July 28, 1999
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This Issue: Makino Todai Restaurant, Rumjungle, MGM Lion Habitat
Curious about a restaurant, event, or other Las Vegas attraction that looks fun? Let us
review it for you first! Suggestions are always welcome at: allvegastv@aol.com
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Scenic Southwest Tours - by plane, bus, or even helicopter! You've seen the glossy ads in the tourist brochures. You've thought about it. You come all the way to Las Vegas -- why not see one of the some of the most famous landmarks in the world! Don't by tricked by web sites & magazines that offer discount tours. Taxes, park fees, permits can almost double the price. Our prices are inclusive - no hidden charges! Best Las Vegas Tours
Coming soon, your opportunity to win a green chip ($25) from the casino of your choice every time you book a room or car online with us. Already low rates and now a chance to win!
LAS VEGAS NEWS - of interest to tourists:
DANNY GANS and DAVID CASSIDY - The Rio just announced the hiring of David Cassidy to produce and perform in a show effective January 2000 after their contract with Danny Gans runs out. It has been no secret for months that the popular Gans would be moving on in light of his open frustration at the pricing of his shows. During his tenure there, The Rio raised prices from their original sub $40 to the near $100 of now.
As a tip-of-the-hat to locals who were priced out of his show, Gans did a basically free concert last New Year's Eve downtown at Fremont Street (it was included with the other festivities and bands in the $10 ticket price). Gans is purported to be moving on to The Mirage, where Mirage boss and Gans' fan Steve Wynn is to build him his own 1200 seat theatre and ink him to a multi-year deal (a la the Lance Burton arrangement at Monte Carlo).
HOOPS IN VEGAS II - This August 15 celebrity charity basketball tournament is scheduled to feature appearances by Tom Arnold, Marcus Canby, Ron Harper, Jason Kidd, Danny Manning, Rob Lowe, Ed McMahon, Kurt Rambis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more. This event will be held at the Lied Gym on the campus of UNLV and tickets at (702) 474-4000. THE HARD ROCK is within walking distance of UNLV (and also has a free shuttle to the Strip). Hard Rock discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/rooms/las-vegas-hotel-reservations-strip-area.htm (Hard Rock link).
MILLENNIUM EDITION - The Review-Journal is taking pre-orders for it's Jan. 1, 2000 commemorative edition. Out-of-town orders will be sent by UPS on Tuesday Jan. 4, 2000 and can be ordered by sending a check for $2.50 to:
Las Vegas Review Journal millennial edition
PO Box 70
Las Vegas, NV 89125
Checks must be made payable to: Las Vegas Review-Journal
SECOND PHASE OF VENETIAN - The Tam O'Shanter motel (located between the Desert Inn and The Venetian) is scheduled for demolition in August to make way for the second phase of the Venetian. The Venetian is worth the visit, although valet parking should be avoided if possible because of delays (not uncommon at big strip casinos -- we park next door at the Casino Royale right behind the casino -- a 30 second walk to the front of the Venetian). And while some of the retail shops are not yet open, the Canal Shops are well worth the visit. This unique shopping area features a canal running the length of the shopping area, with gondola rides available. We will have a full report when the project is completed.
CURFEW ON THE STRIP - While teens can find fun in Las Vegas, the county is strictly enforcing curfew laws for those under 18, and have been for over a year. If you are thinking about bringing the teens here, you may with to read the R-J story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Jul-25-Sun-1999/lifestyles/11599104.html
CATS - The Musical plays the MGM Grand September 7-12. Tickets at (702) 891-7777 and MGM discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-strip-hotels.htm (MGM link).
WINNER! - Richard Perkins of Ft. Collins, CO is the winner of the $472 coupon book from Station Casinos. Richard was our 10'th entry.
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Quick Concert Notes:
MANDALAY BAY - ZIGGY MARLEY with GHETTO YOUTH CREW on Aug. 6, JOAN ARMSTRONG on Aug. 10, B.B KING BLUES FESTIVAL featuring B.B. KING, KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, and INDIGENOUS on Aug. 11, JULIAN LENNON on Aug. 14, PETER FRAMPTON on Aug. 16, THE NEVILLE BROTHERS with LITTLE FEAT on Aug. 20, MINISTRY on Aug. 24, DE LA SOUT on Sept. 1, DWIGHT YOAKAM on Sept. 11, DAVID SANDBORN on Sept. 24, JEFF BECK on Sept. 25. RICKY MARTIN Nov. 12, and THE EAGLES with JACKSON BROWNE on Dec. 28 and 29. Tickets at (702) 474-4000 and Mandalay Bay discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-strip-hotels.htm (Mandalay Bay link).
HARD ROCK - LIT with UNWRITTEN LAW on Aug. 10, EDWIN MCCAIN on Aug. 12MOBY with BOOM BOOM SATELLITES on Aug. 13, THE CULT on Aug. 14, BOZ SCAGGS on Aug. 15, ALICE COOPER on Sept. 3, THE BLACK CROWS on Sept. 11, and the AVERAGE WHITE BAND with WAR on Sept. 26. Tickets at (702) 474-4000 and Hard Rock discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/rooms/las-vegas-hotel-reservations-strip-area.htm (Hard Rock link).
Rental Cars - Don't pay top dollar! Enter the dates of your visit and compare prices from virtually every major rental car agency (most US cities). Book the lowest price company or your regular agency. Save the hassle and some money - Car Rental Savings Search. Few regret renting a car. Free shuttles and city bus rides can be slow and smelly. Taxis can cost what a rental car costs. Your vacation time is valuable -- make the most out of it!
FEATURE STORIES:
It's the middle of summer, many of you are fighting the heat, so instead of a long review we are publishing a few tidbits for you.
MAKINO TODAI RESTAURANT - as sent in by reader Gayle from Phoenix:
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A friend of mine receives your Las Vegas newsletter and told me about Makino Todai restaurant. I'm a Japanese-American and always looking for a great sushi place, especially buffet.
My family had a reunion in Las Vegas last week (July 21 - 26) and I decided to try this restaurant. I can't say enough about it! It's the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to. Everything on the buffet was excellent, the sushi was fantastic, and service was very good. Atmosphere was good - for a buffet restaurant.
I told my relatives about it and about 40 adults tried it last week with several of us going twice....needless to say, all family members enjoyed it as well. One uncle said he would even fly into Vegas just to eat there as he was finishing his fifth plate.
So the 10 minute drive from the Strip is well worth it. Update on the prices: lunch $12.95, dinner $21.95 with 10% discount for seniors 65 and over for dinner.
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The Makino Todai is advertised as a 160 foot royal Japanese seafood buffet at 3965 S. Decatur, #5 (Decatur near Flamingo) featuring 40 kinds of sushi, fresh oysters, tons more. Gayle can be reached at gtfree@jps.net and we thank her for this contribution.
RUMJUNGLE at Mandalay Bay - We've received numerous requests for a review on Rumjungle. Our reviews are mapped out 2-3 months in advance. However, City Life magazine just did an excellent review of this restaurant and club at http://www.lvcitylife.com/Pages/dining/stories/99072902d.html
LIVING IN VEGAS - In the follow up of last weeks issue about moving to Las Vegas, a funny, sarcastic, and all-too-true article called "You're a Vegas lifer when..." can be found at http://www.lvcitylife.com/Pages/views/stories/99072903v.html
MGM LION HABITAT - The free lion habitat at the MGM is now open daily from 11:00 AM to
11:00 PM. It's a walk-through display, with plexiglass on all 4 sides of you,
theoretically allowing the lions to get inches from you. It is more of a display than
anything else, given that you could walk through the plexiglass tunnel in about 10 seconds
(and straight into the gift shop to guy a $14 lion coffee mug). The display is located
near the main casino entrances from The Strip and Tropicana. The plexiglass walls front a
large casino area, allowing you to enjoy the display from a number of angles.
Our 6:00 PM weekday visit revealed 2 lion cubs in the display, each working with a trainer
who was teaching them to sit, stand, etc. not unlike one would a dog, and then rewarding
them with raw hamburger. You can take a photo with a live lion cub for $20, although this
feature was closed during our visit. While this display isn't worth going well out of the
way for, it is a must-see when in the area. Note: the MGM has the worst parking garage in
the city. It sits about 1/4 a mile from the front entrance, has extremely narrow spaces,
and is difficult to even get to. When visiting the Monte Carlo, New York, New York, MGM,
Gameworks, or the All Star Cafe, we strongly suggest parking in the Holiday Inn Boardwalk
garage. This under-used structure sits right on the strip and is short, enjoyable walk to
the above casinos and attractions.
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FREE COUPON CONTESTS:
Note: You may enter every contest, but only one entry to each. Please note the expiration
date and only enter if you will be in town and can use them. The 10'th entry in each
contest will be the winner (unless otherwise noted). Just sent a blank email to the
specified email address -- we'll get your mailing address from you only if you win.
2 FOR 1 Breakfast or Lunch at Sam's town -- good anytime in August. Entry email to (contest
closed)
$4 off all day ride pass for The Adventuredome (formerly known as Grand Slam Canyon), the
Circus Circus indoor theme park. Up to 4 people per coupon. Coupons expire Sept. 9, 1999.
We have 8 of these coupons and will give them out to the first 8 entries. Entry email to (contest closed)
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Have a request for a review? Boggled when you come to town and see the hundreds of dining,
attraction, and show opportunities? Let us know what you'd like to hear about! Unlike the
tourist magazines where all of the "articles" are really paid ads, we pull out
our own wallet and give you the honest scoop. If you appreciate this service, please
consider booking your rooms and rental cars for ALL destinations with us.
http://www.accessvegas.com offers you low prices for
hotels and rental cars in LAS VEGAS and NATIONWIDE! It's our sister site featuring secure
online booking and INSTANT confirmation. Don't spend hours on the phone. Book today the
cheap, easy way and save!
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Your input is welcome. Don't agree with something we said? Write us a "letter to the
editor" at allvegastv@aol.com Guest
article submissions are also welcome with full credit to you, your website, etc.
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You may subscribe to this newsletter by going to:
http://www.las-vegas-news-reviews.com
or sending a blank email to below
All contents copyright 1999 Ted Newkirk
July 28, 1999
