The Divine Dish

New Vegas Insider Card

VEGAS.com, the world’s largest city travel web site, launches an exclusive way to get all the great perks of a local, by using the VEGAS Insider Card™. Travelers who make a purchase of $200 or more on VEGAS.com for any Vegas hotel stay, air/hotel package, show ticket, nightclub pass or tour will receive a personalized insider card to enhance their trip. By flashing their insider card, VEGAS.com customers gain special access to retail shopping discounts, show merchandise discounts, dining and drink specials, spa bonuses and more.  Equipped with both a magnetic stripe and bar code, the card will tie back into future technological innovations created by VEGAS.com.

The VEGAS Insider Card™ features countless deals and add-ons from dozens of hospitality partners in and around Las Vegas. Card members benefit from deals designed exclusively for them, and 24/7customer service provided by the local experts at VEGAS.com, should they need help redeeming offers or selecting activities.

Those who qualify will receive the card in the mail before their trip date and can simply show the card at any participating partner for the desired deal or giveaway. To find out more about this program and see the most up-to-date deals, visit www.vegas.com/insider.

Union restaurant, ARIA, City Center Las Vegas

Union restaurant in ARIA

I recently met up with my friends and poker buddies Gina and Tom at the new Union restaurant in ARIA at City Center, Las Vegas.   They were there playing lots of poker, I was there to finish research on the travel guidebook for Las Vegas.

killer cocktails

They have a long list of killer cocktails, which we enjoyed.   The 5,828 square foot avant garde dining room was designed by renowned architect Adam Tihany and features a bar, lounge and dining area.   Union serves up contemporary American cuisine with a strong emphasis on steaks.   We started off by sharing the King Crab Scampi, below.

King Crab Scampi

We all ended up getting the filet mignon which was delicious.  It is served with a huge slab of melted butter on top. so if you don’t like all the fat ask them when you order to forego the cholesterol stick.

Yum. Filet with melted butter

I also ordered the All Year Corn, which is fresh corn with shallots, lemon thyme and sweet butter.  It was delicious and our fave of the night.   Tom and Gina ordered the hash browns with come with carmelized onions, bacon and sour cream, also tasty.

All Year Corn

crispy hash browns

For dessert, we indulged in the warm chocolate cake.  Luckily, we split this three ways as it was really rich.

chocolate cake

Nice and goey in the middle

The three poker players

Gina and Tom went back to the tables (and cleaned up) and I went back to Lake Las Vegas where I stayed a few days before heading off to Palazzo.  I highly recommend visiting Union  if you are in the mood for a great steak.  The ambiance is a bit loud, but the steaks, sides and drinks are worth the trip.  Union, 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South, ARIA, 877/230-2742 for reservations.

Dinner at Burger Bar Las Vegas

Kobe burger

My friend Sheila and I visited Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar when we recently stayed at Mandalay Bay.  The 140 seat restaurant offers guests the ability to make their own burger with dozens of choices of toppings, cheeses and different types of protein.  Diners can choose from Kobe beef, Colorado lamb, turkey, Black Angus beef and vegetarian among other choices.    Toppings can include bacon, fried egg, prosciutto, ham, foie gras, grilled lobster and other offerings.

We started by splitting this yummy espresso shake.  Yum.

espresso shake

I ordered the Kobe burger with onions, avocado and bacon and Sheila got the American Classic with the basics.  Here are our burgers.

Shiela's american classic

My Kobe burger

We also got buttermilk onion rings and fries.  Both were really crispy and good.

onion rings

Fries

Here we are in our booth:

Sheila and me at burger bar

Any burger lover will enjoy a stop at Keller’s Burgar Bar, which also has locations in San Francisco and St. Louis.  If you are in Vegas, head to Mandalay Bay.

Elvis Has Entered the Building

Ice Elvis at Minus 5

Yesterday, Minus 5 degrees Lounge at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino announced that the King is back in Vegas, well, sort of.  Making a special appearance is his likeness in a 7-foot ice sculpture decked out in iconic garb.

The sculpture took over two days to sculpt and can remain cool inside the lounge’s chilly 31 degree temperature.  Minus 5 is open Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 am.