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Taking a long weekend to escape reality? Las Vegas is the place to go. Nightlife, 24 hours of…..everything including food, entertainment, shows, massive themed hotels, a Las Vegas strip that provides people-watching entertainment, there is no better place to get away.
Sixteen years ago, Doug and I were married in Las Vegas at the National Register of Historic Places, Little Church of the West, and despite multiple trips over the years, we still find a ton of things to do in Las Vegas! Like a kid in a candy store, Las Vegas has thousands of opportunities for entertainment on each visit, but on this latest trip, courtesy of a piggy back business trip for Doug, we were fortunate enough to stay for the first time at the Bellagio. And, to our delight, our room had a fountain-facing view with the Eiffel Tour at the Paris Hotel directly across the way. I don’t think we have ever had a nicer view and spending an afternoon watching the fountains and reading a book is a luxury I may not have again, soon. We did leave our hotel room and saw three great shows, ate at three signature restaurants and even expanded our horizons by learning about the finer things at an art show. From the central location of the Bellagio, we were able to walk to every show and dinner. The highlight of this trip to Vegas was the educational opportunity provided at The Flamingo Hotel: The X Burlesque University class. This class teaches the finer points of Burlesque, including take-home make-up and eyelash application, a real routine on a boni fide Las Vegas stage and a photo and certificate of the experience. During our class, 20 women ages 21-70 spent 75 minutes laughing, dancing and sashaying across the stage while learning eyelash application and a simple routine. This was a fun experience and a must-do for every Vegas vacation. Visit www.xburlesqueuniversity.com for details. Also at the Flamingo, Donny and Marie, two of the talented Osmond clan, have been performing together since they were three years old. That professionalism and camaraderie shines through as the duo parry on stage. Each has their own time to shine as well and their song list includes a few classics, a contemporary mixing and some Broadway show tunes.
With the lighting, staging, dancers and live accompaniment plus the awesome skills learned at each of their turns at Dancing-With-The-Stars, Donny & Marie is a sleeper hit in an intimate setting and well worth the evening. After having been to several Cirque du Soleil shows and enjoying all of them, we decided to see Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE right next door to the Bellagio at The Mirage Hotel & Casino. The show is a masterful mixture of Beatles classics paired with Olympic- caliber performers in a round theater setting that brings the audience into the show. From the sound effects built right into the seats to the full floor to ceiling flexible screens and the transforming stages, there is no bad seat in the house and audience members can not help but leave with a sense of satisfaction. Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. In fact, right here close to home, there are two opportunities to immerse in Cirque du Soleil artistry. KOOZA is bringing 53 unique artists to perform under the big top at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field through December 16. In addition, the permanent show, La Nouba, is an avant-garde circus spectacle performed by Cirque du Soleil exclusively in the Downtown Disney West Side area at Walt Disney World Resort. La Nouba is performed at an exceptional theater built especially for Cirque du Soleil. The show’s international cast of acrobats, athletes and performance artists—including more than 65 artists representing 15 countries—delights and mystifies with daring acts of grace. For more information on any of the shows or tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
Another great performance-based theatrical show in Las Vegas performing in its permanent home at the Wynn Las Vegas is Le Rêve, set in a one million-gallon (water) capacity theater and features diving and feats of strength with state-of-the-art special effects, where no seat is more than 40 feet (12 m) from the stage. The production was created by Franco Dragone and is similar to the shows produced by Cirque du Soleil. Dragone, who was the director behind O, La Nouba, Mystère, Alegría, and Quidam. “Le Rêve” means “The Dream” in French, and is the name of the centerpiece painting that Steve Wynn owns, Le Rêve by Picasso. Each member of the cast must become scuba-certified before performing in the theater and the show is a heart-stopping spectacle of music, performance and visual effects that leaves the guest catching their breath and smiling throughout the show. http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/ Las Vegas is truly the city that never sleeps and with its world class resorts and shows every night of the week, every day of the year, there is no better time to travel and get away, than with a trip to Las Vegas. Viva Las Vegas!
From stunning views, world class shows and of course, Burlesque training, Las Vegas offers a great destination.
Bacon Trio Appetizer, Wagyu Steak, Hell’s Kitchen Winners, Foodies Delight In New Vegas Restaurant Offerings For All Tastes
By Marie Gilmore
In addition to world-class entertainment and music, Las Vegas is also home to some of the top restaurants in the world. And, what better reason to get dressed up for a great night out than a top restaurant, great company and wonderful food.
This trip, three restaurants made the top of the list. Allegro, a new addition to the Wynn Las Vegas and a great accompaniment to seeing the Beatles LOVE show, Center CUT, a brand new steakhouse in The Flamingo and Gordon Ramsey Steak, new home of Hell’s Kitchen Season 10 winner Christine Wilson who arrived late September to take on her newly won role as head chef.
First stop, a tasting menu prepared by Chef Enzo Febbraro at the stunning and centrally located Allegro restaurant in the center of the Wynn Hotel and within sight of the entrance to the Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE theatre. This is the perfect restaurant for a pre-theatre menu and then to return to after the show for dessert and a cocktail. Intimate setting and a great atmosphere make for a great compliment to a night out on the town.
Chef Febbraro offers a new menu including his impressively tall yet light baked lasagna Napoletana which practically melts on the tongue, Osso Buco D’agnello made with a bone-in lamb shank, Veal Chop Parmigiano with a 14-ounce breaded veal chop, Risotto Pescatora and more.
Allegro opened late last summer with a VIP opening night with Steve Wynn, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts, Limited and his wife Andrea in attendance along with Wynn President Marilyn Spiegel. The 174-seat restaurant serves dinner nightly until 10 p.m. and then an all-night late menu until 6 a.m.
“I am pleased to be part of the team at Wynn and have the opportunity to put my signature touches on Allegro,” Enzo said. “The menu is an extension of my rustic, at-home cooking style.”
Enzo brings his Italian heritage with him. He grew up in Naples, and graduated from culinary school at age 16. He credits his mother and grandmother with a lot of his family-inspired recipes.
Menu highlights include Risotta Pecatora with Shrimp, Scallops, Calamari, Mussels, Clams, the light and layered Baked Lasagna Napoletana, Meat Ragu Sauce, Meatballs, Smoked Mozzarella Cheese, Osso Buco D’Agnello and fresh mozzarella to name a few.
To make a reservation at Allegro at Wynn Las Vegas, call 702-770-3463 or visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.
Directly across the street from the Bellagio and perfect for an evening out, The Flamingo is revamping its classic reputation and upping the bar on its restaurant offerings. The newly renovated Center Cut Steakhouse, the perfect pairing for an evening show of Donny & Marie The newly updated, renovated and contemporary steak house offers and intimate setting and cozy booths with modern, contemporary decor. Hand-crafted cocktails and steaks served on platters with Himalayan rock salt make this restaurant a diamond in the Flamingo.
The menu features steakhouse favorites such as the 20-ounce rib-eye and the 24-ounce porterhouse, made with all natural premium beef sourced from Aspen Ridge Farms in Colorado. The beef is provided by cows that are born and raised solely in the United States and are 100 percent hormone and steroid-free. Wagyu beef is also available. Menu highlights include the Tomahawk 28-ounce steak with the marrow bone, 8-ounce New York strip steak, herb-and-horseradish-crusted prime rib, 12 ounces and Wagyu eye of rib-eye and the Ultimate Steakhouse Kobe Burger.
Center Cut Steakhouse houses a large bar and lounge area offering a robust selection of specialty martinis in addition to classic cocktails, mixed drinks and wines by the glass. Happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to midnight daily and includes 2-for-1 martinis and a tapas menu. Guests can indulge in a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, including the pomegranate lemon martini, a refreshing cucumber martini or the Cut Diablo cocktail, made with tequila, orange juice, mint leaf, a splash of soda and garnished with a jalapeño stuffed with orange.
Center Cut Steakhouse is open 5:30-10:30 p.m. nightly and offers Total Rewards benefits for Players Club members.
General Manager Michael Davis is proud of the reputation his restaurant is earning in the community. “We are getting repeat customers who keep coming back for the service and for the food and that tells us we are doing something right.”
Don’t miss our new favorite appetizer, the Trio Bacon Satay with Chili-peppered, blue cheese crusted and natural apple-wood smoked bacon served on a pink rock salt plank and a perfect way to start a meal!
Every meal is served with buttery, hot, homemade popovers, which are just like Yorkshire Pudding for those who are familiar with the English and Canadian Roast Beef accompaniment….yum!
Davis, considers the restaurant “a hip and trendy twist on a contemporary steakhouse.”
The sleek black-and-white dining room boasts screens showing a video montage of Las Vegas from the 1940s through today.
Owned by Caesars Entertainment, Center Cut Steakhouse opened March 13. It seats 160 people. Visit www.flamingolasvegas.com or call 1-702-784-8821 for reservations.
For a romantic night under the Eiffel Tower, wander over to Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and try to get a reservation at Gordon Ramsey Steak. We arrived just after Hell’s Kitchen Season 10 winner Christina Wilson had arrived to take on her new role as head chef and reservations were a challenge. But stop by the bar for a cocktail and immerse in the tv studio-like comfortable and contemporary atmosphere, full menu is also served at the bar.
Wilson was still training on each station in the kitchen during our trip in order to familiarize herself with her new surroundings and staff was excited to see her. The restaurant is shaped to resemble the setting of the show and reservations are required.
The contemporary steakhouse boasts a total of 274 seats including a large bar area and private dining room in addition to the main room. Guests are encouraged to relax in the spacious lounge or enjoy a cozy booth in this ultimate modern steakhouse.
This fresh new restaurant offers guests a look at the exclusive beef aging program created under the direction of Chef Ramsay and his culinary team. The menu selections range from traditional steakhouse fare with delectable cuts of beef to Ramsay’s signature fish and chips and Sheppard’s Pie.
Gordon Ramsey Steak is open daily from 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and reservations are strongly recommended.
For details, visit www.parislasvegas.com or call 1-702-946-4663.
There is no shortage of dining options in Las Vegas but pace yourself, pair your dining options with shows and entertainment and dress up for the occasion. This occasional getaway is a great way to reconnect and enjoy a perfect couples vacation.
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