BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: March 6, 2022
BOBBY’S BURGERS BY BOBBY FLAY OPENED AT PARIS
Celebrated Chef Bobby Flay has expanded his fast-casual brand, Bobby’s Burgers, with his third Las Vegas location now open at Paris. Drawn from Flay’s love of bold flavors and top-quality ingredients, this quick-service establishment brings a twist to traditional burgers, fries and spoon bending milkshakes.
Folks looking for traditional burgers with unique flavors can indulge in the Crunchburger, topped with cheese and crispy potato chips; the Bobby Blue + Bacon Burger, topped with blue cheese sauce and bacon; or the Nacho Burger drizzled in hot queso and pickled jalapeños. Other options include Bobby’s Veggie Burger with barbecue mushrooms, chickpeas, quinoa, lettuce and tomato, or the Fried Chicken Sandwich. There’s also a selection of refreshments including domestic ice-cold beers.
Bobby’s Burgers new location at Paris is across from Le Journal and near the soon-to-open Nobu Paris and The Bedford by Martha Stewart. Daily hours of operation are Friday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m. to midnight.
RESORTS WORLD - ZOUK GROUP ADD FOUR NEW CULINARY CONCEPTS
Famous Foods Street Eats at Resorts World continues to diversify its list of food and beverage offerings with the debut of four new concepts. Added to the lineup at the 24,000-square-foot Asian hawker-inspired venue are Fuhu Cha Chaan Teng, which translates to “tea restaurant” in English; Famous Pho serving three traditional variations of pho; Burger Barn; and Harajuku Ramen.
Famous Foods is an accumulation of global food stalls, paying homage to the lively scene and culture savored at Asia’s most popular Hawker centers for close to a century. Within Famous Foods, guests can “Hawker hop” between the different stalls, getting a taste from both Eastern and Western specialties. The interactive food destination now has 17 food stalls, one speakeasy and a center bar, with dishes curated by top chefs and restaurateurs from around the world. Famous Foods is the only destination in the country with the most Michelin Plate and Bib Gourmand recognized concepts under one roof.
CIRCA - FIRST VEGAS RESORT TO LAUNCH UTILITY NFT ART COLLECTION
Las Vegas’ first adults-only casino Circa located downtown will launch a utility NFT art collection of the famous kicking cowgirl neon sign, Vegas Vickie painted by prolific artist Jason “Borbay” Borbet. Circa will be the first Las Vegas casino to debut an NFT to the blockchain with an NFT collection. The details surrounding the NFT tiers, real-life utility functions and mint date will be announced in the coming weeks.
The NFT will pay homage to Vegas Vickie, a 20-foot blonde cowgirl neon sign who made her mark on Fremont Street in 1980, while perched upon Bob Stupak’s Glitter Gulch Casino. Originally designed by Charles F. “Chuck” Barnard, the sign was acquired by Circa’s CEO Derek Stevens in 2016. She was then refurbished by Las Vegas-based sign company YESCO and now lives as a signature art piece in Circa’s lobby.
To kick off the project, Borbay created a painting of Vegas Vickie which will serve as the foundation for the NFT. The neon portrait – which was live painted at Circa throughout the month of February – now lives in the property’s rooftop lounge, Legacy Club and is placed next to a QR code that leads to the NFT landing page with additional details.
Stevens has been passionate about supporting the cryptocurrency community from the beginning. His properties were the first casinos in Vegas to begin accepting Bitcoin eight years ago, and when Borbay approached him regarding the Vegas Vickie NFT, there was no hesitation about creating the very special collection.
MARLON WAYANS RETURNS TO M RESORT
Comedian Marlon Wayans will make his return to Las Vegas to perform at M Resort inside the Pavilion on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
The youngest of the Wayans brothers, he continues to make his mark in entertainment as an actor, producer, comedian, writer, and film director. His films have grossed more than $736 million in domestic box office and $1 billion in global box office. As a standup comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. Wayans first hit a career milestone with his highly anticipated standup comedy special “Woke-ish,” which premiered on Netflix in February 2018. Wayans has recently debuted a new comedy special for HBO Max, “Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is,” filmed outdoors in Miami earlier this year, discussing his family and sex life.
Wayans starred with his brother Shawn Wayans on The WB’s “The Wayans Bros.,” which was the highest-rated comedy on the network and continues to air in syndication. He also starred alongside Shawn and Regina Hall in Dimension Films’ horror comedy spoof films “Scary Movie” and “Scary Movie 2,” directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.
COMEDIAN FELIPE ESPARZA RETURNS TO TREASURE ISLAND
Comedian and actor Felipe Esparza will perform live in the Treasure Island Theatre on Friday, March 18 at 10 p.m. Tickets start at $39.95.
A product of the streets of East L.A., Esparza is best known for his raw, real-life comedy. Starting out by opening for fellow comedians Gabriel Iglesias and Paul Rodriguez, Esparza got his big break after winning “Last Comic Standing” in 2010.
In 2017, Felipe and his wife self-financed and produced his second one‐hour stand‐up special, entitled “Translate This,” which they licensed to HBO. His most recent stand-up special was released September 2020 on Netflix as a dual release of two separate specials – a performance in English “Bad Decisions” and a performance in Spanish “Malas Decisiones.”
In addition to his live stand‐up touring, Felipe hosts a popular weekly podcast on the All-Things Comedy Network called “What’s Up Fool?” which focuses on interesting stories with celebrities and everyday people.
FERGUSONS DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCES ‘DON’T TELL COMEDY’ RESIDENCY
Fergusons Downtown has hosted “Don’t Tell Comedy” pop-ups throughout the past three years and now the far East Fremont community hotspot has inaugurated along-term residency of the comedy experience. “Don’t Tell Comedy” will take the stage in The Yard at Fergusons once a month starting Thursday, March 10 at 8 p.m.
Bringing live comedy experiences to more than 35 cities across the nation, “Don’t Tell Comedy” showcases the best of the next generation of stand-up comedians through pop-up shows in unique locations. And while typically the lack of details is often part of the charm with some shows providing only the date, time and city until just hours before the show, the Fergusons Downtown residency will still offer the element of surprise and mystery through the lineup – not knowing who is performing until they are live on stage in front of the audience. Tickets can be purchased on the “don’t tell comedy” website. The next date will be April 14.
For those looking for a full dinner and show experience, Vegas Test Kitchen and Peyote will provide reservations for pre-show dining, as well as bites to-go to enjoy in The Yard.
HOUSTON HOLOGRAM SHOW AT HARRAH’S MARKED 100TH SHOW
“An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert” at Harrah’s marked its 100th performance. The boundary-breaking hologram spectacle, featuring Whitney Houston’s impeccable voice complete with a live four-piece band and dancers performing to her iconic songs, celebrated with a group photo on stage. Tickets start at $49.
The show takes guests on a musical journey through the legendary superstar’s
storied career with state-of-the-art, proprietary holographic technology in partnership with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. Whitney’s brother, Gary Houston, will be making a special appearance during Easter weekend shows. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 6 p.m. inside the Harrah’s Showroom and at 8 p.m. on select performance days.
‘ILUMINATE’ AT THE STRAT CELEBRATES 100TH PERFORMANCE
“iLumnate,” named “Best New Act in America” by “America’s Got Talent,” was launched in 2021. The show features the country’s top dancers outfitted in custom LED light suits paired with energetic music to create a multi-sensory live show for all ages and just hit a milestone with its 100th show at The STRAT.
Founded by dancer and software engineer Miral Kotb, “iLuminate” boasts customized LED light suits with wireless lighting programs that create extraordinary lighting effects moving along with each choreographed dance moves. The original blend of dance and technology previously landed iLuminate in a finalist spot on “America’s Got Talent.”The cast has also been seen alongside artists including The Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, and Christina Aguilera on programs such as “The American Music Awards,”“MTV’s Video Music Awards,” and “BET Awards.”
“iLuminate” performs a flexible schedule featuring 8 p.m. evening show times, as well as 2 p.m. matinees. Tickets start at $49.
CLARK COUNTY CLERK ISSUED 5-MILLIONTH MARRIAGE LICENSE
Las Vegas, The Wedding Capital of the World™, recently issued its 5-millionth marriage license since Clark County was founded in 1909. The license was issued to Mayra Ramirez, 40, and Luis Pantoja, 39, out of Patterson, Calif. To commemorate the historic milestone, Clark County Clerk Lynn Marie Goya, along with the wedding and hospitality industry, launched a year of celebration dubbed Five Million Love Stories to honor all the couples making up part of the Las Vegas Legacy.
For being the 5-millionth couple, Ramirez and Pantoja received a host of gifts from throughout Clark County to commemorate the special occasion, including a Key to the Las Vegas Strip and a proclamation in their name. They also received a return trip to Las Vegas to come back and join in the Five Million Love Stories Celebration: World’s Largest Vow Renewallater this summer.
Clark County is kicking off a series of yearlong special events spearheaded by the Office of the County Clerk and in conjunction with the Las Vegas wedding industry, resorts, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the five municipalities within Clark County and Harry Reid International Airport in celebration of this epic milestone, and all the couples making up Las Vegas’s Five Million Love Stories, which helped to make Las Vegas the Wedding Capital of the World.
The first to launch is a photo sweepstakes put on by the LVCVA for couples that are part of the city’s Five Million Love Stories to share their story. If you got married in Las Vegas, your story is part of that incredible history. Couples are encouraged to upload a picture and share their love story at www.visitlasvegas.com/five-million-love-stories/ or share through Instagram by posting their Las Vegas wedding photo along with their love story and include #5MLoveSweeps to enter. Profiles must be public to participate. One lucky couple each month will win a second honeymoon and vow renewal in Vegas.
SHAREDOWNTOWN IS BUILDING SECOND APARTMENT COMMUNITY
This week, shareDOWNTOWN commemorated the construction of its second residential apartment community with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman tossing one of her mayoral poker chips into the apartment building’s concrete foundation.
The first shareDOWNTOWN opened in the Las Vegas Arts District in 2020, and it was fully leased within its first six months. The second building at 231 N. 11th Street expands the popular apartment lifestyle brand to the Fremont East area of downtown. Like the Arts District building, shareDOWNTOWN Fremont East will offer a premium apartment experience but on four stories, one story higher than the first building.
With 84 one-bedroom units on four floors, the new complex will also offer ground-floor retail space, parking for residents, and amenities such as a fitness center, open-air courtyard, business center, viewing deck and community kitchen/entertaining area. Every open-concept apartment unit features modern design elements, including European cabinetry, wood plank-style flooring, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and a smart all-in-one washer/dryer.
In support of the growing public art collection found throughout downtown Las Vegas, the exterior of shareDOWNTOWN Fremont East will feature one-of-a-kind murals from Las Vegas artist SNIPT, who also designed the murals for the first structure.
UNCOMMONS REVEALS MERCADITO WILL BE NEW AREA BODEGA
UnCommons, a $400 million, 40-acre mixed-use community under construction in southwest Las Vegas, has announced Mercadito as its newest tenant. A bodega serving a range of authentic Cuban sandwiches, coffee and grocery essentials, Mercadito will join the development when it opens this summer.
The 1,000-square-foot market will serve as a gathering place for the community, offering everything from the day’s newspapers and magazines to groceries. The bodega will serve Cuban staples such as cold and hot-pressed sandwiches, empanadas and pastries crafted by Chef Dennis Martinez Miranda, a Las Vegas resident who was born and raised in Cuba.
Mercadito will join UnCommons’ thoughtful lineup of food and beverage options including Las Vegas’ first neighborhood food hall, Teaspoon, Urth Caffé and MINA Group’s first off-Strip, fast-casual restaurant, plus many more to be announced soon.
ÉLIA BEACH CLUB OPENS SEASON WITH RESIDENT ARTISTS
Élia Beach Club at Virgin Hotels, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, will open Friday, March 18. The first artists will be led by rapper Snoop Dogg with the 2022 lineup ranging from hip-hop to EDM and beyond. Fresh off his recent Super Bowl showstopping halftime performance, recent purchase of Death Row Records and the release of his latest album, “BODR,” his inaugural Élia Beach Club performance will be on Saturday, April 2.
Élia Beach Club’s genre-bending resident artist lineup will include Elderbrook, Jauz, Lane 8, Malaa, Sickick, Tchami and TroyBoi throughout the season. Additional artist and date announcements will be made soon, including the grand opening weekend, March 25–27.Élia Beach Club will be open Fridays–Sundays starting at 11 a.m.
LAS VEGAS INSTITUTION, PIERO’S CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Piero’s Italian Cuisine, a fine dining restaurant, will toast its 40th anniversary and longstanding history with a specialty prix fixe menu for Las Vegas residents, available exclusively Tuesday, March 15 through Tuesday, March 22.
Piero’s will offer a prix fixe dinner for Las Vegas locals during its anniversary week, priced at $90 per guest. The four-course meal will commence with an appetizer, soup or salad, a choice between seven main dishes, and dessert.
Founded by Freddie Glusman and now run by his son, Evan Glusman, Piero’s has remained a dining institution where celebrities and public figures like The Rat Pack and Jerry Tarkanian gather. It is located directly east of the Strip and across from the Convention Center. The 18,000-square-foot restaurant is Las Vegas’ longest running, family-owned Italian restaurant.
RESORTS WORLD HOLDS DEBUT SPORTING EVENT
Former junior lightweight world champion Miguel “El Alacrán” Berchelt, the fighting pride of Cancun, Mexico, has his sights squarely on the lightweight division’s top names. He will battle Namibian contender Jeremiah Nakathila in the 10-round main event Saturday, March 26 at the Resorts World Events Center located at Resorts World.
In the 10-round co-feature, top featherweight contenders Jose Enrique “El Ejecutor” Vivas and Enrique “El Gemelo” Baez will meet in a guaranteed all-action clash with potential world title implications. Berchelt-Nakathila and Vivas-Baez will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST. Promoted by Top Rank, tickets start at $25.
Berchelt-Nakathila marks the debut sporting event at Resorts World, which opened June 2021 as the first integrated resort to be built on the Strip in over a decade.
FERRARO’S MARCH WINE TASTING FEATURES DARK STAR IMPORTS
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar will hold its next Taste & Learn on Saturday, March 19 at 5 p.m. Taste & Learn is Ferraro’s monthly wine-tasting event illuminating wine education along with a menu of expertly prepared, authentic Italian small plates. Tickets for the all-inclusive experience are $90, call 702-364-5300.
The March event will spotlight Italian wines from Dark Star Imports starting with Zýmē From Black To White, a stunningly rich and complex white blend made from indigenous grape varieties from Veneto, Italy. Next is Podere Le Ripi Rosso di Montalcino, a bold, deep ruby red wine made from Tuscany’s famous Sangiovese grapes. Valori Sant’Angelo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo–a red, bold and structured wine–and Podere Le Ripi Brunello di Montalcino–another full-bodied red–round out the evening’s selections.
