Ditch Friday's - Palms Pool

Where: Palms Hotel and Casino Pool
Reviewer: Jack Colton
Review: Ditch Fridays aim to give locals and tourists alike good enough reason to "ditch" whatever it is they are supposed to be doing, in order to have a relaxing day sipping cocktails and floating around with friends in the Palms' newly renovated $40,000,000 hotel pool. You won't find the mass-crowds of silicone and muscles often found at Hard Rock's REHAB event (or even the topless women seen at BARE Pool at the Mirage), but in what has turned into a rarity in Las Vegas pool parties, you will find a solid crowd of people actually swimming around and having a good time out in the sun.

Hours: Friday's 12:00 PM-6:00 PM (weather permitting)
Attire: It's a Vegas pool, dress accordingly
Cabana Reservations: 702-354-5277
Dining Averages: $10 - $15
Drink Averages: $6 - $12
Cover Charge: $20 for gentlemen. Avoid paying cover by taking advantage of their Ménage á Trois program by simply arriving with two ladies per one guy.

My most recent visit to Ditch Friday's was a bit more involved than usual as I was actually on all the flyers, billboards, and posters as the official host of the party! We sent out a variety of promotions for the event, and included a text message encouraging people to tell their bosses "Heidi Klum has got me tied up, I won't be making it into work today." The pool was nicely packed with a variety of people, and we enjoyed bottles of Ketel One while relaxing in our "Cave Cabana" and munching on freshly prepared trays of watermelon. Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon if I say so myself.

TAO ASIAN BISTRO

Where: Venetian Hotel and Casino
Reviewer: Jack Colton
Review: As one of the more popular nightclubs in the United States, Tao Las Vegas has earned a solid reputation for catering directly to some of the most talked about names in both modern entertainment and business. So it comes as absolutely no surprise that when dining within the restaurant portion of this entertainment mecca, patrons are in for an equally as impressive experience. Featuring an "Asian-Bistro" menu and an elaborate décor that includes a colossal 40 ft statue of Buddha surrounded by a live Coy pond, this ground breaking Las Vegas restaurant proves once and for all that fine-dining can be equally as over-the-top as award-winning nightlife.

Hours: Sun - Thurs 5:00pm-12:00am, Fri & Sat 5:00pm-1:00am.
Attire: Casual to Chic
Reservations: Suggested, 702.388.8338
Appetizer Averages: $12-18
Entrées: $25 - $55

On our recent visit to Tao Las Vegas, we ere lucky enough to dine with Adult Film star Sunrise Adams as she was preparing to host a Thursday night event at Tao's nightclub later in the evening. And while we were occasionally hounded by camera flashes and several of Ms. Adam's adoring fans; our group still enjoyed many a Long Island Iced Tea in addition to an array of family style entrees ranging from Pad Thai noodles to a deliciously prepared Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass. We make no guarantees that you'll be eating with a porn star every time you visit Tao, but hey - it happens.

FIAMMA TRATTORIA

Where: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
Reviewer: Jack Colton
Review: Fiamma originally opened in New York City to great fanfare, and fortunately for those residing in and visiting the fair city of Las Vegas, eventually opened a second location to offer yet another taste of the traditional high-end New York dining experience. Located inside MGM Grand's Studio Walk, Fiamma provides an expansive Italian menu ranging from professionally prepared antipastis to a mouth-watering selection of 'Le Carni' (meats).

Hours: Sun - Thurs, 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri - Sat, 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Attire: Casual to Chic
Reservations: Suggested, 702.891.7600
Appetizer Averages: $12-15
Entrées: $25 - $35

On our recent visit to Fiamma, we chose to dine at the restaurant's award-winning bar, and enjoyed a deliciously prepared Brasato ("Piemontese" Braised Beef Short Rib Polenta with Caramelized Root Vegetables). This gave us the opportunity to sample many of Fiamma's latest wine selections, and provided immediate access to other specialty spirits from their fully stocked bar. It came as no surprise that the guest service offered was both impeccable down to the smallest of details, and provided an experience that helped set the tone for the rest of the evening's activities (of course, the Long Islands didn't hurt either).

RED SQUARE

Where: Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
Reviewer: Jack Colton
Review: It is often difficult to enjoy quality Russian delicacies unless you happen to find yourself shivering in the streets of Moscow, but fortunately for the dining elite, Las Vegas serves up it's own version of Mother Russia with the very popular 'Red Square' located inside of Mandalay Bay's signature row. Featuring a detailed Russian inspired décor, Red Square's menu provides caviar lovers with a true bevy of selections and features many signature Eastern items such as Siberian Nachos, Seared Foie Gras & Duck Confit, Strozapretti Stroganof and, of course, the Adzhika-Spiced Pork Tenderloin.

Hours: Sun-Thu 5p.m. - 11p.m; Fri-Sat 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Attire: Casual to Chic
Reservations: Suggested, 702.632.7407
Appetizer Averages: $12-15
Entrées: $22 - $55

If you're up for the dare, and specialty Vodka is something you do so truly enjoy, suit up in one of Red Square's vintage fur coats and make your way down towards the basement to experience their 'frozen icebar.' Featuring more than 200 frozen vodkas and infusions, martinis and Russian-inspired cocktails, this hidden secret will leave even the most seasoned of bar connoisseur inviting their friends to see for themselves.

STACK Restaurant

Where: Mirage Hotel and Casino
Reviewer: Jack Colton
Review: There are a handful of high-end restaurants in Las Vegas that seem to have totally grasped the fact that even though you want to have a great meal before going out on the town, you don't necessarily want to feel "full" when it's all said and done. Enter STACK inside of the Mirage Hotel and Casino. Known almost as much for it's cutting edge wall-to-wall wooden decor as it is for presenting a chic atmosphere for guests to enjoy, STACK's menu ranges from a deliciously creative lineup of signature appetizers to a fine selection of steaks and sirloins that could easily rival any of Las Vegas' top steakhouses.

Hours: Sun - Thurs: 5:00p.m. - 11:00p.m. Fri and Sat 5:00p.m. - Midnight.
Attire: Casual
Reservations: 866.339.4566
Appetizer Averages: $17
Entrées: Range between $22 and $89

Upon our recent visit to STACK, we enjoyed an order of "Hot Rocks" as an appetizer which consisted of a plate of thinly sliced marinated raw steak slices served alongside a basket of sizzling rocks to prepare them on. Chop Stick skills in que, we cooked each side of the meat slice for about four (4) seconds before pulling them off to eat. Just as the aroma of our freshly cooked appetizers started to brush the noses of guests all throughout the restaurant, our waiters delivered our medium-rare Sirloin entrees along with several baskets of (individually ordered) natural cut french fries. Great cocktails, delicious food, and an enjoyable time with friends. Does life get any better than this?

N9NE Steakhouse

Where: The Palms Las Vegas
Reviewer: Victoria, Entertainer from Scores Las Vegas

Entertainer Review
N9NE Steakhouse is definitely my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas. The food is absolutely amazing, the crowd is always sexy, and i'm constantly seeing celebrities there. What more could a girl ask for?

Venue Info
N9NE Steakhouse is located inside the Palms Hotel and Casino, and is open from 5:00PM - 11:00PM on weekdays and from 5:00PM - 11:30PM on weekends. For reservations, call 702-933-9900