Glitter City Getaway (Part Two)

Dining and Dancing in the Fantasy Tower in Vegas

In the cabride from Caesar’s Palace, Carly and I noticed a little camera just below the rearview mirror, pointed toward the back seat, which spurred us to ask the driver about Taxicab Confessions, and if he’d ever had any wacky scenarios back there. With great condor, and considerable enthusiasm, he recounted stories of being paid to drive around while couples did things in the back of his cab that would make ladies at the mustang ranch blush. One story in particular – which he merrily shared in far too much detail – involved two women, him, a banana and a generous tip.

(Suffice it to say that by the time we reached The Palms, I had pretty much lost my appetite, particularly for anything even vaguely resembling a fruit salad.) Luckily, once whisked up to the 51st floor of the Fantasy Tower at the Palms Hotel, and snuggled up to a Pink Pussycat rose champagne cocktail at Nove, I forgot all about the cab ride over.

Nove Italiano melds classic Italian elegance with sparkly Vegas kitsch into one seamless dining and people-watching experience. Rococo meets Louis XIV meets modern opulance, and hulking crystal chandeliers glow pink, then violet, then blue. Dapper waiters, hosts and managers waltz around the room, performing a ballet of impeccable service.

And, might I add that Hugh Hefner himself, and a slew of Playmates, celebrated his 81 st birthday there, just a month earlier...!

We started with a copious seafood platter, overflowing with oysters, crab legs, clams, jumbo shrimp, and other delights della mare. Next, we sunk our teeth into a buttery, succulent steak. Another Pink Pussycat, thank you very much, and I was ready to curl up on the exotically upholstered booth and not move for the rest of the night.

But, that would have been a terrible mistake, as the night was far from over. After dinner, we visited to the glamorous Playboy Club, another floor up. The allure of Bunny croupiers and waitresses (sporting ears and tails) is second only to the stunning and ever-expanding view of Sin City, itself.

Though posing for a photo with these Bunnies may not be the best thing for my "mid-30's-vanity" I couldn't resist grabbing Carly and getting a shot with the lovely ladies of the Playboy Club. (Eat your hearts out, fellas!)

The club is comprised of several Playboy themed rooms with much attention to detail.

One wall of the lounge is a digital mosaic of magazine covers, which fade from one image into another. Behind one bar, the Playboy logo lights up the liquor shelves. An intimate corner of the club is lined with leather wall panels studded with tiny silver rabbit heads. And, the bathroom is wall papered with the magazine’s pin-ups.

Yet another ascent to the 53rd floor of the tower, Moon Bar pumps dance music into the wee hours. Scantily-clad pole dancers loosen up the crowd with syrupy dance moves that leave eye-candy oglers with a cavity, or two.

After getting your groove on, cool off with an icy cocktail on the outside deck. Towering above Las Vegas, surrounded by sexy people and the desert breeze, you may even find inspiration for your own Taxicab Confession…

The 24-hour Glittering Get-Away
(Part One)

Accomodations and Happy Hour to Get in the Vegas Mood...

For Angelenos, Vegas has been ‘the playground down the block’ since the Golden days of Hollywood. Today, people know it has more to offer than lounge acts and card games, and are drawn in by the luxurious spas, esteemed art collections, eye-popping entertainment and an awe-inspiring abundance of fine dining and cocktail culture!

A couple of weeks ago, Carly Milne (LA’s AOL Style List blogger) and I went to check out a few hot spots. Between us both, you'll get plenty of juicy tidbits for planning your own “glitter-city getaway!”

The first thing I loved about the Platinum Hotel was the absence of the “ding, ding, ding” as we walked in the lobby door. Yes, the Platinum is a stone’s throw from the Strip but does not have a casino. Hallelujah!

The next rave is about the apartments, upstairs. ( Ok, officially they’re a “hotel rooms” but they may as well be apartments.) Wrapped in a fluffy white robe, wander from the marble bathroom (with Jacuzzi tub, large shower and good bathroom products) through the full kitchen, large living room (with fireplace and flatscreen TV) out onto the big balcony overlooking the city. And, the room is big enough to share - huge king sized bed and a fold-out sofa – so if you’re going with a friend, take the money you would have spent on a second room to Platinum’s spa.

Extra Summertime bonus: chill on plush mattresses with a martini and a flick during Platinum’s weekly poolside movie night!

After poking our heads into Stir, the swanky hotel bar, where stylish cocktails are designed by Mixologist Niles Peacock, we eventually got a cab (the cocktail hour is busy in Vegas) to Caesar’s Palace. Once inside the labyrinth of rowdy craps tables, cocktail-toting waitresses and Gladiators posing with tourists from Alabama, we followed the winding path through the Forum shops, all the way to the end, upstairs and straight into Sushi Roku. (What can I say, you can take the girls out of LA but you can’t take the LA out of the girls…)

But… the Vegas location has something neither LA Roku has… an amazing view of the Strip! And, the sumptuous appetizers and refreshing cocktails we sampled are worth their weight in gambling chips! A mouth-watering array of toro, yellowtail, salmon and a million more kinds of fish are beautifully presented (hard to believe its in the desert!)

Also, the cocktail menu changes often (Sneak preview: summer will feature a special 7-7-7 drink in honor of Japanese numerology and superstition!) Here’s we tried from the current menu:

Sweet Poochi: Poochi Poochi sparkling sake, Hanger One mandarin, tangerine, lemon and lime juices.

Secret Crush: 42 Below vodka, lychee puree, lemon and orange.

Very Sexy: Bevedere Cytrus vodka, Marie Brizzard Cassis de Bordeaux, Grand Marnier-soaked berried and prosecco.

Pear Blossom: Grey Goose Pear vodka, lychee puree, lemon and orange.

The Sushi Roku staff in Vegas is as charming and accommodating as the folks in LA. (possibly even a smidge more) so you are guaranteed a good time. We could have easily stayed all night but we had more to see… (Part Two of Glittering Getaway – Dinner at Nove and the newly opened Playboy Club!)

PS - for you Angelenos, if you are still feeling homesick after visiting Sushi Roku Vegas, Boa is right next door…