Although it's still "unofficial" and Revel executives won't talk about it yet, a media tour of the new $2.4-billion casino resort revealed that STK will indeed open a steakhouse concept there, but it won't be called STKout as originally planned.
One by STK will offer a twist on the classic steakhouse concept because it targets a more female and health-conscious diner. It is named after STK's parent company, the New York-based One Group, which was founded by Jonathan Segal.
Located a few steps from the regal-looking casino floor, One is an open restaurant in several ways. It offers tables that line the mid-level walls of the front of the restaurant. It also features two bars, including one that opens out to the side of Revel's retail area, dubbed The Row.
With white and gray color tones and more dainty accents than a typical steakhouse, One is a stark contrast to the eye-popping American Cut steakhouse at Revel by Iron Chef Marc Forgione, who will show his stuff in a masculine environment that boasts dark woods, black leather banquettes, copper bar, raw bar and gray stone.
The One Group operates an array of restaurants and lounges that also include Co De Ville in Miami, Asellina in New York and Turks and Caicos, Bagatelle in New York and Los Angeles, Gansevoort Park Rooftop in New York and The Rooftop in Miami Beach.
The two steakhouses will definitely provide diners with different experiences.
No high-rollers club at Revel
One of the more interesting things I learned on the media tour is that Revel will not offer a high-rollers club that is found in every other Atlantic City casino.
Casinos around the world typically feature lavish players lounges that offer everything from open bars to buffets to tapas menus. Typically, a highly rated player uses relatively little comp dollars to eat and drink as much as they want. Then they use their comp dollars for dinners, retail or spa treatments.
Not at Revel.
Spokeswoman Maureen Siman says that players will be treated well even without a players club because they will be able to use their comp dollars anywhere in the casino on a one-to-one basis. That means every casino credit a player earns is worth one comp dollar that can be used for everything from a drink at one of its lounges to a snack at a poolside cabana to a full meal at any of Revel's restaurants.
It will be interesting to see how longtime pampered A.C. high rollers will react to the absence of a club at Revel.
Rock photographer working for Boogie Nights
Mark Weiss, one of the best rock photographers on the planet who has photographed album covers for Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister and also worked with everyone from Axl Rose to KISS, was hired by the Tropicana Casino and Resort to photograph cast members and provide other visuals for the advertising campaign for Boogie Nights, the new nightclub that is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend.
Expect to see some very cool work from the New Jersey-based Weiss. Plus, Boogie Nights also purchased some of Weiss' iconic photography for display throughout the new nightclub.
Celebrity sightings
Carson Kressley, an Atlantic City regular, was back in town for St. Patrick's Day weekend. As usual, the former "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" star and "Dancing with the Stars" cast member dined at his favorite A.C. breakfast spot: Teplitzky's at The Chelsea. Kressley must be a creature of habit, once again ordering a western omelet and everything bagel.
American Olympic champ Apolo Anton Ohno was spotted at the Tropicana last weekend, dining at Fin restaurant and meeting up with Trop honcho Tony Rodio. The eight-time speed-skating medalist is the most decorated American winter Olympic athlete of all time.
Trop celebrates spring
The Tropicana held a New Year's Eve-like countdown to spring last Friday with a balloon drop in Palm Walk. The Boogie Nights cast helped ring in the season, which is certainly welcome to all Atlantic City casinos since the spring season usually means more visitors and higher revenue.
Guests were treated to specials at a variety of bars and restaurants, live music and shopping discounts.
Atlantic City Country Club happenings
Atlantic City Country Club, owned by Caesars Entertainment, has a lot going on this month, starting with a performance by Michael Lunemann 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 23. The entertainer, who is known for playing everything from Billy Joel to the Foo Fighters on the piano, will offer a variety of material into the evening.
The Northfield-based country club is also celebrating March Madness all month long with $3 domestic draft pints as well as Guinness and Harp specials along with some Irish food offerings such as shepherd's pie and lamb stew. ACCC is also offering $5 vodka martinis and Canyon Road wine specials.
And the country club has also extended its three-course Restaurant Week lunch menu for the entire month for $15.12. It is available Thursdays to Sundays.
Call 609-236-4465.
Sheraton earns high environmental rating
The Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center achieved a 3 Green Key rating through the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, a rating earned by hotels that take significant steps to protect the environment, such as strong environmental programs, management practices, training programs and engineering solutions.
According to Sheraton representatives, the Atlantic City location has proactively sought out new ways to implement green initiatives, including single-stream recycling as well as new menu items featuring locally grown, Jersey Fresh selections produced by sustainable farming growers.
Sheraton and Starwood Hotels across the country also do other things, such as: installation of separate recycling trash bins in guestrooms; electronic thermostats in each guestroom to conserve energy; recycling of building materials; kitchen fryer oil sent for recycling; rain sensor irrigation systems; LED lighting in exit signs and elevator call buttons; and more.
For three years Sheraton Atlantic City participated in Earth Hour, a global initiative in which towns and cities across the world turn off their lights for one hour.
"As the health of our planet and energy consumption continues to emerge as one of the great challenges for modern society, it has become clear that the way we view our business needs to change," says Jeffrey Albrecht, general manager of Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, in a statement. "We have taken the lead in our community embracing initiatives that are environmentally responsible, while improving the way we run our daily operations."
