Lauded restaurant Valentino will close in June
One of Las Vegas’ most acclaimed restaurants, Valentino at Venetian, will close in June. Owner Peiro Selvaggio says he’s looking for a new location.
Additionally, First Food & Bar at Palazzo and its sister restaurant Rattlecan at Venetian, which have been open since November, were shuttered abruptly last month. No word yet as to what, if anything, will take their places.
Refund bonus: One more tax-refund play has shown up. Cash your IRS refund check at any Station casino and get two free passes to the buffet. That includes the upscale spreads at Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock. The deal runs through May 31.
Lunch deal costs more: The price of the excellent weekday lunch deal in Estiatorio Milos at Cosmopolitan has been raised by $2. Now $22.13, the long-running threecourse lunch is still a bargain. It’s offered from noon to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Public park: MGM Resorts International says it will convert the sidewalk space in front of New YorkNew York and Monte Carlo into a $100 million park and promenade, complete with popular vendors including a Shake Shack burger stand. The park will be a part of the MRI events arena project announced last month and is projected to be completed in 2014. This will make two such outdoor developments on the Strip, along with CET’s Linq, which is expected to debut this year.
Gold Spike closed: Downtown’s Gold Spike casino closed without notice recently after it was sold to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project redevelopment initiative, which bought the nearby Western casino. The 110room Gold Spike operated for many years as one of Las Vegas’ least opulent casinos until it underwent a major upgrade in 2008. Still, its past reputation and location off the main drag made attracting customers a challenge. The selling price was not disclosed and plans for the resort have not been announced.
Hotel closes: The Las Vegas Club, also downtown, is closing its hotel. After renting rooms only on weekends since early last year, rooms will be unavailable permanently starting in May. The casino will remain open and is being renovated.
Pricey play: Bellagio has opened the 2,600square-foot Villa Prive, a private gambling salon accessible by invitation only. Under rules established a couple of years ago for such salons, players must put up at least $300,000, and play is constantly monitored and reports are provided to Gaming Control.
Hangover spa: A “hangover spa” is planned for the subterranean shopping mall at MGM Grand early this summer. Conceived by a team of four emergencyroom pros, the spa will offer remedies for the ill effects of excess partying and jetlag, with prices starting at $150.
Sweet Spot: The Sweet Spot Candy Shop has opened downtown, selling retro candies, taffy, gummies and chocolates. Pixie Stix cost a nickel and bitesize Mary Jane and Bit ’o Honey pieces cost 15 cents. Classic sodas, including Nesbitt’s, Pop Shoppe and Big Red, go for $2.50. The store is about a block away from Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (of “Pawn Stars” fame) on Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Britney Spears confirmed: After months of rumor, speculation and an apparent tug of war, it’s been announced that Planet Hollywood has landed Britney Spears as a headliner. The deal is for a two-year residency, but the starting date and other details have yet to be disclosed.
Steak and lobster: The Cortez Room at Gold Coast has a new steak and lobster special for $9.99. (You also must buy a beverage.) It’s served from 8 p.m. till closing daily and comes with mashed potatoes, fries or rice; soup or salad; and bread. Parlay this deal with the Cortez Room’s good happy hour that runs from 5 to 7 p.m. daily.
Question: What are the dates and prices for Olivia Newton-John’s performances?
Answer: The singer was scheduled to perform at Flamingo on dates when Donny and Marie Osmond were off. That engagement is on hold, pending Newton-John’s status after dealing with a personal issue.
Q: I saw an item about a third Ferris wheel being built on the Strip. Is that true?
A: The owners of a parcel on the east side of the Strip across from Bellagio say they want to build a $50 million “London-themed thrill park,” the focal point of which would be a big observation wheel. Three big wheels on the Strip? Don’t bet on it.
Q: Was there recently a fire at one of the casinos?
A: The roof of the shuttered Key Largo casino on Flamingo Road was destroyed by a fire in late March. It’s believed to have been arson. Built in 1974, the building was home to several casinos, including Ambassador, Anthony’s, La Mirage (which sold the name to Steve Wynn) and Key Largo, which closed in 2005. The property had been up for sale for $48 million.