Casino Player November 2022

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A Trip Down The Strip

I recently returned home from a trip to LasVegas after attending the gaming industry’s annual trade show—the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at the Venetian Expo. It was three days packed full of infor mation from the industry’s top experts with the star of the show being a buzzing expo hall where slot manufacturers showcased their newest innovations and latest technologies.The annual show allows gaming insiders to view thousands of new products that were bright, enter taining and bold, from new cabinets,new games, larger-than-life screens, giant steppers, big entertainment brands, legendary stars, andYouTube influencers—all displayed brilliantly and ready to hit casino floors in the coming months. G2E goes well beyond slot machines, however, with numerous companies displaying new products and concepts for sports betting, table games, payment technology, and other advancements that you’ve never seen on casino floors before, and we look forward to reporting about them all in upcoming editions of Casino Player as they become available to gaming consumers. While my trip toVegas was designed for business, I did manage to be a tourist a couple evenings and pounded the pavement to see some of the new sights in the Gambling Capital of theWorld. Just walking down the Strip is an experience in itself and one of the best ways to take in all the sights. I don’t know about you,but it still mesmerizes me every time I see such large crowds walking in sync in the crosswalks when the light turns green. Literally, a sea of faces all walking in unison, eager to get on their way and to their next stop is always a sight to behold. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve walked Las Vegas Boulevard, and outside the convention hall, the Strip was jammed with walkers, gawkers and plenty of roaming showgirls and characters available for tipped photo ops. Sporting my most comfortable kicks and water bottle in hand, I was ready for it all—all four miles of it. First stop: Linq Promenade. This popular open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district is a great place to go for food, fun, shopping and more and is home to the High Roller observation wheel and the FLYLinq zipline.A cool experience worth checking out is the Minus 5 ICEBAR,where everything is made out of ice—the walls, the seats and even the glasses that you enjoy, you guessed it, chilled sig nature cocktails in. Next door sits the Flamingo, where you can bop in and enjoy a moment in paradise at the 15-acre Wildlife Habitat. Here you’ll find gorgeous greenery, the famed f lamingos, unique bird species and exotic fish.Venture into the casino and enjoy an array of gambling options and be part of a legacy—the Strip’s first craps rolled happened at Flamingo Las Vegas. At the end of the Strip sits the Luxor Hotel & Casino where I made the trek to visit the new exhibit, Discovering King Tut’s Tomb. Novem ber marks the 100th anniversary of the tomb’s discovery by archeologist Howard Carter and the immersive exhibit celebrates the amazing find, glittering-gold artifacts and ancient history.

My last stop of the night was dinner at The Bedford by Martha Stewart, which recently opened at Paris Las Vegas. Surprisingly, this is Stewarts’s first-ever restaurant and gives guests a taste of what it’s like to be a guest in her home. Being a huge fan of the lifestyle mogul, I couldn’t wait to try Vegas’ latest hot spot.The new venue has a menu and setting based on Stewart’s upstate NewYork home and the moment you walk in, you feel as though you’re transported to a sophisticated country estate without being fancy.There are a variety of seating options and rooms, including more casual tables near the open kitchen, where countless hanging copper pots are beautifully displayed (available for purchase in her online store).The decor is warm and sophisticated and every detail is thought out by none other than Stewart herself. The food was the star of the show. Everything I sampled was spot on and absolutely delicious.For starters,Big Martha’s Pierogis: five melt in-your-mouth dumplings that were light, airy and creamy with a touch of nutty from the brown butter. Next up was a beautiful roast chicken stuffed with herbed breadcrumbs that was carved tableside,a treat unto itself, and a smashed baked potato also served tableside and featuring crème fraiche, chives and bacon (you can add caviar for an added treat and upgrade). I ended the feast with the most scrumptious dessert—Stewart’s signature upside-down lemon meringue pie that involves crispy meringue with a lemon curd filling topped with fresh whipped cream. I must say, this was truly an unforgettable sweet ending to a marvelous meal.The Bedford by Martha Stewart’s menu changes with the seasons and is definitely a must-visit spot in Las Vegas. A splurge, yes, but worth every penny. Of course, the trek back down the Strip was just what I needed after a satisfying meal but one thing to keep in mind on the Las Vegas Strip—the blocks are long, the mega-resorts are huge and everything is farther away than what they appear to be.Instead of losing my euphoric feeling, I opted for a rideshare service and took a Lyft.Very reasonable and plentiful on the Las Vegas Strip. LasVegas is one of the most visited destinations in the United States and the fall is one of the best times of year for the desert oasis.Gorgeous weather,several large concerts and conventions,Golden Knights hockey games are heating up, plus the NFL is in full swing, offering live games at Allegiant Stadium and plenty of viewing parties and betting options at casinos all over town.I mean,who could avoid the plethora of options available when it comes to gambling, food, shows, sports and party scenes? Cheers to good health, good luck and winning days!

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic Publisher & Editorial Director lrobertson@casinocenter.com

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