"Showboat's all about having fun, and we try to create fun, memorable times for everyone," says Showboat Assistant General Manager Karen Worman. "So a four-day Italian festival is the right thing for our customers. We think they will enjoy it. We've done Mardi Gras festivals before, but this is the first time for an Italian festival. It should be fun."

The Showboat will also be taking good care of its high rollers with special events, including a dinner with Scarduzio, gift giveaways ranging from pasta pots to Cuisinart 10-piece cookware, and more.

The weekend will culminate with a $50,000 sweepstakes. Every hour from noon to 9 p.m. Monday, 10 names will be picked. As the day progresses, the more money sweepstakes winners will take home, ranging from $100 to $2,000.

All events, except VIP events, are free and open to the public, but the Showboat is requesting donations to benefit the South Jersey Food Bank for all events. A schedule of all events will be posted on the main concourse, the hotel lobby and near the HOB Music Hall.

For more information, call 800-621-0200 or go to www.showboatatlanticcity.com.

Il Mulino opens;
Mark Anthony's closes

Il Mulino, the famed New York restaurant, opened its doors recently at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in the former Bombay Caf location.

The Taj Mahal's restaurant is Il Mulino's tenth location, with others in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Florida.

The Taj's Il Mulino is actually two restaurants: Il Mulino New York, the more traditional, upscale, white tablecloth experience with tuxedo-clad waiters; and Trattoria Il Mulino, a more affordable and casual caf experience with pizza, pasta and lighter fare.

Il Mulino, which is only open for dinner, is known for its double-cut veal chops, fresh Dover sole, whole-roasted branzino and great sauces. Every guest is served a complimentary antipasto with sliced Italian meats and cheeses, a selection of olives, marinated eggplant and a variety of freshly baked Italian breads. Guests are also given a complimentary glass of Il Mulino New York's house "Grappa." In the rich tradition of Il Mulino New York, the wine list is extensive, in addition to a full bar.

Trattoria Il Mulino boasts an open kitchen, and Il Mulino New York offers a marketplace so guests may bring home jars of sauces, Tuscan extra virgin olive oils, aged Balsamic vinegars imported from Modena, and Italian coffee blends.

Il Mulino is a restaurant in Greenwich Village, where brothers Gino and Fernando Masci opened the upscale eatery in 1981. Attracting major celebrities, power brokers and tourists, Il Mulino has been ranked the No. 1 Italian restaurant by Zagat for more than two decades.

Il Mulino takes the place of Mark Anthony's, the Taj's longtime gourmet Italian eatery.

Both Il Mulino restaurants will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and 5 to 11 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays. For reservations at Il Mulino New York, call 609-449-6006; for Trattoria Il Mulino call 609-449-6004. More information can be found at www.ilmulino.com.

Resorts hosts
hockey legends

Resorts Atlantic City is hosting a VIP event with Philadelphia Flyers legends Bobby Clarke and Dave "The Hammer" Schultz on Nov. 1, and 10. Lucky players can win a pair of tickets into the event, which is in association with the NHL Alumni Signature Wine Series.

Tickets to the private event, hosted by Philadelphia sports radio host Mike Missanelli, will entitle each guest to pictures with both players, two bottles of autographed Ironstone Vineyards wine and chances to win authentic NHL memorabilia. The event will also feature a complimentary wine bar.

Every current Destination Card holder will receive one entry into the sweepstakes and will receive additional entries by earning one point on slot play or by playing table games for one hour. Entries can be earned through Oct. 25, the day of the 9 p.m. drawing.

The NHL Alumni Signature Wine Series is a collaboration between the NHL Alumni Association, alumni, Ironstone Vineyards and Artemis Sports Group. The series boasts 12 bottles of wine, all bearing a gold-relief likeness of some of hockey's greatest legends. Clarke's wine is a cabernet sauvignon, and Schultz's is a chardonnay.

Pier celebrates
Oktoberfest

The Pier Shops at Caesars will host its inaugural Oktoberfest beer tasting event on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the third level.

The $25 ticket allows guests to sample more than 30 varieties of beer, including a complimentary pint at a restaurant of choice at the end of the evening.

Guests will be entertained by a polka band, and specially-prepared hors d'oeuvres will also be passed out form the participating restaurants, including Phillips Seafood, Buddakan, Sonsie, The Continental, Souzai, the Trinity Pub and Game On!

The beers are from local breweries, unique craft beers and imported German beers, including Paulaner Oktoberfest Mrzen, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest, Wolaver's organic Will Stevens' Pumpkin Ale, Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale, Michelob Ultra: Tuscan Orange Grapefruit, Victory Festbier, Stoudts' Oktober Fest and more.

Tickets for the event are available at any retail location at The Pier or Ticketmaster at 800-736-1420 or www.ticketmaster.com.

More Oktoberfest

Trump Taj Mahal's Grand Ballroom will be the setting for another Oktoberfest next weekend from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19.

The $5 entrance fee includes entertainment from Germany, plus authentic German fare. Vendors will offer authentic European crafts and more. Plus, round-trip airfare to Germany will be awarded to one lucky winner.