Readers’ Poll Goes Global

We here at Best of Las Vegas Central have come to like this 21st century.

Oh, sure, we know the Earth is round -- the school district isn't that bad -- and that there are bazillions of people -- well, math is another subject -- beyond the city's glittering lights. We might go so far as to boast we're totally hip to the global village thing.

But who knew if we sent our humble little readers' poll out into cyberspace that there would be people all over the world eager to vote on the minutiae of our happenin' town?

It sure did wonders for our vote total. Between the newspaper and online, we received 7,982 ballots, a far cry from last year's anemic total of 1,657 and our all-time high of 3,962 in 1998. It's not quite at the bazillions level, but mighty respectable considering where we've been.

So what is the global perspective on Las Vegas? Some of the results are not all that surprising; for instance, the folks from Australia are gung-ho about "Thunder From Down Under" at Excalibur.

More interesting is the Englishman who notes the Double Down Saloon, Fat Elvis, Fatburger and Mayor Oscar Goodman on his ballot. Or the Italian who is fond of Bartolotta at Wynn Las Vegas, but also In-N-Out Burger, Krispy Kreme, Kona Grill and Pottery Barn. How about the daring French voter who picks both Scores Las Vegas gentlemen's club and the Little Chapel of the West? And Tom Jones no doubt is grateful for fans from Argentina and Macedonia who cast votes only for him.

Most of the ballots are from the United States, 7,366. Ten voters say they are from England, while 103 voters claim the United Kingdom as home. The Canadian contingent numbers 95. Twenty-two say they are from Australia, and 10 are from Afghanistan.

In the United States, besides the 5,397 ballots from Nevada, 448 voters claim California, 144 are from New York, 125 from Florida and 121 from Texas.

As for the results, Red Rock Resort proves it is no one-hit wonder with reader wins for Best Locals Hotel, Best Lounge, Best Spa (in the Hotels and Shopping sections), Best Bingo, Best Blackjack, Best Keno, Best Sports Book, Best Italian Restaurant with Terra Rossa and Best New Restaurant with Hachi Modern Japanese (both in the Hotels section), and Best Bowling Alley. It also picks up a couple of group wins, thanks to its parent company, Station Casinos, for Best Football Contest and Best Players Club.

Red Rock Resort is the only casino that has had any luck in this readers' poll against the BOLV giant, Bellagio, which has dominated since the day it opened in 1998.

Bellagio also may have suffered this year from a reduction in categories in an effort to improve reader participation. We dropped from 248 categories last year to 175 this year.

Bellagio does have certificates to hang for Best Strip Hotel, Best Attraction (Fountains of Bellagio), Best Poker Room, Best Buffet, Best Brunch (a tie with Bally's), Best Coffee Shop and Best Art Gallery.

In the ever popular People section, it appears University of Nevada, Las Vegas men's basketball coach Lon Kruger could be building an empire both at UNLV and BOLV as Best Local Coach.

Otherwise, it's the usual suspects, with Andre Agassi cleaning up as Best Celebrity Resident, Best Local Athlete and Most Generous Las Vegan; Steve Wynn as Best-Dressed Las Vegan, Las Vegas You'd Like to Know More About and Most Powerful Las Vegan; Rita Rudner as Best Comedian and Favorite Female Las Vegan; and Oscar Goodman as Favorite Male Las Vegan, Most Colorful Character and Best Local Politician.

No year would be complete without the classic Best of Las Vegas twist of fate, in which someone or something comes up in the best and worst sections. That someone would be Goodman, who also shows up as Las Vegan You're Tired of Hearing About. That something is the growing like a weed World Market Center, which has reason to smile for Best Nonhotel Architecture and reason to frown as Ugliest Las Vegas Building.

The people who never find fault with Best of Las Vegas are the winners of our fabulous prizes. And here they are: Constantin Sprengert of Las Vegas, two tickets to see Danny Gans; Steven Webber of Las Vegas, two tickets to see "Love"; Verna Hall of Las Vegas, dinner for two at Bouchon; Tracey Castaneda of Las Vegas, dinner for two at Rosemary's Restaurant; Bryan Human of Las Vegas, lunch for two at Triple George Grill; and Latanya James of North Las Vegas, gift certificate to Fashion Show mall.

The granddaddy of them all, a night on the town, complete with dinner, show and an overnight stay at a local hotel, goes to Mary Lou Rodina of Las Vegas.

Contact Patricia Morgan at pmorgan@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0267.