Morels French Steakhouse at The Palazzo made our list of favorites.

Doing a “Best Restaurants in Las Vegas” list is sort of like doing the “Sexiest Man Alive” issue of People magazine.  We’ve probably missed a couple of hotties; you might think a few are past their prime; and we may even have you shaking your head in a “What-the-hell-were-they-thinking-picking-Zac-Efron?” kind of way but, hey, it’s our list and we’re sticking to it.  (At least until our next trip to Vegas later this month….)

And while you can go to innumerable websites and find scrolls and scrolls of Las Vegas restaurant listings, we’re going to give you a workable, two-page printable list of our favorite Las Vegas restaurants — mostly on the Strip — conveniently arranged into different categories.  We’ve even included the 36 links you need to check them out for hours, phone numbers and all the info you may need.

Steakhouses:  SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas     BOA Steakhouse at the Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace     CUT at The Shops at the Palazzo     Morels French Steakhouse at The Palazzo     Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian     Craftsteak at MGM Grand     Strip House at Planet Hollywood     N9NE at The Palms     Prime at The Bellagio     Charlie Palmer Steak at The Four Seasons Las Vegas

Seafood:  RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay (either upstairs or the more casual downstairs)     AquaKnox at the Venetian     Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn Las Vegas     Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand     Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at The Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace     Michael Mina at The Bellagio     SeaBlue at the MGM Grand

Sushi:  Koi at Planet Hollywood     Social House at Treasure Island     Nobu at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino     Sushi Roku at The Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace     Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at The Bellagio     Shibuya at MGM Grand

Chef-Driven, Food-as-High-Art, Titanium Card Preferred Fine Dining: Alex at Wynn Las Vegas     Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace     Bouchon Bistro (Thomas Keller) at The Venetian      L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand     Picasso (Julian Serrano) at The Bellagio

Staff Favorites:  Olives at The Bellagio     Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay     Mon Ami Gabi at Paris     David Burke at The Venetian    Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace     Rosemary’s Restaurant (Off-Strip and completely worth the cab ride!)     The Grill at Valentino at The Venetian     Mix at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay

Wynn Dining

A gorgeous view of the mountains and a moonlit Colorado River as seen from Harrah's in Laughlin.

I think one of the best ways to recall a year is to sort through the photos I’ve taken over the past twelve months.  They bring back lots of great memories either through the specific image or by tweaking my brain into remembering what all happened on that occasion.  To break down a whole year into a few paragraphs isn’t easy, especially when I’m fortunate enough to say lots of great stuff happened in the past twelve months.  So rather than doing a monthly blow-by-blow, I chose to pick out some highlights from our year in gaming.

Best Casino “Hits”:  P.B. - Dealt four 4’s then hit for two out of three kickers on the draw playing Triple Double Bonus Spin Poker Deluxe™ with a payout of $1190.  C.C. - Dealt four 3’s and a kicker playing TDB Spin Poker Deluxe™ with a $1600 payout.

Best Discovery:  The Diamond Lounge patio over-looking the Colorado River at Harrah’s Laughlin, Nevada casino.  A great spot for relaxing with a drink, especially on a warm full-moon night.

Second-Best Discovery:  Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas with its selection of video poker machines and its very cool pool area.  (Yes, we know it’s been there all along but we usually stay and play on the Strip so this was a big “ah-hah” moment for us.  You’ll see more here on off-Strip properties this coming year.)

Most Surprising Stay:  Harrah’s Joliet casino.  Beautiful spacious room, really nice Diamond Lounge, and a winning night in the casino.

Best High-End Meal in Las Vegas:  BOA Steakhouse at Caesars Palace.  Meltingly tender steaks, truffled potato chips and for dessert - warm, crispy donuts with caramel dipping sauce.

Best Casual Meal in Las Vegas:  Lunch at our perennial favorite, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, with chicken liver pate, sautéed trout with capers and chocolate-drenched profiteroles for Le Dessert.

Best New Spot in Las Vegas:  The Double Helix Wine Bar at the Palazzo.

Best Las Vegas Dessert:  A tie between the Lemon Tart ice cream at  Sugar & Ice at the Wynn and the Chocoban Tart at Jean-Philippe Patisserie at The Bellagio.  (Thankfully, much more research is needed for this category in 2009.)

Best Meal at a Casino Not in Las Vegas:  The Indian Fry Bread plate at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde, Arizona.  (Good doesn’t have to be expensive.)

Most Memorable Night in Las Vegas:  Attending a surprise party at Table 10, Emeril’s new restaurant at The Palazzo, for our friend’s sixtieth birthday.  Friends and family from across the country showed up and the look on her face when she saw all of us was priceless.

2008 Will be Memorable for:  Starting this website, RoyallyFlushed, and for all the new experiences we’ve had, things we’ve learned and friends we’ve made because of it.

Say good-bye to one of the worst years for the casino industry.

Onward with more resolutions we think casinos should make for 2009.  Getting butts into the chairs - gambling, restaurants, and show seats — is the Number One priority for stayin’ alive in ‘09 so here are some ideas to help you do just that.

– Stop screwing around with your Player’s Club rules and regs - particularly as they affect your faithful players.  I have heard more complaints from players about this one issue than any other this year.  You have less money but so do we.  The more cuts you make, the more we make and the more apt we’ll  be to check out your competitors so think hard before you make changes.

– Resolve to use more immediate forms of marketing - think email, social media like Twitter™, and your own frequently-updated blog site - to get offers out to players.  Here at RoyallyFlushed, we’ve given out our email addresses to casinos large and small and have seen very few effective email campaigns or other uses of that gem you collected from us.  In social media, props go to the LuxorLV on Twitter™ for interesting updates, special offers and more.

– Put some of the fun back into your casinos.  Instead of letting that bank of dedicated machines sit there dead, throw a noisy daily slot tournament, maybe even more than one each day.  You don’t have to give away a ton of money and you could even do a cheap $5 or $10 buy-in if you need it.  People love bells and whistles so have lots happening on your floor.

– Bring back a few of the eye-popping food deals that helped make Las Vegas and casino food service legendary everywhere.  Have a 99¢ shrimp cocktail or prime rib slider at the bar, a $6.99 steak dinner, a $2.99 breakfast deal.  It’s kitsch, it’s retro in an “old Las Vegas” kind of way, and people will love it.

– Resolve to take good care of your players and guests in 2009 and they will take care of you.

Happy New Year to all!

Gifts are great...just not mittens and backpacks.

Lists, lists and more lists!  Best of, worst of, most notable, most notorious.  So as not to be left off the year-end bandwagon, this week we are going to list some New Year’s resolutions we’d like to see the casinos make for 2009.   (Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section.)

To all casinos both large and small; please resolve to stop giving away dumb stuff.  I love “gifts” - quote marks used because we both know I have more than paid for them with my play — but puh-leeze make it something I would even remotely consider using.

For instance, I am the proud owner of Casino Arizona’s latest marketing giveaway — mittens and a scarf.  Uh, did someone miss the Arizona in that name?  If you’re trying to make an impact, wouldn’t you want to give a gift that has some sort of relationship to your business?  Yeah, black mittens and a fuzzy scarf immediately say “Let’s go to the casino…in sunny Arizona” to me.  The month before, a thin “stadium blanket” was the featured free gift.  (This fascination with cold weather is really starting to make me wonder if they know something we don’t and the newest Ice Age is upon us starting in the Arizona desert.)

Or, how about their September back-to-school Casino Arizona backpack?  This one still has me shaking my head once I quit laughing.  I can just picture little Johnny going off to school with this slung over his shoulder.  Should add some spice to that next parent-teacher conference.

So, here’s some advice to all the casinos thinking about what to give away in 2009:

How about giving away a nice little case to hold my players club cards or a lighted key chain with a four-leaf clover?  Really anything that a.) I would possibly use and b.) isn’t ugly.  (Note that neither suggestion is expensive.)

Marketing people — think about your players.  What would they actually use?  Considering that the average age of casino players is north of 40, you can pretty much bet that backpacks aren’t high on their list of must-have items.

Cash works.  I know it doesn’t have your name emblazoned across the front but trust me, it will get me in the door faster than a pair of mittens or a backpack ever would.

Fireworks will light up the sky on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.

There’s still plenty of time to pack a suitcase and head to Las Vegas for a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.  Las Vegas hotels – both on and off The Strip – are more affordable than ever this year with many offering dining and show ticket discounts as well as last-minute hotel deals.  (Really, if I hadn’t offered to host this year’s party for friends, I would so be loading up the car RIGHT NOW.)

You really don’t even need show tickets when the whole city becomes one giant extravaganza with fireworks shot off from several locations along the Strip and a huge New Year’s Eve party down on Fremont Street.  A $20 ticket downtown gets you eight bands playing for this year’s “Tribute Palooza” — including hottie Michael Johns of “American Idol” fame and his riff on Billy Joel standards.  Tickets for visitors (Nevada residents get in free with I.D.) can be purchased for $20 by calling 877-834-2748.  Click here for a complete rundown of the Fremont Street Experience New Year’s Eve blast.

And hotels?  No problem booking a room at most of the resorts around town including favorites on The Strip.  Check out hotels.com for lots of incredible deals on the Strip especially at the Monte Carlo, Treasure Island and MGM Grand or Fitzgerald’s downtown.

Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

Among all the visitors coming into Phoenix for the upcoming Insight and Fiesta bowls happening here in Arizona next week, there are bound to be a lot of casino gaming fans.  For those who like to play, here is a list of our Phoenix and Scottsdale area casinos along with casino-related info on dining, lounges, shows, golf opportunities and more.

Harrah's Ak-Chin is one of several Phoenix area casinos visitors can choose from to play slots, poker and more.

Casino Arizona:  Two locations, both of which are just off the Loop 101 freeway making them very accessible to all the major hotels and resorts.  Free limo service available by calling 480-850-7790.

Casino Arizona at Talking Stick:  Loop 101 freeway at the Indian Bend Road exit.  This is the casino most convenient to our north Phoenix/Scottsdale mega-resorts like the Fairmont Scottsdale, J.W. Marriott at Desert Ridge, Westin Kierland Resort or any of the hotels on Scottsdale Road north of Lincoln Drive.

• – This is the place for poker players.  Large gaming room with 50+ tables, big screen TVs, table-side food service.  Lots of Scottsdale locals play here.
• – High-limit room for slots and table games.
• – Try the Blue Coyote Grill for their spicy stir-frys.
• – Good selection of slots plus lots of video poker and vp variations including a 25¢ progressive.
• – Blazing 7’s machines near the 50-play video poker machines seem to pay well.
• – Golf:  Talking Stick Golf Course

Casino Arizona at McKellips:  Loop 101 freeway at the McKellips Road exit.  Convenient to Tempe, the Loop 202 plus central and Old Town Scottsdale.

• – More than 1,000 slot and video poker machines including lots of new games.
• – Fun Vegas-style variety show —  ”Showstoppers Live” — is a musical tribute show with Elvis, Madonna and other impersonators.
• – High-end steakhouse “Cholla” offers pricy but excellent food, a great wine list and is open until midnight on weekends.
• – The Piano Bar is a classy spot for a glass of wine and some good laid-back music.

Gila River Lone Butte Casino:  Loop 202 at the Kyrene Road exit.  Close to Chandler and the I-10 freeway.  Good location if you are staying along the I-10 freeway.

• – Arizona’s newest casino (opened November 20) offers 850 slot machines, live blackjack, casino bingo, and poker.  Games include Fortune Pai Gow Poker^® Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus^® and Three-Card Poker^® plus slots like the hot new eBay™ and Star Trek™ machines.
• – The gourmet Verona Chophouse restaurant menu spotlights aged beef while the adjacent cozy wine bar has a good list of bottles to chose from.
• – Cascades Lounge is hopping with live entertainment nightly.
• – High-limit room with slots and tables.

Gila River Wild Horse Pass Casino:  I-10 freeway at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard exit and just a couple of miles from the Lone Butte casino.

• – Home to 875 slot machines, live poker, blackjack, keno and a 1500 seat high-stakes bingo room.
• – Next door to the very popular Arizona attraction, Rawhide Western Town, with its famous steakhouse and Wild West shows.
• – Park at the nearby Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort where you can dine at a number of restaurants including “Kai” — one of only two Five Diamond restaurants in all of Arizona - then take a flat-bottom boat ride to the casino.  (This is one of our favorite evenings out!)
• –Golf:  Whirlwind Golf Club with two courses.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino:  It’s a drive out to the town of Maricopa (about 40 minutes from Sky Harbor airport, exit Queen Creek Road off the I-10 freeway) but may be worth it if you are a Harrah’s Total Rewards Club® member wanting to get credit for your play.

• – New slot games like the popular Wizard of Oz™ plus lots of Super Times Pay™ video poker machines bring Phoenix players out to play.
• – The Range Steakhouse - a Harrah’s favorite - offers prime rib, lamb chops plus good seafood options like the sea scallops in chive butter.
• – Live poker, keno, blackjack and bingo as well as slots.
• – On the way, stop at Arena Sports Bar in Maricopa for some of the best Buffalo wings in Arizona.

Fort McDowell Casino:  Located about 20 minutes from Scottsdale near the town of Fountain Hills, this casino is most convenient for those staying in north Phoenix or Scottsdale.  The trip is worth it simply for the spectacular scenery you’ll see driving out on Shea Boulevard to the Beeline Highway and the casino.

• – New slots like Star Trek™ and Wizard of Oz™ plus lots of video poker machines including a $.25 progressive.  Largest “smoke-free” gaming area in town.
• – Lots of dining options including the sophisticated Anhala Restaurant at the adjacent Radisson Fort McDowell resort.  (The fish tacos with watermelon salsa are outstanding.)
• – Live entertainment in the Lucky Sevens Lounge.
• – Golf:  Wee-Ko-Pa Golf Course.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season. We’re off for a few days to enjoy time with family and friends — and, no doubt, a little spiked eggnog — but we’ll be back this weekend.

"Harrk the Harrald Angels Sing"...(and play instruments, too!)

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" -- who looks an awful lot like the next-door neighbor.

Hanging stockings at Caesars Palace.

I think I see Santa! No, wait...it's just that big picture of Donny Osmond.

More photo fun all this week!

Steve Wynn at the entrance of the captivating atrium at Encore Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Wynn Resorts.)

It seems completely appropriate that the signature restaurant of the just-opened Encore Resort at Wynn Las Vegas should be “Sinatra.”  Owner Steve Wynn and “Ol’ Blue Eyes” have at least two things in common:  they do things their way and they are very good at what they do.

In a city, in an industry and in an economy that are all seeing their biggest downturns in recent history, Steve Wynn opened this glamorous $2.3 billion property on Monday — yes, a Monday! — during what is traditionally the slowest week of the year in Vegas.  Pure genius.  The timing is perfect for working out any slight bugs — and with Wynn’s legendary attention to detail, the problems are apt to be small — prior to the big New Year’s Eve holiday and the major conventions coming in early-2009.  I also like his approach of simply opening the doors to the public.  No massive grand opening events, it’s just like he says in the commercial:  “THIS is Encore.”  Let the resort speak for itself.

Using a “back-to-basics” approach — when those basics include paying attention to what makes a resort a Five Diamond experience — owner Steve Wynn, told The Associated Press that guests at the new Encore resort should expect “better service, nicer rooms, better lighting.  Themes that are corny get old quickly, but real and wonderful environments with great service are timeless.”

In addition to Sinatra, the 2,034-room Encore will feature four additional chef-driven restaurants including “Switch” - a dining experience where walls, ceiling and even server uniforms change colors every 20 minutes.  The resort also boasts the highly-anticipated exclusive new nightclub, “XS,” which opens for the first time at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.  Also, long-time Strip entertainer Danny Gans will begin his run at Encore in February.

See photos of the resort on the Encore website here and video reports including interior shots are here at local Channel Eight’s Las Vegas Now.  (We’ll be making our maiden voyage to Encore in January so look for more coverage then.)

A lot of thought went into this intricate light fixture at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Things may not be looking up in Las Vegas — yet — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.  Look up, I mean.  Here’s another entry in our “Las Vegas Look Up” series of posts and photos showing some of the striking design elements we’ve found in Las Vegas casinos.

Today’s entry comes from Caesars Palace — the registration lobby at Caesars to be exact.  For some reason, this light fixture really caught my eye.  From a distance, it reminded me of some sort of giant cell colony.  Don’t ask me why but when I looked up it instantly reminded me of something you’d see under a microscope.  Upon closer inspection — click on the photo to enlarge — those cells are actually etchings of classic Roman figures and symbols.

Check out, too, the intricate flourishes painted onto the ceiling surrounding the base of the fixture.   And, yes, that is accent lighting surrounding each of these accent lights!  I LOVE this lavish attention to detail that you always find in casinos throughout Las Vegas.

The spectacular new Wynn Las Vegas property Encore will be opening this coming Monday, December 22, with a sold out crowd for that specific night.  Rooms (including New Year’s Eve) are available beginning the 23rd.  Reservations at the original property, Wynn Las Vegas, can be had throughout the time period.

The new Encore website is up and running with lots of photos and information along with a video of the very cool Encore commercial showing owner Steve Wynn atop the stunning copper-colored tower.

For up-to-date information along with “live” reports from the opening celebrations, tune into a new website built specifically for this grand event.  This exciting new venture is helmed by the editors/bloggers of two popular Las Vegas websites, vegastripping and ratevegas.  Thanks to them, we can all ride along as they experience the exhilaration of opening night at the fabulous new Encore resort and casino.

Has your mailbox been as stuffed with casino offers as ours has lately?   Thanks to the downturn in the economy, P.B. and I are hearing from every casino we ever stepped foot into over the years.  Stacks of promotional flyers for free room stays - now for three or four or more nights at a time! - and invitations to tons of slot, video poker, live poker and black jack tourneys inundate us.  (My mail carrier, Veronica, must think Doyle Brunson’s living in my guest room!)

We’re also being showered with bigger and better coupons for “free slot play.”  Even our local Indian casinos here in Arizona are not only joining in the marketing fray but upping the ante with $100 for Diamond members at Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Maricopa and $25 from Fort McDowell in Fountain Hills, just to name a couple.  Those same offers usually come with food coupons as well.  Free buffets, free dinners, free food vouchers - if you’re hungry they’ve got you covered.

Email offers?  Check.  Offers by phone?  Check again.  Leather jackets, Dooney & Bourke handbags, gift cards?  Check, check, check.

So what really gets us into the casino and sitting at a machine or table?  Locally, coupons for free slot play or cash are number one for us with merchandise giveaways a close second.  But only if the item is something we want like the Sony PSP® we got last year at Harrah’s Ak-Chin.

When we travel several times each year to Las Vegas, we do look at the offers we’ve gotten when planning the actual dates.  We especially enjoy slot and video poker tournaments and try to play in a couple of those each year.  Oh, and cash and free slot play and gift cards are good, too.  Merchandise doesn’t really get us to go to Las Vegas - too far for a leather jacket with “Caesars Palace” emblazoned on the back.

We’re curious.  What are your favorite offers?  What gets you to make the date?

The alluring pastry case at Payard Patisserie at Caesars Palace.

Making a visit to Payard’s exquisite bakery at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas takes on Holy Grail-like overtones because this place is NOT easy to find.  My advice — save yourself a lot of time and shoe leather and just ask any hotel employee to point you in the right direction.  (It’s at the back of the resort near the Café Lago buffet.  Look for the caramel-toned lighting and chocolate-colored curlicues facing the walkway.)

Once you do find it, you’ll be presented with two options for dining - either the casual counter-service-only café or the adjacent tiny jewel box of a restaurant.  The timing may decide for you since the café is open from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. while the bakery counter serves from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.  Either way, you can rest assured that the fabulous pastries and desserts are on both menus.

And fabulous is not an overstatement when it comes to Monsieur Payard’s artistic pastries and sweets.  Winner of numerous “Best Pastry Chef” awards, Francois Payard proves his culinary mettle in every buttery croissant, velvety mousse and perfectly-constructed tart and gâteau on the menu.   Our favorites include the lush Maple Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote, the classic multi-layered Raspberry Napoleon and the sophisticated Vienne with its masterful blending of dark chocolate, orange and caramel. 

Dessert flavors extend to the decor at Payard with its caramel-toned lighting.

Since man cannot live by dessert alone (well, you could but probably shouldn’t) Payard Patisserie offers breakfast fare including omelets and quiches plus a lunch/light dinner menu of sandwiches and salads including a Tuna Nicoise salad that will remind you why this is one of France’s most beloved dishes.  For a heartier appetite, the Roast Beef Panini on authentic ciabatta with caramelized onions is robustly flavored while the accompanying house-made spicy potato chips are addictive. 

In addition to the café and bakery, there is a retail store stocked with boxes of luxurious handmade truffles and candies as well as Payard’s signature gift baskets to take home.

Where:  Caesars Palace

Hours:  Breakfast: 6:30am to 11:30am
              Lunch: 11:30am to 3pm
Pastry Counter: 6:30am to 11:00pm
Retail Store: Tue-Fri 6:30am to 11:00pm
Retail Store: Sat-Mon 6:00am to 11:00pm

Reservations: Tel.  877-346-4642

We’ve got a few things to pick up in the stores this holiday season but most of our shopping is being done online this weekend.  Easy on the budget and the feet plus we can buy lots of unique gifts without ever leaving the couch! 

So, sit back and relax, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, and shop for all the casino fans, poker players, and slot players on your list with our tailor-made gift guide.  We sorted through tons of items and websites to bring you our “Best Gifts for Casino Players.” 

I’m giving P.B. a watch this Christmas and in my search found a great site with a huge selection of the most popular watch brands including Fossil, Citizen and more – both men’s and women’s — at phenomenal prices with free shipping and a 110% price guarantee.  Be sure to use the special coupon code “10off” to save an additional $10 on any watch purchase.

Here’s the link: 
Watchco.com- HOLIDAY SPECIALS- BRAND NAME WATCHES- 40%-70% OFF!

A custom thermal from Bad Beat Clothing.

Also, check out the custom-designed tee-shirts, thermals and more at Bad Beat Clothing.  This stuff rocks!  Speaking of poker, great article at Poker Listings about the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic that starts today at The Bellagio. 

And here’s a quick-click way to access all of our holiday gift posts so far this season:
Gifts for Poker Players       Gifts for Slot Players/Casino Gamers         Holiday Gifts for Players     JAQK Wines

Happy Shopping!

A quiet spot for a drink is just behind these striking light fixtures at BOA Steakhouse in the Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace.

In our quest to seek out the best bars for a quiet drink in Las Vegas, we give you Part II of our list.  Covering the stretch of the Las Vegas Strip from Caesars Palace to Mandalay Bay, we found great bars and lounges for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a cocktail or two while enjoying the company you keep.

Caesars Palace - Between the resort itself and the sprawling Forum Shoppes complex, there are so many options for drinking and dining that you’re sure to find a place to call your own.  For us, that spot is BOA Steakhouse on the third floor of the newer shopping galleria.  Their homemade potato chips with cheese and shaved truffles are as decadent as they sound and a perfect foil to an icy cold beer.  If the weather is cooperating, we’re also partial to the outdoor Spanish Steps bar with its frozen concoctions and best-ever bar stools not to mention superior people-watching opportunities.

The Bellagio - What would you expect from Bellagio but the best in caviar and vodka service at the resort’s Petrossian Bar?  This plush lounge is just off the elegant lobby but tucked away enough to satisfy the mellowest of moods.  An unexpected treat is the lounge’s traditional afternoon tea complete with scones and finger sandwiches.

Paris Las Vegas - Look hard or you’re sure to miss this cozy little bar hidden away by the casino’s sports book area.  A few TV’s turned quietly to whatever game might be on is about the only distraction you’ll find at Le Bar du Sport.  (Yeah, that really is the name.)  Early in the evenings, before the dueling pianos begin banging away, you can also find a conversation-friendly atmosphere at Napoleon’s (located along  the cobble-stoned shopping area) where more than 100 champagnes beckon those with a bent for the bubbly.

Planet Hollywood - Yes, Virginia, there is a quiet spot at Planet Ho and we’ve found it - the bar at celeb-favorite KOI.  You don’t want to be there at peak dining hours but closer to the 5 p.m. opening of the lounge.  The lychee fruit martinis are highly-recommended or choose from the expansive sake list.

MGM Grand - Leave a trail of breadcrumbs as you make your way through this massive resort and ultimately to the restful atmosphere of Nobhill Tavern.  You’ll be glad you made the hike when your bartender serves you a perfectly mixed lemon drop martini or chilled glass of Napa Valley white.  We haven’t been there since the new menu was introduced but knowing what we do of Michael Mina’s food, the offerings should be sensational.

Luxor - The venerable pyramid has undergone a major interior facelift with lots of new restaurants and clubs added to the mix.  We have it on good authority that the lounge at TENDER Steak & Seafood or the bar at Company American Bistro are both perfect for a quiet drink.

Mandalay Bay - We’ve already written about how much we love the view from Mix so we’ll give you another option within the coconut-scented confines of the resort.  Surprisingly, we chose the Orchid Lounge just off the lobby near the main entrance to the resort.  Sweets and coffees as well as cocktails are served here.  You’ll hear a little bit of the casino buzz but still be far enough away to hear your companion whisper….

You knew the October numbers weren’t going to be pretty but I’m not sure anyone guessed that Nevada gaming revenue would be down - are you ready? - 22.3% as compared to a year ago.  That is the single largest monthly drop in reported “win” in state history and the 10th straight month that gaming revenues have declined.

Here’s how the numbers released today by the Nevada Gaming Commission played out in the Silver State:

Nevada as a whole brought in $905 million for a 22.3% drop.

The Las Vegas Strip was hit hard with its $475 million take which represents a 25.8% drop compared to a record “win” in excess of $637 million in October of last year.

Worst numbers?  The “Boulder Strip” which brought in $62.9 million and saw the biggest decline in the state with a 28.2% plunge.

Faring somewhat better was the Downtown Las Vegas area which saw its “win” decline 19.6% to a $48.4 million take.

Almost all areas of the state showed a marked decrease in October numbers.  Here are some additional results from around the state:

Reno — $57.5 million, down 7.4 percent.
Laughlin — $45.7 million, down 14.9 percent.
Sparks — $12.9 million, down 10 percent.
Stateline — $20.9 million, down 23.8 percent.

Considering that economic experts are predicting a “long, slow recovery,” we can expect to see more sobering numbers coming from Nevada in the months ahead.

We have our very first contest winner!  In a random drawing,* our reader/commentor “AL” has won a copy of the 2009 Edition of Steve Bouri’s popular “American Casino Guide”.  Congratulations to Al and thanks to all who entered.  Our next contest starts tomorrow so come back then for details and another chance to win.

Here is the comment Al posted about his favorite/first big casino hit: 

“In the late 80’s I was in the process of traveling from The Presidio of Monterey, CA to San Angelo, TX for advanced training. As a private in the army I didn’t have a lot of money. Bargain rooms, casino freebies and cheap buffets were the order of the day. I saw a big banner over “Slots-O-Fun” that advertised 75 cent Heinekens. That was exactly the kind of bargain I was looking for. Walking in I was handed a free painter’s cap and won a $5 chip on the slot pull. I also got a coupon book that offered a $5 match play for any table game. I had seen Blackjack and knew that the coupon made it a good bet, especially with their $5. My wife had saved about $10 in change and wanted to play slots, so I wandered around sipping my premium beer and eventually found a seat at a table.

I put down the coupon and the $5 chip, and was dealt two cards face up, but it wasn’t Blackjack, it was a game called Red Dog, which is essentially Casino Acey-Duecey. I got and Ace and a trey. The dealer told me to put down another $10. I didn’t understand at the time it was not only optional but a good idea, nonetheless it was $10 and that was a lot of money to me. (A bunch more 75 cent Heinekens!) Still, I dug into my pocket and pulled out the ten, putting it down. A face card fell, and instead of my one red chip I now had seven. (The $20 bet paid even money, less the $5 match coupon.) I put two red chips in my pocket to replace my beer money and bet two more. After a dozen or so more hands I had stashed another $40 in red chips and decided to put down a last $20 bet before cashing out.

The first card was a Queen. A good start, but I was really disappointed when a second Queen fell. I assumed that the hand was a push and was pondering just picking up my bet when the dealer turned another card, a third Queen. The rest of the table whooped and I was paid off at 11:1. JACKPOT! I took my $240 and went in search of my wife. She had just hit a $16 jackpot on a nickel machine. I showed her the handful of red and green chips I had, and I remember saying “Red and Green, just like Christmas.”

I only made about $800 a month and she made even less. But that night we had just short of $300 between us, we walked all the way down to Caesar’s Palace to have the prime rib buffet with homemade pasta. It was awesome and we even splurged on a cab to save us the walk back to our off strip hotel. I won’t comment on the rest of the night, but I will say I have very fond memories of my first big casino score.”

*(Each comment was assigned a number based on the order posted.  Those numbers were placed into the proverbial ”hat” and the winner was drawn.)

Sink into this comfy colorful sofa at Parasol Up lounge at Wynn Las Vegas and enjoy a classic cocktail.

These aren’t the Las Vegas bars or clubs where you have to stand in line for hours and hope you get in (that is if you forgot to buy the now popular line pass.)  Nope.  And they’re not the kinds of places whose music makes you feel like the drummer just took up residence somewhere inside your rib cage.  Uh-uh.  These are just a few of our favorite spots to grab a drink, maybe a light appetizer or two, and enjoy some conversation with our companion(s).  We’ve organized these by proximity so you can find a calm little reprieve no matter where you find yourself along The Strip.

Wynn Las Vegas - Hands down, it has to be the lobby level Parasol Up lounge.  We smile every time we see the “Alice in Wonderland” parasols and the bar’s whimsical décor.  Who knew red and gold, blue and green, stripes and polka dots could be so ultimately classy when combined?  (If you take the adjacent circular escalator to the lower level, you’ll be at Parasol Down lounge with its gorgeous view of the lake.)

The Palazzo - Surprisingly enough, the “Bam”-guy with his big flavors and out-sized personality has created a low-key respite from the glitter of Las Vegas in his new Table 10 restaurant in the Shoppes at  Palazzo.  A crew of friendly bartenders and a mean signature “Cosmopoli-10″ cocktail don’t hurt plus the appetizers are outstanding.  Curb any hunger pangs with Emeril’s tasty oyster fritters or try the mussels in a dreamy bacon broth.

Fashion Show mall – If you find yourself tiring after walking the miles of corridors at this mega-shopping edifice (and who wouldn’t?) then it’s definitely time for a break at Café Ba Ba Reeba.  We crave their fresh and fruity sangria - the white peach is marvelous - and the yummy tapas platters.  Nosh on the short ribs with Manchego mashed potatoes while watching the Wynn sign across the street go through its various entertaining permutations.

Harrah’s - We dig the rockin’ outdoor Carnaval Court bar and the dueling pianos show at the generically-named Piano Bar but for a glass of wine, a platter of freshly-shucked blue points, an order of crunchy calamari rings — plus a little talk-time — the Oyster Bar at Penazzi is perfect.  It’s located smack-dab in the casino but somehow it feels more intimate.

Tomorrow, we continue our bar-hopping down The Strip with more great spots.

The iconic Mirage Volcano made it’s newly-renovated debut on The Strip in Las Vegas last night.  Under construction since February of this year, the $25 million face-lift caps a recent $110 million room and suite redesign to The Mirage’s 2,765 Deluxe and Tower Deluxe accommodations.

The new volcano show features a musical score by Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead fame and Indian impresario Zakir Hussain and comes from the acclaimed design firm WET, creators of The Bellagio lake show.  Fireballs and the aptyly-named Fireshooters explode into the air and send fiery waves of burning lava across the Strip-front lagoon during the four-and-a-half-minute blazing spectacle.

See it for yourself with this terrific video of the opening night’s show from KLAS television.  Mirage Volcano Video.

Here’s a very smart move from Harrah’s Entertainment.  They’ve collaborated with WMS Gaming, makers of the wildly-popular Wizard of Oz machines, (you know, the ones I can never play!) and will introduce a special TOTAL REWARDS® version of WMS Gaming’s new Star Trek machine beginning this week in Las Vegas. 

Here’s the skinny from a joint press release dated December 1, 2008 (Emphasis mine) - “Players who are members of Harrah’s TOTAL REWARDS® program will be able to use their cards to create a personalized and differentiated gaming experience on the STAR TREK themed gaming machines at most of the company’s casinos in North America, as Harrah’s moves forward with a market-by-market implementation plan, subject to additional jurisdictional regulatory approvals.

“This server-enabled, networked gaming platform provides players with the unique ability to personalize their game play, allowing them to save their play status and unlock additional bonus rounds and game episodes over time. “

While all the Star Trek machines in place at different casinos allow players to “save” their game information from trip to trip, the Harrah’s program (if I am reading this right) will give TR club members the ability to further personalize the game and earn additional Harrah’s-only bonuses. 

According to Tim Stanley, chief information officer and senior vice president, innovation, gaming and technology of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., (His business card must be “super-sized” to fit that title on it….) –  “As players advance through the dynamic Star Trek storyline, they can save their progress through the game and pick up where they left off during their next visit, regardless of which STAR TREK gaming machine in a TOTAL REWARDS enabled casino they visit. Additionally, by using TOTAL REWARDS® to enable their personalized STAR TREK account and ‘avatar,’ they can transport their previous play status from non-Harrah’s based Star Trek games, earn ‘Bonus’ achievement medals for their Harrah’s play, and get access to new games, unique communications and special promotions and offers as part of our innovative introduction of this new capability.”

So, thanks to WMS Gaming:  Video game meet slot machine.  Slot machine, meet video game!  And to Harrah’s good job on going boldly where no casino has gone before!  Now, if I just have a little more luck in actually finding an open machine next time I visit Harrah’s….

This Week’s Hot Post – “And It Feels Like the First Time!”  Just leave a comment on this post and tell us about your first big win, or your favorite game, or simply a note saying “hello.”  We’ll choose our first winner on Thursday morning so enter today.

The PRIZE:  The 2009 edition of the American Casino Guide which contains 496 pages of detailed information on every U.S. casino, plus it includes more than $1,000 in valuable casino coupon offers!  This book is a gem for casino players and retails for up to $18.95.  

The slot-playing casino kings and queens on your shopping list will simply love receiving one of these great holiday gifts.  We’ve chosen the best gifts for casino lovers in a wide range of prices ($10 to $299) that will keep them organized, entertained, on time and more while you get all the credit for your gift-giving savvy.

I love a compact wallet or little case that can hold all my players club cards, my room key, some cash, my credit cards and keep everything perfectly organized.  These all fit the bill and do it stylishly to boot!  Left to right:  I love this Colorful Credit Card Holder.  Check out the rainbow of hues on this one — from basic black to “Pumpkin” and “Ocean,” $14.88.   Pictured in the center is the sleek little Metro Mini Designer Card Case which will hold all the necessities and comes in ten great colors/textures.  At just $9.88 each, this hard case makes a great stocking stuffer. The zippered leather case on the right is perfect for my sweetie. He can pack it with all his club cards, stash it in a pocket and off to Vegas we go!  Leather Credit Card Holder, $25.50.