Anthony Curtis

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Recent Articles

The Deal

Now Eat This

February 21st, 2013

At either of two Rounders bars on the west side, you can get a dozen chicken wings for free. That’s a deal for sure, but these aren’t your daddy’s wings. They’re coated liberally with a super-hot blend of ghost chilies, habañeros, and jalapeños, and you have to finish them in 15 minutes. Complete the Atomic Wing Challenge, and in addition to tearing up the check, the bar will give you a commemorative T-shirt and put your name on the “Wall of Flame.”

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The Deal

Dollar Oysters and Liberal Video Poker

February 14th, 2013

The first high-profile Las Vegas opening of the year has taken place with the debut of the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace. Is there a deal in that? Actually there is. But only for the crowd that normally pays $400 per night for high-end hotel rooms and can now get them at Nobu for as low as $249.

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The Deal

Paycheck Bonus

February 7th, 2013

Does it make sense to cash your paycheck in a casino? Now, there’s a subject on which you’re certain to get conflicting opinions. A lot of people don’t think it’s a good idea for the obvious reason—having a pocketful of money in a casino makes it easy to make a big mistake. It’s a valid concern if you’re susceptible to that sort of temptation. But assuming you’re not, and most rational people aren’t, cashing a paycheck in a casino can be a nice little advantage play.

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The Deal

Super Sunday Finds

January 31st, 2013

Is there a bigger day in Las Vegas than Super Bowl Sunday? Maybe New Year’s Eve, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I’ve never been to a Super Bowl in person, but ever since I experienced my first in Las Vegas, I’ve never really wanted to. A lot of people apparently feel the same, because this town will be rockin’ this weekend. The bars and casinos will be promoting accordingly, and locals will have a better opportunity than most to take advantage.

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The Deal

Photo Frenzy

January 24th, 2013

One of the biggest changes in casino protocol in recent years has to do with the taking of photographs. It used to be that taking a picture of any sort in a casino was expressly prohibited. In fact, so staunch was the policy that from time to time certain casinos would relax the rule as a marketing promotion. That’s all changed.

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The Deal

Good Blackjack at the Truck Stop

January 17th, 2013

Today the truck stop is owned by Travel Centers of America and features three fast-food restaurants and a convenience store. And while that same sign is still in place, there’s a busy little casino inside called the Alamo. Operated by the owners of the Sparks casino of the same name, the Alamo is doing more than just carrying on the tradition of dealing live blackjack at the former Blue Diamond truck stop, it’s dealing the best blackjack game in Las Vegas.

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The Deal

From Da Vinci to Dirtbag Tuesdays

January 10th, 2013

It’s not often that you find something cool to do with your kids in a casino, but here’s a good one. For the duration of its run at the Venetian (through Jan. 27), children 12 and under are admitted free to Da Vinci—The Genius when accompanied by a paying adult.

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The Deal

Wonderground

January 3rd, 2013

There are some cool off-the-menu secrets in a few restaurants, but outside of the gambling world, the best secret plays tend to be in entertainment. A good lounge act, an unknown rock bar, a weekly open-mic with talented regulars—they’re all good finds. But I like the ones that you walk into and wonder how the heck they stayed under the radar for so long. One of those is “Vegas Wonderground.”

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The Deal

The Price of a Laugh

December 20th, 2012

Keeping in mind that there tends to be a graduation in the talent level as prices rise, all the classifications seem to make sense, except for one: the Riviera Comedy Club. This club has been part of the Riviera’s entertainment roster for years, and it’s hosted some top-level comedians on their way up. Consequently, tickets were $41, putting it in the top level for cost. But prices were reduced last month to $19 (including all fees) and just $10 for locals, which makes this the top comedy-club play in town.

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The Deal

Eating Las Vegas for Under $25

December 12th, 2012

The 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas—The 50 Essential Restaurants (Huntington Press) has just come back from the printer. This is the third year for this book, which brings together our city’s top three food critics—John Curtas, Al Mancini and Vegas Seven’s Max Jacobson—and each year there’s a fair amount of anticipation of its release by the city’s top restaurateurs and chefs, who want to know if they made the cut.

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