Filed under: Exclusives, Interviews, Photos, Theater
He's called 'The New Mr. Las Vegas' and after visiting his sold-out show at The Flamingo Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas, you'll understand why.Five nights a week, a melting pot of people fill George Wallace's cabaret-style Vegas room to hear him tell jokes.
"It's the best 10pm show on the strip," Wallace told BlackVoices.com.
Wallace's show, which has had an all-star list of people like Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Holiday, Chris Tucker and gospel great Dottie Peoples drop in to do surprise performances, has lasted seven years at The Flamingo.
"I came there to perform for 30 days and I'm still here," he enlightened.
The 58-year-old comedian said now is the best time to visit Sin City.
"It's the best time in 30 years to come to Las Vegas. Really, you can get a five-star hotel for like $100 a night. I'm talking Bellagio, Aria, VDARA and all of the best of them," he explained. "Then you can eat all day long for like $39 at a buffet. Just sit there and have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegas is very affordable now!"
The Atlanta-bred comic, who is now regularly featured on CNN's 'Weekends with Fredricka Whitfield' each Sunday at 5:45pm ET, confessed he is contemplating leaving Vegas when his contract expires in May.
"I'm really ready to do some more work in television, movies and on radio. So I'm deciding what to do now," he admitted.
Wallace said he's currently the only African-American headliner on the strip - "There's a show here called 'Hitsville' but I don't know where they are!" - and would hate leave Vegas that way.
He would like to see both Gladys Knight and Wayne Brady return to do their respective headlining shows - "They both did well here," he offered.
As far as a new resident headliner on the strip if he does leave, Wallace has another suggestion.
"Sinbad could do it," he suggested, before adding: "If he would do the marketing and the advertising, he could definitely do well here in Vegas."
But for now, Wallace still reins king in Vegas and hopes fans will check him each Tuesday through Saturday at The Flamingo.
"Instead of going to see the 'Blue Man Group' come and see the Black man," he jokingly closed.
BV Buzz has some other suggestions of the best places to eat, sleep and relax while visiting Las Vegas.
Pajama Brunch at Simon, Palms Place: Kerry Simon is billed as "The Rock-N-Roll Chef" and his signature restaurant at the Palms Place Hotel showcases his fun-loving nature and eclectic palate. A mixture of traditional brunch choices and unique items, Simon's pajama brunch offers everything from chicken and waffles, breakfast pizza and omelets (try the Simon omelet with crab, artichoke and havarti cheese); in addition to a bevy of a la carte items. The $38 per-person menu also has interesting buffet stations like the "White Trash" table, a sushi bar, a Candy Bar and a station to make milkshakes out of Captain Crunch cereal. From 10:00am to 4:00pm, a pajama-clad wait staff will serve while you in the main dining area with floor to ceiling views of the Palms Place pool or poolside on the Simon patio. // www.simonatpalmsplace.com
BRAND Steakhouse, Monte Carlo: Looking for a hearty meal? Well BRAND offers impeccable steakhouse dining. Among the highlights menu items include everything from lobster (it's to die for), bone-in Nebraska steaks, large chops (beef and pork), rack of lamb, a tomahawk rib-eye (wonderful as well) and a double-decker burger with brie and double-smoked bacon. They also offer a variety of house-made sauces like brandy and green peppercorn and shallot red wine bordelaise are among the signature specialties. Whether you opt for the imported Kurabutto pork prime rib, Japanese Kobe beef or the lemon-rosemary free range chicken, BRAND will have your mouth watering and have full as a tick once you're finished. Despite its high-end menu, the restaurant is an open 5,000-square-foot dining room with attached lounge/bar area which has a casually comfortable vibe. // www.montecarlo.com/restaurants/brand-steakhouse.aspx
Aria Las Vegas: It's a massive edifice in the middle of the new Las Vegas City Center. The beautiful Aria has 4,004 guestrooms with 568 suites and has breathtaking views of the Las Vegas because of its floor to ceiling windows in each room. It boasts the most advanced in-room technology on the strip (one too many times I pushed the wrong button and caused an in-room blackout). Big plush comfortable beds, spacious modern bathrooms (big ole bathtub and a glorious glass shower) and enough power sockets for all of your gadgets makes you second guess leaving your room. A friendly and knowledgeable staff is often needed as you navigate your way around the super-sized resort. Several dining experiences are offered, among them the decadent tapas establishment Julian Serrano (they have an amazing sangria and my favorites Lobster-Pineapple Skewer and Sautéed Shrimp Gambas). Comfortability, entertainment (the Cirque du Soleil show 'Viva Elvis' is housed there) and of course, the casinos; Aria offers one of the strips best bets for lodging. // www.arialasvegas.com
Silk Road, VDARA: From the moment you walk into Silk Road, you imagine that your wait staff will be the cast of 'Three's Company' and Mrs. Roper will be your hostess. Modernly elegant with vintage décor, this breakfast/lunch establishment offers a surrounding that's as attractive as the attractions on your plate. Chef Martin Heierling (who launched the first-rate Sensi restaurant at Bellagio) has designed an intriguing menu of items including blueberry and ricotta pancakes (super yum); free range turkey hash (amazing); crispy popcorn shrimp come wrapped in lettuce, with mango slaw and sweet chili mayo; the aromatic chicken and coconut soup; and the chicken-and-waffle basket (words can't even explain how good). Delicious food paired with a lively environment, you can understand while reservations are strongly recommended here -- 7am to 2pm on weekdays, 9am opening for brunch on Sundays. // www.vdara.com/amenities/silk-road-restaurant.aspx
Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace: A rejuvenating experience, Caesars Palace Qua Baths & Spa invokes a nature-like experience into its grandiose Vegas setting. Located in the Augustus Tower, the 55,000-square-foot facility features 51 treatment rooms, which include 35 massage studios, three deluxe couple's suites and seven facial rooms. Qua also offers two hydrotherapy tubs, three Vichy showers and even a Swarovski crystal body art room. Offering a variety of treatments like Roman bathing rituals, massages (I had a great one), body scrubs and facials accustomed to suit your skin's needs, this unisex facility is just the way to ease the stress of your losses or to splurge on your winnings while taking in Vegas. // www.harrahs.com/qua
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