![a]Aria-and-fountain-By Lanie Crossman](http://www.goldplateddoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aria-and-fountainweb-202x300.jpg "a]Aria-and-fountain-By Lanie Crossman")
Earlier this week, I went to George Wallace at Flamingo. The comedian took a couple swipes at CityCenter. On the innocuous side, he wondered why people would want to live at Vdara with VD staring at them in big letters. More cutting was when he asked if anyone in the audience was staying at Aria. When a couple people spoke up, Wallace asked, “How does it feel to be the only ones from such a big hotel?”
Perhaps, not coincidentally, Aria has just announced some room specials that have impressed local bloggers.
In other casino news. For those looking for hints as to when Carl Icahn will focus on finishing Fontainebleau, the stalled casino/hotel project. Today’s news of his efforts to acquire Lions Gate Entertainment in a hostile takeover suggests the billionaire’s attention is not currently on construction in Vegas. (Photo: Lanie Crossman)
When is it appropriate to file a missing person’s report for Mr. Abowitz?
But seriously, the time spent with this article hovering on the front page has led me to ponder on the fate of Vegas’ (enviable) glut of fine-dining establishments (particularly of the Michelin-starred variety, of which I have had the fortune to try several). City Center added several other big (big) names with places like Twist and Bar Masa. Are all of these high overhead places still doing well? I’d figure casinos would usually get rid of underperforming ventures, but these are hard times and I somehow can’t see a luxury hotel ditching a Michelin 2-star for an Applebees. Any ideas? –presuming you’re okay, of course…
Sorry, I have had a few stories due elsewhere. Thanks for noticing. Yrs., Richard