{"id":263,"date":"2008-09-26T16:05:03","date_gmt":"2008-09-26T21:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/vegas-update-new-restaurants-shows-hotels-and-more\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T17:40:48","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T23:40:48","slug":"vegas-update-new-restaurants-shows-hotels-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/vegas-update-new-restaurants-shows-hotels-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegas update: New restaurants, shows, hotels and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lasvegascrissangel\"<\/a>
\nBy E.C. Gladstone<\/em><\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

Restaurants<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Gaming<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n

New retail includes EDIDI<\/strong> New York handbags (Palazzo), Paige Premium Denim<\/strong> (Venetian’s Grand Canal), and Kira Plastinina<\/strong> (Fashion Show).<\/p>\n

Hotels and resorts<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Last but definitely not least, the Mirage<\/strong> will debut a new, very impressive volcano in December, with an event that should not be missed!<\/p>\n

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

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n