I had such a great response to my column two weeks ago - "10 Things to Do Before Summer Ends" - that I thought a fitting column for Labor Day weekend would be to add a few more things to do you may not be able to once the tourist season concludes.
For starters, it was reported to me that the Alto Vino Wine Bar, which opened in the former Top of the Trop location at the Tropicana Casino and Resort last summer, may close after this weekend. So if you want to experience the only wine bar in Atlantic City, this may be your last weekend to do so.
Tropicana management would not comment on the closing, but did confirm Alto Vino will, at minimum, cut down its days of operation, and, possibly, close.
If you've never been to Alto Vino, it's a great wine bar that offers a tapas menu featuring more than 30 wines by the glass with food pairings. Alto Vino also offers high-end beers, single-malt scotches and cognacs, as well as a magnificent view of Atlantic City. The room also features nightly entertainment, focusing on jazz.
Alto Vino is routinely open Sundays to Fridays. However, call the Tropicana at 609-340-4000 to verify hours and days.
Earlier this summer, Morton's The Steakhouse rolled out a great summer grilling menu at its Caesars Atlantic City location. So if you don't want to grill yourself head to Morton's.
New items include a double-cut filet and a bone-in filet, and Chilean sea bass with pineapple-pepper salsa. From Morton's the Cookbook, the popular smoked salmon pizza was added, and, on the Bar Bites menu, check out the Crab Cake BLTs. Call 609-449-1044.
The Chelsea will continue to offer its "Beyond the Boardwalk" package for $179 through Oct. 7. The package includes an overnight stay in a "luxe" room, a tour for two of Lucy the Elephant in Margate, a tour for two of the historical Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, a visit to the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and Noyes Museum, both in Oceanville, bike rentals to head down the beach on the Boardwalk, breakfast for two in Teplitzky's for each day, and a bottle of wine locally bottled at Balic Winery in Mays Landing. Call 800-548-3030.
For something completely free, the Showboat Casino-Hotel retooled "The Show," its production show that is part parade, part stage performance.
Featuring 20 dancers, singers, musicians and cirque-style acrobats, "The Show's" latest incarnation is titled "Club Eclectic" and features a Lady Gaga-inspired show filled with her music, as well as a silver-and-black color and costume palate. Songs by Kings of Leon, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas are also included.
"The Show" is offered Wednesdays to Sundays through September. The Mardi Gras theme show is at 3:30 p.m.; the Rio-themed show is at 6 p.m.; and the "Club Eclectic" show is offered at 8 p.m.
The end of summer, means the end of bikinis. But you can catch one last glimpse 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 4, at The Pool at Harrah's as REHAB from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas brings its 2010 REHAB Model Search to Atlantic City. One finalist from Saturday's competition will travel to Las Vegas to compete for a $20,000 grand prize and a modeling contract. Music will be provided by DJ Sophia Lin, and the model search is open to the public. Swimwear by Frederick's of Hollywood will be featured.
Providence, the dance club at the Tropicana, will bring back its "Cirquetacular Labor Day Weekend" 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 6. Each night will feature aerialists, jugglers, dancers and a stilt walker providing some high-flying entertainment while the sounds of the house DJ pump through the club.
Also at the Tropicana, Carmine's, located inside The Quarter, is offering its Italian clambake special on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The special includes two lobsters, six baked clams, 12 mussels, roasted potatoes, polenta, vegetables and choice of mixed green salad or Caesar salad. You can substitute the salad for a bowl of Carmine's pasta marinara. The $55 meal serves two to three people. Wine specials are also offered.
Celebrity sightings
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was buzzing with celebrities, particularly its restaurants. Last Thursday, Stevie Nicks dined at Bobby Flay Steak before appearing at Borgata the following night. On Friday, rocker Sammy Hagar, who opened for Aerosmith at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, dined with friends at Old Homestead Steakhouse. Comedian Chelsea Handler, who performed Friday at Borgata, spent time on Saturday afternoon with another Borgata headliner, Bill Cosby, taking photos and talking about the comedy business. On Saturday night, Handler and her family dined in Chef Stephen Kalt's Fornelletto Cucina & Wine Bar and played blackjack on the casino floor.
Hagar also was seen at Mia at Caesars on Thursday, the same place where Joe Piscopo, who headlined at Caesars Saturday night, threw an after-show bash.
Iggy Pop, who blew the roof off the House of Blues at Showboat Friday, stayed at The Chelsea over the weekend. Despite his late show, guests were amazed to wake up and find the punk legend swimming in the fifth-floor pool. For the most part, Pop kept a low profile and was only spotted at the pool.
Taste of the Quarter successful
The Taste of the Quarter, a benefit for the United Way that featured food samplings from restaurants in The Quarter and the Tropicana, raised approximately $25,000. Congratulations to everyone involved for making the annual event the most successful yet.
Collectibles Club meets
The Atlantic City Collectibles Club, a group that collects casino chips, slot club cards, room keys and other casino memorabilia, will meet 11 a.m. Sept. 12 on the sixth floor of Bally's Atlantic City. The club, which has more than 300 members, will next meet Nov. 14 at Bally's.
New slot machine
at Resorts
Resorts Atlantic City recently unveiled Konami Gaming's "Advantage Revolution" slot machines with four different themes: Dragon Hurricane, Diamond Safari, Heat Engine and Atlantic Adventure.
Located inside the Boardwalk entrance of the casino, all of the penny machines have a maximum bet of $2.60.
The three-reel machines feature three- or four-level progressive meters that include a second chance feature that is randomly triggered at the end of the primary game. Players can enter a variety of bonus rounds and enjoy the Advantage Revolution feature, a unique reel unit that pivots and revolves during bonus games to display video, wheel and video-reel bonuses.
