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Linda Kissam discusses
Las Vegas!

The Wow Experience!

The Palazzo Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

By Linda Kissam 'Food, Wine & Shopping Diva'

“Wow, this place is incredible!” I must have heard that phrase a hundred times over in my 4-day stay at the Palazzo (Hotel, Resort and Casino) in Las Vegas, Nevada… and they weren’t talking just about the slots.  

Each one of us has our own vision of what the “Vegas Experience” is, but if you haven’t been there in a while or you usually just come to play and don’t spend much time on – or in – the accommodations, restaurants, or non-gambling activities, you’d be missing the “Real Vegas”  experience. Seriously, slow down folks; enjoy all the amenities that Vegas has to offer.  It’s like going abroad, but without the passport and language hassles.

I have to admit, I use to be a casino dasher.  Up and down the strip I’d go, umbrella drink in hand, my casino key card at the ready to pop into the slot machines, eating at the food courts.  That was my old vision of what Las Vegas had to offer.  Now that I have been introduced to the indulgent lifestyle a large well thought out and professionally managed property has to offer, I am all in; they can have all my chips and my loyalty.  I understand now that I can check in to my suite, drop my bags and begin the planning for days of uncompromising culinary treats, wine, cocktails, and shows…as well as world class gambling opportunities.  In fact, there really is no reason to go anywhere other than the Palazzo during your stay. Continue to read and see where The Palazzo WOW factor gets its credentials from.

With more than 3,000 spacious suites, luxury shopping, world-class dining and entertainment, the $1.9 billion, Silver LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Palazzo Las Vegas takes luxury to new heights.
The Palazzo features 3,066 sprawling suites, each specifically fashioned for convenience and comfort  ranging  from the 700-square-foot Luxury suite, nearly two times larger than the standard Las Vegas hotel room, to the palatial Presidential and Chairman suites, measuring in excess of 8,000 square feet, with private terraces and outdoor plunging pools. Ranked as one of the Top 25 Hotels in the Continental U.S. and Canada by Travel + Leisure’s ‘World’s Best Awards’ for two consecutive years, the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Four Star Award-winning resort brings high fashion to the Strip more than 60 luxury boutiques. For a shopping diva, this place is nirvana.

The all-suite resort also offers a variety of cuisines (30+) from a collection of award-winning chefs.  
My favorites include Valentino with Chef Luciano Pellegrini, AquaKnox with Chef Tom Moloney's, LAVO with Ralph Scamardella, Taqueria Canonita with Chef Reed (* see recipe below), and the Public House with Corporate Executive Chef Anthony Meidenbauer.  Each one of these places features a different cuisine, exceptional service, carefully selected wines, and reasonable prices. Also not to be missed – which I definitely did not –is the unique and fabulous Fusion Mixology Bar. Located on the casino floor the Latin-inspired Fusion Mixology Bar offers beautifully handcrafted cocktails focusing on the Latin American beverage culture. Designed by award-winning bartenders and mixologists, cocktails are made-to-order using fresh fruits and the muddling technique of grinding sugar with fresh limes and lemons. A friend and I were challenged to give call out some ingredients so the mixologist could create a unique drink for the two of us.  Got to say, that is a day we won’t soon forget, as the JoLinda was created.  A lovely mix of cucumber, basil, mint, and citrus… we certainly found our happy taste place. This is a memorable experience I highly recommend to you. It’s open 24 hours daily, which gives you plenty of time to fit it into your plans.

Something that everyone knows is there, but may not take advantage of, is the world class “experience entertainment “opportunities.  
I’ve traveled a lot, but Las Vegas and especially The Venetian do a great job providing enthralling Las Vegas shows with special engagements by headliners and special events.  There is something to do or see every day.   See critically acclaimed shows including the world-famous Blue Man Group, and the thrilling Phantom production.  Reserve your tickets to see special engagements from headliners like Rita Rudner, Tim Allen, David Spade and Joan Rivers.  Catch the hottest events in town from shows and parties to amazing activities.  

All in all the “Wow” experience at The Palazzo in Las Vegas gets this Wine, Food & Travel Diva’s best recommendation for a memorable luxury adult getaway!

Recipe: Taqueria Canonita, Las Vegas, Guacamole

Compliments of Chef Reed of Canonita, which is available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and  large group events. Tel: (702) 414-3776

Ingredients:

1 large ripe avocado

1 Tbsp. diced onions

1 Tbsp. minced jalapeño

1 Tbsp. minced cilantro

1 Tbsp. salt (per your observation and own taste, you may want to cut this to 1 tsp.)

1 Tbsp. diced tomatoes

1/2 squeezed lime juice

Method:

Place onions, jalapeño, cilantro and  salt in a large molcajete (mortar) and smash with pestle until juice is formed.

Add avocado, lime juice and tomatoes.

Lightly chop with spoon until guacamole is smooth yet still retains a chunky texture.

Linda Kissam 'Food, Wine & Shopping Diva' is a professional travel, food, and wine writer based out of Southern California. Through her persona as The Wine Chix www.WineChixs.com  and her Web site www.AllInGoodTaste.info, she specializes in easy, breezy destination stories sharing her favorite things about the places she visits.