Want to Know Where to Eat in Vegas?

Food in VegasWe have a useful resource for you that is updated daily:

Where to Eat in Vegas will review everything from the cheapest, quickest Vegas food to the fanciest restaurant on the Strip. Be warned–you WILL get hungry from reading this blog!

For more food, reviews, and more, check out the Vegas iPhone App, which includes all the latest restaurants, shows, nightclubs, and more. Don’t forget to head to Vegas on a Budget, What to Wear in Vegas, Stories from Vegas, Where to Eat in Vegas, Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Changes in Vegas – Margaritaville, Mob Experience, and New Restaurants

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino

A lot of new things are coming to Vegas very soon, and we thought we’d take you through some of the most interesting changes that are coming soon or recently-arrived. For those of you heading to Vegas soon, check these out:

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Casino Las Vegas

We reported on this one earlier, but it’s worth repeating due to popularity–The Flamingo will host the brand new Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Casino starting October 1. It will be an addition to the Margaritaville Restaurant, and parrotheads can enjoy Buffett in Vegas October 15 and 22. The casino within a casino already has quite a bit of interest, and we’ll keep you posted when it opens.

Mob Experience Re-Opens Soon

The Tropicana’s Mob Experience saw some hard times recently and, though some artifacts and displays remain open, is scheduled for a January relaunch after an update.

Many New Restaurants – Central Michel Richard, Las Vegas Chocolate Shop, Lobster ME, 35 Steaks + Martinis, Public House at Venetian

As one door closes, several new ones to restaurants have or will open. In light of customers opting to spend a little less on dining out, the Vegas restaurant scene has shifted appropriately to include affordably-priced dining experiences. Famous Washington, DC chef Michel Richard recently made his Vegas debut Wednesday with 24-hour cafe Central Michel Richard, the first all-hours cafe created by a James Beard award-winner. Central Michel Richard is in the main lobby of Caesars Palace and serves Richard’s signature California-French food.

Planet Hollywood got two new places last month, with the Las Vegas Chocolate Shop and Lobster ME in the Miracle Mile Shops. Las Vegas Chocolate Shop offers chocolate bars, dipped strawberries and truffles, and even baked goods, sugar candies, and coffee. If you’re looking for a little bit more adventure in your eating experience, Lobster ME has you taken care of. They advertise the world’s best lobster rolls, lobster ice cream, lobster on a stick, and even lobster mac and cheese. Finally, a new gastro pub at the Venetian titled Public House will open by the end of the year.

If that’s not enough to get you going, we have the Vegas iPhone App to help you find the best Vegas experience for you. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

 

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Vegas to Hire 250 Employees

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Vegas CasinoParrotheads, this job’s for you. Jimmy Buffett and the Flamingo are hiring 250 workers for a new Margaritaville minicasino scheduled to open in October. It will replace Steakhouse 46 in the Flamingo and build on the existing Margaritaville bar and restaurant that is already a big part of the hotel, essentially connecting them at Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard. Among the things included in the new casino are a 15,000-square-foot casino floor, 22 gaming tables, 220 slot machines and a “Five O’Clock Somewhere” bar. Positions for table game dealers, flair bartenders, and supervisors are available, among others. Interested applicants can apply online here or at the Caesars Entertainment Employment Center on Flamingo Road. If you’re interested in booking a trip to catch Margaritaville in all its glory, we’ve got your deal!

Italian Food in Vegas – Battista’s Review

Vegas restaurant Battista's

There are many Italian restaurants in Vegas, but Battista’s may just have the edge over the competition, in both authenticity and longevity. Battista’s has been family owned and operated and serving authentic Italian food in Vegas for more than 30 years. Veal, pasta, spaghetti, meatballs, and much more await you, all prepared with the finest ingredients and the best knives you can find online, click here to learn more about knives history. Wines are from all over the world, including (of course) Italy, California, and Germany. An accordion player adds to the atmosphere during your meal as well. You even get a cappuccino at the end of your meal!

We ate here last week and would recommend it to anyone that loves good food; it is simply phenomenal authentic Italian, and the portions are huge!

Battista’s is located being the Flamingo Hilton at 4041 Audrie Street, and it’s open nightly for dinner from 5-10:30pm. You can find more information on Battista’s at their web site HERE.

Vegas iPhone App Now Available!

The Las Vegas Hipster Application for iPhone

It’s here! Your number one source for Vegas information finally has the app to keep you going no matter where you are in Vegas. Get it here! The Vegas iPhone app is designed to give you the latest and greatest information and media on Las Vegas, and even has some special features you won’t find in other apps. Everything is at your fingertips—Gaming, Restaurants, Hotels, Attractions, Entertainment, and even a GPS Tracker we call the Friend Finder. This is your one stop shop for all things Vegas, and the only app to have, whether you’re planning a trip or already there.

FEATURES:

-Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
-Hundreds of options to choose from for Hotels, Dining, Shows, Clubs, Attractions, Sports, and more, complete with pricing, reviews, photos, and categories for each option.
-Full contact information for all venues. Read the reviews, call the restaurant, make a reservation, and you’re out the door.
-Once you’re out, connect with your friends via the Friend Finder portion of the Vegas Hipster app. See where your friends are at, create, join, and leave groups, and make it easy to meet up in the busy Vegas atmosphere.

Get the Vegas iPhone app here!

Plaza Hotel Las Vegas to Re-Open September 1

Vegas Plaza Hotel

The wait is nearly over. Owner Tamares Group started the renovations, opting to keep the hotel closed and do them all at once, and the results sound promising. Almost everything has been fixed up or completely redone top to bottom, and with the re-opening scheduled for September 1, the project is ahead of schedule. The Plaza was aided by some items coming at a discount from the shuttered Fountaineblau project that helped the budget for the renovation. In a time when the tourism and economy of Vegas is starting to pick back up, the Plaza is targeting the typical Vegas crowd to convince them that the Plaza has changed. It will reopen with a new casino floor, lounges, and several restaurants, including a steakhouse named for former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Don’t forget to check out our hotels page for all the information on every hotel in Vegas. We wish the Plaza the best of luck.

Venetian and Palazzo Las Vegas Earn Five-Diamand Ratings

Vegas hotel Palazzo

The Venetian and Palazzo Vegas hotels have each earned the coveted AAA Five-Diamond awards for excellence in hospitality, service, and excellence in providing customers with the best experience possible. For the Venetian, this is the fifth year in a row, and for the Palazzo, the third. We love being treated well at the hotels we stay at, so these are two to watch out for. What does a company that’s just won an award for hospitality do? Give back, of course! From August 22-26, guests and visitors alike will have the opportunity to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts to discover a diamond hidden somewhere different each day throughout each resort. Contestants must follow The Palazzo on Twitter at @PalazzoLasVegas and The Venetian at @VenetianVegas to receive the resorts’ clues posted daily. Don’t forget to follow @vegashipster on Twitter while you’re at it, and click the links for for deals on 5-Star rooms at the Venetian and great rates at Palazzo Vegas as well.

Caesars Shines in Vegas

Vegas Caesars

Caesars Entertainment Corp., with more than 50 properties in six countries, has narrowed its debt thanks in large part to its 10 Strip-area casinos. With casinos in other parts of the country temporarily closing down due to weather or simply not making money, Vegas-area casinos have shined. Even with customers actually visiting less, they are spending more money when they do, in large part to increased room fees and good demand. As we reported earlier, Project Linq is set to go, as well as completion on 662 unfinished hotel rooms in the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker, which had record-setting attendance and a record prize pool of $190 million in June and July. Things are looking up for Caesars due in large part to Vegas. If you’d like to check out Caesars Hotels, we’ve got the link for you HERE.

Caesars Palace in Vegas to Open Famed New York Steakhouse

Vegas Old Homestead Caesars

One of the longest-running restaurants in America will have a new home on the Strip in Vegas, as by the end of 2011, Caesars will house Old Homestead steakhouse. The restaurant has been around since 1968. This version will seat 250 people and is 16,000 square feet. It will be designed to feature items reflecting the East Coast history of Old Homestead. It will replace Nero’s, which was located near the Colosseum theater. They are famous for being too much to eat in one sitting and promoting the four food groups–beef, beef, beef, and beef–while challenging patrons with items such as a 32-ounce ribeye. Old Homestead does have some prior experience feeding gamblers, as the Atlantic City location proves. For a place to stay while you pig out, check out our great deal on hotels. While you’re waiting for December and the grand opening, be sure to look at Caesars’ page on our site too.

Hooters in Las Vegas Files for Bankruptcy

Vegas Hooters

Vegas restaurant-casino Hooters has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing assets worth $10-50 million against liabilities of $162 million. After being re-branded as Hooters in 2006, the hotel has suffered from mixed reviews and could be bought out. They are seeking to restructure their debt and continue business as usual.

Perhaps this may have to do with the location? It’s not in the best spot (off the Strip), is right near the Tropicana (as seen in this photo), and they even had an offer from Hedwigs Las Vegas Top Tier to buy it and re-brand for $225 million with a $130 million re-fit, but it fell through.

Check out our page on Hooters, and stay tuned for more news when it becomes available.