Kimo’s Vegas

Leila Lopes. Photo from Kimo Akane

WELCOME TO Kimo’s Vegas … the Player’s Edge!

IF YOU THINK there are more pretty faces in Vegas than usual, you’d be more right than a resident of Provo, Utah (considered one of the nation’s most conservative states). The 89 Miss Universe 2012 contestants are preparing for the crowning of the 61st most beautiful woman in existence, and can be spotted making promotional appearances all over Las Vegas. The reigning bearer of the title from Angola, Leila Lopes, will relinquish her crown Dec. 19 at Planet Hollywood.

FOLKLORIC IS A real word that sounds totally made up and means “a popular but unfounded belief,” like the mythical half-woman, half-fish creatures we call mermaids. But this time of the year our brains are wrapped around that other imaginary being, and no, we’re not talkin’ caped crusader, but the big guy with the white beard in the red suit. Right now you can see Santa for yourself every Saturday and Sunday in Silverton Casino’s 117,000 gallon aquarium. No need to make up excuses about your diver’s certification expiring a few years ago. The photo op is strictly for landlubbers … Santa may be swimming with the sharks, but you can pose with his helpers on the dry side of the glass.

SEVEN OUT… The old Barbary Coast now Bill’s Gambling Hall is closing Feb 4. After a $185 million overhaul of the facility, it will be courting a new (sophisticated and upscale) clientele with a new theme and name in early 2014.

THE BEST Las Vegas Resorts according to the readers of Conde Nast, are the usual suspects: Wynn/Encore, Four Seasons, Venetian/Palazzo and Bellagio.

HMMM … Sensi at Bellagio, Aquanox at Venetian, Scarpetta at Cosmo, Julian Serrano at Aria and DJT at Trump International were all closed and are (or will be) reopening after a hiatus to address the concerns of the Southern Nevada Health District.

IT’S GOOD TO be king but being the queen has its own perks … Steve Wynn is opening a new eatery in the Encore, naming it after his bride. Andrea’s opens Dec. 28 and will combine nightlife and dining into a singular experience called “vibe dining.”

NOW AT THE MGM, Project Pie, where you can have unlimited toppings or choose one of their nine signature pizzas for 12 bucks.

THIS HAS NOTHING to do with Vegas except it’s the one place where I do pig out on breakfast. All that sizzles doesn’t have to come from a frying pan! If you hurry, there’s still time to stuff a bacon lover’s stocking before the big holiday. Check out J&D’s bacon shaving cream (jdfoods.net). That’s right, guys, now you can smell like breakfast all day long, and what woman doesn’t like that? Or, for the less adventurous, there’s Baconnaise bacon-flavored mayo. For the die-hard cured meat lover, it also offers a bacon coffin … cool, but the shipping to Hawaii will kill ya.

THE NEXT most fortuitous day in Vegas is 12-12-12.

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