Twin Peaks @Mekka Walgreens Spring 2013

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Twin Peaks is a self-professed “Breasterant” set in what is described as the ultimate man cave/Mountain lodge.  Founded in Lewisville Texas in 2005, Twin Peaks expanded into the Vegas Market as part of the Mekka Walgreens complex in 2013.  The Vegas location offers two-story dining, a three-story rock climbing wall and 87 hi-def. flat screen TVs.  

29-degree beer, on tap.  Its so cold that when they poor it into their 40 ounce man sized mug, ice crystals form on the top.  Patrons are served by attractive waitresses who’s uniforms consist of tops exposing both ample cleavage and bare mid-drifts as well as low-riding short khaki shorts and boots.  Think Hooters 2.0 with waitresses about a decade younger or even Tilted Kilt hunting lodge

If those two things were all Twin Peaks had to offer, it would be a must visit.  However Twin Peaks actually has really good food.  Couple that with their 2^nd story offering outdoor dining and the best view of City Center in Las Vegas.  The view is so remarkable, it has been referred to as one of the top five views in all of Vegas.  

Mark, Keren & Matt's Rating - 4/5 chips

Palazzo Spring 2013

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Continuing with the Italian theme, when Las Vegas Sands decided to expand their Venetian brand into a sister property next door, they choose to name it Palazzo.  Palazzo, in Italian, simply means Palace.  Earning its grand name, Palazzo is the tallest building in Las Vegas, topping out a 642 stories.  While it is true that Stratosphere is the tallest structure in Vegas, since it isn’t habitable, it isn’t technically considered a building.

Continuing with the concept that bigger is better, Palazzo didn’t stop with just being the tallest building in Vegas.  There 6.9 million square feet replaced the Pentagon as the largest building in the US per square foot.  Palazzo also has the largest standard rooms per square foot on the strip at 720, all suites.

Palazzo's gaming floor uses an open concept that allows you to see virtually every inch of the casino from wherever you are in it.  Unlike many Hi-End properties, it also managed to create an atmosphere that is both luxurious and welcoming.  While Palazzo is a separate building, it operates under the same gaming license as Venetian. The two properties are connected to each other via their indoor shopping promenades.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 Chips

Mark Rating - 4/5 Chips
Keren Rating - 3/5 Chips

SW Steakhouse @Wynn Fall 2012

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It’s Steve Wynn’s Steakhouse, that’s what the SW stands for, in the property named after the man. How could it be anything other than one of the best in Vegas?  Located off of the casino floor to the north of the property, SW Steakhouse is, in a word, elegant.

The goal is simply to create the best steak dinner possible and it’s won numerous culinary awards for their efforts.  The space is comfortable but formal.  Offering both indoor and outdoor seating.  The whole experience will make you feel in exclusive company.  Completing the illusion, the outdoor seating offers some of the best views of the Lake of Dreams attraction available.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 Chips

Mark and Keren Rating - 4/5 Chips

Tropicana Fall 2012

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In 1955, an executive of the Fontainebleau in Miami purchased a 40-acre plot of land on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Bond Road with the intent on building a resort with a sheik Cuban ambience.  While it never competed with the higher end properties it intended to, its success can be measure simply by the fact that the Bond road was later renamed Tropicana Avenue

While they weren’t high end, Tropicana received their share of visitor’s disposable income.  In 1977 they added the 22-floor Tiffany Tower and in 86 the Island tower, both still there today.  However time and constant changes in ownership allowed this property to fall to levels comparable to the lowest and most run down on the strip.

Enter Alex Yemenidjian, the man who helped Kirk Kerkorian grow his MGM Empire.  In 2009 Alex took over as CEO and invested $165 million into renovations.  The result is impressive to say the least, perhaps the greatest renovation to a Vegas property in history.  The renovations, subtle in many cases, took this property from being the Vegas equivalent of a run down abandon shopping mall into a property that now competes as a mid-tier property and again, offers a sheik Cuban ambience.

Vegas Mate - 3/5 chips

Mark & Keren - 5/5 chips

Cirque's Michael Jackson ONE @Mandalay Bay, Fall 2013

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After Cirque created Beatles LOVE, a tremendous commercial and critical success, dreamers wondered aloud, what would other shows based on musical artists be like.  After the failure of Viva Elvis, many thought Cirque had caught lightening in a bottle with LOVE and questioned, not only could they do another musical artist, but should they.

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, speculation began again and was relatively quickly confirmed that Cirque would create a show featuring the artist’s music.  Michael Jackson Immortal began touring the North America in 2011.  It was also announced, when the show come to Mandalay Bay for a run of shows, that a permanent residency would be setting up shop at the property.

In 2013, Michael Jackson ONE started their residency at Mandalay Bay.  When the show was originally confirmed, it was said to not be the same as the touring Immortal tour.  However most expected a refined, improved version of that show.  Instead, they received a completely different show.  Since previews, the show has been a colossal success, receiving reviews from a must see to being called Cirque’s best show ever.

Location

• Mandalay Bay in the Michael Jackson ONE Theatre (formerly Mandalay Bay Theatre) 

Run time

• 90 minutes

Performance Times

• Sat – Wed 7 pm & 9:30, doors open 1 hour before the show
• Dark Thursday & Friday

Ticket Cost

• No children under the age of 5 permitted into the theatre
• No photos or recording of any kind allowed

Theatre capacity & configuration

• Theatre seats 1,804
• Standard theatre configuration however the cast use the isle ways all around sections 100

Refreshments

• Drinks 
• can be purchased at the showroom bar inside the theatre’s lobby
• All beverages are allowed in the theatre as long as they are allowed as long as they are in a plastic container
• Food
• Only popcorn is allowed in the theatre, of course, available at the theatre lobby

Cast

• 63 including dancers, aerialists and acrobatics
• Show is choreographed by Jaime King who not only choreographed the other Michael Jackson Cirque show Immortal but did tours for for him as well as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears

Theme/Music

• The show’s plot is centered around 4 kids, each with their own undesirable personality trait; Clumsy, Shy, Smarty Pants & Sneaky.  The show chronicles the gang’s journey to overcome these issues through Jackson’s music, specifically represented in Iconic items from the artists past.  Michael’s Shoes, Sun Glasses, Fedora Hat and Glove help these 4 become better people.
• Show features 32 songs from Michael Jackson catalogue, some in mash-up form from every solo studio album as well as some from his time in the Jackson 5
• Smooth Criminal lean technology

Promotions

• MJ Prix Fixe Menu Options
• Mandalay Bay has 7 restaurants that offer prix fixe menus
• They are
• Aureole, Border Grill, Fleur, Kumi, RM Seafood, Red Square & Noodles Shop
• Dining vouchers can be acquired at the box office when you pick up your tickets, you just need to ask for the specific restaurant you want to go to
• Tickets can usually be found at tickets 4 tonight as well.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 Chips

Mark's Rating - 4/5

Keren's Rating - 5/5