Sunday, May 5, 2024
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Monte Carlo to Shut Down and MGM to Launch Two New Hotels

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MGM Resorts has announced that they are officially killing one of their most outdated properties, the Monte Carlo to relaunch as two new distinct hotels. MGM will be spending over $450 Million to redesign the entire experience into a Las Vegas version of the “NoMad Hotel” and another hotel called the Park MGM.

In addition to fully redesigned and renovated hotel guest rooms, each hotel will feature innovative and exciting food & beverage experiences unique to the Las Vegas market, including the award-winning NoMad restaurant by Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara; and Eataly’s vibrant Italian marketplace with cafes, to-go counters and full-service restaurants interspersed with high-quality products from sustainable Italian and local producers. Park MGM and The NoMad Las Vegas become the final pieces of MGM Resorts’ complete neighborhood redesign of the central Las Vegas Strip neighborhood, which began in 2009 with the introduction of CityCenter and saw the recent unveiling of The Park, a spectacular outdoor dining and entertainment district, and the stunning new T-Mobile Arena.

Sydell Group, a partnership between investor Ron Burkle and founder Andrew Zobler, is the creator and operator of trend-setting lifestyle hotels across the country, including The NoMad in New York, The Line in Los Angeles, and Freehand in Miami and Chicago. Sydell will collaborate with MGM Resorts on the property-wide transformation of all public and guest spaces, including the food & beverage offerings, of both hotels. A prominent feature among Sydell Group’s portfolio of properties is the restoration and reimagination of historic buildings into unique hospitality experiences, alongside award-winning food & beverage.

“We are thrilled to partner with Sydell Group as we enter the final phase of transforming the neighborhood that we believe represents Las Vegas’ true entertainment epicenter,” said Bill Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts International. “Coupling MGM’s rich legacy of hospitality and entertainment with Sydell Group’s expertise in creating hotels that cultivate a strong sense of place will result in a destination that both celebrates the history of Las Vegas and ushers in a new era.”

Park MGM is a new concept by MGM and Sydell, conceived to target a younger, well-traveled demographic seeking unique experiences and innovative design. Park MGM will appeal to this growing audience’s desire to be more social, connected and culturally aware.

The design of Park MGM, an approximately 2,700-room luxury resort, will build upon the property’s history, incorporating its European design influences while retaining  a powerful connection to The Park just next door. Park MGM’s design will reflect a residential feel signature to Sydell Group hospitality experiences, but not yet introduced in Las Vegas. Working with talented British designer Martin Brudnizki, Sydell Group and MGM will transform the resort’s public areas with a beautiful and casually elegant design. Clean lines will define the architecture of each space, combined with classically inspired European furnishings and a robust art program, which is core to both companies’ design philosophies. Park MGM’s expansive food & beverage program, featuring a full-scale Eataly marketplace, will bring interesting new talents to Las Vegas with concepts custom tailored for the design and ethos of the resort. With its unrivaled central location, Park MGM will offer guests direct access to what is quickly becoming the city’s premier entertainment district, featuring T-Mobile Arena and The Park: as well as the previously announced Park Theater, a 5,300-seat, $100-million entertainment venue, opening later this year.

Nicola Farinetti, CEO of Eataly USA, said, “We are very excited to bring the first Eataly to the Southwestern United States. Las Vegas will be an entirely new scene for us – we look forward to adding our Italian food, drink and culture to the energetic mix of this iconic American city, thanks to our collaboration with Sydell and MGM Resorts.”

The NoMad Las Vegas

Since opening in 2012, NoMad’s New York flagship has earned many accolades for its thoughtful restoration of a turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building into a beautiful hotel that fuses the traditions of Europe’s grand hotels with a modern approach to service. The NoMad Las Vegas will draw upon the success of the original, with a distinctive luxury experience that complements the Park MGM experience.  The NoMad Las Vegas will offer a complete hotel experience, including 292 guestrooms and suites; a dedicated drop-off, lobby, and swimming pool; as well as NoMad gaming, eating and drinking experiences. Sydell Group will once again team up with Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara, the creative and culinary forces behind The NoMad restaurant in New York and Eleven Madison Park, one of the only restaurants in the country to receive 3 Michelin stars and the only restaurant in America in the Top 10 of the San Pellegrino list of the world’s best restaurants. The NoMad Las Vegas design will be a collaboration between Sydell Group and legendary French designer Jacques Garcia, the visionary behind Parisian hotels such as Royal Monceau and Hôtel Costes.

Will Guidara said, “Daniel and I are thrilled to be bringing what we do at The NoMad to Las Vegas. We love creating fun and memorable experiences for the people who walk through the doors of our restaurants, and we can’t imagine a more perfect place to do it than in a city whose very foundation has been built around doing exactly that.”

The partners anticipate spending the coming months in design and development around the resort’s transformation and will share further details as they become available. Construction at Park MGM and The NoMad Las Vegas is expected to commence in late 2016 and conclude in late 2018.

Morimoto May Finally Open in MGM

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In 2013 Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto announced with enormous fanfare that he was going to open a new space in the Mirage where the current Japonais restaurant occupies. Despite employees looking for new jobs, everyone ready to pack up and leave, the restaurant never came to fruition and three years later never opened.

Chef Morimoto even took to social media almost exactly three years ago to himself talk about how happy he was with this selection:

“They say, “What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas,” but I hope that isn’t the case with my new restaurant, I hope you tell all your friends about it.  I’m so excited to be making this dream of mine into a reality with the launch of my first restaurant in Las Vegas.  We will be opening in 2014 at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in the space currently occupied by Japonais.”

Susan Stapleton of Eater Las Vegas isn’t quite sure it will open, but does have a good description of their food:

“If and when it does arrive in Las Vegas, expect to find dishes that meld Western ingredients with traditional Japanese fare in the form of tempura, sushi and sashimi. He’s perhaps best known for his Morimoto sashimi salad made with seared toro, smoked salmon, barbecue eel, tun and hamachi, blended with five sauces and served in a blond wood box. His Duck, Duck, Duck features a roasted duck leg with a duck sandwich made with cucumber and a foie gras-infused croissant, all served with a red miso sauce and a soft duck egg.”

“We are happy to partner with Chef Morimoto and would like to officially welcome him to MGM Grand,” said President and COO of MGM Grand Scott Sibella. “His culinary talent and expertise is respected around the world and the vision he has with this restaurant will continue to elevate our culinary portfolio, offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience only available at our resort.”

Authentic Sichuan Comes to Venetian-Palazzo

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Roasted Duck
Roasted Duck

Meizhou Dongpo, an upscale Sichuan/Szechuan restaurant that mainly serves wealthy individuals in Mainland China, has started construction in the Canal Shoppes in the Venetian-Palazzo. This 18,000 square foot location is going to be their international flagship, and part of an expansion into the United States.

“We are thrilled to welcome Meizhou Dongpo to Las Vegas and the Grand Canal Shoppes,” said John Zilliken, senior general manager, Grand Canal Shoppes. “In a city with a more than 41 million tourists and a  devoted and sophisticated local culinary scene, this dynamic and notable international power-house is well  positioned for immediate success and acclaim. We look forward to a successful partnership and are excited  for our guests to experience this extraordinary addition.”

According to Wang Gang, president of Meizhou Dongpo, “Food is essentially a cultural and intellectual  product that can and should be consumed and enjoyed. The charm of Chinese food should not be limited by any borders of nations.”

10 Absolutely Adventurous Fun Family Vegas Day Trips

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My Son Aedan at Red Rock

Strangely enough, there are those that even live in Las Vegas that aren’t aware of all the amazing outdoor and fun activities you can have in the Las Vegas area. However, there are tons of adventures you can get into with yourself or your entire family to enjoy as close as thirty minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip.  From Red Rock Canyon, located just on the outskirts of Las Vegas to Zion National Park in Utah, you can spend weeks and weeks in the area just exploring all the sites and learning about nature and the beautiful rich habitat of the southwest.  Yes, there is a lot more to Las Vegas than Gambling and Clubs, and none of the adventures require alcohol to enjoy making them perfectly to bring your kids.

 

zion-istock_000020374728xxlarge-slide

Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a 2.5-hour drive away from Las Vegas. Located in Springdale, Utah, this national park features awe-inspiring views that may make some people want to stay for more than the day. The park is known for its variety of color with white, red, and pink rock formations among gorgeous greenery from the conifer forests and plethora of color from the wildflowers. The park has desert areas as well as ponds and waterfalls accessible by hiking trails. According to the NPS, Zion is home to 68 species of mammal, ranging from the petite kangaroo rat to the sturdy, surefooted bighorn sheep. The most frequent mammal sightings are mule deer, foxes, bats, bighorn sheep, and rock squirrels. 

Joshua Tree National Park
A rich cultural history and surreal geologic wonders add to the mystique that resides in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres, the park can be quite unforgiving in the summer heat, but during the spring it’s a different story. In additional to the park, make sure you spend some time to explore the funky town, as there are number of artists and local businesses that you won’t find anywhere else. Mostly nocturnal animals include: snakes, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, coyotes, and black-tailed jackrabbits. Animals that thrive in Joshua Tree often have special adaptations for dealing with limited water and high summer temperatures. The smaller mammals and all reptiles take refuge from the heat underground.

Old-TownBonnie Springs Ranch
Las Vegas tourists looking for a fun day trip with their kids should check out Bonnie Springs Ranch, a 115-acre area located around 30 minutes away. The ranch has Wild West-style fun for the whole family, including a zoo, train, museums, and horseback rides. The town is open Wednesday to Sunday, and has gun fights and shows to entertain visitors. In addition to the Old West attractions, Bonnie Springs has modern fun like karaoke and Sunday football viewing. The stables are open daily and has pony rides for children. Kids can see a variety of animals at the zoo, including wolves and a Canadian Lynx.

Lake Mead
Only half an hour to 45 minutes from the Strip is Lake Mead, the 16th biggest man-made lake in the world. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the perfect place to enjoy the sun and work on one’s tan during the day, and then head back to Vegas to party all night. There’s swimming, boating, hiking, and jet skiing for people in an active mood. There are also shaded areas for picnics and plenty of beach area for lounging around on the 820 miles (1320 km) of shoreline. Lake Mead offers year-round fun. Visitors are treated to unique views of lava hills, Joshua trees, bighorn sheep, and red sandstone rocks thanks to the positioning of the lake where the ecosystems of the Great Basin, the Mojave desert, and the Sonoran desert meet. Showers, restaurants, and other amenities make a trip to Lake Mead a pleasant experience.

Red.Rock.Canyon.National.Conservation.Area.original.5768
Gorgeous Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon
For a good, long hike or just a short jaunt through nature, Red Rock Canyon offers tourists a relaxing day trip away from the bright lights of Vegas. The park has 19 hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, and offers views of thousands of plants and wildlife. The wild tortoises and stunning rock formations are highlights for most visitors. A 13-mile (21 km) scenic drive is another popular option. Depending upon what time of the year people visit Red Rock Canyon, there are various events happening much of the time. Guided hikes, bird watching, and art projects are among the typical events. You can learn more from the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association

Mt. Charleston Kyle Canyon View Oct 2014
Mt. Charleston Kyle Canyon View Oct 2014

Mount Charleston
Take a 45 minute drive out of Las Vegas and you will arrive at the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County, Nevada. While most already know about the splendor of Red Rock Canyon, spending a spring day hiking or having a picnic atop Mount Charleston are among the best ways to enjoy nature in Nevada. You can also make a weekend of it by booking in at the charming Mount Charleston Resort. Mount Charleston is a large (56,600 acres) wilderness area that includes the highest peak in southern Nevada, Mt. Charleston (11,918 feet), and all of the higher elevations in the Spring Mountains. Much of the land over about 7,000 feet is included in the wilderness area. These mountains are rugged, with towering carbonate cliffs, steep hillsides, and deep narrow canyons. The highest, wind-swept summit ridges are barren, but the lower ridges and slopes are cloaked in a forest of ancient bristlecone pine. Lower down, extensive forests of ponderosa pine and white fir provide habitat for the Palmer’s chipmunk, a species that only occurs in the Spring Mountains. Below those forests, a Pinyon-Juniper Woodland dominates the landscape. The only herd of Rocky Mountain elk in Clark County can be found near Cold Creek. Snowmelt and a few springs provide water for wildlife in the high country.

Hoover Damn
Around 3,000 people travel to the Hoover Dam every day. At 726 feet (221 meters) tall, the enormous curved wall is an architectural marvel, that was constructed to control flooding, produce electricity and provide irrigated water. Visitors can tour the Hoover Dam, including a short video about the dam’s history and interactive displays. From the overlook, visitors get stunning views of the dam, Lake Mead, the Black Canyon, and the Colorado River. Tours of the power plant are also available for a small fee. The Hoover Dam is only 35 miles (56 km) south of Vegas in Boulder City. Drivers can reach the attraction on U.S. Route 93.

Wave of Fire
Wave of Fire

Valley of Fire State Park
Just one hour east of the Vegas Strip, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and biggest state park with its founding dating back to 1935. Ancient trees and rock formations combine with 3,000 year-old petroglyphs left by early American Indians to create one of the most unique and beautiful areas in America. The name, Valley of Fire, comes from massive red sandstone formations created 150 million years ago. The uplifting and faulting coupled with erosion to create the landscape we see today. Humans are believed to have used the area from 300 B.C.E. to 1150 C.E. for hunting and gathering, but likely didn’t stay in the area long due to the lack of water.  The desert plant life in the area is abundant, with creosote bush, burro bush, and brillte bush. The variety of cactus species include beaver tail and cholla make for great pictures, especially when the flowering begins in the spring. The roads in the spring are awash with color from the Desert Marigolds, Indigo Bush and Desert Mallow. Although there are plenty of animals in the Valley of Fire, many are nocturnal and not seen by the majority of visitors. Be on the lookout for many different kinds of lizards and snakes; and if you’re really lucky, you might spy Big Horn Sheep, Coyotes, Kit Foxes, Spotted Skunks, Black Tailed Jack Rabbits, and Antelope Ground Squirrels. Resident birds include the raven, house finch, sage sparrow, and roadrunner. Many migrant birds also pass through the park.

web1_NV150_LOSTCITY_001Lost City Museum of Archeology
The Lost City Museum of Archeology is in Overton, just north of the Valley of Fire, in the Moapa Valley. Formerly known as the Boulder Dam Park Museum, the Lost City is a must see for amateur archaeologists and students of history alike. The museum highlights the Pueblo Grande de Nevada, an ancient site showing signs of human occupation that is at least 8,000 years old. The extant ruins were founded by the Basketmaker people about AD 300. Later, the Ancestral Puebloans built a small town that was occupied until AD 1150. Laid out in the three wings of the museum building tourists will find a wide variety of archaeological treasures. Of note are the Anasazi artifacts and the original Pueblo foundation found by the US Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The museum regularly hosts artwork by local artists.

Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon
An American treasure and natural historic wonder, the 277-mile-long Grand Canyon is a must-see for anyone in the Southwest. Travel time between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is 4.5 hours, but it’s worth the trip to see the layers of natural rock formations cut by the Colorado River over millions and millions of years. Ever wanted to feel like an ant scaling a rock? Inside the immersive canyon’s south rim, hiking opportunities abound, with breathtaking views of the rocky peaks and vistas to make any visitor feel the impact of this gigantic, beautiful earth.  Animal life in the Grand Canyon is as diverse as plant life. The unique biospheres provide an abundance of food, water and shelter for all kinds of mammals, reptiles and birds. According to the National Park Service, the Canyon provides habitat for 355 bird species, 89 mammalian species and 56 reptile and amphibian species. Some species have even evolved specifically to suit themselves to the Grand Canyon’s special elevations and climates. Others are naturally uniquely suited to it. Because of the Grand Canyon Wildlife Program, species are protected, cultivated and studied ensuring their populations will continue to thrive. Visit the Grand Canyon

Buy Your Own Town Near Las Vegas

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It has gambling, it’s own fire station and even a post office and you can buy the town of Cal-Nev-Ari for the grand total of $8 million. Only about an hour south of Las Vegas, this town has been put on sale by Nancy Kidwell. She and her first husband, Slim, named the town for the three states that intersect nearby (California, Nevada and Arizona).

About 375 people live in the town that sports a 10-unit hotel with, a general store, a laundromat and community centre. There is even a fire station.

Among the residents is 12-year-old Trace Madsen. Talking about the town, he said, “it may look bland and boring, but it’s pretty cool.”

maxresdefaultMs Kidwell and her first husband had got 640 acres and a World War II dirt airstrip from the federal government at no charge in the 1960s.

Ms Kidwell does everything in Cal-Nev-Ari, from ordering the beef patties for the cafe, to opening up the post office, and hiring the bartenders for the 24-hour saloon.

For 51 years, Ms Kidwell has ruled the roost in the town. “Go up and check the water tank every day, make sure it’s full, before I come to the casino,” she said.

Asked why she does not have people for that, Ms Kidwell said, “I wouldn’t trust them. I have to see it for myself because I know the system.”

But now at 78-years-old with no children or surviving spouse, Ms Kidwell grudgingly admitted time has the upper hand.

“I’m selling it because I’m not getting any younger,” Ms Kidwell was quoted as saying.

AquaKnox Talks Best Seafood in Las Vegas

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AquaKnox has long been considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Las Vegas, known for its fresh seafood and outstanding raw bar. In 2013, Forbes named AquaKnox one of the top seafood restaurants in the United States and gave it it’s coveted four star award.  Wine Spectator in 2015 gave them the Award of Excellence for their amazing wine collection. Everything about the restaurant says “excellent” including it delightful selection of caviar. Thus it was a surprise to me and much of the culinary world when Samba Brands announced they were placing the SushiSamba offshoot, SugarCane right across from AquaKnox after winning a bidding war to get the former V Bar/Club space. Several restaurant managers even told me that they believed AquaKnox would be closing, or creating a non-competitive venture in the same location.

Wine @ AquaKnox
Wine @ AquaKnox

However, Tavistock Restaurant Collection CEO, John T. Bettin emailed me personally to inform PaceVegas that they were dedicated to continuing in that space, and keeping AquaKnox. Andrea Von Utter, their Chief Markting Officer was nice enough to take some time out of their busy schedule to answer some questions about their future, what they are planning next year, and more importantly, what is really tasty at AquaKnox.

In general, what is the future of AquaKnox in the Venetian? Is AquaKnox dedicated to being a part of Las Vegas for the foreseeable future? Yes, AquaKnox is dedicated to continuing our reputation as one of best places for fresh, quality seafood in Las Vegas. We have 8 years left on our lease and we fully intend to operate through that time period.

Sushi Samba is opening a competing Raw Bar near AquaKnox. What is AquaKnox doing to differentiate itself from this project? While both restaurants specialize in seafood, the selection at AquaKnox is very broad while Sushi Samba focuses Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine. The AquaKnox menu is chef-driven based on seasonal and fresh seafood available from around the world.

We pride ourselves on unique offerings such as our signature John Dory dish plated with lobster corn succotash and corn nage. The way we serve it is exclusive to AquaKnox.

TAS_REVIEW040809B_63243a_8colWhat should we expect this summer from AquaKnox that is innovative and interesting menu-wise?
With a seasonal menu, we continually offer interesting and innovative food and drink options for our guests. This summer, Executive Chef James DeFraga is featuring a fresh variety of seasonal items including wild king and sockeye salmon, and halibut. We’re also featuring a 28oz Australian waygu tomahawk rib-eye steak.

What are restaurants like Aquaknox doing to help keep seafood sustainable for the next generation? How has this affected prices and availability of menu items? At AquaKnox, we only buy our seafood from credited sustainable purveyors. Our oysters come exclusively from Blue Island Oyster Company. The crab legs are sourced through a local vendor, The Crab Broker. They can trace the crab to the specific boat and time when the crab was harvested. Sourcing the freshest ingredients can sometimes have an impact on availability and price, but we’re committed to serving our guests the absolute best.

Tavistock Restaurants LLC has locations all over the US, and two restaurants both in the Palazzo Venetian. What makes Las Vegas the most interesting place for opening restaurants, and the most challenging? Las Vegas is a wonderful restaurant town. There’s tremendous accessibility to different cuisines, dining styles, and atmospheres – it’s a very rich landscape that we’re happy to have a presence in. There’s certainly a high level of competition here with all of the new restaurants opening and the renowned mainstays that continue to evolve. That competition can be challenging, but it’s also motivates us to continue to keep our restaurants at the forefront of the Las Vegas dining scene.

I noticed that Tavistock doesn’t use the same concept more than once, while many concept and even celebrity chef restaurants will duplicate their brands. Why did you guys make this decision? We do have a few of our brands that operate in more than one location – Abe & Louie’s, Timpano and Joe’s American Bar & Grill all have multiple restaurants. Overall, we believe in building individual restaurants that cater to the surrounding community. Whether that’s the same concept in two different cities or a unique brand, each restaurant is designed to support and reflect its community with a focus on creating memorable experiences for our guests each and every visit.

What does AquaKnox and Canoñita look for mainly in food service employees? Where should be people apply if they are interested in working in Las Vegas for your company. For AquaKnox, Canonita and all of our restaurants, we believe an exceptional dining experience depends on engaging service. We are looking for employees with passion, integrity, intellect and a solid work ethic who strive for excellence and seek opportunities for growth. Tavistock Restaurant Collection employs hundreds of employees for each restaurant location and we’re dedicated to helping people build lasting careers. If you’re interested in working for us, please visit http://tavistockrestaurantcollection.com/careers

Top Facebook Stories in Las Vegas Last Week 5/20-5/27

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Anchor Rikki Cheese Shamed for DUI by LVRJ
The Las Vegas Review Journal didn’t hold back when reporting on Channel 13’s Rikki Cheese being arrested for a DUI and went as far as a public shaming. I’m not sure I’m in agreement for anyone and everyone’s arrest records being shared as “news” but here it is, she obviously need a little help and who knows, this might save her life. If she wasn’t “shamed” she might continue doing it?

Las Vegas Weekly Gives Their Ideas on Palms Station
Great little story from the fun guys at LasVegasWeekly.com about what should happen with Palms after Stations finishes it acquisition. Personally, I’m not against tearing the whole thing down and starting again, but those that know better than I have other ideas including turning the old Playboy Club into a Bowling Alley and getting the LGBT interested in their clubs.

Al Mancini Destroys Ikea with Vegas Seven
Personally, I’ve never actually been to an Ikea, since the entire idea sort of frightens me. Seems like a huge wooden fire hazard waiting to happen, and with everyone full on meatballs, I can’t image terribly safe. Al Mancini seems to like it even less than I, but I never got the idea he was a Ikea type of fellow in the first place. Or a food reviewer, but there he is. Also, I’m a little freaked out by little angry Al here.


Vegas Inc Believes Resorts World PR BS
I’m not sure what to think any more about these projects. Didn’t there used to be a time when people said they were building stuff, they actually did it? Why doesn’t Vegas require bonds for demolition from the developers who often disappear faster than a one-hour hooker. Well, Vegas Inc is sure that Resorts World Chinese Themed Super Resort is on.

Eater Vegas Loves Honey Toast
Not a lot of social action from Eater Vegas this past week unfortunately, this biggest story only got 61 likes. It’s actually a really good niche, long-tail search term, so I expect will be a long lasting article. I would have liked it twice, because I loved honey toast and think this new writer Agnes is the bomb.

Scott Roeben Stalks What is Left of Riviera
I’m beyond fascinated with Scott’s fascination of drones and pretty much how to drone all of Las Vegas. Besides the amazing podcast, Scott seems to spend all his time flying outside now with a drone, and it’s gotten me hooked on the idea also and I’ve been window shopping for my own. Why? Not completely sure, but they seem really cool. Anyway, Scott this week has been droning and photographing Riviera obsessively because… well, it’s cool also.

Best Ice Cream and Gelato to Keep You Cool in Las Vegas

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If you’re either a local or visiting Las Vegas, you’re going to want to know where the coolest things are to keep the sun from melting you on a hot summer day. There’s actually an interesting ice-cream culture in Las Vegas, including stories of drama, breakups, flavors being stolen and competitors fighting.  The result has been some of the best flavors of ice cream and gelato I’ve had in a long time, bar none. I’ve gone the extra mile to try different ice cream places, and here is our selection of the best places in the Las Vegas Valley that we’ve tried and enjoyed—plus the opinions of some of the top experts on what they like, what they tried and what killer spots they recommend.

art-of-flavors-gelatoArt of Flavors
1616 S Las Vegas Blvd #130, Las Vegas, NV 89104
“The Art of Flavors has transformed the previous shop from a sweet afterthought to a culinary experiment into what flavor can be. Chef Douglas Taylor, formerly head of pastry for all of Batali’s Vegas restaurants, is drawing on his longtime experience in pastry and his farm-to-table expertise to honor the great tradition of gelato making. “ – Adam Rains

Gelato Messina @ Downtown Summerlin
2010 Festival Plaza Dr #130, Las Vegas, NV 89135
“I’m more than comfortable saying that Gelato Messina is immediately the best Gelato in town and although prices trend higher than other local scoop shops the amount of time, quality, and craft going into the production cannot be overlooked – a ‘get what you pay for’ experience with almost everything made on the premises.” – Michael Uzmann (told us this is an old review, and they aren’t the “best” anymore)

Icepan Custom Flavors
Icepan Custom Flavors

IcePan @ Harrah’s
3475 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 ·
“IcePan serves innovative frozen treats at Harrah’s Las Vegas. You choose the flavor and the type of milk you want, then watch the IcePan team make your favorite ice cream in about a minute right in front of you. They use 15 fresh toppings, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and 10 flavors of ice cream. There’s also a non-dairy soy option. The result are concoctions very low in sugar fat and cholesterol, compared to ordinary ice cream.” – Las Vegas Sun

Snowflake Shavery
5020 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146
Located in Chinatown and “Inspired by Thai ice cream, Snowflake Shavery has created the perfect cross between ice cream and shaved ice. This lighter version of ice cream will leave you feeling light and satisfied after you scarf down a bowl. But if you don’t like being #skinny, go for that second serving since it’s not actually ice cream. True story. Between the crazy combos on the menu, like Black Sesame Sensation, Crunchy Cookie or the make your own option, the possibilities are endless.” – Spoon University

EIS Cream Café
9711 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89183
The small batches of ice cream are made with natural ingredients, including hand-picked strawberries from Watsonville Strawberry Field, Guittard chocolate and mango, taro and coconut flown in from the Philippines, according to the shop’s website. It also advertises using real matcha in the green tea, as well as fresh roasted pistachios, almonds and peanuts. – LVRJ

Gelato display @ Gelatology
Gelato display @ Gelatology

Gelatology (Instagram)
7910 S Rainbow Blvd #110, Las Vegas, NV 89139
“Inside you will find Desyrée smiling and serving to her hearts content. And by “to her hearts content” we mean gelato and pastries that she’s been making for the previous twelve hours….from scratch…all naturally… from flavors, fruits and  whatever frippery she has personally smashed, chopped, pureed, cooked, extracted, baked or boiled to elicit the strongest, cleanest, most intense sensations possible…Just as good as her milk based products are her fruit flavored sorbetti – wonders of purity that will have you doing a swoon dive of your own into flavor after flavor.” – John Curtas

Armin Van Buuren and Moby to Keynote EDMBiz during EDC Las Vegas.

Insomniac announced today, its programming schedule for the 5th Annual EDMbiz Conference & Expo, taking place Tuesday, June 14 through Thursday, June 16 at Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. This year’s EDMbiz will feature headlining keynotes from renowned producer Armin van Buuren, Bob Lefsetz of The Lefsetz Letter, producer Moby, and Insomniac CEO & Founder, Pasquale Rotella. Following his Keynote, Moby, will also host a special book signing of Porcelain: A Memoir. Spread across two stages, all elements and activations surrounding EDMbiz encompass the conference’s three cornerstones: Experience, Technology and Aspiration.

Audiences will have the opportunity to be a part of discussions that explore the most pressing issues in the dance industry today, including After the Drop, Beyond the Boys Club, Drugs in Dance Music and an exclusive presentation by Nielsen. Kicking-off each morning, attendees have access to an invigorating yoga session by The Divine Movement. To close out each day, EDMbiz will, for the first time, host a conference wide Networking Happy Hour allowing everyone to recap on the day’s events and unwind with their peers and mentors.

Specialty programming includes, the first-ever EDC Hackathon, the return of the  EDMbiz A&R contest, and a one-of-a-kind mentoring program designed to empower and educate young hopefuls. The mentorship program, hosted by Little Empire Music and SkyLight, will cover a diverse range of topics and feature, newly added mentor, Christian Karlsson (DJ/Producer Mentor, Bloodshy/Galantis/Miike Snow).

The following keynote sessions and panels with noted speakers will take place at EDMbiz. Newly added speakers are italicized.*

  • KEYNOTE: ARMIN VAN BUUREN
    • Moderator: to be announced
  • KEYNOTE: BOB LEFSETZ, AUTHOR, THE LEFSETZ LETTER
    • Moderator: John Boyle, Chief Growth Officer & Interim CFO, Insomniac
  • KEYNOTE: MOBY
    • Moderator: Jason Bentley, Music Director, KCRW
  • KEYNOTE: PASQUALE ROTELLA
    • Moderator: John Amato, Co-President, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group
  • A&R COMPETITION – BEST DANCE TRACK
    • Danny Howard, BBC Radio 1
    • Joe Wiseman, Label Manager/A&R, Insomniac
    • Laidback Luke, Artist
    • Pedro Guzmán, Executive Vice President / Head of A&R, Aftercluv Dancelab
    • More to be announced
  • ADS, FADS, AND THE FUTURE OF RADIO
    • Moderator: Ted Cohen, Managing Partner, TAG Strategic
    • Austin Kramer, Head of Programming-Dance & Electronic, Spotify
    • Ben Gill, Head of Programming, Dance & Electronic Music, Pandora
    • Danny Howard, BBC Radio 1
    • George Hess, CEO, Zero2Fifty Group
    • Geronimo, Senior Director of Programming, SiriusXM
  • AFTER THE DROP: THE STATE OF DANCE MUSIC
    • Moderator: Matt Medved, Senior Editor, Dance/Electronic, Billboard
    • Andrew Goldstone, Manager – Tiesto and Don Diablo, GM of Musical Freedom Records
    • Ed Shapiro, Partner, Reed Smith, LLP.
    • James Algate, Vice President of Music, Hakkasan Group
    • John Boyle, Chief Growth Officer & Intertim CFO
    • Sebastian Solano, CEO, ID&T
  • ANTICIPATION, AUDIENCE, AND NOT BEING AUSTRALIAN
    • Chad Moses, Music & Events, To Write Love on Her Arms
  • BEYOND THE BOYS’ CLUB: WHAT’S NEXT FOR WOMEN IN DANCE MUSIC
    • Moderator: Katie Bain, Contributing Writer at Beatport, Insomniac, LA Weekly, The Huffington Post
    • Liz Garard, President & Founder, Nap Girls
    • MacKenzie Reynolds, Publicity Manager, Capitol Music Group
    • Matthew Adell, Founder, MetaPop
    • Neda Azarfar, Vice President, Marketing Communications, The Recording Academy
    • Nicole Moudaber, Artist
    • Sarah Polonsky, US Editor, DJ Magazine
  • BILLBOARD DANCE POWER PLAYERS 2016 PRESENTATION
    • Matt Medved, Senior Editor, Dance/Electronic, Billboard
  • BREAKOUT WITH PAUL OAKENFOLD
    • Paul Oakenfold, Artist
  • BUILDING THE NEXT BIG DJ
    • Moderator: Gerry Gerrard, Wired Artist Management
    • Jauz, Artist
    • Marshmello, Artist
    • Matt Rodriguez, VP, West Coast, AM Only
    • Moe Shalizi, Artist Manager, Red Light Management
    • Ookay, Artist
    • Steve Gordon, Owner, Circle Talent Agency
  • DRUGS IN DANCE MUSIC: IT’S TIME FOR THE INDUSTRY TO ACT
    • Moderator: Mark Lawrence, Chief Executive, AFEM
    • Dede Goldsmith, Youth Advocate & President, Protect Our Youth, Inc.
    • Kevin Kerslake, Filmmaker/Photographer, Director – “As I AM”
    • Kennedy Jones, Artist
    • Maren Steiner, Director of Health & Safety, Insomniac
    • Patt Ochoa, Cofounder & Program Director, Sustain Recovery
    • Stefanie Jones, Director of Audience Development, Drug Policy Alliance
  • EDM IS DEAD, LONG LIVE EDM! (EDM’S VALUE TO BRANDS AND LIVE EVENTS), NIELSEN PRESENTATION
    • Matt Yazge, Director of Brand Partnerships, Nielsen Music
  • LITTLE EMPIRE AND SKYLIGHT: PROMOTING THE FUTURE THROUGH MENTORSHIP
    • Alexandra Greenberg, Senior VP, MSO PR
    • Christian Karlsson, DJ/Producer Mentor, Bloodshy/Galantis/Miike Snow
    • Ed Shapiro, Partner, Reed Smith, LLP.
    • Geronimo, Senior Director of Programming, SiriusXM
    • Randy Sosin, Senior Vice President, Film & Video Production, Insomniac

Stephanie LaFera, Founder & CEO, Little Empire Music & Co-Founder, SkyLight

  • MEET THE AGENCY: CAA
    • Moderator: John Boyle, Chief Growth Officer & Interim CFO, Insomniac
    • Darryl Eaton, Co-Head of Contemporary Music, North America, CAA
    • Hunter Williams, Agent, CAA
    • Jazz Spinder, Agent, CAA
    • Mac Clark, Agent, CAA
    • Maria May, Agent, CAA
    • Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of Worldwide Music, CAA
  • RAYMOND LEON ROKER, URB FOUNDER, OPENS THE URB ARCHIVES FOR THE FIRST TIME
  • RESURGENCE OF TRANCE
    • Moderator: Dave Ralph, Head of Talent, Insomniac
    • Dimitri De Wit, Owner, Twenty4Seven Management
    • Jeff Ryan, Managing Director of Dreamstate, Insomniac
    • Markus Schulz, Artist
    • Paul Oakenfold, Artist
    • Tim Smeets, David Lewis Productions
  • SHOW/BUSINESS: ENTREPRENEURS IN DANCE MUSIC
    • Moderator: Justin Spagg, Senior Director of Operations, Insomniac
    • Ali Shakeri, Cofounder, ToneDen
    • Amy Pham, DJ, Host, Actress
    • Brian Lim, CEO/Founder, EmazingLights / iHeartRaves / IntoTheAM
    • Nick Kneuper, CEO, Electric Styles
    • Nick Ward, CFO, YourEDM
  • SUCCESS ON THE BIG SCREEN: EDM PIONEER JUNKIE XL MAKES HOLLYWOOD’S A-LIST
    • Moderator: Jason Bentley, Music Director, KCRW
    • Junkie XL, Artist & Film Composer
  • WHAT’S IN A NAME?
    • Rich Thomas, Vice President, Content, Insomniac
    • Tommie Sunshine, Artist/Activist
    • More to be announced
  • 5TH ANNUAL EDMBIZ ARTIST PANEL
    • Artists to be announced

Angry Bernie Sanders Mob Tries to Bern Down Vegas Restaurant

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In perhaps the dumbest thing ever, some very verbal Bernie Sander’s supporters have decided try to shut down Porchlight Grill, a local restaurant because they believe it’s owned by the Nevada Democratic Party’s State Chair, Roberta Lange.

They are angry about their loss during the democratic convention, when Hillary Clinton won the Nevada State Convention, claiming that the Chairwoman Ms. Lange was “corrupt” for not allowing Bernie Sanders to win.

The problem is that Roberta Lange doesn’t own the restaurant, and the threats including death threats on voice mail have been going to their real owner who is tired of the threats and harassment.

Even worse is that Sander’s supporters have been leaving negative reviews on their Facebook page, many of them from outside Vegas, having nothing to do with Nevada. They even got Google temporarily to say the place was closed.