About.com's Las Vegas guy who said he thinks this is the best Chinese in Las Vegas and one of the best restaurants of all. Wolfgang Puck's "Chinois" is in the Caesars Shops which are connected to Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Prices are moderate here at Chinois - expect to pay $25 per person and up for a nice meal. The decor was very appealing - upscale but not extravagant.
Prices are moderate here at Chinois - expect to pay $25 per person and up for a nice meal. The decor was very appealing - upscale but not extravagant.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Elvis in Las Vegas
If you are a big Elvis fan there is a helpful web page from Vegas.com will help you find your Elvis in Vegas. Click here for Vegas.com's guide to Elvis stuff in Las Vegas.
You may want to check out Legends In Concert at the Imperial Palace, with a big show featuring Elvis and other legends. Add the meal option which is only about $60 vs over $50 without the meal. If you are on tight budget (or just frugal), check out the discount show ticket places along the strip which often offer half price show tickets. Ask at your hotel desk for the location and best strategies to get discounted tickets.
Generally in Las Vegas if you are flexible about days, seating, and shows you can find much cheaper entertainment than if you insist on a specific headliner at a specific time, which will generally run you full price and range from $50 to $250 depending on the show.
You may want to check out Legends In Concert at the Imperial Palace, with a big show featuring Elvis and other legends. Add the meal option which is only about $60 vs over $50 without the meal. If you are on tight budget (or just frugal), check out the discount show ticket places along the strip which often offer half price show tickets. Ask at your hotel desk for the location and best strategies to get discounted tickets.
Generally in Las Vegas if you are flexible about days, seating, and shows you can find much cheaper entertainment than if you insist on a specific headliner at a specific time, which will generally run you full price and range from $50 to $250 depending on the show.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sands Profits - and Stock Price - Down
Las Vegas Sands, one of the key Las Vegas empires and owner of the Venetian, Palazzo, and Sands Convention Center, lost about 11 million last quarter and the stock took a big hit today, down about 8%.
CNBC reports that tourists to Las Vegas have scaled back spending and I think also there are fewer visits, though the convention traffic remains strong.
Some have suggested that the Casino business and Las Vegas in particular would be resistant to economic downturns as people turn to entertainment to sooth their economic frustrations, but this news does not support that idea.
CNBC reports that tourists to Las Vegas have scaled back spending and I think also there are fewer visits, though the convention traffic remains strong.
Some have suggested that the Casino business and Las Vegas in particular would be resistant to economic downturns as people turn to entertainment to sooth their economic frustrations, but this news does not support that idea.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Macau High Speed Ferry
High speed Macau ferries take folks to Macau for Gambling. I think the trip is about 30 minutes from the peer in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor to the island of Macau where massive gaming development is underway by Chinese and Las Vegas casino interests like Wynn, Venetian, and MGM.
But Macau is a lot more than gambling. The island offers a look back into the fascinating history of the Portuguese colony in the heart of the orient.
Here is the official Macau website: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/
Cher Returns to Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace in May. (Official Cher Website Link)
Cher started in Las Vegas and she's still going strong with what is likely to be one of the most spectacular shows in Las Vegas History, starting at Caesar's Palace May 6th.
Here's the Official Cher Website: http://www.cher.com
Cher's career spans several decades during which she has soared to mega stardom after being something of a second fiddle to comidian and pretty bad singer Sonny Bono with whom she shared the "Sonny and Cher" TV show, a marriage, and daughter Chastity Bono.
Cher's amazing talents include brilliant movie performances and dozens of huge pop music hits.
Here's the Official Cher Website: http://www.cher.com
Cher's career spans several decades during which she has soared to mega stardom after being something of a second fiddle to comidian and pretty bad singer Sonny Bono with whom she shared the "Sonny and Cher" TV show, a marriage, and daughter Chastity Bono.
Cher's amazing talents include brilliant movie performances and dozens of huge pop music hits.
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