Veronic Voices @Bally's Fall 2013

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Like most people fortunate enough to have an amazing voice, Veronic DiCaire started as a singer.  She was in a group, and then did musical theatre and eventually did 2 solo French-speaking albums for which she won awards. 

But more than singing, Veronic loved signing like other people.  Correction, she liked to imitate other female singers in voice and mannerisms.  All told, Veronic is known for her virtual pitch perfect vocal impersonations of 50 of the biggest female recording artists with some of the biggest voices in history.

Veronic went on tour as an opener for Celine Dion in 2008 during a stretch in Montreal.  It isn’t clear if she was performing material from her albums or if she had made the full move over to impersonations at this point.  Whatever it was, it caught Celine’s eye and she used her pull at Caesars Entertainment to get Veronic a shot at a residency at Bally’s.  Two weeks into that month long residency, the run was extended indefinitely.

Location

• Bally’s Jubilee Theatre

Run time

• 90 minutes

Performance times

• Fri & Sat at 7 pm, Thurs at 9:30 pm

Ticket Cost

• $36-$135

Theatre capacity & configuration

• This is an old school Vegas theatre complete with booth seating, up close

Refreshments

• Drinks
• Drink service is available before and during park of the show
• Food
• None available

Cast

• 6-8 accompaniment dancers

Theme/Music

• Amazing vocal impersonations of Celine Dion, Adele, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton and Christina Aguilera, never skips the high notes
• Along with her vocal impersonation Veronic likes to also impersonate the mannerisms of such iconic performers as Madonna, Aguilera, Lady Gaga, Tina Turner and more
• Had some background projection to help production value, compliment the numbers she was doing
• Also plays piano

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 chips

Mark and Keren Rating - 4/5 chips

Burger Bar @Mandalay Bay Summer 2012

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Located in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, Burger Bar is how Hubert Keller does casual dining.  The plan here, the ultimate burger experience brought to you by the guy who was named by Food and Wine magazine as one of the ten best chefs in America. 

It’s all about the food.  When describing the dining area, it can sound a bit schitophrenic but in a good way.  They’ve successfully put a sports pub, a hint of 1950’s diner and an airport commissary in one place.  But you didn’t come here to be wowed by the decour, you came for the food and you will be wowed by it.

Burger bar features a variety of options ranging from beef, buffalo and turkey to vegetarian and vegan offerings.  Oh, and that famous “most expensive burger in the world experience thing” that Hubert sells at Fleur, also at Mandalay Bay, for $5,000, yeah, you can get that here too, the burger that is, not the experience, which apparently, once you remove the experience part, will only run you $60.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5

Mark & Keren Rate - 4/5

Vesper Bar @Cosmopolitan Summer 2012

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Vesper Bar is a funky, eclectic bar located just past the check in desk lobby and immediately lets you know the type of experience you can expect to find at Cosmopolitan.  This place exudes cool and has frequently drawn comparisons to something you would find in a James Bond movie, which is exactly what they are going for.

The bar is covered in broken, reflective glass and has old school, Jetsonesque seating.  Mirrored, tile columns surround the lounge area as the retro-futuristic seating continues the theme as well as creates many public seating areas that still somehow feel intimate.  Even the light fixtures compliment the space and illusion.

But Vesper is more than pretty, it features a wooden liquor cabinet and a rotating menu of signature cocktails that can be best described as modern takes on old school classics.  For those of you intimidated, don’t be.  Those enjoying the lounge will have a hostess sit down and talk to you about the libation options as well as make suggestions based on your tastes.  The experience can make anyone feel like a high roller.  Everything about this place draws you to it and millions agree.  In a 2013 USA Today poll, Vesper Bar was listed one of the 10 best hotel bars in America

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 chips

Mark and Keren Rate - 4/5 chips

Chandelier Bar @Cosmopolitan Spring 2012

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Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan is a 3 level cocktail bar that is housed in a 2 million beaded chandelier that sets a new standard in striking elegance. Under the direction of award winning mixologist Meriena Mercer, each level is subtly different in style and drink offerings.

• Level 1 - A high end casino bar that is the centre of the floors action

• Level 2 - A great place for a quiet drink and the floor dedicated to the speciality cocktails that the staff are famous for. This is the floor to visit if you are an experienced cocktail drinker

• Level 3 - A more relaxed area than the middle floor, with views out to the surrounding stores. This level is designed with a more feminine touch in mind.

Levels 2 and 3 are a great option for those who want a quiet drink without the constant smell of cigarette smoke as they are non-smoking. 

Location - Center of the Cosmopolitan Casino and accessible from level 1 & 2

• Hours of Operation
• Level 1 - Daily, 24 hours a day
• Level 1.5 - Daily, 4pm - 4am
• Level 2 - 11am - 11pm

Theme - A giant chandelier with DJs and live bands performing at level 1

Drinks

• Average price
• Beer & Wine $7-10
• Cocktails $10-15

Happy Hours - None

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 chips

Mark and Keren Rate - 5/5 chips

Palms & the G Suite Fall 2013

 
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In 2001, the Maloof Family opened the Palms.  In 2002, attempting to grab the 21-39 year old market, 2002, MTV filmed a season of their reality show The Real World in the property. The results caused the off-strip properties popularity to explode.  Suddenly, it became THE place young celebrities went to hangout, party and be seen while simultaniosly reinventing Vegas into the place we know it today.

Quickly, Palms realized they didn’t have enough supply to suit the demand they created.  In 2005, at a cost of $600 million, the Palms opened the 458-foot tall Fantasy Tower adding 347 rooms to their inventory.  Attempting to take the experience to the next level and capitalize on the elitist culture the property cultivated, the Fantasy tower was built with 21 Fantasy Suites. 

Ranging in size between 1,500 to 9,000 square feet and offering in-room amenities such as bowling lanes, a basketball room and indoor/outdoor swimming pools located 40 stories up the tower, Palms become the benchmark by which Vegas cool was measured in Vegas.  These suites are designed for the ultra affluent, the cheapest being the Playpen suite costing about $1,500 a night all the way up to the 2 story Sky Villa running $35,000 + per night which, according to a 2012 CNN report, makes it the 5^th most expensive suite in the world.

Vegas Mate Rating 4/5 chips

Mark & Keren  4/5 chips