On this last trip to Vegas, a local recommended a restaurant called Mon Ami Gabi located at the Paris. You can sit outside, enjoying the Bellagio Fountain Show (more on this later) from across the street while enjoying some great food and drink. Don’t forget the dessert. For you steak lovers, try Gallaghers in New York New York or DelMonico’s across the street.

For seafood, you have to try McCormick & Schmick There’s one here in San Jose at the Fairmont as well. The Rio, a hotel/casino which is off strip and therefore has to try harder has a seafood buffet that exceeds even Todai. Speaking of buffets, there are plenty in Vega$. Most are good. Just be prepared to wait. And the prices have been going up in recent years.

Wolfgang Puck, Emeril and Bobby Flay have several restaurants in Vega$. Wolfgang has Spago in Caesar’s and Postrio in The Venetian, both of which are excellent. I wouldn’t recommend Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill restaurant in Caesar’s. Emeril has a great Cajun seafood restaurant in the MGM Grand.

Also, if you're looking for great Mexican food, look no further than Viva Mercado. It's located at 6182 W Flamingo Road maybe five minutes from the Strip. In October it'll be moving near Rainbow in northwest Vegas but it'll be worth the short drive. Fast, friendly service, great food. Very popular with the locals, which should tell you something.

Now when you do go to Postrio, you’ll have the opportunity to have some great gelato for dessert at a little kiosk called Cocolini. Do NOT pass it up.

Well, the Stardust will be closing by the end of the year. This legendary hotel/casino was once the hangout of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop). The main room is intimate and you would be hard pressed to find a bad seat. I’ve seen many headliners perform there, from Tim Conway to Harvey Korman to George Carlin. George came to the Stardust recently after his long-running contract with the MGM Grand expired. We’ll see where he goes from here. Other comedy shows in Vegas include Penn and Teller, the Amazing Jonathan as well as Carrot Top.

Gladys Knight has taken residence in Vegas at the Flamingo on the strip. Wayne Newton is keeping her seat warm while Gladys tours. Celine Dion had an entire section added on to Caesar’s Palace just for her. While away, Elton John plays his Red Piano show. Funny aside: I sent into the Elton Gift Shop and asked the price of some nice yet relatively plain cufflinks. Two thousand five hundred dollars! I settled on a postcard.

An often overlooked part of Las Vegas is the lounge acts. Often, the image of these hard working musicians is a strung out addict who can play like he sold his soul to the devil down in Georgia. But stroll through the different bars and lounges in the various casinos or even off strip and you’ll find some very talented musicians.

Finally, keep in mind that besides these Sin City residents, new shows come in every week.