Staff Report


Staff member musings on the finer things in life.

Staff Report's Top Posts:

Pre Game in the Bays

This weekend, the AFC and NFC Championship games will be held in Candlestick Park and Gillette Stadium, respectively. Could you think of two match-ups... Read More

GLR's "Farm To Table" Restaurant Index

Below is a comprehensive list of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the United States – a plethora of delicious, locally-sourced eats that may be... Read More

Rooftop Bars: The Full List

We gave you a list of our favorite rooftop bars in NYC. Here are 25 more, spread out across the country and the Atlantic. Go ahead and drink it all in... Read More
The Good Life
Staff Report:
This weekend, the AFC and NFC Championship games will be held in Candlestick Park and Gillette Stadium, respectively. Could you think of two match-ups that are any more of a traveler's dream? Two of the United States' most unique and thriving cities, San Francisco and Boston represent much more than home field advantage. Whether you're a proud resident, flying in for the big game or just looking to learn a bit more about one of these great American cities, hop on our virtual trolley and enjoy the ride. ... Read More
Below is a comprehensive list of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the United States – a plethora of delicious, locally-sourced eats that may be just around the corner from a "home-cooked" meal. ... Read More
We gave you a list of our favorite rooftop bars in NYC. Here are 25 more, spread out across the country and the Atlantic. Go ahead and drink it all in.... Read More
The Palms isn’t a theme hotel like most in Vegas and we’re thankful for that. You won’t get lost in a sea of super high-end retailers, artisan coffee shops and other unnecessary crap. The Palms knows their clientele and they concentrate their efforts on doing a few things very well. The pool scene is laid back and authentic Vegas, with plenty of cabanas and just the right amount of acreage. The restaurants are lively and the nightclubs are consistently among the most popular in town. Ghostbar, with its 180-degree, 55th-story view of The Strip is an institution, while the Playboy Club offers a more risqué atmosphere and also great views (pun intended)... Read More
Originally one of the smallest of the big name casinos, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has more than tripled in size with the recent additions of the HRH Tower and the 18-story Paradise Tower. The pool at Hard Rock—an oasis unlike any other in Las Vegas—continues to expand with beaches, palms trees, cabanas and swim-up blackjack tables. If the previous night’s activities have left you in a fragile state and the party atmosphere at the Rehab Pool is too much to handle, the HRH Beach Club, located only a few steps away, will give you the blissful experience your mind and body crave... Read More
If you plan to bet on one of your favorites, there is no better place to lay down your money and immerse yourself in sports nirvana than Lagasse’s Stadium. GLR contributing writer David Dames says, “Lagasse's Stadium is a sports book, not an ill-conceived, Emeril-controlled version of Kitchen Stadium. And yes, it does feature some stadium seating in front of a stadium-sized Jumbotron and a menu of high quality Cajun-influenced pub fare. BAM! Everything in Lagasse's Stadium shows an attempt at sleek, light-colored, lounge-y design. The exact opposite of the dank places at which your uncle used to lose money betting on sports... Read More
Elegant, yet reasonably priced, Esquire’s “2010 Restaurant Not to Miss” is perfect for a group of guys that are tired of overcrowded establishments but still want an excellent meal. Quite possibly the best new restaurant in Las Vegas, Sage has received rave reviews for their contemporary American cuisine. Renowned Chef Shawn McClain combines farm-to-table produce, artisanal meats and seafood with an emphasis on simple, clean flavors and seasonal ingredients. If you are kicking off your evening here, take a look at the Absinthe menu and order a potent taste of Switzerland or France with dessert. SageAria Resort & Casino at CityCenter3730 S... Read More
OK, we need to feature at least one place that is a little over the top. Bar Masa is perfect if you just made a killing at the tables. You’ll need it, as New York Chef Masayoshi Takayama features traditional Japanese cuisine for a very high price at his new CityCenter outpost. The venue is enormous and lavish. Equally impressive is the quality and presentation of the sushi. But the price can seem excessive­—bordering on unfair—when you consider the cost of sides and appetizers like Fried Rice ($28) and Hairy Crab Salad ($34). Still, there is no debating the quality and presentation of the whole experience. But enter at your own risk... Read More
Designed so that guests challenge their sense of perception, Haze boasts five motorized trusses suspended over its dance floor, a 20-foot wall of lights and 10 motorized screens. Featuring video lighting software with real time and 3D, this double-level 25,000-square-foot space will be a delight for the eyes and ears of partiers. The DJ spins House, Main Stream Hip-Hop, and Top 40 tunes but don’t count against a surprise appearance by your favorite artist either. Be sure that you are decked out in trendy attire and prepared to shell out $50 each—the standard cover for men—or perhaps purchase a VIP four-bottle package for $2193... Read More
Be sure to dress in casual business attire before you set foot in this throwback to French-influenced Shanghai. A 2008 and 2009 Michelin star winner, Wing Lei serves up a blend of Cantonese, Shanghai and Szechwan cuisine. Order the Wing Lei Sampler for a delicious mix of appetizers and be sure to try their succulent Imperial Peking Duck. Chef Ming Yu’s Signature Dinner is also a fine six-course choice for the table but runs at a bit of a steep price at $128 per person and an extra $58 for wine pairings. Wing LeiWynn Las Vegas3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd... Read More
Todd English’s casual P.U.B. (Public Urban Bar) has exactly the kind of laid-back, non-Vegas feel that you may yearn for after a long night and/or tough day at the tables. It features more than 30 beers, a carving board of prime meats, a raw bar and even a beer pong table. If you are hankering for an East Coast vibe or pining after those good old college days, the flat-screen plasma TVs for game-viewing and dare-driven dartboards (“Confess” boasts one target) for game-playing may just coax you into ordering another round of brew for the crew... Read More
If you want something different, check out The Cosmopolitan, which opened its doors in December 2010. Many of the property's 2,995 rooms feature sliding glass doors that open onto a large outdoor patio area, a rare feature at Las Vegas hotels. Their partnership with the Ritz Hotel Group is evident as hospitality is clearly a priority at this new establishment on The Strip. Unlike many of the mega hotels that check you in like ranchers herding in cows, Cosmopolitan has received rave reviews early and often for their politeness and attention to guests’ needs. You might call this place a throw back to the Vegas of old... Read More