BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Oct. 10, 2021
SUSHISAMBA BRINGS ITS ICONIC TREE BAR TO LAS VEGAS
Following more than a decade of success in Las Vegas, internationally acclaimed restaurant SUSHISAMBA is again reinventing the guest experience with the opening of the stunning new 1,500-square-foot Tree Bar & Lounge at Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian.
Known for its blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine, as well as a passion for music, art and design, the new bar presents a host of inviting dining and drinking experiences. Guests are immersed from the moment they enter the space, with the striking illuminated tree canopy and a theater-style 125-foot curved bar.
The design was created to blend in seamlessly with SUSHISAMBA Las Vegas’ strong, structural features, dramatic swirling ribbons and graffiti art. Tree Bar’s wooden shell exterior opens to reveal an ancient banyan tree with an orange leaf canopy illuminated by an array of lights.
Under the direction of Corporate Chef John Umand Executive Chef Joel Versola, SUSHISAMBA’s menus showcase an inventive culmination of three cuisines. In addition to the extensive sake and Japanese whisky lists SUSHISAMBA is known for, the high-octane Tree Bar is debuting with an expansive list of new cocktails.
SUSHISAMBA Tree Bar is open daily; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
A DREAM MAY COME TRUE
After overcoming obstacles due to proximately to McCarran International Airport, the Clark County Commission voted in favor of approving plans for Dream Las Vegas, a 20-story hotel-casino to be built on the south end of Strip by the Harley-Davison motorcycle dealership and new Pinball Hall of Fame. It will be across the street from Mandalay Bay and Bail Hai Golf Club and near the photo op Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
The proposed 450-room boutique resort set to open in2023 will feature a glass and metal façade with spacious double-height terraces, oversized windows, and an interesting aerodynamic character. Plans include seven dining and nightlife venues including one on the roof, pool deck and lounge, three restaurants, two additional bar and lounge concepts on the casino floor, a street level grab-and-go café, 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, full-service spa and fitness center, and on-site parking.
VIA FOCACCIA SANDWICH SHOP OPENS AT ELLIS ISLAND
Via Focaccia, a new Artisan sandwich shop at Ellis Island, will open Wednesday, Oct. 20 offering modern, fast-casual fare on the casino floor. All sandwiches will be served on fresh focaccia made daily at Ellis Island. Hours of operation will be daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with breakfast served 9–11 a.m.
The menu focuses on fresh, Italian ingredients and traditional preparations. Many of the dishes are inspired by Sicilian Chef Ismaele Romano’s meals with his family in Italy as a young boy. Chef Romano was this year’s World Sandwich Champion of the 2021 International Pizza Expo. He was previously with Good Pie in the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District, Contento Pizzeria at Jerry’s Nugget, and Eataly at Park MGM.
In addition to the Chef Ismaele’s creations, Ellis Island has partnered with Carl’s Donuts for unique flavors – with some Italian flare. Donut flavors will include Tiramisu, Lemon Curd, Nutella and seasonal flavors, all of which will be available in addition to savory pastries and treats.
THE NEON MUSEUM ACQUIRES FAMED PLANET HOLLYWOOD SIGN
The giant Planet Hollywood Restaurant sign that originally rotated upon a column pedestal in front of the Caesars Palace Forum Shops and Colosseum was recently donated to The Neon Museum. It is currently being assessed for conservation and display plans.
The sign, which was originally installed in 1994, is comprised of components made from a wide variety of materials including neon, incandescent lightbulbs, metal, and fiberglass. The sign’s core metal structure weighs 12,000 pounds, and the fiberglass globe is approximately 25 feet in diameter. To be moved to the museum, the globe was meticulously dissected into four pieces, each weighing 1,300 pounds. Due to the pieces’ size, they were delivered by High Impact Signs in oversized trucks during low traffic overnight hours as the trucks required multiple travel lanes.
Planet Hollywood Restaurant opened within the Caesars Forum Shops in 1994 just three years after the original restaurant opened in New York. This restaurant chain became well known for its movie and television memorabilia. The grand opening of the Las Vegas venue had many celebrities in attendance, including owners Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Las Vegas restaurant was the 14th to debut and now seven remain open. In 2007, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino opened its doors about a mile south of the restaurant.
HUMAN NATURE CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS WITH SHOWS AT SOUTH POINT
The immensely popular vocal group from Australia, Human Nature, will return to Las Vegas with their classic holiday “Christmas, Motown More” show. They will headline three performances Dec. 17–19. Tickets are $40 for their 7:30 p.m. shows.
For their return to Las Vegas and everywhere outside Australia there is a change. Human Nature is now a three-piece harmony group, consisting of brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney and Toby Allen. The group’s original fourth member, Phil Burton has decided to permanently return to his homeland Down Under and will perform with the group whenever they are back there. During the break from Las Vegas, the pop stars have been performing in their home country, Australia, until lock downs put those sold out shows on hold.
ICE RINK WILL RETURN TO THE COSMOPOLITAN FOR A TENTH SEASON
There will be skating again for the tenth consecutive winter season at the outdoor Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan from Tuesday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. The Boulevard Pool will again transform into an enchanting holiday wonderland showcasing a 4,200-square-foot rooftop skating rink made of real ice, seasonal light bites and cocktails, a holiday village with firepits for s’mores making, a new-to-debut dining area called The Chalet featuring cozy seating areas for reserve and a large, communal fire pit. Classic holiday movies will be screened Monday and Tuesday evenings on the resort’s 65-foot marquee from Nov. 22–Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.
All day skating access will be $30 and $20 Monday–Thursday for Nevada residents, military and first responders. Skate aid seals and reindeers will be available for $15 an hour. Admission to the winter wonderland atmosphere surrounding The Ice Rink will be complimentary. Advanced ticket purchases and reservations are encouraged, and you can reserve a private fire pit. Details and information are online at the resort’s website.
Hours will vary opening in the afternoon and running to 11 p.m. There will be snow showers on specified evenings from 7–11 p.m.
CARLOS SANTANA EXTENDS HOUSE OF BLUES RESIDENCY INTO 2022
Carlos Santana’s residency “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live: Presented by SiriusXM” at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay will continue into 2022. These shows will mark a decade for Santana gracing the intimate House of Blues stage. His added 2022 dates are Jan. 26, 28–30; Feb. 2, 4–6; and May 18, 20–22, 25, 27–29. All shows begin at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $99.50.
Carlos Santana has been cited by Rolling Stone as No.15 on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time;” and has joined the Rolling Stones as one of only two bands to have an album reach the Top 10 in every decade since the 1960s. Santana plans to release a much-anticipated upcoming full-length album entitled “Blessings and Miracles” later this year.
VIRGIN HOTELS DEBUTS WEEKLY OPEN MIC NIGHT
On Oct. 6, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas launched a weekly open mic night, hosted by local musician and personality, Shawn Eiferman, inside The Shag Room. Open mic night will continue weekly on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Local musicians and vocalists ready to take center stage will have the chance to perform live. Contestants will be judged by Eiferman, and the audience reception will also play a factor in the judging process. Music fans are encouraged to attend.
Musicians and vocalists should arrive at The Shag Room and advise Eiferman of their interest to participate. All participants will be entered into a nightly drawing to win a one-night stay at the resort. Quarterly, grand prize winners will be drawn to receive a paid performance at The Shag Room and a two-night stay at Virgin Hotels. Participants must be 21+ to perform.
RAO’S AT CAESARS PALACE IS CLOSING
After 15 years at Caesars Palace, Rao’s, the legendary Italian restaurant will close there on Sunday, Nov. 28.
It was the second outlet for the Italian restaurant with East Harlem roots. When it opened in New York there were only four tables and six booths in a space decorated in Christmas lights year-round and Frank Sinatra and Frankie Valli photos on the wall. It was one of the toughest tables to nab, especially after “The New York Times” gave it three stars in 1977.
In Las Vegas, the restaurant keeps the same decor, only far more space than the 40 seats in Harlem, as well as a bocci ball court next to the Garden of the Gods pool complex. Rao’s is known for its meatballs made with ground veal, pork, and beef and Sunday gravy. The restaurant’s future in Las Vegas hasn’t been decided. For now, Rao’s remains open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
GILBERTO SANTA ROSA CAMÍNALO TOURSET TO VISIT VIRGIN HOTELS
Gilberto Santa Rosa, also known as “The Gentleman of Salsa,” will bring his Camínalo Tour to The Theater at Virgin Hotels on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $75.
This Puerto Rican “salsa crooner” is returning to concert halls backed by more than a dozen of the most talented musicians on the Island to sing and enchant his loyal followers. “Que alguien me diga,” “Perdoname,” “Conteo Regresivo,” and countless songs are part of his more than 40-year musical history.
VINTAGE MARKET DAYS® RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN®
Vintage Market Days®, an upscale, vintage-inspired, open-air market featuring up cycled antiques, vintage finds, unique clothing, food trucks, handmade treasures, home décor and more, will return to The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin with its autumn-inspired event “Vintage Soul” taking place Oct. 22–24.
The Market is a three-day event held two times a year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cost is $5 to $15. Admission for children under 12 is free. Cash and credit card are accepted at the gate. Once purchased, tickets are good for re-entry into the event all weekend.
TIVOLI VILLAGE IS HOLDING HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS
Tivoli Village has a roster of Halloween season events and promotions.
The Museum of Monsters is running Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 31. This is an Instagrammable attraction featuring dozens of expertly designed full-size horror characters and monsters from the silver screen in the heart of Tivoli Village. Selfie stations are available featuring spooky vampires, zombies, aliens, giant insects and more. Hours are Monday–Friday 6–11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Cost is $20, which includes admission and a goodie bag.
The Undead Maze and Haunted House runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays all month. The kid-friendly maze is open noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. A more mature haunted house runs from 7 p.m. to midnight on regular weekends and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Halloween. Tickets can be purchased on site, and they are $5 for the kid-friendly maze and $20 for the haunted house.
The Twisted Pumpkin Pop-Up Bar runs through Tuesday, Nov. 2. The 90-minute timed entry slots are available from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays as well as 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission to the bar is $5, a single ticket including admission for one plus a 90-minute pumpkin painting activity is $15 and group packages and VIP seating are also available. Guests are invited to enjoy food and drink specials as well as Halloween-themed activities such as pumpkin painting at Twisted Pumpkin, Tivoli Village’s newest seasonal pop-up bar featuring Calavera Cantina. Children are also invited to enjoy the Halloween festivities before 8 p.m. when the venue transforms to an adult-only bar.
LOVE HALLOWEEN LAS VEGAS STYLE
For Halloween enthusiasts and couples wanting to creep into love, The Little Vegas Chapel located within downtown Las Vegas’ Neon Gateway is offering a Zombie Elvis officiant and holiday themed spooky wedding ceremony Monday, Oct. 25 through Monday, Nov. 1. The chapel lobby will be decked out in Halloween décor.
The Halloween package offers a Zombie Elvis officiant, dead flower bouquet and boutonniere, black veil, a special photo opportunity with a skeleton driver in the chapel’s pink Cadillacs and more. Las Vegas headliner and Elvis impressionist, Steve Connolly “Spirit of the King,” will be officiating these special weddings. With more than 10,000 performances spanning three decades, Connolly is a much sought-after Elvis artist.
PANCHO’S DEBUTS ‘EYE OF NEWT’ HALLOWEEN-THEMED COCKTAIL
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin is welcoming Halloween with a spirited new cocktail, Eye of Newt, available through October. The holiday-inspired cocktail is made with reposado tequila, Aperol, freshly squeezed orange and lime juices, topped with sparkling soda. Served in a poco grande glass rimmed with Halloween sprinkles and garnished with a decorative eyeball, the Eye of Newt, priced at $10.25.
PUERTO RICAN SINGER JAY WHEELER VISITS THE CHELSEA
Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Jay Wheeler will headline The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan on Friday, Nov. 26 as a stop on their “La Voz Favorita” tour. Tickets go on sale this week and start at $29.75.
Originally hailing from Puerto Rico, José Ángel López Martínez, famously known as Jay Wheeler, developed a love for music at a young age. Through his romantic style and melodious voice, Wheeler hit the ground running achieving one million views with hit cover song, “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber. Two years later, Wheeler signed with Dynamic Records and released his first hit single and music video “Por tu Culpa.” His debut album “Platónico” features the popular single “La Curiosidad” earning him a spot on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Since then, he has gone on to release an acoustic version of his first album titled “Platonicos” featuring several artists like Dalex, Brytiago, Feid and more.
MYSTIC MONA HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL NIGHT OF THE WITCHES BENEFIT
HELP of Southern Nevada is celebrating Halloween for a cause with Mystic Mona’s fifth annual Night of the Witches event from 6–8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27 on the patio of Grape Street Café in Downtown Summerlin.
Guests are encouraged to wear their best witch or warlock attire to the spooky event. Admission is $35, which includes one Witches Brew sangria with souvenir cup, costume contest entry, a raffle ticket and Happy Hour food pricing. First 100 witches and warlocks to arrive will be gifted an exclusive Halloween gift bag. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.
FOLKS HAVE BEEN HITTING JACKPOTS
Las Vegas local Danilo, who recently moved from Hawaii, visited Boyd Gaming’s California Hotel and Casino this month and hit a jackpot of nearly $110,000 on IGT’s Red, White & Blue slot game.
The big win follows another large jackpot on an IGT slot game at a Boyd Gaming property in Downtown Las Vegas last month. The lucky player, who was visiting the Fremont to celebrate her wedding anniversary, scored a progressive jackpot of $382,310 on a Wheel of Fortune® Triple Red Hot 7’s slot machine.
Las Vegas local, Shasma, was lucky at Arizona Charlie’s on Decatur winning $67,374 on Charlie’s Double Progressive during the 7 p.m. session on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
