When the Tropicana hotel was taken over by the Onex Corporation (led by former MGM Mirage executive Alex Yemenidjian) in 2009, the company decided to go against the norm and preserve one of the few 1950s Las Vegas Strip hotels still standing by choosing to remodel instead of demolish the property.

“The Tropicana has a pretty storied history and there’s a lot to that in terms of recognition and we knew we wanted to keep a touch of the past in terms of the brand name,” said Arik Knowles, vice president of hotel operations for the Tropicana.

“Also the timing was interesting because you had CityCenter coming to an end, you had Fontainebleau and the Echelon projects come to a halt and a lot of other projects were coming to completion or ending, and so for us, we found it was an opportune time to do a remodel because there was a lot of availability for contractors, subcontractors, designers – the whole development world. We call it smart development – it made sense for timing and it made sense for an ROI (return on investment),” said Knowles.

The Tropicana Hotel has been a fixture on the Strip since it opened on April 4, 1957.  It was a first-class property with 300 rooms, an Olympic-size pool, lush landscaping and nicknamed the “Tiffany of the Strip” by the Saturday Evening Post in reference to the property’s elegance.

The hotel was revamped several times over the years. In 1959, an additional 150-room wing was added. In 1962, a 116-room wing was added and in 1978 the 600-room Tiffany (now Paradise) Tower opened. Ramada Inns, Inc. acquired the property in 1979 and in 1985, the resort converted to “The Island of Las Vegas” theme, adding the 22-story Island Tower. The hotel’s rooms were freshened up in 1998-1999, but the property hasn’t been updated since then.

It was definitely time for a makeover and Knowles said the goal of the renovation project is not to completely do away with the Tropicana’s image, but to improve upon the existing product and create “best in class” rooms.

“We’re not trying to compete in the luxury market. We’re not trying to be Wynn, we’re not trying to be the Bellagio. The Tropicana for a long time competed in what I call the ‘C’ level category of hotels. We originally thought we’d be at the top of the ‘C’ level when the renovation was complete, but we’re seeing very quickly – because a lot of these ‘B’ level hotels haven’t been remodeled in a long time – that we can compete with the ‘B’ level. That middle market is a very big market here in Las Vegas and we think that we can compete with the top of the ‘B’ market and so that, combined with a Four Diamond rating from AAA are our main goals.”

The slogan you’ll see posted everywhere around the Tropicana these days is “We’re changing everything” and it’s not an exaggeration. Areas that have already been remodeled or are scheduled for updating include the guest rooms, pool, sports book, spa, convention center, casino and restaurants. The property is converting to a South Beach style with décor that features white marble, shutters and lots of plants and palms.

The remodeled Paradise room at the Tropicana

Knowles said the big change Tropicana guests will enjoy is the new rooms. “Our room product is the newest room product in that ‘B’ category and competes with the best of them. Our beds are brand new – pretty much every single thing in the rooms is brand new. We say all the time we have good bones. The hotel had good bones, it just needed a facelift and that’s what we’re doing in the rooms.”

The hotel’s new Paradise Tower rooms, which opened in April, feature 42-inch flat panel TVs luxury bedding, iPod docks and plantation shutters on the windows.

Construction is continuing on the Island Tower rooms (scheduled for completion in September), which are much like the Paradise Tower rooms, but are geared toward convention goers who visit the resort’s revamped 110,000-square-foot convention space.

“The Island Tower sits on top of the convention center so it’s geared more toward a conference center/convention client because of ease of access and location, so we made one design change in there where we put a desk unit that comes out from the TV dresser area and adds more space for a convention person to spread out and have more workspace,” said Knowles.

Swim-up blackjack at the Tropicana pool

Next to the guest rooms, Knowles said the resort’s new pool area is the highlight of the refurbishing project.

“It’s not a concrete hole in the ground like most of our competitors, it’s very lush, very resort feeling. A lot of our customers now that come here and see the renovation are saying that it feels more like coming to a resort destination rather than to Las Vegas,” said Knowles.

The first phase of the pool project was unveiled in May and features an expansive pool deck with lush landscaping, waterfalls, swim-up blackjack tables and cabanas.

Phase two of the pool development will be the addition of the Nikki Beach complex slated for spring 2011.

The new Las Vegas location will be the largest Nikki Beach property in the world. The opulent beach club will feature loungers, opium beds and cabanas, complete with bottle service and hors d’oeuvres. Nikki Beach will include a restaurant, outdoor cafe and bar and a private island in the center of the tropical pool.

Along with Nikki Beach will come a new nightlife offering at the Tropicana — Club Nikki, a 15,000-square-foot nightclub decorated in an elegant all-white color scheme. Club Nikki will feature interactive entertainment such as “champagne muses” and world-renowned DJs dueling on each side of the dance floor.

While the Nikki Beach complex won’t be ready until 2011, there are many more changes scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The Tropicana will open a new poker room and a new race and sports book operated by Cantor Gaming, which will include mobile gaming and skyboxes.

Also by the end of the year, a new restaurant and updated bars will open at the hotel. One of the highlights will be Ambhar, located in the main casino area, which will feature cocktails crafted with Ambahr Platinum tequila.

The Tropicana was home to the storied “Folies Bergere” production show for many years and Knowles said the hotel is looking at new options for entertainment with the goal of renovating the theater and having a show in by early next year. For now, guests can enjoy a new comedy club from actor and comedian Brad Garrett.

Brad Garrett has opened a comedy club at the Tropicana

“Tropicana was the perfect home for me because we’re trying to build what Vegas used to be, make it all about the customer,” Garrett said. “I think the older Vegas, it was really all about the customer and the clientele and making them feel that the hotel will go the extra mile for you.”

The hotel is also opening the Mob Experience exhibit in December, a large collection of authentic artifacts, memorabilia, photos and videos about organized crime.

Although most of the changes are on the interior, customers will also notice an overhaul on the outside of the Tropicana. The porte cochere, valet and check-in have all been redone.

“The entrance is new with white marble steps and the ceiling is very, very Miami, it’s very, very South Beach in that sort of art deco look and feel — basically it’s all white and very cleaned up,” said Knowles.

He said in addition to the aesthetic improvements at the property, a focus on customer service is a priority at the new Tropicana.

“The fixing of the neglect of the building, the physical part of it, to us is actually the easiest part — you design it, you pay someone to come in and create it for you. The service culture is actually our biggest focus. We actually have a service culture team that we’ve put into place that has been working with the team members to change the idea of what a visit in Las Vegas is,” he said. “So, we jokingly — but not really jokingly — say that we’re a boutique, because when all is said and done, we have 1,658 rooms on the Strip. All of our competitors have more and we’re able to engage the customers in ways that they wish they could.”

Knowles said the biggest hurdle the hotel has faced with its facelift is that some people didn’t want the hotel to change. “There are a few people who liked the Tropicana how it was and when those people come to see it, we change their minds,” he said.

“There was one customer we were talking to in the valet — we happened to catch her and she’d been coming to the Tropicana for 15 years and she was sort of unimpressed with what she saw so far because we were under construction. So we walked with her into the front door — and it was a week after we got the new pit carpet, the new tables in and the walkway was complete — and she just kind of stood there for awhile looking at it and I wasn’t sure what she was going to say but she goes, ‘okay, I get it now.’”

Knowles said the idea of what the Tropicana is in people’s minds and actually seeing it are two completely different things.

“Our goal is to get people to come see what it looks like so they can change their mind about what they feel when they hear the name Tropicana.”

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There’s something nostalgic and cheery about a thick, gloppy milkshake.

“Milkshakes put you in a good mood and they are something you would always share,” explains Daniel Lydia, general manager of Lagasse’s Stadium in Palazzo Las Vegas.

Although you might not want to share these milkshakes, indulging in them will make you feel like a kid again, even though you’re all grown up now. Additionally, July is National Ice Cream Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than to channel your inner youth and go for a cool, frosty treat.

Here are some of Vegas’ most decadent milkshakes and we promise, you won’t need any fries with these shakes.

Campfire Marshmallow at BLT Burger

Campfire marshmallow

Available at: BLT Burger in the Mirage
Why we love it: It’s not every day you get to sit around a campfire, working on your marshmallow roasting techniques, so it’s understandable if you’re a little rusty. Luckily, BLT Burger creates perfectly charred on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside marshmallows. Marshmallows of this caliber would certainly be a treat on their own, but add them to vanilla ice cream for the ultimate Campfire Marshmallow shake and now you’ve got something.
Price: $7

Cap’n Crunch

Available at: KGB in Harrah’s Las Vegas
Why we love it: Your favorite breakfast cereal with ice cold milk is tempting enough, but your favorite breakfast cereal and ice cream? Well, that’s just mind-blowing. The shake is made from a specially formulated ice cream made with Crunch milk (Cap’n Crunch and milk) and topped with whipped cream and Cap’n Crunch marshmallow treats. Add in one of rock ’n’ roll Chef Kerry Simon’s gourmet burgers and you’ve got the ultimate Vegas meal.
Price: $5

Mr. Lucky's chocolate shake

Old-fashioned chocolate

Available at: Mr. Lucky’s in Hard Rock Hotel
Why we love it: It’s rich, chocolatey and comes with plenty of whipped cream. Need we say more? The chocolate shake at Mr. Lucky’s isn’t anything out of the ordinary – it’s extraordinary.
Price: $4.50

BB Twinkie

Available at: Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay
Why we love it: The merging of a certain favorite packaged snack cake and vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to complete your meal at Burger Bar. We assume you’re going with the burger (of some sort) and choosing onion rings, sweet potato fries or french fries – each go great when dunked in this Twinkie blended milkshake. Don’t worry, we’ve tested them all several times.
Price: $8.75

Cake & Shake

Shake & Cookies at Lagasse's Stadium

Available at: Max Brenner in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
Why we love it: From master chocolatier, Max Brenner, this tasty shake will be all the rage when Max Brenner, Chocolate by a Bald Man opens August 5. With vanilla crêpe flakes ice cream, rich chocolate cream and chocolate frappé, this shake is just the beginning. Just in case you don’t have enough chocolate, the shake comes with a shaker of extra chocolate sauce and a fluffy chocolate cake. Though it’s hard to overdose on chocolate, this one might put you over the edge.
Price: $13

Shake and cookies

Available at: Lagasse’s Stadium in Palazzo Las Vegas
Why we love it: Kudos to Chef Emeril Lagasse for getting this one right. Two fresh baked, warm chocolate chip cookies. Check. One, creamy coffee milkshake. Check. Dunk cookie in milkshake. Double check. This perfect summertime combination is great while watching the big game on one of the Stadium’s big screen TV’s.
Price: $7

Captain Crunch milkshake

Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

Available at: Serendipity 3 in Caesars Palace
Why we love it: The frrrozen hot chocolate is iconic in New York City’s Serendipity, but here in Las Vegas – these drinks fly off the restaurant menu and at the grab-n-go window. The frrrozen hot chocolate is made with a rich chocolate base and blended with crushed ice.
Price: $8 (for one person)

Bailey’s ice cream float

Available at: Society Cafe Encore in Encore Las Vegas
Why we love it: A Bailey’s float includes cream soda, coffee ice cream and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Though this grown-up milkshake is technically a float, the consistency is thick and creamy.
Price: $9

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Who said adventure in Vegas had to strictly be about all-night partying? (Although you may be tempted to have a drink or two before facing some of the extreme adventures Vegas offers.) On your next trip, why not try one (or all) of the daring attractions Vegas has to offer? This way, you’ll have something else to tell your friends besides the same old, crazy stories about your night on the Strip.

Dive with the sharks

It’s not every day you get to see sharks, so diving into their territory and swimming with them takes it to a whole new level.

Dive-certified hotel guests staying at Mandalay Bay can experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by participating in the hotel’s Dive with the Sharks program at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef.

“Extreme activities have grown quite a bit in Vegas,” Jack Jewel, curator at Shark Reef and facilitator for the Dive with the Sharks program said. “This is an incredible opportunity, not only because you get to dive with sharks up close and personal, but also you get to dive in a stainless steel mesh suit.”

This suit is not something the average diver gets a chance to experience. Divers must wear this type of protective gear when diving up close with sharks.

“It’s outside of the range of cost,” Jewel explained, “but it is a great opportunity to engage diving with that unique equipment plus getting in the water up close and personal with the sharks.”

The Dive with the Sharks program includes a guided tour of the aquarium and the exciting, supervised, 45-minute dive.

For those who think diving in the wild is more adventurous, think again. “Typically you’re going to be in a cage and you may or may not see animals,” Jewel said. “There are no guarantees in the wild. Maybe you’ll see one, maybe two if you’re having a great day. Your interaction with them is very minimal. They’re dashing around [and] your vision of them is not necessarily the best.”

At the Shark Reef, the animals are behaving as if they were in their natural environment: “You’re just there, in their space,” he said.

“It’s exciting, especially when the first shark comes up and lays itself by your feet or your knees.”

You’ll see everything from sand tiger sharks to grey reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, white tip reef sharks, a couple different species of rays, barracudas and thousands of tinier fish.

Be on the lookout for the potato grouper, who likes to get really close to divers. “When you get in the water, he’ll come over and park himself above your head because he likes to get the air bubbles from your exhaust going into his gills,” Jewel explained.

Surprisingly, the real ones to watch out for are the sea turtles. Weighing more than 325 pounds, these sea turtles may be vegetarian, but have major grazing tendencies.

“Those guys like to come right up, take a look at you [to] see what’s going on!” Jewel said. “They’re the ones more likely to reach out and grab ahold of something and see what it is.

“It’s almost impossible to have the same experience in the wild,” he continued. “You just don’t find these kinds of animals and the numbers collected in a given space and condition. The ocean’s the ocean – you can’t always count on it for visibility and calm conditions.”

The program provides a wetsuit, protective stainless steel chainmail as well as a mask, fins, tank, buoyancy-control device, regulator, weights and booties. Guests also receive a certificate, a video of their dive and even souvenir teeth that they collect during the dive.

Whether you try this dive once or decide to come back, Jewel said it will be something new.

“One of the things I really love about this dive is that it’s completely unique every single time,” he said. “The crazy part of it is, I’ve dived about 500 times and every single time you go in, it’s different.”

Diving with the sharks costs $630 for one person or $1,000 for two.

SkyJump for joy

From the water to the sky, Las Vegas thinks outside the box with its extreme adventure locations. After your diving excursion, go high in the sky and visit SkyJump Las Vegas at the Stratosphere.

Standing more than 1,000 feet tall, just looking at the Stratosphere counts as intimidating. And knowing that it’s the tallest building on the Strip, it may be hard to imagine jumping from it, but it’s worth your leap of faith.

Brave souls dive 855 feet from the 108th floor of the tower, soaring at 40 miles per hour.

After getting fitted in your jumpsuit, you’ll take an elevator up to the ride’s platform and be connected to a “descender machine.”

Since you’re attached to a vertical zip-line, the experience is more like a controlled freefall rather than just jumping off the building. This way, the ride goes more smoothly.

Also, you won’t get that queasy feeling in your stomach that you experience from a standard freefall ride or a steep rollercoaster drop.

The scariest part may be scooting your toes over the edge to prepare for your jump, or counting down to your leap.

Right before reaching the ground, the machine slows down, giving you more than enough time to land smoothly. You’re not jerked around, nor do you swing all over the place. Once you land, you’ll feel such a rush you’ll want to run up and do it all over again. Currently, SkyJump Las Vegas is the only SkyJump in North America, as well as the highest one in the world. A jump costs $99.99.

Bootleg Canyon Flightlines

Many people have had dreams of flying. You can make your dreams a reality by visiting Bootleg Canyon and soaring through mountains just like a bird.

You can always have a plane or helicopter experience, but you won’t feel the freedom you do during this tour. Bootleg Canyon Flightlines’ zip-line tour in Boulder City gives you the chance to “fly” and experience the beauty of the Southwest desert mountains.

You’ll sit in your own paragliding harness that’s suspended from cable wires. Travel from one point to another by flying over the desert ecosystem from the top of Red Mountain. Some riders have reached speeds of 50 miles per hour.
No matter your speed, you’ll be coasting more than 1,000 feet above the ground.

After a brief safety orientation, your guides take you on a quick drive up to the canyon. From here, you’ll take a half-hour hike uphill. The ride includes four runs, each providing a different kind of experience. Be ready, because the final run is the fastest. Flights cost $149.

Landsailing away

So far we covered water and sky. Get your checklist ready because we’re about to share with you Vegas’ land experiences.

The only thing sailing on the water and landsailing have in common is the breeze you feel during the ride – the similarities stop here. While the name sounds like it could be relaxing and peaceful, landsailing definitely counts as an extreme activity.

“Landsailing is wind-powered go-carting and unlike water sailing, you can double and triple the speed of the wind,” explained Pete Lyons, owner of Go Landsailing. “So it’s a lot more speed, more fun and easier to learn. It’s a lot less technical than it is on the water. Any average person will be able to pick it up real quick.”

You’ll fulfill your need for speed in this exhilarating ride located in Primm on the lake beds right next to the outlet mall.

“You got to do this once in your lifetime because it’s a very rare, unique, unusual activity,” Lyons said. “You need to have a location like we have in Las Vegas with the dry lakes to be able to do it. Most parts in the country don’t have that. For most people, it’s a chance of a lifetime for people to have access to try it.”

On windier days, you even may find yourself catching air and having a hard time slowing down. Anyone with a sense of adventure can enjoy this, no matter what your age.

“It was fun,” Jacob Dieck, an 11-year-old rider said. “Sometimes it gets sort of scary when you’re going really fast.”

His sister, Sarah, also experienced a similar sail. “It was very windy, so it was going really fast,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to tip over!”

Their mother, Nancy, got a chance to race against her husband’s boat. “It’s something we can’t do anywhere else,” she said. “It’s quiet [and] you’re in the desert…it’s just a unique
experience.”

The best times to try it is March through the end of June and September through the end of November, when it’s not too hot.

Landsailing is priced at $155 for adults and $77.50 for kids ages 6 – 12.

Daring dune buggies

If you’re itching to venture through rugged terrain, catch some air and get blasted in the face with plenty of dust, then you’d love the mini Baja dune buggy ride at the Nellis Dunes.

These dune buggies travel through rugged terrain, sand dunes and gravel on 15,000 acres of play space for 90 minutes.

“This is something really unique,” Scott Bradford, operations manager for Sun Buggy Rentals said. “The terrain that we have here is unlike any other place in the world.”

After you get picked up from your hotel, you’ll be taken to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where you’ll be fitted for your helmet and goggles. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes tour and see dune buggies being welded and built right on the spot.

Once you climb into your buggy, the adventure begins. You’ll travel through aggressive and challenging terrain. While most drive these vehicles between 25 to 35 miles per hour, these bad boys can actually go as fast as 50.

Even if you’re just riding as a passenger, it is equally terrifying since you are not controlling the vehicle. Just when you think you’re getting used to the ride, the unpredictable desert grounds take you for another spin.

“It’s a pretty wide demographic,” Bradford said of the tour customers. “Predominantly men, we’ll do 10 to 12 bachelor parties a week. This is the ultimate wild [daytime] activity for bachelor parties in Vegas.”

It is such a wild ride that people have told him that they thought they were going to die a hundred times. “A lady came in and said she prayed more in the last hour and a half than she did in her whole life,” he said.

Despite the thrills of this ride, you can customize it to where you’re comfortable. “This is not like a rollercoaster where you strap in and hang on,” said Bradford. “You’re in control. You go as fast as you want to go. The guides aren’t going to leave you in the dust – they’re waiting on you.

“Every tour is different,” he continued. It’s as extreme as you want it to be. But if you really want to push the edge, this is the place to do it.”

Tours are $307.97.

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A thrilling driving game at Gameworks

When you think of the arcades of yesteryear, what comes to mind?

Is it “Pinball Wizard?” How about “Pac-Mania?” Or maybe “Finish Him?”

Whether you grew up in the era of “Asteroids,” “Street Fighter,”  or none of the above, this town has some fun diversions for gamers of all eras and preferences.

With the Evo Championship Series, a world-famous video game tournament, coming to Caesars Palace on July 9, we thought we’d celebrate their fun and competitive spirit by assembling Las Vegas’ top video-gaming destinations.

Whether you’re looking for under-21 entertainment or you’re just a gamer at heart, these are the spots you’ll certainly want to give a look:

Circus Circus: This casino urges you to “act your age somewhere else,” a proposition which their midway arcade makes incredibly easy to live up to. The midway has a surprisingly good selection of games – about 200 of the most popular arcade games of all time. While no arcade has a perfect collection, this one is still likely to have at least one version of the game you’re looking for, or at least something similar.

Along with the games, one main attraction of Circus Circus’ midway here is the old-time carnival attractions and midway entertainment while you play: there are many redemption games and games of skill along with the video games, and guests are treated to free daily performances throughout the day, ensuring that you’ll have something to look forward to long after you run out of quarters.

And of course, you’ll be right next to the Adventuredome amusement park, so the possibilities for fun are endless here.

Gameworks: This two-story arcade/restaurant/bar is Las Vegas’ video game mecca. If you’re going for sheer variety, this place will not disappoint: here, you can play the latest arcade games along with some pinball and retro classics of every genre from the 70s, 80s and 90s

You’ll also find an abundance of sit-down cabinet games: you can climb into everything from supercharged race cars to jet fighters, or try to fight your way out of dinosaur safaris, zombie invasions and more. Some of Gameworks’ shooting games come with experience-enhancing extra-large cabinets and screens that you won’t see anywhere else.

Gameworks also has a decent selection of ticket-redemption games, the ones where you test your skills and earn tickets, which you can exchange for prizes. Of course, these prizes may or may not be worth as much as you spent in the first place, but it’s nice to be able to take home a plush bear and a few bags of Pop Rocks as a reminder of your stay in Vegas.

New York-New York: Just across the Strip from Gameworks, the New York-New York serves up around 200 games in a boardwalk-inspired, Coney Island-themed arcade. There’s a great variety of genres, but you won’t find the same amount of awe-inspiring sit-in cabinets that you find at a place like Gameworks.

To compensate, this venue is a little more focused on the extra activities they have going throughout the day; you can start up a round of laser tag, hop into a bumper car or, if you’re daring, try out the rollercoaster.

The Pinball Hall of Fame: This off-strip attraction is like something like the Smithsonian of interactive entertainment. You can find the world’s largest pinball collection on display, but that’s not all – you can play every single machine they have and relive a bygone era. This one is a must-visit for nostalgics.

You may even be surprised to find that they do still make new pinball games: you’ll find machines based on “CSI,” “The Dark Knight” and many more recent movies and TV shows.

Of course, you’ll also find many classics: standouts include “Addams Family,” “Superman,”  “Terminator 2,” and the various “Star Trek” tables that have come out over the years, which are joined by novelty machines with gimmicks like “enhanced” gravity and a vertically-standing play field that resembles a circus – the latter is one of three machines of its kind in the world. In addition to its pinball offerings, PHoF has a meager selection of arcade games.

Now, go out there and get your game on. Remember, in this town: it’s on like Donkey Kong.

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When it comes to headliners, you can laugh the night away with comedians including Ron White, David Spade and Denis Leary or spend the evening listening to iconic rock songs with “Sgt. Pepper Live featuring Cheap Trick.” Whatever you decide to do, this is bound to be another monumental weekend in Vegas.

Playboy Club

Jammin’

Sway to the sounds of Barrington Levy and other well-known reggae music performers at the annual Reggae in the Desert music festival. Along with live entertainment, the festival features Caribbean food, arts and craft vendors and beer gardens. Reggae in the Desert is June 12 from 2 to 11 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater.

Nightlife

Join in the festivities as the  Playboy Club at the Palms helps celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world-famous Playboy Club and iconic Playboy bunny on June 10. The Playboy Club at the Palms will be one of 50 select nightlife venues around the world celebrating this momentous occasion, all on the same night. This glamorous and sexy event will feature special guest and celebrity bunny dealer Holly Madison. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Pool Parties

Guest DJ Havana Brown sets the scene for the Hawaiian Tropic Takeover of Ditch Fridays on June 11 at the Palms Pool & Bungalows.

Special guest DJs Robbie Rivera and DJ Reza spin up some body-shakin’ beats for Daylife Sundays, the weekly pool party at Wet Republic located in MGM Grand.

Spa Mio at M Resort

Spas

With the release of “Sex and the City 2” and summer in full swing, what better time to get your girlfriends together and take a spa trip to Vegas? Through Oct. 31, 2010, Spa Mio at M Resort Spa and Casino is offering a “Celebration Package” designed especially for an all-girls getaway. The package is good for up to four guests and includes: a VIP cabana for one day, transportation to and from your hotel, bottle of champagne, bottle of wine, four massages, four pedicures, four manicures and more.

Sports

Soccer fans can catch all the World Cup action at the Las Vegas Hilton’s Race and Sports Superbook. Beginning June 11 through July 11, the Superbook is hosting World Soccer Central featuring HD viewing for all the World Cup games, various betting options, food and drink specials and great giveaways.

Head to Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo where you can watch all the World Cup soccer games while enjoying items from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s kicked-up bar food menu beginning June 11. This contemporary yet laid-back race and sports book features stadium-style seating, five luxury boxes, 109 HD televisions and during-the-game betting in the palm of your hand via pocket casino mobile devices.

Shows

Legendary Latin singer Julio Iglesias makes fans swoon with his international hit songs at his 8 p.m. show June 10 – 12 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Master magician David Copperfield wows audiences with larger-than-life illusions in his show at MGM Grand 7:30 and 10 p.m. nightly; plus 4:30 p.m. Sat. June 10 – 16.

Funny guy Paul Rodriguez has starred in more than 29 television shows and multiple movies. Now audiences can see Rodriguez live in his 9 p.m. show June 10 – 12 and 14 – 19 at the Tropicana.

Cheap Trick takes audiences on a musical journey in their show “Sgt. Pepper Live.” Hear Cheap Trick perform “With a Little Help from My Friends” and other hit songs from the legendary “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album in their 8 p.m. show Tue. – Wed., Fri. – Sat. on June 11 – 30 at Paris Las Vegas.

Comedian Andrew Dice Clay is known for being one of America’s most controversial comics, and audiences love it. Don’t miss his 9 p.m. show June 10 – 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Known as the cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funny man from “Blue Collar Comedy,” Ron White is sharing his hilarious insights with audiences in Vegas. See him at 10 p.m. June 11 – 12 at theMirage.

David Spade has no problem delighting audiences with his sarcastic, sharp-tongued brand of humor. Watch this “Saturday Night Live” alump erform live in his 9 p.m. show June 10 – 12 at the Venetian.

Denis Leary brings his trademark cynical humor to the stage for the Rescue Me Comedy Tour at 8 p.m. June 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Party poolside with reggae rock band Pepper at their 9 p.m. show on June 11 at the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel.

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By Nikki Neu
VEGAS.com

 Juicy. Plump. Perfect buns.

Surf & Turf burger at Burger Bar

We can’t get enough of burgers and apparently, neither can you. The popularity of burgers is climbing nationwide, with 95 percent of consumers eating burgers at least occasionally, according to the restaurant research and consulting firm Technomic.

In Vegas there has been an undeniable surge in burger offerings, from upscale restaurants like Bradley Ogden giving guests a highbrow route, to casual places like First Food & Bar, offering guests a $3 “Whimpy” burger for those latenight cravings. Entire restaurants are even created around the burger, like Burger Bar, celebrity chef Hubert Keller’s homage to the luscious finger food.

With such popularity and selection comes originality. Vegas has some of the most unique burgers that will ever tempt your tastebuds. From burgers stuffed with foie gras and short ribs to burgers made of donuts and cheesecake, Vegas has something for everyone.

Burgers are in high demand

There’s no doubt that burgers have been in high demand lately. The growth of popularity in burgers can be attributed to a few things.

The first is oh-so-Vegas. “Finger foods are more sexy,” says Sam DeMarco, executive chef of First Food & Bar. DeMarco should know — his mini burgers have been one of his signatures since 1994. More than 15 years later, they’re still as popular as ever at his Palazzo hotel eatery.

DeMarco also cites the downward economy and costly steak prices for the burger’s acclaim. Burgers give steaks a run for their money.

The $777 burger at Le Burger Brasserie

“In a world where steak is so expensive, burgers are the other red meat,” explains DeMarco.

Although First has an inexepensive “Whimpy” burger on their menu (an intoxicating fast food-like sandwiching of thin beef patties, smashable bun, ketchup, mustard, chopped onions, pickles and a secret sauce) burgers in Vegas are anything but ordinary.

Places like N9NE Steakhouse and Burger Bar offer Kobe beef burgers. Strip House, known for their mouth-watering steaks, also offers a gourmet burger alternative in their bar area. The burger is served with your choice of toppings and onion straws.

Alternatives to mainstream

With the burger’s growing prevalence, sometimes the patties don’t even include beef. The Mirage’s BLT Burger serves a lamb tandoori burger that captures all the traditional flavors of Indian cuisine including mint, cilantro, yogurt sauce and cucumber.

Many restaurants now also offer vegetable burgers like Lucille’s at The District at Green Valley Ranch and Le Burger Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas.

Salmon, chicken and turkey burgers are other choices making a big splash on the scene at places like Burger Bar inside Mandalay Bay and Stripburger at the Fashion Show mall.

If you’re game, the spicy 666 Devil Burger at First Food & Bar is the perfect way to start or end your stay in Sin City. Not for the faint of heart, this burger is a devilishly delicious piling of Andouille sausage, jalapenos, pepperjack cheese and chipotle ketchup, served with firey fries. Luckily, it’s also served with a green goddess dip to tame the flames and your mouth. The spicy burger mixed with the cool flavor makes for one bodacious burger.

Extreme Burger at LBS: A Burger Joint

Bigger is Better

Perhaps in honor of Vegas’ obsession with excess, two Vegas restaurants decided to go above and beyond with their burger offerings. One gutsy burger to attempt this is the Challenge Burger from Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, a 4.5-pound burger including a whopping two-pound patty.

“At Toby Keith’s we wanted a burger that made us stand out in the crowd,” says Executive Chef Kevin Knight.

The Extreme Burger at LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is a piling of six half-pound beef patties topped with American cheese, bacon, Portobello mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, burger sauce, spicy mustard, mayo and ghost peppers, all atop a sweet egg bun served with one pound of french fries. If you finish it, it’s on the house.

The Elite

The “Surf & Turf” burger at Burger Bar boasts Black Angus beef, half a grilled lobster, grilled asparagus and a plain bun.

Of course, the burger’s slightly steeper price could also be attributed to the bottle of Dom Perignon Rose it’s served with. Savoring a burger with champagne? How divine.

Sticky Buns

Certainly you’ve had a regular burger, but if you’ve never had a dessert burger, you might need to change that on your next trip to Vegas.

The creamy cheesecake burger at Burger Bar consists of a sliced warm donut with cheesecake and carmelized pineapple. Another version is the chocolate burger that includes a warm donut, chocolate ganache, passion fruit, strawberry and mint. The delicious blend of fruits, chocolate and the donut earn this burger two thumbs up from people of all ages.

From savory sensations to sweet treats, Vegas’ burger scene is alive and thriving with some very unique findings. Much like the city’s other offerings, there’s something for everyone.

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Enter deep fried deliciousness.

Helado Frito at T & T

Most people crave fried foods at some point. Some people make a U-turn in heavy traffic when the fresh hot donut sign at Krispy Kreme lights up. Others utilize the eight-car-deep drive-thru at McDonald’s because they have to have french fries. As you read this article, somewhere in America there’s a man eating a bucket of chicken walking down the street because he couldn’t quite make it home.

“People will pull over for something fried at least once or twice a week, counting myself,” says Executive Chef of Tacos & Tequila Saul Ortiz. And Ortiz should know, some people’s “once or twice a week” is for his helado frito.

While it isn’t always the healthiest option on the menu, there’s no denying there’s something about eating a warm, batter-dredged Twinkie or taking a bite of a perfectly crisp tater tot.

“I think it’s comforting,” says General Manager of Khotan Robert Perry of fried foods.

From a practical perspective, frying is also a quick way to cook.

“It’s a fast method that brings out a lot of great flavors,” says Ortiz.

Flavor indeed. Here are some of the most unique, tasty and well-done fried foods in Vegas.

Deep fried Twinkie at Mermaids

Let them eat cake and ice cream

As if cake and donuts aren’t sinful enough, enter version 2.0 – the deep fried variety.

As a child, you might have eaten a Twinkie. The moist yellow sponge cake with creme filling is hard to resist when you’re eight years old. Fast forward 25 years and you’ve got deep fried Twinkies at Mermaids Casino. Not for the faint of heart, the Twinkie is skewered on a stick and dipped in thick batter. After a quick trip through the deep fryer, an outrageous amount of powdered sugar is dumped on top and a few chocolate sprinkles are added for decoration.

A more tasteful and less gloppy dessert can be found at STRATTA in the form of tender Nutella-stuffed beignets. The brain-child of Executive Pastry Chef Jenifer Fournier, these little bites of heaven are made with ricotta cheese and crushed amaretti cookies for extra flavor. After frying, the nutella is gingerly injected into the couture-like donut, thus making one amazing dessert. In addition to STRATTA, the talented Fournier also creates award-winning desserts at Alex, a Michelin two-star rated fine dining restaurant in Wynn Las Vegas.

Cake isn’t the only dessert to get deep fried in Vegas. You would think putting a 3-ounce scoop of vanilla ice cream into a vat of 350-degree oil and having it not melt would be problematic. But Ortiz and his brigade are masters of making helado frito. The ice cream goes into the freezer for at least three hours to ensure it gets nice and cold. Then it gets bathed in egg wash, rolled in crushed Corn Flakes and takes a trip back into the freezer before heading to the deep fryer.

Nutella Donuts at STRATTA

“Some people get amazed because the center is soft. It’s just like a scoop of ice cream and they ask ‘how do you do that?’” says Ortiz. He explains it’s all about reading temperature and making sure the ice cream is really frozen. This delicious version of fried ice cream can be found at Tacos & Tequila at Luxor.

Deep fried what?

Strange things go on in Vegas. Country Icon Garth Brooks comes out of retirement to play at Wynn Las Vegas. Fancy French restaurants are serving hamburgers (Or is that “le hamburger?”). Our mayor drinks martinis, even when it’s not 5 p.m. So, when Las Vegas chefs decided to start putting interesting items in the deep fryer, we didn’t bat an eye. You may have heard of deep fried catfish, perhaps in the bayous of New Orleans or among Southerners, as one of the ultimate comfort foods. And at Khotan in Treasure Island, you can enjoy a unique version of this Southern speciality.

At first, seeing the whole Catfish PA can be a little intimidating. The entire fish is presented butterflied on a large (more than a foot-long) white dish. Sink your teeth into the tender filet with audibly crispy exterior and your fears go away. Served with a citrus soy ponzu dipping sauce, the Catfish PA is one of the best versions of catfish in Vegas. A few unusual details: the whole catfish gets baked before it’s fried and there is no batter on the catfish at all. The process of baking, then frying the fish gives it a perfectly crispy exterior.

The idea of having a whole fish come to the table doesn’t always go over well with guests at first.

“I think they’re a little overwhelmed,” explains Perry when guests get a first look at the whole fish. “They are a little intimidated by it. I’ve had guests actually ask if they can turn the head facing another way. However, once they try it, it’s devoured.”

Old standbys done right

If it’s traditional favorites you crave, Vegas has ‘em. There are upscale takes on down home food and traditional dishes done, well, traditionally.

T-bones Chophouse at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is a steak house with style. The large dining room is simple and elegant with wood panel detailing and an illuminated marble bar – the perfect place to try T-bones’ tater tots. An upscale take on kid-friendly favorites, these aren’t your average tots. The recipe calls for a savory pâte à choux dough (a sweet version is usually used in profiteroles) to be combined with a smooth potato puree. The mixture is then piped onto a sheet pan, cut into segments and deep fried so the exterior is crispy golden brown and the interior is soft and fluffy. Though it’s not currently on the menu, you can ask for your tots to be truffled, that is, a little truffle oil can be added to the finished tater tots for extra flavor.

Fish and Chips at J.C. Wooloughan's

It’s not easy doing classic food in traditional form, so when Executive Chef David Joy makes traditional beer battered fish-and-chips at J.C.Wooloughan’s Irish Pub at Rampart Casino, you have to give him props. He uses Killian Irish beer, granulated garlic, white pepper and paprika in his batter, just for starters. The end result is a perfectly crispy batter with tender cod filets inside.

On any given weekend, the pub serves upwards of 200 orders a night.

“They love it. Everybody I’ve ever sent that fish-and-chips to goes crazy over it,” says Kelle Holomalia, general manager of J.C. Wooloughan’s.

So crazy they made Tuesday nights all-you-can-eat fish-and-chips night.

“Tuesday nights are very busy here,” says Holomalia.

As for the best thing to complement the fish, Holomalia says, “Almost always beer. Almost always draft. Usually Harps or Guiness. Malt vinegar is definitely the condiment of choice.”

Fried foods have great flavor, texture and an intoxicating aroma when fresh out of the fryer. Try some of these fried foods next time you’re out late partying in Vegas and get hungry. They won’t disappoint.

See how Fish-and-Chips are made at J.C. Wooloughan’s: 
 

See how the Whole Catfish PA is made at Khotan:

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