Luxor's new Company ditches fancy food
Back in December I went to the opening for Company American Bistro at
Luxor. Company, run by Pure Management Group, offered a high-end dining experience
created by chef Adam Sobel, but, by working on a nightclub model, added celebrity
investors to kick up the restaurant's appeal. A VP for Luxor told me at the time: "This is new to Las Vegas from a dining perspective. Restaurants have not only become a dining experience but an entertainment experience. The celebrity gives more appeal to a particular restaurant and defines the space.”
The celebrity investors for Company include: Nicky Hilton, Nick Lachey and Wilmer Valderrama. Back in December, Nicky Hilton told me: “What really attracted me were the people, Pure Group. They have LAX (at Luxor) and Pure (at Caesars); so their track record is first class.”
Of course, since then Pure Management Group has been subject to an IRS
investigation that has focused on Pure as well as LAX. Also recently, Pure's
Lucky Strike at Rio has been sold back to the casino.
The last time I was at Company was on New Year's Eve. Not by coincidence, Nicky and
Paris Hilton were having dinner there at the time. Maybe they like
quail eggs. But I never liked Company as a place to eat. I am not a foodie. When
I went to Company I could hardly find anything on the menu I would eat, and what
I would eat, I could not afford. I guess I was not alone.
Now, after a lot of whispering about bad numbers, there appear to be major
changes underway at Company. Sobel has resigned following the departure of other
key members of the cooking staff. Also, according to Robin Leach's blog: "the
Company sommelier, Michael Shearin, and the front-of-house manager Lucas Rienans,
who both worked together previously at the prestigious Guy Savoy restaurant in
Caesars Palace, have been hired away by real-estate mogul Trump for his new
fine-dining destination restaurant."
In its next incarnation, Company 2.0 will be "more affordable." Translation:
a more typical menu meant for average tourists rather than the highest end of
the market.
PMG spokesperson Kate Turner offers this on the new incarnation of Company: "It
will then be open 7 days a week (instead of 5). We'll also have a bar menu for the first
time."
Obviously, this situation is yet another bump in the road for Pure Management Group. It
turns out that people will let a Hilton sister lead them to dance and drink but not to dine.
But more importantly, Company's problems also send an interesting message to the Luxor about the appeal of high-end, celebrity chef dining to its core clientele. If this sort of food cannot succeed in a prime position across from the packed and hot LAX nightclub, maybe the nightclub crowd and the fine dining crowd don't overlap as much as many people in Vegas assumed. And if that is true, it may be there is a good reason that the star chefs congregate mostly at the high-end resorts like Wynn, Venetian and Caesars.
The old Vegas view is that people staying at a middle-market property like Luxor want to eat a good steak more than they want to dine on exotic food for three hours. That was the theory that restaurants like Company attempted to show was obsolete in the new Vegas by using celebrity to "define the space."
But that approach seems to have resulted in too much empty space for Company. So my guess is that the new menu will be far more in keeping with the traditional tastes of Luxor's guests than with the more esoteric tastes of celebrity owners.
Photo: Sarah Gerke
But more importantly, Company's problems also send an interesting message to the Luxor about the appeal of high-end, celebrity chef dining to its core clientele. If this sort of food cannot succeed in a prime position across from the packed and hot LAX nightclub, maybe the nightclub crowd and the fine dining crowd don't overlap as much as many people in Vegas assumed. And if that is true, it may be there is a good reason that the star chefs congregate mostly at the high-end resorts like Wynn, Venetian and Caesars.
The old Vegas view is that people staying at a middle-market property like Luxor want to eat a good steak more than they want to dine on exotic food for three hours. That was the theory that restaurants like Company attempted to show was obsolete in the new Vegas by using celebrity to "define the space."
But that approach seems to have resulted in too much empty space for Company. So my guess is that the new menu will be far more in keeping with the traditional tastes of Luxor's guests than with the more esoteric tastes of celebrity owners.
Photo: Sarah Gerke
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'Bodies' exhumed from Tropicana, headed to Luxor
Late last year, tracking a hot story for the Buffet, I went to the Tropicana to spend the night to report on what the casino was like for a guest. I wanted to see if there was any impact for customers on account of the parent company's financial and licensing issues in other markets. I was also following the Tropicana's status as the last casino on the Strip not to have settled on a new contract with the Culinary Union (excluding the non-union Venetian).
My visit found the casino a tolerable place to stay if you get a very, very good room rate and aren't concerned about the general shabbiness of the property.
The undisputed highlight of spending a night at the Tropicana was the controversial exhibit for "Bodies." Last December I wrote on the Buffet about the fascinating exhibit, "I have been hearing strong rumors for a while that next year 'Bodies' is planning to relocate to new digs at the far hipper Luxor." Yesterday, it was confirmed that the "Bodies" exhibit move to Luxor is official. The exact date has yet to be announced, but, as I had heard, it will be later this year.
Moving from Tropicana to Luxor is a huge step up for "Bodies." At the Tropicana, the experience of the exhibit was tainted by the problems of the host property in a variety of ways. For example, "Bodies" was reachable by a broken escalator, typical of the Tropicana property. At the time the escalator had been broken for almost a year, according to the staff in the box office. And guess what? As of today the escalator leading to the "Bodies" exhibition at the Tropicana remains broken. (I am guessing any escalator broken at the Luxor would be back in working order with a lot more speed.)
But the main advantage for "Bodies" of the move to the Luxor is that it places the exhibit in a resort more suited to the appeal of a sophisticated (not to mention controversial) look at human biology. And the arrival of "Bodies" comes at a good time for the Luxor, which has gone from hot buzz property to fending off stories about the temporary closure of new restaurant Cathouse due to construction issues and the IRS visit to the casino's new nightclub, LAX. It is an important reminder that LAX, Cathouse and now "Bodies" (not to mention Criss Angel's forthcoming Cirque show) have totally transformed the Luxor's image in less than a year. (photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Luxor president faces bad days
You have to wonder what the past couple weeks have been like in the life of Luxor's President Felix Rappaport?Rappaport has been one of the most significant gambling executives in Las Vegas since he ran the show at New York New York. And when MGM-Mirage decided to update Luxor away from its Egyptian theme into the realms of a newer Vegas offering, Rappaport was the obvious choice to oversee the effort.
I apologize for this inside baseball analogy, but Rappaport has become the next-generation Bobby Baldwin. Baldwin (a former winner of the World Series of Poker) was a gambler who entered the casino business with a very special insight into how to create a perfect environment to appeal to the top players. Rappaport likewise is an executive who in the new Vegas really gets not just the casino business but the entire concept of how a resort needs to mix offerings in dining, nightlife and entertainment in order to become a top property.
In my last interview with Rappaport back in August, he spoke at length about his desire to make the Luxor property more sticky. By that he meant he wanted the Luxor to be less the place you could find a room (for tourists) and a parking spot (for locals) on Saturday night and more the place you really wanted to be on Saturday night. He wanted to make the Luxor a player among the hottest Strip resorts. That was certainly not the case when we spoke six months ago.
I apologize for this inside baseball analogy, but Rappaport has become the next-generation Bobby Baldwin. Baldwin (a former winner of the World Series of Poker) was a gambler who entered the casino business with a very special insight into how to create a perfect environment to appeal to the top players. Rappaport likewise is an executive who in the new Vegas really gets not just the casino business but the entire concept of how a resort needs to mix offerings in dining, nightlife and entertainment in order to become a top property.
In my last interview with Rappaport back in August, he spoke at length about his desire to make the Luxor property more sticky. By that he meant he wanted the Luxor to be less the place you could find a room (for tourists) and a parking spot (for locals) on Saturday night and more the place you really wanted to be on Saturday night. He wanted to make the Luxor a player among the hottest Strip resorts. That was certainly not the case when we spoke six months ago.
But that has all changed since then. LAX opened to huge success. Company restaurant also received a lot of attention with its list of celebrity investors. Then Cathouse opened near the end of the year to great fanfare. In fact, by New Year's Eve, the Luxor had become what Rappaport planned, a very hot property. And, Criss Angel's Cirque show has not even arrived yet.
The last time I saw Rappaport was a few weeks ago at the Palms. And, while we didn't talk, his jovial conversation with others near me made him seem like a man on top of the world.
But the past couple of weeks have been bad news followed by more bad news. First came the IRS investigation into Pure Management Group, which operates the hugely popular LAX on his property. Then came the revelation that IRS agents actually visited LAX inside his casino. That, of course, should give one enough of a feeling of the floor caving in under your feet.
Then literally earlier this week the floor caved a bit at Cathouse, resulting in a temporary closure of another of the Luxor's hot spots. The Cathouse issued this statement:
Then literally earlier this week the floor caved a bit at Cathouse, resulting in a temporary closure of another of the Luxor's hot spots. The Cathouse issued this statement:
"CatHouse closed early this morning due to a structural issue in the ultra-lounge portion of the venue. While an inspection and repairs are in progress, the ultra-lounge will be closed to the public. The restaurant also will be temporarily closed to the public. More information, along with reopening dates, is forthcoming."
Anyway, I am planning to try to interview Rappaport. I don't expect that he will talk to me about LAX and the IRS. And maybe he won't talk to me until some time has passed about these two weeks. But I am very curious what it feels like to be him right now. I've never spoken to the president of a casino about what it feels like to go through a bad day at the office.
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Mischa Barton out of the CatHouse
Getting into the doghouse in Los Angeles seems to have driven Mischa Barton out of the CatHouse in Las
Vegas.
In a move that was a surprise to no one, Mischa Barton, who was arrested earlier this week for a suspected DUI, will not be appearing to host the opening of CatHouse restaurant at the Luxor tonight.
CatHouse has artfully blamed the press for the cancellation, noting that "because of the media attention currently surrounding Mischa Barton, CatHouse has decided it is best for all parties involved that Mischa does not appear at tonight's grand opening."
It isn't getting arrested that is the issue -- only that the arrest was noticed too much by the media. And it was clearly noticed by media all over the country.
But isn't getting media attention the job of a celebrity host?
Anyway, CatHouse has certainly already benefited from all the will-she-or-won't-she appear speculation in the press.
Good work, Mischa Barton!
Photo courtesy AP
Vegas. In a move that was a surprise to no one, Mischa Barton, who was arrested earlier this week for a suspected DUI, will not be appearing to host the opening of CatHouse restaurant at the Luxor tonight.
CatHouse has artfully blamed the press for the cancellation, noting that "because of the media attention currently surrounding Mischa Barton, CatHouse has decided it is best for all parties involved that Mischa does not appear at tonight's grand opening."
It isn't getting arrested that is the issue -- only that the arrest was noticed too much by the media. And it was clearly noticed by media all over the country.
But isn't getting media attention the job of a celebrity host?
Anyway, CatHouse has certainly already benefited from all the will-she-or-won't-she appear speculation in the press.
Good work, Mischa Barton!
Photo courtesy AP
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Barton busted before Luxor's CatHouse party
There must be some bad karma associated with driving in L.A. and hosting events in Las Vegas: Britney, Lindsay, Paris. And now Mischa Barton.
Barton, former star of "The O.C.," is scheduled to host the grand opening of CatHouse at Luxor on Saturday night. I plan to be there. But according to TMZ early this morning, "Mischa Barton has been arrested for DUI, possession of illegal narcotics and driving without a valid license."
I am trying to reach a spokesperson for CatHouse to see if Barton will still be celebrating the opening of "Las Vegas' latest playpen" in two days.
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Britney banks on her easy job
The job of host must be the easiest one on earth. 
Britney came late (Saturday morning for the Friday night opening) to LAX and didn't stay an hour before retreating into the more exclusive Noir bar for another hour.
According to Norm, the math wizard at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that means Britney earned $2,500 a minute on her job here.
(Courtesy photos)
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Luxor transforms: Egypt no more
Last night I went to the release party around Luxor's Restore Pool for the annual Fantasy calendar. Fantasy is the Luxor's long-running topless show. The calendar was given away to all the guests at the pool party and will be sold as a souvenir for the show.In Vegas terms, this was a tiny event: bread and cheese, an open bar, with the Fantasy showgirls posing on a pink carpet and then posing with resort executives. The executives were in great spirits. I can guess a couple of reasons why that was the case.
Luxor is part of MGM-Mirage; Dubai earlier in the day announced a massive cash investment in their company, followed a few hours later by MGM-Mirage reaching contact terms with the mighty Culinary Union (after weeks of increasingly blocked negotiations). It was a good night to be a casino executive, proclaimed Luxor President Felix Rappaport (using more down-to-earth language) while taking his turn posing with the showgirls.
Rappaport has a very high-stress job right now overseeing the remodel of the Luxor that is expected to cost $300 million over the next year. The plan is to make the property no longer about kitschy Egypt, and instead transform Luxor into a Vegas hot spot.
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Criss Angel's Vegas Magic
I have been intrigued by Criss Angel ever since I first began to hear
stories about him circulating Vegas a few years ago. It wasn't so much that Las
Vegas had another magician trying to make his name here (no, news there!). In
fact, I even personally knew a crew of characters who were similarly tattooed
and pierced, aspiring nu-metal illusionist, mentalist types. Believe it or not,
lots of these folks were wandering Vegas in the early 2000's inspired by
slamming together Rob Zombie and David Blaine... into something. But as Angel
was taking off with his cable tapings first at the Aladdin and then at the
Luxor, the people I knew were burning out on going nowhere, and taking jobs like
entertaining kids at Circus Circus or reading fortunes at the Palms. Most of
the ones I knew, gave up magic and left Vegas long ago.
But Angel, who despite a few successes was mostly unknown to the public
when he arrived in Vegas, has continued to become more famous. That television
show on A&E filmed here has become a huge hit. Then he had a recent guest
spot on CSI that any Strip headliner would kill for (no pun intended).
And, how's this for an illusion? Angel managed all of this Vegas marketing and
branding without even having a showroom or being a headliner anywhere in Vegas.
In fact, Angel may be the first person to become a star in Vegas before he had a
ticketed show here.
That seems about to change. After the quick failure of Hairspray at Luxor,
owner MGM/Mirage has turned to Cirque to put a show in the resort by 2008. And,
rumor (open secret, may be more accurate) is that Cirque has partnered with
Angel to be the star. A press conference for Cirque I am going to Thursday at
Luxor promises to reveal all of the details of the new show including a special
presentation by the "featured artist." I hope to get an interview with Angel at
the press conference.
Meanwhile, for those of you who are curious (and not upset easily) check
out this video of Angel's most freakish trick, ripping a woman in half, in
daylight, in the middle of Sunset Park (a few miles from my old apartment). Be
warned: not only is the trick unbelievably disturbing to watch, the website
hosting the video, Learn-Street-Magic, offers a spoiler explanation of one
possible approach to Angel's secret.
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Liza: "I don't know what Paris is talented at"
Here is my interview with Liza Minnelli. This was definitely not one of my better interviews. So, my apologizes to her fans who were hoping for more from me. She was friendly and vivacious, but I admit I was also sort of hoping she was going to be more expansive in her answers and less abrupt. Maybe, had the interview gone on longer we would have established a better rhythm.
The first few minutes of a phone interview are always awkward. But our interview was interrupted by someone who said Liza had to go at once to join her musicians. A few minutes later my phone rang and it was another entertainment writer wanting to know if I had worn Liza out during my interview, because her answers to him were so terse. Even worse, the other writer said, was that his interview had to be cut short because Liza had to go join her musicians. Déjà vu.
Oh, my favorite question someone sent me to ask her: "What is your favorite prescription that you fill each month?" I am sure I would have gotten to it when I was ready to be hung up on. Here is what I did get to ask:
Q: It has been eight years since you've been to Vegas to perform. What brings you back?
A: Well, I wanted to come back. It is so much fun there now. I just want to come back and go on all the rides and see all the other shows too.
Q: There are a lot of casinos that weren't here last time you worked here, but I assume...
A: Indeed, yes! I can't wait to see all the new stuff.
Q: When was the last time you were here just visiting?
A: I was there about two years ago visiting friends.
Q: So, you were like 5 when you were first here...
A: Yeah, I was.
Q: So, I know a lot of places change over the years, but this place more than most.
A: Yes, I think so. It started out as a kind of mysterious, kind of intriguing, grown-ups place. And, it was odd being a kid around all that, because everybody would be out by the pool and then at 5 o'clock everyone would disappear and get all dressed up for the evening and looking great. Now, it is so much more relaxed and there is so much more to do. It is fascinating.
(Photo: Achim Scheidemann / AFP)
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Questions for Liza?
This afternoon at 1 p.m. I am set to have a phone interview with Liza Minnelli. As always, readers of the Buffet, please feel free to leave your questions for her in the comment section and I will do my best to ask them. The interview was set up to promote her Oct. 12-14 appearance at the Luxor. This morning, however, it was announced that she will also be doing a second stand at the pyramid-shaped casino Nov. 23-25. Though people think she probably appears here all of the time, this will be Minnelli's first Las Vegas performance in eight years.
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Hairspray Warms Up at the Luxor
Last year, The Luxor lost the Blue Man Group when it moved to the Venetian. Yesterday, I headed back to the pyramid-shaped hotel for a sneak peak at the musical "Hairspray"---media were invited to attend part of a rehearsal--- that is set to begin preview performances on February 6. Driving between Mandalay Bay and Luxor I noticed (how could I not) a giant "Hairspray" themed bus sitting in a side parking lot and pulled over to see the cast photo being taken with Harvey Fierstein and Dick Latessa. (The two Broadway stars are both signed on to star for the first 12 weeks.).
Inside, the theatre has been thoroughly customized and fitted with a not-seen-on-Broadway finale special effect. I'd tell you what it is, but I really didn't understand the explanation offered beyond the promise that it will look like the band is shooting out toward the audience, or something like that.
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