11/30/05
Bank on Hank's
New eatery does namesake proud
Plus:
• Breakaway Weekend • Skate Date • Ring In the New Year
By LEN BUTCHER
I don't often talk about restaurants, other than to tell you when a new one opened in one of the hotels here, but I had a real treat last week when I went to a place called Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis in Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson. It was a bit special for me, aside from the great food which I'll get to in a minute, as the restaurant is named after Hank Greenspun, a Las Vegas icon who for years owned the Las Vegas Sun and was my boss for many years when I was Managing Editor of that same paper.
Hank passed away a number of years ago, but I know he would be more than proud of this fine eatery. First of all, let me tell you a little about the place. It has three dining areas, and a beautiful bar where you can relax before and after dining while enjoying a great selection of, what else -- martinis.
And speaking of dining, the food is wonderful and you don't have to take just my word for it, but if you don't, it means you're calling me a liar and if that's the case, I'll end this column right now. However, knowing the love-hate relationship I have with you, I know that you will take my word that if you want a great meal, at an affordable price, this is the place to go. Plus you'll really impress your significant other or business associate.
There were four of us at our table, all ordering different dishes. We shared a platter of seafood, mostly shellfish, for an appetizer which we devoured as if we hadn't eaten for a week. For entrees, I, peasant that I am, had buttermilk fried chicken that melted in my mouth. My companion had the petite filet mignon that she said she could cut with a fork, but to spare me any embarrassment, did use her steak knife. The other couple enjoyed a Strauss Veal Chop and swordfish, both drawing a lot of "oohs" and "aahhs".
All of us had au gratin potatoes and creamed corn, but I can't go on without telling you about this creamed corn. Don't ask me how they make it, but it is worth going to Hank's just to try it. It's so good that Matt Browne, the general manager, told me that people even order it for a dessert. He wasn't kidding. And to make your mouth water even more, the desserts, which none of us needed, but succumbed to, were out of this world, both in taste and size. I ordered an Apple Brown Betty that was not only as good as my mother made, but big enough to serve all four of us.
Oh, I forgot to add our bottle of wine that was selected from the more than 2200 bottles the restaurant has, but this is just being cruel. I could take up the whole column talking about Hank's, but I want you to find out for yourselves. This is a restaurant that can compare to any of the Strip hotels finest. And the bill came to only $3,200. Just kidding. Listen, if I can afford to eat there on the pittance I'm paid, you certainly can.
BREAKAWAY WEEKEND
Here's a fun weekend and one that will help support a good cause. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Southern Nevada Chapter (LLS) is presenting a star-studded "Ultimate Breakaway Weekend" December 2 and 3. Festivities include a celebrity golf challenge, soccer exhibition with U.S. National Team Players, and gala with a special appearance by Lance Armstrong and a performance by Lance's SO, Sheryl Crow.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. with a celebrity golf challenge at Cascata, one of Las Vegas' finest courses. Former Boston Celtics star, Bill Russell, will be among the celebrity players. This is followed on Saturday with a soccer exhibition match from noon until 2 p.m. featuring men and women's U.S. National Team Players on the Peter Johann Memorial Field at UNLV. The soccer match is free and open to the public. To reserve tickets, call the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at (702) 436-4220 or U.S. Youth Soccer of Nevada at (702) 870-3024. In addition, LLS will also be reserving a special block of 100 seats available for survivors of blood cancers.
The weekend wraps up Saturday evening with a special gala beginning at 8 p.m. at Mandalay Bay. The gala will include dinner, a set by Sheryl Crow, special appearance by Lance Armstrong, a live and silent auction, and other celebrity guests. Gala tickets are $500 each and can be reserved by calling the Leukemia & Lymphoma office at (702) 436-4220. Should be a great weekend and I hope you will be able to take part.
SKATE DATE
Want to get in the holiday spirit? If so, take a drive out to Lake Las Vegas Resort and go for a skate on MonteLago Village's floating ice rink. The rink is 40 feet by 70 feet, so you've got lots of room to show your stuff. It cost $12 per child and $15 per adult for an all-day pass and the rink will be open daily through Feb. 14. Lots of fun and you can also enjoy the Christmas decorations and beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Isn't it time you started thinking about coming here for New Year's Eve? If so, here's a few examples of what you can expect as far as room rates go. If you're planning on staying for just one night, here, as of this writing, are the rates: Circus Circus $81, Arizona Charlie's Boulder $154, Cannery $159, Arizona Charlie's Decatur $169, Sam's Town $175, Stratosphere $178, Riviera $183, Suncoast $189, Palace Station $204, Orleans $205, Sahara $215, San Remo $215, Boulder Station $233, Bally's $301, Texas Station $310, Tropicana $318, New Frontier $325, Excalibur $352, Aladdin $403, Harrah's $406, MGM Grand $450, TI $470, Mirage $499, Palms $674, Venetian $699.
If you're interested in two nights, look to spend the following: Flamingo $428, Imperial Palace $438, JW Marriott at Rampart $438, Stardust $450, Barbary Coast $460, Golden Nugget $460, Las Vegas Hilton $491, Hyatt Lake Las Vegas $499, Luxor $590, Caesars Palace $624, Rio $660, Monte Carlo $688, Ritz-Carlton $730, Westin Casuarina $755, Hard Rock $798, New York-New York $810, Mandalay Bay $870, Four Seasons $950, Green Valley Ranch $998, Paris $998, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay $1,040, Bellagio $1,217, Wynn Las Vegas $1,398.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
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