Archive for August, 2010

Some of the Best Busts in Vegas

You asked for it. Here are what many consider to be the best busts in Vegas.

Caesars Palace busts

Hate puns? Get your own blog!

Try to contain your crushing disappointment.

See these impressive busts in person at Caesars Palace, just outside the high limit room.

For the other kind, you’re on your own. Although it wouldn’t hurt to begin your quest at Numb. Followed up by Shadow Bar. We’re just saying.

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by sroeben  |  4 Comments »

Cowboy Up: PBR Rock Bar Open at Planet Hollywood

They’re calling it a “soft opening,” but all we needed was to hear the word “opening” and we just had to check out the newly-unveiled PBR Rock Bar at Planet Hollywood.

PBR Rock Bar Vegas

Your gateway to libation and comfort food nirvana.

On the evening we visited, the restaurant was bustling with customers, as well as hosting a private event for Nevada Senator Harry Reid. So much for a “soft opening”!

The PBR Rock Bar (PBR stands for “Professional Bull Riders,” of course) sits adjacent to Pink’s at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. There’s an expansive restaurant inside, as well as a daquiri bar facing the casino, and another bar outside featuring a 3,000-square-foot patio that sidles up (work with us on the cowboy references here) to the famed Las Vegas Boulevard.

PBR Rock Bar

PBR Rock Bar is prettier than a freshly-blocked Stetson. Or something.

Some vitals: The restaurant is a whopping 13,000-square-feet (but feels more intimate), has a private dining room, a stage and four bars.

There are 115 flat screen TVs thoughout the interior and exterior of PBR Rock Bar. That’s so many TVs, there is a PBR Rock Bar staff member whose only job responsibility is to keep track of all the remotes. (Tip: Don’t believe everything you read on the Interwebs.)

PBR Rock Bar

Flat screens as far as the eye can see!

The mechanical bull that’s expected to be a big draw for rodeo fans was still in its soft launch phase, but is expected to be fully functional and ready for tourist-goring soon.

PBR Rock Bar bull

The bull's brand says, "Coming soon!" (We just made that up.)

Unlike the mechanical bull, the food at PBR Rock Bar appears to already be hitting its stride! It’s classic American fare with a twist, which we’re pretty sure we just read in a news release. But it’s also true. Executive Chef Billy Boyle has put together a fun menu of bumped-up classics.

PBR Rock Bar

We think this is the Bloomin' Onion Burger thingy. We are a Las Vegas blog, not a burger identifier.

The menu fits the rodeo theme, of course. Instead of “Appetizers,” it’s “Qualifying Round.” (They include items like Fried Pickles, Catfish Nuggets, Mini Corn Dogs and House-Stuffed Pepper Poppers.) Pizzas are called “Out of the Chute.” Entrees are called “The Main Event.”

PBR Rock Bar

The vivacious Stephanie whips out some Mac 'n' Cheese along with her million-dollar smile.

We did a very scientific study of the most in-demand menu items, while loitering a few minutes in the PBR Rock Bar kitchen, and there was a heavy stream of orders for the Bloomin’ Onion Burger (a half-pound burger served inside an onion), the Crispy Pork Cutlet Sandwich, the Texas-Style Beef Brisket and the Sloppy Joe Sliders.

Bring your appetite if you plan on wrasslin' with the imposing Pork Cutlet Sandwich.

Click here for a somewhat unwieldy 4MB (.pdf) file of the full menu we stole from our new friends at the PBR Rock Bar. A Pulse of Vegas blog exclusive! No, seriously, it kind of is. At least we haven’t seen it anywhere else online yet.

PBR Rock Bar is billed as having “a modern vibe where Sexy Cowgirl meets Bad Boy Rocker.” Again, we’re thinking that’s about right. Remember, the PBR Rock Bar folks are the same evil geniuses behind the always-boisterous Rockhouse, just outside Imperial Palace, long considered one of the Strip’s wildest party spots. (Scantily-clad waitresses swing on tires suspended by ropes. ‘Nuff said.)

Learn more at the official PBR Rock Bar site.

PBR Rock Bar

Bonus factoid: There are 80 skulls on the restaurant's big "Wall-o-Bovine-Skulls." Yes, this blog is trademarking that term, so don't even think about it.

Enjoy our exclusive photo gallery featuring tons of photos we ourselves took in between lusting over the nachos and mouthwatering, protein-rich fare. (Yes, there are salads, too, you big baby.)

PBR Rock Bar

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Overall, the PBR Rock Bar is off to a fine start, and we’re pretty sure they wouldn’t mind your dropping in before the “official” opening on Labor Day weekend.

PBR Rock Bar hooch

OK, we were more hungry than thirsty during our visit. We'll delve further into the hooch next time. So to speak.

We’re also sure this is going to quickly become one of the must-visit spots on the Strip. No bull! (See what we did there?)

Update: We just learned that PBR Rockbar has some surprises in store for Labor Day weekend. Guests at the restaurant could win one of 50 pairs of PBR World Finals tickets. Breeze by the borderline-disturbing clown-stripper and find out more information, right here.

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by sroeben  |  2 Comments »

Estella Warren Fulfills Fantasy at Chippendales

Fantasies are the bread and butter of the hulking guys of Chippendales at Rio. On Aug. 27, actress and model Estella Warren got to butter some of that, ahem, metaphorical bread as she hosted the popular male revue.

Estella Warren Chippendales

Stairway to heaven?

Warren is the first celebrity to “host” a “Ultimate Girl’s Night Out” event at Chippendales. See the guys live at Rio Vegas. Learn more.

Estella Warren

Gratuitous second photo of Estella Warren to balance out all the testosterone.

Thanks to Dave Proctor for the photos.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Ja Rule Stirs Things Up at Venus Pool Club

Rapper Ja Rule rocked the proverbial mic at the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace over the weekend (Aug. 28).

Ja Rule Caesars Palace

Mic officially rocked.

See tons of photos, from photographer Ron Koch, on the Venus Pool Club Facebook page here.

We hear Ja Rule also attempted to bring down the house at Pure, but given the structurally sound nature of the nightclub at Caesars, we’re pretty sure that’s just a metaphor. Find photos here.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Saruman is Completely Freaking Us Out

This has to be the coolest “Out of Order” Easter egg in the history of slot machines.

The high-tech video screens on the “Lord of the Rings” slots definitely make a colorful addition to one’s enjoyment of this new slot machine. The screens make playing the slot, based on the epic movie trilogy, a true multi-media experience.

The other day, we encountered a machine that was down for maintenance, and this is the image that greeted us.

Saruman

Saruman gives us the evil eye.

Best. Slot machine. Easter egg. Ever.

Typically, the images on the screens change often, but apparently, on a machine undergoing repair or maintenance, the image stays the same until the machine is up and running again. Kinda giving us the willies there, Saruman. Which, of course, is one of the great things about the “Lord of the Rings” films, the great villains.

Find out more about this fun, in-demand slot. Why is it in such high demand? First, it’s groundbreaking in that you can save your game progress using your Total Rewards (player loyalty program) card. Yep, your game follows you between sessions, between different machines, or even as you’re casino-hopping.

Lord of the Rings slot machine

"Lord of the Rings" slot machine screen capture goodness!

Second, there’s an online component. For the first time in slot machine history, you can go online and play games that will affect your gameplay back in the casino. Check it out.

Lord of the Rings slot machine

There's a chance that posting these screen captures violates international copyright law. Kind of wishing we could put on a ring and become invisible right about now.

It’s also pretty slick that your Total Rewards tier level can effect how many “miles” you accumulate during your Middle Earth journey, and can help unlock special features and bonuses during your play.

Let us know what you think of this innovative game. But if you see Saruman’s unflinching eye, just keep walking. Maybe Goldfish or Mermaids are more your style!

Lord of the Rings slot machine

Hey, if we're going to the bighouse, we're going out in style. Love this slot!

Learn more about the “Lord of the Rings” slot machine.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

New Home for Zombies in Las Vegas

Hey, we don’t make up the news, we just report it. We grabbed this photo outside the Penn & Teller Theater at Rio Las Vegas.

Penn & Teller Theater

Proving, once again, much of life depends upon where you stand.

Posted on August 28th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Today’s Poker Trivia

There were 7,319 entrants in this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event, from 92 different countries.

Bonus factoid: This Las Vegas blog is not entirely sure it knew there were 92 countries.

WSOP

You've got to love any game where grown men (and women) fight for bracelets!

Catch all the World Series of Poker action you might have missed on ESPN. Find out more.

And try out the new WSOP game on Facebook.

Mark your calendar! The WSOP Main Event resumes on Nov. 6 at Rio Las Vegas. The winner will take home close to nine mil. Million. Dollars. Nine of those millions. Read more about the final nine players.

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  1 Comment »

Catch Ja Rule at Pure Nightclub

Rapper and actor Ja Rule performs at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace on Aug. 28. Get on the guest list here.

Ja Rule

Ja Rule factoid: He appeared in the film, "The Fast and the Furious."

Bonus Ja Rule factoid: He is the founder of L.I.F.E. Foundation, an organization that serves underprivileged children through music, art, poetry and sports. Here’s a interview with the man himself.

Here’s his hit, “Always on Time.”

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

McFadden’s at Rio Hosts, Ahem, Kissing Contest

We’ll say this again. We don’t make up the news, we just report it.

On Aug. 28, McFadden’s inside Rio Vegas welcomes MTV’s “Real World” star Ryan Leslie to officiate a, wait for it, “girl-on-girl kissing contest” with a prize of $1,000.

McFadden's kissing contest

Vegas, is there anything you can't do?

Added bonus? Open bar from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Vegas Restaurant Week: Chow Up for a Good Cause

As part of the fourth annual Restaurant Week (Aug. 30 to Sep. 5), a virtual buffet of Vegas restaurants are offering special menus to benefit the Three Square food bank, a nonprofit with the mission to “efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger.”

Among the participating restaurants are many at various Pulse of Vegas (Harrah’s Entertainment, soon to be Caesars Entertainment) hotels. They include Bradley Ogden, Mesa Grill, Rao’s and Serendipity 3 (all at Caesars Palace), the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris, Strip House at Planet Hollywood, KGB at Harrah’s, Steakhouse46 at Flamingo and Martorano’s at Rio.

Rao's Tiramisu

The famed tiramisu at Rao's, featured on its Restaurant Week prix fixe menu.

Special three-course “prix fixe” (translation: “awesome deal”) menus will be priced at $20.10, $30.10 or $50.10 per person, depending upon the restaurant, with a portion of each purchase benefitting Three Square.

Find out more about these restaurants courtesy of this incredibly thoughtful link to a directory that puts a plethora of Vegas restaurants at your fingertips. And not just because we’re too lazy to provide you with links to the individual restaurants. Honest.

The dining options run the gamut. And you may have to run a few gamuts to burn off the calories if you opt for the Restaurant Week prix fixe menu at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace. For $30.10, you get a first course choice of Tropical Tuna Tacos, Kobe sliders or their famed PB&J & Fluff (photo below). Second course: A choice of the Serendipity 3 Chicken Salad, Orchard Salad, Full Monty or Monster Meatballs & Spaghetti. No meal at Serendipity 3 would be complete without the monstrosity that is the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.

Fluff

Yes, we miraculously found this photo of the PB&J & Fluff in our archives (pile of suff on our desk). Taking photos of absolutely everything is just how we roll.

Let someone else grapple with the teensy irony of indulging in over-the-top treats to benefit an organization that feeds the hungry. We are a blog, not an irony pointer-outer. Bottom line: It’s for a good cause.

Not to play favorites, but also highly recommended is the prix fixe menu at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris. The three-course Restaurant Week lunch menu for $30.10 includes a first course of Maine Peekytoe Crab Salad, a second course of Veal Medallion and a third course of the most succulent Crème Brûlée this blog has had in recent memory.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant

Peekytoe. Peekytoe. Peekytoe. Possibly our favorite word, ever.

Find the complete list of participating restaurants (more than 80 in all) on the Three Square site.

So, get yourself a heaping helping of do-gooding during Restaurant Week in Vegas. You just might change the world, a mouthful at a time.

KGB shakes

Menage a Trois milkshakes, the featured Restaurant Week dessert on the menu at KGB at Harrah's Vegas.

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

How Wild is Vegas? Here’s How Wild!

How wild can it get in Sin City? Here’s your answer! Even the arrows on this traffic sign outside Planet Hollywood appear to be getting their groove on.

arrows

Get a room!

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  4 Comments »

“#1 Hot Babe” Estella Warren Hosts #1 Male Revue

On Aug. 27, the ultra-steamy men of Chippendales will be joined by equally-steamy model and actress Estella Warren at Rio Las Vegas. She’s the first guest host for a series of “The Ultimate Girls Night Out!” events at Chippendales.

Estella Warren

Gratuitous photo of Estella Warren.

Warren was voted #1 on “Maxim’s Hot 100 Babe List” and has been featured in “Sports Illustrated,” “Vogue” and “Vanity Fair.”

Her acting credits include “Planet of the Apes,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “The Cooler,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” “Law & Order,” and “That 70s Show,” among others.

Chippendales

Gratuitous photo of a Chippendales dude. See? Equal opportunity gratuity.

The superhumanly buff Chippendales guys shake their respective money makers nightly at 8:00 p.m., with additional shows on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m.

Posted on August 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Dirk Arthur Brings “Wild Magic” to O’Sheas

One of the Las Vegas Strip’s longtime fixtures, Dirk Arthur, is bringing his unique brand of magic to O’Sheas. His new show, “Wild Magic,” debuts Sep. 13, and will include all-new illusions, comedy and dance. Oh, and gorgeous, giant, hungry cats.

Arthur is known for his grand-scale illusions, so it’ll be interesting to see how he streamlines his show for the “intimate” theater at O’Sheas. One thing’s for sure: Intrepid ticket-holders are guaranteed to get some up-close thrills. Audience members will be as close as 10 feet away from the uncaged cats, and no farther than 40 feet away.

There’s a reason they invented the phrase, “Aieee!”

Dirk Arthur

Dirk Arthur and friends. Tip: When asking Dirk for autographs, ask very, very carefully.

The assortment of cats is expected to change daily. Among them will be snow white tigers, Bengal tigers, leopards, black panthers and even a liger. (A cross between a lion and a tiger. Or vice versa. We have no idea. We are a Las Vegas blog, not a mammologist.)

The show will feature an educational segment about Arthur’s big cat conservation and breeding program. Side note: The cats are raised and cared-for by Arthur himself. He even lets the cats swim in his pool. (Bet his pool guy loves that!)

Arthur has appeared on TV shows like “World Greatest Magic” (see the video below), “Late Show with David Letterman” and in his own special, “Big Cat Magic,” seen on Animal Planet.

The last time this blog personally saw Dirk Arthur’s show was at The Plaza downtown. The theater was fairly small, and Arthur’s big closer was when he made a jet appear. Talk about a jaw-dropper. We’re thinking he’ll make the most of the space at O’Sheas. Bonus points if he lets the tigers try their hand (paw!) at beer pong.

Here’s a blast from Dirk Arthur’s past, from an appearance on “The World’s Greatest Magic.”

“Wild Magic” will have two performances nightly, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., dark on Wednesday and Friday. Tickets are priced at $22.95 and $33.95 (VIP stage-side seating). Awesome deal for a bigtime Vegas magic show!

Call (702) 733-3333 or (800) 221-7299 for tickets, or visit the O’Sheas Web site. Further ticket info. to be appear shortly.

Posted on August 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  1 Comment »

Getting Some Total Rewards Face Time

As a blog, we are obligated to stay abreast (don’t go there) of all the latest trends (memes) and fads (Facebook) on the Interwebs. A friend was kind enough to send along a link to a wonderfully funny site the other day, Happy Chair is Happy. The site features photos of “faces in inanimate objects.”

Of course, when you start looking for faces in inanimate objects, you begin to see them pretty much everywhere. Today, during a jaunt through the Rio, we noticed the sign below at the entrance to the São Paulo Cafe at Rio Las Vegas.

Total Rewards face

It's as if this VIP entrance sign is saying, "Lines, schmines!" (Or something.)

The sign shows Total Rewards (player loyalty program) cards for various player “tiers” (or levels, based on one’s play in Total Rewards casinos): Diamond, Platinum and Seven Stars.

Learn more about the perks for being a Total Rewards member.

Posted on August 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Puzzler: Slot Machines or Adult Film Star Names?

Pop quiz! Think you know your slot machines? Well, here’s a chance to strut your stuff. We give you 15 names. Are they the names of slot machines or the names of adult film stars? Keep track of your answers, and let us know how you did in the Comments section. Ready? Go!

1. Big Ben
2. Hot Hot Penny
3. Lancelot
4. Crystal Springs
5. Artic Fox
6. Jolly Roger
7. Betti the Yetti
8. Hot Flashes
9. Wild Wolf
10. Cave King
11. Tiki Torch
12. Mr. Woo
13. Penny Paradise
14. Jungle Wild
15. Outback Jack

How’d you do? Ready to check your results?

Cave King slot machine

Did you get this one right?

Oh, snap!

We pulled a fast one (again). If you took our first quiz, Slot Machines or Adult Movie Titles, you’d probably have guessed these are all slot machines. Yes, even Betti the Yetti and Outback Jack.

Outback Jack slot machine

See how we're not making any jokes about Jack and his kangaroo here?

Thanks for playing!

Go here to search for your favorite machine in Sin City.

Posted on August 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »