BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: June 23, 2019
FOODIE TOUR OFFERS A TASTE OF LAS VEGAS
Recently had a fabulous opportunity to experience the award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours downtown excursion. When you consider the unreal number of dining establishment choices in Las Vegas nowadays on the Strip, Downtown and then all around the valley, choosing places to go can be overwhelming. These well-organized dining tours are an excellent option for checking out selected well-vetted restaurants, while meeting new folks and touring an area, like in this case Downtown.
Everyone meets at the first location where they will be introduced to the owners, managers or chefs, and will be seated together family style, which is great for meeting new people. At each location, participants are treated like a VIP as they are whisked to the best table to enjoy three or four signature dishes at each stop. For instance, some specialties included Crispy Chicken Skins, Chicken and Red Velvet Waffle Sliders, and Hearth Over Bread + Dip 4 Ways.
As you walk to each location, it’s at a moderate pace while your guide passes along interesting facts and stories. Places we visited included Caron Kitchen, Therapy, downtown cocktail room, and 7th & Carson.
Our guide was the company’s founder Donald Contursi, who after years as a server at fine dining Las Vegas establishments worked his way to management and then about four years ago took the leap and started his foodie tours, which have taken off. He’s even getting requests in other cities and puts together special tours. His advice is to take a tour the first day of your trip, which will allow you to experience different restaurants. At the end of the tour, you’re given a booklet telling about numerous recommended dining places. Some tours start at $125.
One of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours newest tours “Savory Bites & Neon Lights” is a partnership with Maverick Helicopters. Guests visit five of Las Vegas’ most exclusive restaurants before boarding a helicopter for a 12- to 15- minute bird’s-eye view of the city’s unparalleled glittery glamour in a helicopter.
‘MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER’ CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Murder is still a big draw at the D Las Vegas. It’s the dinner show “Marriage Can Be Murder,” which has been a hit in Las Vegas for 20 years. Longevity has earned this show recognition as the longest running interactive dinner show in Las Vegas and takes place in an intimate second-floor showroom seating 150 to 175 guests.
The reason the show is so successful is the husband and wife comedy team, Jayne and Eric Post, who will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this October. They created the show and have over time amassed some 80 different scripts, which allows them to change music and their killers every three months and promote special themed scripts for holidays.
The Posts have their distinct characters down to a tee and can adlib and play off audience members, which is what makes the show so much fun and keeps everyone guessing who dun it. Jayne plays ditzy blonde hostess D.D., while Eric is the over-eager, short-short wearing Lt. Post.
The dinner, which is integral to the show, starts with the Pre-Killing Course, moves to The Main Corpse, um….Course, with three options Dead Meat, Fowl Play and Hasta La Pasta, and is topped off with Death By Sugar. This is one show you need to attend early at 6 p.m. or you may miss out on clues and shenanigans as actors are planted among unsuspecting guests. Ultimately the experience is slapstick comedy and fun for one and all.
Performances are at 6:30 p.m. nightly. All-inclusive tickets are: General $66.99; VIP $83.99; and R.I.P. $102.99.
EINSTEIN BROS.® BAGELS OPENS FIRST LOCATION ON THE STRIP
A new Einstein Bros.® Bagels restaurant operated by Las Vegas-based Feel Good Brands opened this week inside the Excalibur’s Castle Walk Food Court featuring fresh-made bagels, sandwiches, premium coffee and espresso drinks, double-whipped shmears, plus sweets and snacks.
To celebrate the opening at Excalibur an exclusive limited-edition bagel sandwich – the All Knighter is being offered at that location through July 31. The high rollin’ creation features a fresh-baked toasted Hash Brown Bagel with a drizzle of jalapeno-garlic aioli, two layers of Boar’s Head Brand® American cheese, cage free eggs and thick cut bacon.
The Strip location also offers Einstein Bros.® Bagels catering. The casual eatery is open daily 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
SHOWGIRL BOOTCAMP EXPERIENCE IS A NEW ATTRACTION
The showgirl, an almost extinct creature in Las Vegas, continues to embrace a mystique and allure of what was an embodiment of the glamour days of Las Vegas. Before the last two shows “The Folies” at the Tropicana and “Jubilee!” at Bally’s closed, they had backstage tours because they knew visitors loved to see the costumes, stage sets, and the environment which held the showgirl in high esteem.
The fascination still exists and two Las Vegas showbiz veterans Stacy Law-Blind and Mistinguett who’ve been in town since 1979 and 1982 have joined forces to create the “Showgirl Bootcamp” experience at the at Saxe Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. During the two-hour workshop women or men learn to apply stage makeup with the big eyelashes and walk and pose for photos wearing a tall showgirl feathered headdress weighing about 10 pounds.
Each session starts in The Lounge with a champagne toast before heading for makeup stations. After the transformation, the walk is taught on the stage. Participants go home with a t-shirt and pictures. Cost is $130 and special introductory prices may apply.
‘CELESTIA’ IS NEW SHOW IN TENT AT THE STRAT
‘Celestia’ is a new family-friendly circus-style athletic production with amazingly talented performers and original music taking place inside a 30,000-square-foot tent in the parking lot at The STRAT. This show has a lot to offer at a reasonable price with tickets starting at $29 if they can keep the inside of the tent cool during the summer.
The very visual show brings together a multicultural troupe of two dozen talented performers whose exploits range from high-flying to contortion and balancing to thrill-seeking tricks. Some of the artists are recognizable. Sergey and Sasha, the hand and head balancing father-daughter duo, were seen on Seasons 10 and 13 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” (AGT). The Sandou Trio Russian Bar appeared on Seasons 3 and 11 of AGT and were also featured in the hit film, “The Greatest Showman.” The show’s theme is an out-of-this world journey.
“Celestia” is performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and at 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
MOTHERSHIP COFFEE ROASTERS WILL OPEN AT FERGUSONS DOWNTOWN
Local coffee shop, Mothership Coffee Roasters, will open in Downtown Las Vegas in time for Life Is Beautiful at Fergusons Downtown, which through the revitalization of the historic Fergusons Motel is a new community neighborhood. Jen Taler is the co-founder and creative strategist of Fergusons Downtown and believes this coffee venue will be a perfect fit.
Mothership owner Juanny Romero is designing the new 1,300-square-foot café inspired by the idea of being transported away from the outside world. The coffee shop expected to seat 35 will take advantage of its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the surrounding greenery of Fergusons Downtown’s courtyard. Mothership will be a place for coffee and pastries, happy hour, and a comfy spot to co-work. A Picnic Basket with a choice of pastries, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, coffee and frosé will be available as well as a selection of aromatic-forward frosé and beer slushy options. Hours when it opens will start at 7 a.m. daily.
LOCALE IS NEW LOCAL ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Locale is a new Italian kitchen from Executive Chef Nicole Brisson and restaurateur Andy Hooper, located in Mountain’s Edge at 7995 Blue Diamond Rd. #106 and open for dinner daily 4:30–10 p.m. The goal is to offer an elevated casual dining setting and departure from the Strip’s more costly dining prices. Starters range from $6–$20 and entrees $14–$36.
Another mission is celebrating ingredients produced by local farms such as Herbs by Diane and Prime Color Growers and select items straight from Italy. All the dishes complement the extensive wine list and signature cocktails created by mixologist Erin Hall.
The intimate 75-seat setting features a modern interior atmosphere with industrial lighting, a decorative mirrored wall, eye-catching copper accents sprinkled throughout the establishment and framing the open kitchen, and large slate-colored barn doors separating the patio from the main dining room.
DEL FRISCO’S UNVEILS NEW HAPPY HOUR MENU
Ultra-premium Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is introducing a happy hour menu served in the chic bar and lounge area Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with limited seating available.
Del Frisco’s Mai Tai is $15.50 and can be paired with the new elevated comfort food items: Dry-Aged Burger; Corn Dog Battered Lobster Tails; Alaskan King Crab Cocktail; Salmon Crudo; Portabella Blue Crab Stack; Citrus Spring Scallops; and Sweet Potato Truffle Fries.
FIREWORKS AT THE M RESORT
Along with the 25th annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, and the party at night at the Plaza with fireworks at 9 p.m., which were mentioned in last week’s column, the M Resort will also have a festive firework display choreographed to music in honor of Independence Day Thursday, July 4 at 9 p.m. Guests can view the fireworks from the M Pool deck.
The resort’s Studio B Buffet will feature a special Fourth of July holiday menu. Cost is $24.99 for adults and $17.99 for children ages 3-8.
WET’N’WILD CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND
Wet’n’Wild will hold its third annual Red, White and Wild Celebration, July 4-6, with fireworks, a free concert by up-and-coming country star Drew Baldridge, dancing, foam parties, attractions and more.
On Thursday, July 4, the park will open at 10:30 a.m. and hold a fireworks display lighting up the night sky at 8:30 p.m.
The summer festivities will continue Friday, July 5 with the park’s “dive-in movies” series, screening “Captain America: The First Avenger” at the Red Rock Bay wave pool beginning at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, July 6 at 1 p.m., there will be a family foam party. At 2 p.m., young, local DJs will play today’s top hits at the Red Rock Bay wave pool. At 6 p.m. at the Red Rock Bay wave pool stage, Drew Baldridge will perform courtesy of 95.5 The Bull. The concert is free with park admission. Prior to the concert at 5 p.m., Baldridge will host a meet-and-greet for fans. The evening will conclude with a screening of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” as the dive-in movie.
DINING SPECIALS AROUND HOLIDAYS
Beer Park at Paris will host a rooftop celebration featuring two-themed Fourth of July cocktails all day on Thursday, July 4. The Freedom Bowl is a sharable 50-ounce fishbowl with two Bomb Pop popsicles and festive star straws, priced at $45; and the Peach Sparkler for $13.
Cabo Wabo Cantina will celebrate National Piña Colada Day on Wednesday, July 10 by offering Piña Colada Pancakes for $13.95 from Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12 during breakfast hours 8 to 11 a.m.
PT’s Entertainment Group, with 65 taverns throughout the Las Vegas Valley and Nevada, will serve a sizzling special with fresh French fries for $1 at all locations in celebration of National French Fry Day on Saturday, July 13.
Sammy Hagar’s Strip-side Cabo Wabo Cantina, located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, is reintroducing the Shark Tank cocktail to the menu in honor of Shark Week from Sunday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 4. Served in a shareable 50-ounce souvenir glass, the $48 shark-themed drink has candy gummy sharks and a cherry bomb, which can be taken directly from a figurine shark’s open jaw.
ENTERTAINMENT CLIPS
Multi-platinum American rock band, Sugar Ray will take over the 1st Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience on Saturday, June 29 at 9:15 p.m. as part of the free Downtown Rocks concert series.
The next Conversations with Norm at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. The quarterly interview presentation is hosted by former Review Journal columnist Norm Clarke and will feature three Las Vegas celebrity chefs: Julian Serrano (Picasso and Lago at Bellagio, and Tapas at Aria); Rick Moonen (RM seafood at Mandalay Bay); and Gustav Mauler (Spiedini at JW Marriott). Tickets are $25.
Comedian Pablo Francisco will headline the South Point Showroom Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29 with his repertoire of impressions, accurate sound effects and high energy. Francisco has traveled around the world and is known for his Comedy Central specials “Ouch!” and “They Put It Out There.” Tickets start at $20.
“It Takes Two: A Tribute To Rod Stewart and Tina Turner” will create a nostalgic experience at the South Point Showroom Friday-Sunday, July 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. with a show mirroring the legendary performers. Tickets start at $20.
“Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” at Bally’s in the Window’s Showroom will offer complimentary VIP upgrades to guests wearing France’s national colors red, white and blue in honor of Bastille Day on Sunday, July 14. The show’s star magician Mortimer is from France. Performances are at 6 p.m. Friday through Wednesday, with tickets starting at $49 for general admission and $69 for VIP.
The sexy adult revue “Fantasy” at the Luxor is offering Nevada locals with an ID two-for-one tickets through Saturday, Aug. 31.
ABOUT TOWN ITEMS
The United States Bowling Congress has returned to the South Point Bowling Plaza with the 2019 USBC Open Championships. The event, which is the world’s largest amateur bowling event, is hosting more than 10,000 teams competing in team, doubles and singles events is taking place now through Monday, July 8. Registration for the event is available at the USBC website Bowl.com.
The Ms./Mrs. and Teen Eco International competition with interviews, eco national costumes and evening gowns will be held Friday-Saturday, June 28-29 at the South Point Showroom. Tickets start at $35.
The Miss Earth USA and Mrs./Ms. Earth pageants will also take place Saturday-Monday, June 29-July 1 in the South Point Showroom with tickets starting at $35 and $25 respectively. The competitions are dedicated to finding a voice for environmental responsibility.
