Vegas update: New restaurants, shows, hotels and more

By E.C. Gladstone

It’s amazing, but it’s true: while so many parts of the U.S. are experiencing economic challenges — slowing down, tightening belts, watching budgets — Las Vegas continues to explode with so many new offerings (even though some things are on hold even here), it’s hard to keep up! So I just had to step back and take a quick inventory of everything new we’re going to see in Sin City before the end of 2008:

Restaurants

I’ve already detailed all the new nightclubs and lounges, but at Lavo and SushiSamba, the food is as good as the scenes (both Palazzo). Other new restaurants include Tender Steakhouse (crazy selections of beef, game meats, oysters, caviars) and T&T Mexican at Luxor, Kerry Simon’s new must-go at Palms Place, addictive BLT Burger (Mirage ), sexy sushi/sake spot Koi (Planet Hollywood), Yellowtail at Bellagio, Brand Steak at Monte Carlo, and a totally redesigned dining room and menu at Border Grill (Mandalay Bay).

Entertainment

On the entertainment front, the big news is Cirque du Soleil‘s new Criss Angel BeLIEve show at Luxor, and — proving that old is new again — Donny & Marie at Flamingo. Other new shows includeRaw Talent Live (a streetwise futuristic Latino dance production, at Sahara), Scarlett-Princess of Magic (about time we had a female magician, at Planet Hollywood ) … and watch for Terry Fator moving to Mirage, Danny Gans bringing a new show to Wynn and Gordie Brown returning to Golden Nugget.

Gaming

Not to forget Vegas’ "raison d’etre," there are a few new things in gaming as well, including the Hard Rock Hotel‘s superswanky poker room, Planet Hollywood‘s cool, tech-loungey sportsbook, the first totally automated poker tables in Nevada at Excalibur, and a dedicated New Slots area at Golden Nugget to try tomorrow’s hot machines today.

Shopping

New retail includes EDIDI New York handbags (Palazzo), Paige Premium Denim (Venetian’s Grand Canal), and Kira Plastinina (Fashion Show).

Hotels and resorts

There are even several new Las Vegas hotels opening up, including Aliante in the Northwest, Summerlin’s Element (an eco-friendly Westin Starwood boutique), Henderson’s 80-acre M Resort, Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway, and by the end of the year, right in Strip central, Steve Wynn’s sure-to-be-magnificent Encore.

Last but definitely not least, the Mirage will debut a new, very impressive volcano in December, with an event that should not be missed!

Insider tip: It isn’t cheap, but for those with hearts of gold (and wallets to match), Andre Agassi‘s annual Grand Slam for Children charity gala on October 11 at Wynn is going to feature Sheryl Crow, The Killers, David Spade, Rod Stewart and many surprise guests.

Related Orbitz resources:

E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top
Strip entertainers, restaurateurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes
players for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when
absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas