Archive for September, 2009

My Slack Rages: Rhino Reviews, Features

September 26 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES

A few years ago, Rhino Records’ website had a great run of posting original indpendent content. Luckily, they’ve kept most of it on the site since…though the recent changes in staffing there alarmed me enough to post all the links to my work here. Check it out while you can!
One of the gratifying things [...]

Some notes on eating Mexican

September 26 2009one Commented

Categorized Under: FOOD + CHEFS, LAS VEGAS

Although Las Vegas has long had a healthy Latino population, it hasn’t necessarily had much authentic, quality Mexican food (at least, for visitors) until Border Grill came along ten years ago and shook things up. Here are some notes on my favorite Mexican spots on the Strip, edited from my Orbitz blog:
• MGM’s Diego has one [...]

The Best Las Vegas Restaurants

September 26 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: FOOD + CHEFS, LAS VEGAS, SPA + LUXURY, TRAVEL

Even while it caters to tourists from Boise, Beijing and Bavaria, Las Vegas has become a legitimate foodie destination…if you know where to go. Here’s a primer on All The Star Chefs of Vegas… And click here for my ratings on:
• Top Ten Strip Steakhouses
• Top Ten Italian Restaurants
• Top Ten Gourmet Burgers
• Top Ten [...]

Sin City Survival Kit

September 26 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, TRAVEL

Here are my answers to your burning questions about Las Vegas:
My Best of Vegas 2010 for Away.com
And more from the Orbitz Vegas files…
• Secret Stays and Sorting out City Center
• New Nightclubs,  Top Ten Casino Lounges and Hot new Club Lounges
• Top ten Free Activities… Top Outdoor Activities and  top tips for Families on the Strip
• Rating the [...]

Downtown Vegas Is Back

September 26 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, TRAVEL

After weeks of research, I found so much to write about in Downtown Las Vegas that it took me two blogs to cover… Here are my tips for Best Hotel Stays, Entertainment and Gaming in DTLV… and here are the Restaurants, Bars and other hidden gems around Fremont Street.

Stalking Celebs In Sin City

September 26 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES, LAS VEGAS

Rarely does an evening in Vegas go by when I don’t run into someone famous… With some coaxing, I decided to give up some secrets on How To Spot Celebs in Sin City.

If you’re going to rate the best pool cabanas in Vegas…

September 25 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, SPA + LUXURY, TRAVEL

By all means, do it with Holly Madison and Playboy model Dana DiCillo. We had fun at Hard Rock’s legendary Rehab party… but these were the real winners.

Rating The Best Spas In Vegas

September 25 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, SPA + LUXURY, TRAVEL

Don’t let the breezy tone of this Orbitz blog fool you: Rating the very best spas in Las Vegas (a city which may have more spas per-capita than anywhere in the world) was no easy feat! I had to pay attention while being pampered…

Orbitz: Get a Room, already!

September 25 2009one Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, SPA + LUXURY, TRAVEL

In Vegas it’s always hard to separate the hope and the hype. Here are links to my Orbitz Vegas blogs discussing many of the hotels I’ve stayed in on (and off) the Strip:  Top Ten Standard Stays … my favorite Hot Habitats and Sumptuous Suites… Where The Celebs Stay… Top Ten Off-Strip Stays…surprising Family-friendly casino-resorts… The new Hard [...]

A Music Lover’s Guide To Memphis

September 25 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: TRAVEL

There’s something about the spirit of Memphis that supercedes its obvious Mississippi river town charms. Here’s a fun guide-yourself tour to Memphis, Tennessee I did for the Rhino Records website. And, for another perspective, an audio podcast interview I did there with dearly departed record producer and legendary session keyboard player Jim Dickinson.
PLUS MY REVIEW [...]

Inside Vegas Clubland

September 25 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, TRAVEL, WINE + SPIRITS

Nightclubbing in Las Vegas is more than serious sport–it’s an industry. Talking to movers and shakers like designer Thomas Schoos and master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, you realize how much hard work and creativity goes into each experience.

Visiting Wayne’s Manor

September 25 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES, LAS VEGAS, TRAVEL

Wayne Newton, the one and only Mr. Las Vegas, just announced his return to a regular gig on the Strip, which reminded me of this feature I did visiting his illustrious home Casa De Shenandoah. I have seen many estates, but this was certainly one of the most reflective of its owner’s personality. Where else [...]

Koji BBQ Truck: Okay, I got it.

September 18 20092 Commented

Categorized Under: FOOD + CHEFS

I admit I have been overdue to check out Koji BBQ, the gourmet mexikorean fusion “taco truck” that has sparked a mini-trend in LA (Portland, OR apparently already has a very strong gourmet truck food scene, so don’t feel too special, El Lay). To be honest, Korean isn’t one of my favorite cuisines, so it [...]

Somerville Summit

September 18 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES, SPA + LUXURY

Red Carpet glamour may focus on “what are you wearing?” but let’s be frank: if you haven’t got it going on above the neck, what’s below won’t matter. So facial guru Kate Somerville made use of the Emmys moment to gather together a small dream team of aesthetic pros in her “White Room” medi-spa, reminding [...]

I Got Yer Destination Resort, Right Here!

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: TRAVEL

You’ve been there. You’ve done that. Now get out your checklist. It’s time to experience the 12 Weirdest Hotel Stays in the World!

How To Stuff A Wild Playmate

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES, FOOD + CHEFS, LAS VEGAS

Laura Croft, Playboy’s Miss July 2008, always loves to talk about food. Trashy food. Big food. I figured it was time to give her what she wanted.

Sam Butera, R.I.P.

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS

Proud to pay tribute to Louis Prima’s career-long sax player and arranger Sam Butera, who died in his adopted home town, Las Vegas, in 2009…Saw Louis Prima Jr. at the Hilton more recently–he does his father proud, and then some!

Audrina Gives Good Headline

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES

No surprise my feature for VEGAS Magazine with The Hills’ Audrina Patridge picked up some attention in the blogosphere, coming on the heels of a batch of nude pics…. of course by the lovely ladies of Hollyscoop… and even in Canada!

Hot Gossip on Kristin Bell

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES

My VEGAS Magazine cover story on “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star Kristin Bell picked up a fair amount of heat in gossip land… here the NY Post, and Hollyscoop weigh in… and more in Hollyscoop on the Atlanta Peach cover.

Saffron Burrows: A Savory Spice

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: CELEBS + MUSIC + MOVIES

Here’s a tease of my VEGAS Magazine and OCEAN DRIVE feature on the lovely (quite, in person), witty and sharp Saffron Burrows, of Boston Legal

Drinking Can Be Good For You. No, really!

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: FOOD + CHEFS, LAS VEGAS, WINE + SPIRITS

How to be bad, and be good, chapter 27

Barbie, Meet Vegas

September 17 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: LAS VEGAS, TRAVEL

On June 1, the resort unveiled the first redesign of its 2006-vintage Fantasy Suites, rededicating the former “Pink suite” as the “Barbie suite.” And they didn’t just stick a logo on the door: Beyond a collage-walled entry, there are Barbie-cloth upholstered chairs with lace-up backs and tutu skirts, a Barbie dining set, a unique vintage-Barbie mirror and art canvases, silver lamé ottomans, foil-print wallpapers, Pucci-print pillows and pink everything, all with the blessings of Mattel, the ubiquitous doll’s parent company.

It’s All About Me ;-)

September 1 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: Uncategorized

Having fun–It’s my job.

With over 15 years of publishing experience, my career has taken me in a number of interesting directions. But one thing has remained a constant–the objective to tell the best story possible, and to entertain readers while doing it. I’ve been fortunate to be featured in dozens of publications to date, [...]