THE VEGAS EYE

Restaurant Week Las Vegas: A coming of age story

Restaurant Week, which has been an annual event in many major cities in the past, is coming to Las Vegas for the very first time September 2nd - 8th. Participating fine dining restaurants offer lower prices on gourmet meals in order to raise money for a worthwhile charity and to expose more people to cuisine they may not have enjoyed before.

A portion of the proceeds from Las Vegas Restaurant Week will be donated to Three Square, an organization designed to help alleviate hunger in Southern Nevada. Three square is a non-profit organization that serves an average of 3,000 meals a week to the needy.

For $50.07, patrons at Las Vegas restaurants are not only getting an amazing gourmet meal, but are also helping those who don?t necessarily even get the chance to eat every day.David McIntyre, Vice President of Food and Beverage at the MGM Grand hotel/casino and co-creator of Restaurant Week in Las Vegas says, "Restaurant Week is a wonderful opportunity to offer the experience of our city's restaurants at a great value while working with a wonderful organization "Three Square" to help alleviate hunger in our community.

"We are confident the seeds of our efforts will grow much larger in the years to come."

The anticipation for the event is building and chefs such as Bradley Ogden, whose restaurant in Caesars Palace was winner of the James Beard Foundation's Best New Restaurant of the Year award, can't wait to participate. "We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to participate in Las Vegas" first ever Restaurant Week. Over the past five years Las Vegas has exploded onto the culinary scene and now features some of the finest chefs from around the world. Las Vegas Restaurant Week is a great way to showcase this talent to the entire city."

Prestigious Chef Michael Mina can't wait to sink his teeth into Restaurant Week as well. He explains, "I am very grateful to be a part of the first Restaurant Week in Las Vegas and hope the local community as well as our visiting guests will enjoy the special menus and events to benefit this great cause."

Participating restaurants include Aureole and Fleur de Lys inside Mandalay Bay; Todd English's Olives, Shintaro, and Circo inside Bellagio; Bradley Ogden, Rao's, and Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill inside Caesars Palace; STACK and Onda in The Mirage; Fusia and Steakhouse in Luxor; Garden Grill and The Steakhouse inside Circus Circus; Nine Steakhouse and Nove Italiano in The Palms; Isla and Social House inside Treasure Island; Orchid and Valentino in The Venetian; Maggiano's inside Fashion Show; and T-Bones in Red Rock, along with independent restaurants such as Vinter Grill and Rosemary's Restaurant.

Blush opens its doors to the public this Friday, August 31st! Blush is the city's first boutique nightclub, an intimate venue with personalized service that retains the high energy of a large club. The location underwent a complete remodel under the direction of Wynn's Executive Vice President of Design Roger Thomas. The 4,500 square-foot club will feature a lit onyx dance floor and 300 crème lantern ceiling sculptures. This central art focal piece will create various hues and images that enhance the vibe and atmosphere as the display literally comes alive nightly. Blush is open nightly at 5pm and transforms into an energetic, sensual club on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm until 4am. Blush Tuesdays is industry night with DJ Mighty Mi; Project Thursdays features DJ Jack Lafleur. 702.770.WYNN.

A Word Overheard?

The Opium Wars
The Miami based Opium Group will soon be operating at Planet Hollywood and the resort has been seeing a lot of activity as of late. Rumors are that since their abrupt leave from Trader Vic?s, Billy Richardson and Kyle Madden along with co-conspirator Leor Yerushalmi aka "Leor The Jeweler" are trying to buy up 20% of the Opium Group. Other news coming from an anonymous Miami source is that The Opium Group has picked up Greg Jarmolowich and Frank Tucker, both formerly of Pure Management Group. Jarmolowich and Tucker have been in negotiations with Hard Rock President Randy Kwasniewski to take over AJ's steakhouse at The Hard Rock. Word on the street is that the restaurant deal will be funded by The Opium Group. Sources are telling us that Jarmolovich will run the nightclubs in Planet Hollywood, while Tucker will run the restaurant at Hard Rock. Attempts to contact Jarmolovich have remained unanswered. This deal will certainly only fuel the bad blood between Planet Hollywood owner/co-founder Robert Earl and Hard Rock corporate including, co-founder Peter Morton. This would mean that Earl once again would have a direct connection with The Hard Rock properties. Jarmolovich was recently let go from Pure Management Group for unprofessional conduct at a rival property. Both he and Tucker had been seen at The Hard Rock over the past few weeks, not un-conspicuously while still on the PMG payroll.

Pimpin? at the Palms Weekend
The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas will host one of Sin City?s hottest three-day Labor Day weekend celebrations from Friday, August 31st to Sunday, September 2nd. Following the weeklong festivities commemorating the MAGIC Marketplace including superstar performances by Mandy Moore, Macy Gray and the Gypsy Kings, the N9NE Group is joining forces with John Huntington and Damian Sanders -the creators behind Club Rubber and Pimp"n"Ho to produce an action-packed Labor Day weekend of epic proportions. The N9NE Group will host consecutive dusk "till dawn parties at Moon nightclub, Rain Nightclub, The Palms Pool & Bungalows and ghostbar; all of which will feature world class DJs and dazzling performances including the spinning talents of renowned rap-rocker bad boy Kid Rock. Tickets for each night during The Pimpin? at the Palms weekend range from $40 - $70 and will include the following events: Friday (8/31) - The Opening Party Hosted by Kid Rock from 10pm - 5am; after performing at the Pearl Theater, Kid Rock will kick off the explosive opening night with an after party at Moon nightclub, performing his celebrated DJ sets along with supporting acts which will include Moon?s resident DJs Danny Love, The Funkler and Beej. Saturday (9/1) - At the weekend's headlining event, guests will be treated to a sensory overload at the elaborately decked out Palms Pool & Bungalows, featuring world-class performances by DJ Danny Love, DJ Eric Cubiche and The Funkler. Rain Nightclub will showcase the spinning talents of DJ Dan, one of the world?s top five DJs, Mickey Avalon, renowned L.A. underground artist and UK?s legendary DJ Matt Darey, with supporting acts including resident DJ Beej. Sunday (9/2) - To close out the weekend celebration, the tempo will take a turn for the smooth as guests are invited to the pool party at the sexy Palms Pool & Bungalows.

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