Mother’s Day feast at JW Marriott

When a great deal comes along I just can’t wait to share it with everyone.  This is a great deal by JW Marriott.  JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa features 548 oversized guestrooms set amid 54 acres of lush gardens. Located in Summerlin, 20 minutes northwest of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the resort is close enough to indulge in the city’s amenities, but far enough away to enjoy golfing on one of the courses surrounding the resort or explore beautiful Red Rock Canyon.  There are tons of options in Las Vegas for your very special mother but JW Marriott is great because you’ll be able to actually relax.  Vegas can be stressful and Mother’s day shouldn’t be so make the right call!

Families throughout Las Vegas can treat mom to a special meal this Mother’s Day with delicious menus available at the various restaurants throughout JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa and Rampart Casino on Sunday, May 13.  More information, like the ones found below, can be found on their website @ www.marriott.com or by calling them at 702-507-5944.


Mom can feel the love with a variety of menu options at Ceres, Carmel Room, The Rampart Buffet and Promenade Café.

Ceres will serve a Mother’s Day brunch with seatings from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $52 per person, $24 for children.  Offerings include:

  • Breakfast pastries and fresh fruit: assorted breakfast breads and pastries, sliced seasonal fruit, berries, flavored bagels andcream cheese.
  • Salad selections: baby mixed greens, classic Caesar salad, roasted beet salad and German potato salad.
  • Anipasti display: cured meats, artisan cheese, olives, grilled marinated vegetable platter, flatbread, lavosh, rolls and whipped butter.
  • Chilled seafood display: shrimp cocktail, crab claws, crab legs and smoked salmon with various sauces and garnishes including cocktail sauce, remoulade, lemon wedges, horseradish, shaved red onions and capers.
  • Omelet station: made-to-order omelets or scrambled eggs with mushrooms, ham, cheddar cheese, spinach, tomatoes, Spanish onions, smoked bacon and sausage available for toppings.  Buttermilk pancakes, whipped butter and maple syrup will also be available at this station.
  • Carving station: crusted prime rib of beef with creamy horseradish or au jus and turkey breast with cranberry sauce, mayonnaise or turkey veloute.
  • Hot items: pan seared salmon with haricot verts and champagne shrimp sauce, Dijon rubbed pork loin with sweet potato hash, wild mushroom ravioli with garlic cream sauce and saffron rice with buttered spring vegetables.
  • Children’s buffet: chicken fingers, curly fries, sliders, macaroni and cheese, ranch dipping sauce and ketchup.
  • Dessert: French pastries, strawberry shortcake, fruit tarts, éclairs, crème brulee, chocolate mousse cake, New York style cheesecake and other assorted cakes.

Carmel Room, an elegant local’s favorite, will serve a three-course Mother’s Day dinner from 3 to 9 p.m. for $55 per person. The menu includes a choice of either shrimp and scallop Dijon or duck rillette salad to start, shrimp scampi or steak frites as the entrée andstrawberries Romanoff for dessert.


The Rampart Buffet will offer a special Mother’s Day menu from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for $18.99 per person ($16.99 with a Ramparts reward card).  Brunch specialties will be served from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., including scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, sunrise lox scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage and egg burritos, omelets made to order, smoked bacon, sausage links, Belgian waffles, biscuits and country gravy, cinnamon French toast, pecan waffles, cheese blintz and a variety of fresh syrups and fruit toppings.

All other buffet stations will be available to diners all day, including:

  • Salad bar: baby spinach salad, Asian chicken salad, Greek salad, bay shrimp confetti salad, green bean & shitake mushroom, ambrosia, chilled melon and berries and cold poached chicken.
  • Seafood on ice: ceviche, chilled shrimp, half shell mussels, smoked whitefish, herring in sour cream and lox.
  • Soup bar: Manhattan clam chowder, matzo ball soup, egg drop soup and won ton soup.
  • Mother’s Day specialties: buttermilk fried chicken, tilapia Vera Cruz, rigatoni carbonara, chicken parmesan, tarragon wedge potatoes, sage stuffed pork loin, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, honey almond chicken, steak au poivre, shrimp fra diavolo, Riviera blend vegetables and succotash.
  • Carving station: glazed ham, roast tom turkey, prime rib, leg of lamb and baked salmon with garlic butter.
  • Live-action crepe station: crepes flambéed to order with choice of chocolate, cherry, pineapple or orange filling and finished with crème anglaise or fresh whipped cream.
  • Specialty desserts: chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu, assorted cheesecakes, miniature French pastries, strawberry shortcake, soft serve ice cream and gelato.
  • Beverages: champagne, bellini’s and mimosas.

 

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Hard Rock Hotel SOUNDWAVES summer concert series

The Vegas summer fun has already begun.  On April 27th Queensryche lead singer Geoff Tate performed a few songs from his debut album.  He treated his fans to the show at the Hard Rock’s Body English.  After the show he hosted a private meet-and-greet where he signed some of his signature white and red Insania Wine.  The Hard Rock was the place to be with Atmosphere, an alternative hip-hop duo, stopping by the Soundwaves summer concert series, at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Rapper Evidence also rocked the stage at Body English on Saturday, April 28th.  Las Vegas is the one of the best cities in the world to party at.  Not only is there a big chance that a celebrity will be present but great impromptu performances too.  Check out the photos by © Scott Harrison/ Erik Kabik photography and © Cassi Thomas/ Erik Kabik photography.  Event recaps by Kirvin Doak Communications.


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Cosmopolitan summer concert series

Credit: © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ summer concert series is off to a great start.  The concerts are held at the Boulevard Pool.  The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas features artists at the forefront of the touring world and emerging artists presented with spectacular technology.  Located high above The Las Vegas Strip, Boulevard Pool is a multilevel pool experience by day and an intimate outdoor concert venue with unobstructed sightlines of both the stage and The Strip by night.

Cage the Elephant, named “Best New Artist of 2011” by Rolling Stone’s Readers Poll performed on April 26th.  The group debuted in England and is now touring in the U.S.  During last nights’ show the audience was just ripe with excitement.  Next up at the summer concert series at the Boulevard Pool is Snow Patrol on Saturday, May 12 and Young the Giant on Saturday, May 26.

There are many Vegas pools to go to but The Cosmopolitan has truly stepped up to the plate offering amazing, often one of kind performances.  Information on summer concert event via Kirvin Doak Communications, and photos by © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com.

Credit: © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com

Credit: © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com


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Deal Alert! No booking fees on Vegas.com

Paris Las Vegas

Planning the perfect Summer trip can sometimes feel like a full time job.  There are many variables to consider like cost and availablity.  Once you’ve got the location of your vacation the next step is research.  Many of the popular travel sites add on booking fees to your final total.  These can add up quick, and if you are already on a tight budget they can mess everything up.

I am not paid by VEGAS.COM I am your Las Vegas Insider Deals Examiner and came upon this great deal and just wanted to share it.  Book between now and May 4, 2012 for stay dates between now and Dec. 31, 2012.  Below you’ll find VEGAS.COM’s Summer booking deal of no booking fees.


For more information on how to avoid booking fees with VEGAS.com this summer, visithttp://www.vegas.com/promotions/nofees/

·Pamper for the day with a massage or body treatment at one of the city’s luxurious spas. Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace offers an escape to paradise with its 51 treatment rooms and deluxe couple’s suites.

·Take your honey out to a fancy dinner and leave room for dessert. The Top of the World restaurant atop the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower offers an unparalleled view of the Las Vegas skyline and delectable cuisine.

·Experience the awe of Le Rêve—The Dream inside Wynn Las Vegas. Combining water, fire and acrobatics, the spectacular takes guests on a journey to a mystifying wonderland of aquatic characters.

·Pop open a bottle and revel in the nightlife scene at one of the newest clubs to hit the Strip, 1OAK at the Mirage. Truly one-of-a-kind, the nightclub comes to life on the dance floor every Friday and Saturday. VIP table packages now available on VEGAS.com.

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Top Vegas Mega-Clubs

To be one of the best nightclubs in Vegas you have to work really hard.  You must engage all the senses and yet stay classy.  You have to be better than everyone else and never stay the same.  You can’t just play popular music, you must create it!  These principles are not easily maintained.  The following nightclubs have taken these simple guidelines and made them a reality.  You honestly can’t go wrong with any of them.

“Vegas is a destination city for the folks that are really looking for an outstanding night life experience, in terms of the level of service, the technology that you see in the clubs, the sound systems, the lighting systems, the interactive elements that’s coming in to some of them and also the trends in designs and décor, Vegas sets the standards for all of that.” Donna Hood Crecca, editorial director of Nightclub & Bar.


PURE nightclub at Caesars Palace

Photo by: AMG Entertainment group, Pure Las Vegas

This mega club sits at a whopping 36,000 square feet.  You don’t just get one nightclub here but three.  There are 3 different venues in one place.  Each venue has its own DJ, and sound system.  Pure nightclub’s Terrace is spectacular!  You get one of the best views of the Strip with all the great nightclub amenities.  PURE earned Nightclub and Bar Awards “Las Vegas Mega-Club of the Year” in 2011.  This honor is not an easy thing to achieve because their competition is fierce.

MARQUEE nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Credit Ethan Miller Wireimage

This monster club is 60,000 square feet of nightclub nirvana.  The club features seven different bars and three rooms.  You’ve got the main room, the Boom Box room and the library.   Every room contains a different music experience.  The main room contains a 40 food LED DJ booth and projection system that is just like it sounds, INSANE!  The technological aspects of the main room accompanied with 32,000 subwoofers and full range speakers, will make for one unique and wild night.  MARQUEE also has a day club which is open on some weekends at night.  Ask for Lorin, she is hands down one of the best hosts you’ll ever have!

XS nightclub at Encore Las Vegas

photo by: XS at Encore Las Vegas

The most expensive club ever built doesn’t let anyone down.  Pure luxury and decadence doesn’t mean that you can’t get down and party.  XS is widely considered to be the number one club in Vegas and perhaps the country.  They have won countless awards for being top nightclub and mega club.   Donna Hood of Nightclub & Bar says it perfectly that “I don’t know a woman who walks into XS and doesn’t feel immediately beautiful and glamorous.”  This is the embodiment of XS.  The club that makes you feel and in many ways be a better person for just one night.  With 95 VIP tables you’ll never run out of space to enjoy XS.


 

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KISS® By Monster Mini Golf®

© Erik Kabik RETNA

Legendary band KISS ushers in a brand new mini golfing experience.  You’ve played mini golf before but have you done so with a guitar?

KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® has been in development for more than two years.  “It is destined to become a must see when anyone comes to visit Las Vegas,” said Christina Vitagliano, Founder of KISS® By Monster Mini Golf®“We love all of the supporters that helped us open the doors. Vegas, we are here to stay and ready to rock.”

This unique rock and roll themed mini golf is sure to put a smile on any KISS fans face.  The golf course is fun and filled with fun KISS song themes and designs.  KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® is the first-of-its-kind indoor glow-in-the-dark custom-designed, rockin’ 18-hole miniature golf course with a state-of-the-art arcade, the largest KISS gift shop in the world, A KISS gallery, the “Hotter Than Hell” wedding chapel, a private VIP room, fantastic KISS® themed event rooms and the “Rock ‘n Roll All Nite” café.

KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® is located at 4503 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169 in the Shoppes at Harmon Square across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Check out some photos from the three day grand opening event!  Photos courtesy of © Erik  Kabik RETNA/erikkabik.com

 

 

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Love Never Dies but Phantom will at the Venetian Las Vegas

(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

The show debuted in London to mixed reviews.  Many felt that the show was great but only as a standalone, and not worthy of the Phantom title.  The show has since moved down under to Australia where it has achieved great financial success.  The London production has closed and now only the Australian version exists.  The failure in London’s West End is strongly attributed to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bout with cancer that took him away from the show and delayed the production.

Thanks to National Cine Media, NCM, U.S. audiences got a glimpse at the sequel in theaters this past week.  The reaction to the show was enough to get Mr. Webber’s twitter account going. He was surprised with all the love and affection that the U.S. audience had towards the show.  Thanks to the support of the NCM event many feel that Love Never Dies will make its way to Broadway.  ”I think it will inevitably come, at some point,” Webber, 63, told Reuters in an interview on the show’s Broadway prospects. “But in many ways I now feel like I’ve closed the chapter on it. The film that’s being shown is something I’m very, very proud of. So in a way it doesn’t really matter if it comes tomorrow or five years’ time.”  An encore is scheduled for March 7th at select theaters so visit NCM.com for more details.

The NCM event is of the Australian production that was filmed for the DVD.  The quality of this production was meticulously drawn out.  The camera angles and direction make for a stage experience unlike anything you’ll get to see.  It truly was the best seat in the house. 


To those critics who said that the show lacked the strength of the original I say, HECK NO!  The show is spectacular and the songs are just as haunting and beautiful as the original.  The plot is satisfying to any Phantom fan.  I won’t ruin anything but the continued story of the Phantom was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had.  The show will make you fall in love again with the masked menace.  All I ask of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is, please bring the show to the U.S. and please don’t forget about Las Vegas!  I can say with great certainty that Love Never Dies would do well on Broadway and on the Las Vegas Strip.  I am even willing to place a bet with the show runners, and Devil Take the Hindmost!

This year the Vegas adaptation of Phantom of the Opera, titled Phantom, ends.  The Venetian will have a huge void to fill and I can think of only one suitable replacement at this time, Love Never Dies.

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St. Patrick’s 3 Day Celebration

by Abed Nader, the702guide.com

If you are looking for a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or “Celtic Feis” (pronounced fesh), then your search has ended.  If you wear a kilt on St. Patrick’s Day you get complimentary admission.  The Gaelic festival starts on March 16th and will run through the 18th.  Nine Fine Irishmen is located at NY NY hotel and casino on the Brooklyn Bridge.

The traditional Gaelic arts and cultural festival is a great way to experience an authentic Irish St. Patrick’s Day.  The event lasts for 3 days and contains tons of traditional Irish food and drinks.  The party is outside on the Las Vegas Strip.  Live Celtic music will blast for all 3 days.  To top it off the Chrysler Building will lit Green for all 3 days.

“Las Vegas is known for throwing the best parties, so where better to spend the most celebrated Irish day of the year than at an authentic Irish pub located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip,” said Michael Kennedy, Executive Director of Food & Beverage at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.  “With authentic Irish fair and live entertainment we take St. Patrick’s Day and turn it into a weekend-long celebration to keep the luck of the Irish going.”

Check out the full breakdown from the NY NY hotel and casino after the jump.

St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Feis Parade - Saturday, March 17 at Noon.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the Celtic Feis kicks off Irish style at noon. Guests are encouraged to get their jig on as a parade of bag pipers from the Desert Sky Pipe Band and firefighters from around the country make their way through the casino, led by New York-New York Hotel & Casino’s Employee of the Year and other hotel executives. The parade begins at Coyote Ugly and winds its way through the casino onto the Nine Fine Irishmen’s Paddy-O, ending on the outdoor stage on the Brooklyn Bridge.  Here, guests can enjoy Irish-themed drinks, entertainment and food beginning at 12:30 p.m. (see below for full menu and entertainment schedule).Additionally, there will be live entertainment inside Nine Fine Irishmen beginning at 10 a.m.

Celtic Feis Special Menu
On St. Patrick’s Day, Nine Fine Irishmen will serve a special limited menu of authentic Irish fare including Shepherd’s Pie, Port Wine-Infused Prime Beef, Onions and Carrots served with Mashed Potatoes; Corned Beef Sandwich, served on Marbled Rye Bread with Bacon Mayo; Fish & Chips, Beer-Battered Fish served with Homemade Tartar Sauce and Lemon; Drunken Onion Ringsserved with Spicy Mustard; Fried Sausages, Ale-Battered Irish Sausages and Spicy Red Sausages served with Guinness and Honey Mustard; Potato Basket, Rustic Fried Potato Slices served with Red and Yellow Curry Sauce; Steak & Stout Pies, made with Guinness-Braised Beef and Mushrooms served with Tomato Relish and Chive Dressing; Cheddar Burger, served on Sesame Seed Bun, Tomato Chutney, Garlic Mayo, Irish Rashers, and Irish Cheddar Cheese; and Grilled Chicken Salad, Fresh Mixed Greens, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced Red Onions tossed in Balsamic Vinegarette.  The full menu is available on March 16 and March 18.

Celtic Feis Entertainment Schedule
Throughout the three-day Celtic Feis, revelers can also catch all of the college basketball action inside the Pub while enjoying the sounds of live Celtic entertainment from: Patrick Seiben, Sin É Rí – Ra, Limey Bar Stewards, Joshua Tree and Michael Bowman.  The full entertainment schedule is as follows:



Friday, March 16

Nine Fine Irishmen Pub
4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.                        Patrick Seiben
9 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.                        Sin É Rí – Ra

Brooklyn Bridge
4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.                        Limey Bar Stewards
9 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.                        Joshua Tree (U2 Cover Band)

Saturday, March 17

Nine Fine Irishmen Pub
10 a.m. – Noon                              Entertainment Starts
Noon – 4 p.m.                                Patrick Seiben
4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.                          Michael Bowman
9:30 p.m. – 2:15 a.m.                     Joshua Tree

Brooklyn Bridge
11:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.                    Sin É Rí – Ra
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.                                Limey Bar Stewards
9:30 p.m. – 2:15 a.m.                     Sin É Rí – Ra

Sunday, March 18

Nine Fine Irishmen Pub
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.                            Patrick Seiben
4:30 – 8:30 p.m.                           Limey Bar Stewards
9 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.                        Sin É Rí – Ra

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Vegas Secrets: Aria

This is a new post series for the702guide.com.  The purpose is to spotlight some well known and unknown Vegas secrets. A new category has been created (Vegas Secrets) and can be accessed in the Category Cloud on the right side bar.  Check back for updates to this new series!

Aria is the go to place on the Strip these days due to its availability and subsequent value.  The rooms are plentiful and usually available same day, at great rates.  The Aria deluxe room with 2 queen beds is a perfect example of great value and style.  I shouldn’t be telling you all this because the secret will be out!  Tons of photo albums for the Aria 2 Queen deluxe and Aria King Deluxe on our Facebook page


The five diamond resort was not intended to sell its rooms for $200 a night or less.  Due to a tough economy and over building the selling price for the rooms has dipped.  Other hotels have lowered their rates (even the WynnCore towers) but Aria is facing a bigger issue, itself. Check out our review of the Aria 2 bedroom Sky Suite.

 The hotel is so large that they can’t sell out their rooms every weekend.  The rates are usually better closer to your trip or on the date you are looking for.  There are many values on the Strip but sacrificing comfort for the sake of a few bucks isn’t worth it.  Try Aria If you haven’t and trust me you’ll love every minute of it.

Video of the Aria Deluxe King room, via our YouTube Channel!


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Las Vegas Travel FAQ

Abed Nader, the702guide.com

Q. How far in advanced should I book my hotel?

AYou should always strive to book rooms at least 4-6 weeks before your trip.  The trick with Vegas is to be patient.  Hotels are looking to fill up for the weekend and will lower rates if they feel that they are coming up short.  This doesn’t apply to those booking flight and hotel combos, those are a different story.  Also, remember what weekend or weekdays you are going.  If a big event is being held in the city then you cannot wait too long because rates and rooms will go up fast.

Q. Should I book a package online?

A. This is tricky because you can find yourself taken advantage of on these sites.  Utilize sites like Kiak so that you can search multiple travel agencies at once.  Sites like Expedia, Orbtiz, and Priceline can be great for finding deals for Vegas vacations.  The problem with these sites is that you often get a cheap package but a terrible flight(s).

My favorite way to book is separate because booking together isn’t always the best deal.  Booking separate can be more expensive, but it can pay off with better flight times and availability.  Southwest, Jet Blue and American are great airlines to book with.  You can find their best rates online and then just find hotel to stay at (they also offer vacation packages).

Waiting till the day of to book a room can pay off great.  Hotels like Aria are sometimes better deals to book when you land, then in advance.  This is a gamble that should be evaluated well! Think about the estimated attendance on the Strip before you go.  Don’t wait to the last second on a busy week/weekend or you can end up staying in Henderson.

Q. When is the best time to book?

A. There are tons of studies out there that have calculated the best and worst times to book a flight, hotel or combo.  In the end you should follow these rules when doing your research and booking online.

1) Always look for flights using Chrome or Internet Explorer.  I know this sounds crazy but I truly believe that the rates come up cheaper using these browsers. For example, Safari is from Apple inc, and those computers are more expensive.  The Mac crowd is more willing to spend more on, even if there’s an equal or better product for less.

2) Book your trip on Tuesdays!  This is typically when airlines and hotels push their new rates and deals.  If you book on the weekend you could miss out on some great savings.

3) Clear your internet cache and cookies after each search.  Don’t let those companies tract your search history.  I believe that rates go up when they figure out that you are looking.

QHow much money should I take to Vegas?

A. This is a question that is not easy to answer.  There are many factors involved here like whether or not you gamble, shop, eat fancy, watch shows or take taxis.  If you go to Vegas to relax and not gamble then you’ll have a great time with a modest budget.  Once gambling enters the mix you should always make sure you have enough to cover your losses, eat and get home.  If you are staying for 2-3 days and not gambling, then $150-$250 a day should do you just fine as a travel budget.

If you plan on gambling then a 2-3 day budget should be around $330-$400 a day.  This sounds high but trust me if you gamble it most certainly isn’t.  For trips landing between 4-6 days you’ll need to be careful and budget about $250, if not gambling, and $350-$500 a day if you are a gambler.

Now these numbers may seem high but remember that you are not home and you are in Sin City.  Drinks are expensive, shows can be costly, and taxi service adds up quickly.  Food and Beverage is typically the highest budget for most followed by gambling.  Remember there is a McDonalds on the Strip but it doesn’t have a dollar menu!  You can stay cheap but if you gamble you’ll still end up spending/losing.


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