Tag: Monte Carlo
View All TagsDining / Restaurants / 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria / Pizza / Eating / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / SLS Las Vegas / → All Tags
On The Vegas Strip, Get Ready For 800 Degrees Times Two
When the promenade in front of, and in between, Monte Carlo and New York-New York makes its debut, one of the new-to-Vegas dining experiences it will bring will include 800 Degrees.
A make-it-as-you-order-it concept, the resto hopes to become the "Chipotle of pizza." Right now, long lines are not uncommon at its one and only location in LA, but soon a second and third location will pop up at LAX and in Santa Monica. And, as Restaurant News reports, the Vegas location is expected to launch by New Year's Eve. Or, we should say, it's first Vegas location:
Dining / Shopping / Vegas Transformations / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / Shake Shack / Double Barrel Roadhouse / 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria / Sambalatte / Hershey's Chocolate World / Nine Fine Irishmen / → All Tags
A Closer Look At The Dining, Retail Destinations of Strip's New Promenade
First, we found out what $500 million gets you in Vegas these days, now we know what $100 million does.
Earlier today, MGM Resorts revealed its plans to transform Monte Carlo and New York-New York, as well as the area between them, into an open-air dining and retail promenade. The sprawling, tree-filled district will bring dramatic changes to the west side of the Strip, as seen through the renderings on this page. It will also bring new brand names to Las Vegas Boulevard. Here's a closer look at who's coming soon(ish):
Strip Transformations / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / MGM Resorts / Renovations / Construction / → All Tags
New York-New York, Monte Carlo To Be Transformed Into Park-Like District
New York-New York and Monte Carlo are about to get a major upgrade. But, don't look for it in their rooms, this change will transform their exteriors, creating a large open-air retail and dining destination. Sound familiar?
The massive renovation will change the west side of the Strip from Las Vegas Boulevard down to CityCenter. In fact, from looking at the renderings, making that section more in line with the modern "city" feel of MGM Resorts most recent project.
Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said, “All great cities offer vibrant pedestrian experiences, and Las Vegas is certainly no exception, as The Strip is one of the world’s greatest boulevards. Our vision is to extend the excitement we traditionally create within our world-class resorts outside onto The Strip, and ultimately in an entertainment district leading to our new arena. To bring that vision to fruition, we have assembled a team recognized around the world for creating special venues and places.”
So, what does that mean? Look for dramatic changes to the facades of both resorts as bars, eateries and "retail destinations" are addd. New venues will include a two-story Hershey's Chocolate World flagship (sorry, M&M World just across the street) and the improvements we've already reported on to Nine Fine Irishmen will come to New York-New York.
At Monte Carlo, the re-do will bring Double Barrel, a "casual roadhouse restaurant and bar" by sbe (the same folks behind Hyde Bellagio and the coming SLS Las Vegas) and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (self-explanatory).
But, the centerpiece will be a large promenade between the two properties where a CityCenter residential sales offer and parking lots sit now. That area will be "a park environment featuring pavilions and performance spaces complemented by areas of quiet relaxation."
At the gateway to the park will be Shake Shack, a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its all-natural burgers, flat-top dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more by restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.
At the far end will be that 20,000-seat arena that's already been announced, too. To orient you, the rendering above shows Rue de Monte Carlo with the edges of Diablo's seen on screen right. That glimmering building in the background will be the arena.
And, that's not all, either. MGM Resorts says more partners and details will be released over the next few months.
The entire venture is expected to cost $100 million dollars. Yet, don't expect this project to be finished several years down the road. Work is already way on some elements and a completion of early 2014 is anticipated. Yep, right around the time Caesars Entertainment's Linq finishes its roll out, too.
(Renderings: MGM Resorts)
Buffets / Name Changes / Big Belly Buffet / Monte Carlo / WTF / → All Tags
Monte Carlo Drops 'Big Belly'
Last June, Monte Carlo did its part in encouraging healthy eating when it renamed its buffet, Big Belly, ensuring hungry patrons would line up elsewhere out of pure self-conciousness, if nothing else.
Today, it's finally joined the WTF club by renaming its buffet again. But, this time, diners won't have to look askance at their waistline before heading on in thanks to the now generic name of, wait for it, The Buffet.
So grab those stretchy pants, everyone. Monte Carlo won't judge us, anymore!
Boxing / Aria / Mandalay Bay / The Mirage / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / MGM Grand / Grand Garden Arena / → All Tags
Where To Watch The Mayweather vs. Guerrero Fight Without Being At The Fight
The first weekend in May has been one of the great weekends in Las Vegas for years. The Vegas Strip is always a little more electric when there's a big fight (MMA or boxing), but when you combine that with the Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo, you have a recipe for awesome.
This year's big fight is between Floyd Mayweather and Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 4. The fight isn't sold out just yet, but you won't find any tickets available under $600 on Ticketmaster.
Pools / Pool Scenes / Caesars Palace / Garden of the Gods / Planet Hollywood / Pleasure Pool / Flamingo / GO Pool / Bally's / BLU Pool / Monte Carlo / Rio / VooDoo Beach / The Voo / → All Tags
Where You Can Buy Your Way Into A Vegas Pool (And, Not A Pool Party, Either)
Just because you're staying at one Vegas resort doesn't mean you're limited to that pool. Certain Vegas hotels will let you buy your way in to soak up the sun, and we're not talking about those adults-only pool parties, either. Here are a few of the Strip pools that will let you pay to play:
Caesars Palace
Garden of the Gods
$20 admission fee for non-hotel guests Friday through Sunday (must be 21+)
Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Complimentary entry for up to four guests with a Caesars Palace or Nobu room key
Planet Hollywood
Pleasure Pool
$10 cover charge for non-hotel guests (down $10 from last year)
Free if a guest at another Caesars Entertainment property
Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Internet / WiFi / Free WiFi / MGM Resorts / MGM Grand / Mandalay Bay / Luxor / Excalibur / New York-New York / Monte Carlo / Bellagio / The Mirage / → All Tags
MGM Resorts Bringing WiFi To All Its Hotels, But Will It Bring Higher Resort Fees, Too?
We might begrudge them for annoying resort fees, but MGM Resorts is rolling out free WiFi to all... those in its public spaces.
The mega-hotel chain is working to make complimentary WiFi available in all the common areas of each of its hotels, "including pools, casinos, lobbies, and restaurants." It's also upgrading the WiFi systems at all its resorts. If they have them. If not, it will finally bring WiFi to its properties which have only offered guests wired Internet service until now. Yes, wired.
Shows / Openings / Blue Man Group / Monte Carlo / Entertainment / → All Tags
Checking Out Blue Man Group's New Show At Monte Carlo
About ten years ago, this Chatter'er fondly remembers pulling up in front of the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago. We had received two tickets to see Blue Man Group for our birthday and we couldn’t have been more excited. We walked out of that show laughing like a little kid. Fast forward a decade or so and we were offered an opportunity to see the show again, here in Las Vegas.
Just One Dish / Appetizers / Andre's / Monte Carlo / Restaurants / Eating / Dining / → All Tags
Just One Dish: Andre's French Onion Soup
We moved a little fast yesterday with all that chatter of sex and passionate injuries so let's back it up a bit and have a talk a tick more appropriate for the table. In time we'll get to know each other better but, for now, let's start off with Just One Dish: the French Onion Soup at Andre's in the Monte Carlo, perhaps?
French Onion Soup seems like an awful thing to recommend, doesn't it? Onions are one of the most abrasive vegetables -- a total "you either love it or hate it" food item -- and it's too damn hot half the time to even consider a bowl of soup in Vegas. As bad as it seems, French Onion "soupers" will appreciate the hell out of this tip as they, if they're like us, have no doubt suffered through bowl after bowl of bad versions in the quest to discover some top of the line cheesy-onion goodness.
When we saw the $15 price tag at Andre's, we smiled knowing we were either about to eat the best French Onion soup of our lives, or experience yet another disappointment. Either way, we'd share our story so that others may avoid making the same mistake.
Spoiler alert: It was far from the latter.
Free Vegas / Shows / Blue Man Group / Monte Carlo / → All Tags
Blue Man Group Debuts One Of The Best Free Attractions In Vegas
It's a Blue world; the Monte Carlo is just living in it. A Blue revolution has taken hold there and the resort has abdicated much of its identity to their new theater tenants.
Blue Man Group has finally moved their unique theatrical experience from the Venetian and become the Monte Carlo's dominant ambassadors. While the standard advertising signage is prevalent around the resort, their box office, gift shop and mesmerizing theater entrance have instantly become the most interesting facets of the Monte Carlo casino floor. And, it gets even better. Approximately 40 minutes before the first show of the night, a procession of the blue men's musical props, robots and custom-built, fantastical vehicles, wind their way through the casino. Our gallery should give you an idea of this unexpected light parade.
If you don't know it's coming, it's a genuine surprise and currently one of the best free shows in Vegas. They wind their way to the front of the casino, play a couple of tunes outside the gift shop, then head back to a side theater entrance. Think a mix of Burning Man, Electric Daisy Carnival and a conga line from the future. The show is free, nightly, for everyone in the casino. Look around and it appears to stop everything, from table games to slot players.
Openings / Blue Man Group / Shows / Monte Carlo / → All Tags
Blue Man Group Throws Selves Off Plane, Still Have To Headline Monte Carlo
We know. We've been reading too much Onion.
Kidding aside, Blue Man Group dove into their third Las Vegas residency by sky-diving onto Monte Carlo's drive early Wednesday morning. The blue ones recently ditched Venetian for the MC. Before that, they headlined the Luxor. (How many of you remember that?)
Creators are promising "dramatic changes to Blue Man Group's first new show in 20 years." You can see them for yourself at Monte Carlo nightly at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets range from $64.90 to $236.50 and can be purchased at montecarlo.com.
Openings / Hotel Changes / Shows / Blue Man Group / Monte Carlo / Venetian / → All Tags
It’s A Blue Bird.. It’s A Jet Blue Plane.. Oh Wait, That’s Just Blue Man Group
Don't worry, Chicken Little, the sky isn't falling.
Proving that doors are sooooooooooooooooo Cirque, Blue Man Group will make a sky-high entrance into its flashy new home at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino this Wednesday, October 10.
