The Casino File
By Chuck Darrow
As Jason Alexander playing George Costanza on “Seinfeld” would have put it, get ready for the Summer of Ocean.
Ocean Casino-Resort has unveiled plans for its “Lucky Summer of Sevens,” a season-long schedule of promotions, sweepstakes, special events, restaurant openings and new attractions to celebrate the posh pleasure dome’s seventh birthday (which is June 28).
The idea, said Ocean General Manager Bill Callahan, is to showcase “everything this property has to offer.”
Arguably, the biggest news coming out of the Boardwalk’s easternmost gambling den is that Philadelphia-based master-of-the-restaurant-universe Stephen Starr is planning to open a pair of eateries there. While details are scarce, it is known that one will be French-leaning, and the other will focus on comfort foods like meatloaf and turkey.
This is significant because Starr, one of the world’s leading restaurateurs, has, technically, never operated under an Atlantic City casino roof: In 2006, he opened outposts of his popular Philly joints, Buddakan and Continental, at the Pier Shops at Caesars, but they were separated from the midtown gaming hall by the Boardwalk.
Perhaps even more important, the planting of Starr’s flag in Ocean appears to validate the opinion of many observers of the local gaming industry that the casino is now our town’s hottest, hippest and most-luxe adult playpen.
However, Starr’s projects are but the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Below is a look at some of what else is happening at Ocean this summer. No definite opening dates have been established for the restaurants and mini-golf complex, but given the summer-dependent nature of the local gaming industry, it’s likely Ocean suits are looking to (and praying for) most things to be up and running by July 4:
LaScala Fire
Adding to the property’s restaurant inventory will be the popular, Delaware Valley casual-Italian chain that features specialty pizzas, pasta dishes, salads, etc.
Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar
This state-of-the-art, high-tech complex will cover 8,000 square feet and feature two nine-hole courses. The technology involved is the same as that which is used at The Sphere, Las Vegas’ multi-billion-dollar, next-generation concert venue.
$1 Million Sweepstakes running from June 27 to July 6.
Casino promotions almost every day of the week, including $7,777 every hour on Wednesdays, 10X Free Play on Thursdays, 15X Free Play on Fridays and Saturdays and $100k Hot Seats on June 21, July 26, and August 23.
Seven-days-a-week happy hours featuring $7 items at various outlets.
Seven fireworks—and-drone shows commencing July 4 and continuing Fridays through August 8.
Ocean’s Agave Festival
A celebration of International Tequila Day takes place July 24 at Ovation Hall. More than 150 tequilas and mezcals from 40 different brands will be available for sampling, as will music by the band Stealing Savannah, workshops and munchies created by Ocean’s stove jockeys.
For more on these and other seventh-anniversary festivities and offerings this summer, go to theoceanac.com.
A new face (and hair) in ‘The Hook’
The newest cast member of “The Hook” at Caesars Atlantic City is “hair suspensionist” Miranda Menzies.
The Edinburgh, Scotland native is an aerialist who performs contortions while suspended in the air by her hair.
Menzies will be offering her take on this ancient craft through July 25 as part of the variety show that is Atlantic City’s only Vegas-style permanent production. For more, go to spiegelworld.com/shows/the-hook.
Feeding Mom on her day
There are plenty of casino dining rooms at which to celebrate Mother’s Day, but may we suggest a really special spot?
That would be Nobu, the acclaimed (and ultra-high-end) Asian-Peruvian room inside Caesars. To say there is no place like it in any local casino is a gross understatement; you’ll simply not find comparable flavors anywhere else.
Sunday, the restaurant is offering a Mom’s Day special: $95 (per person) gets you a family-style, five-item first course, choice of one of seven main courses and a choice of one of two desserts.
Also available are kids’ bento boxes ($38) boasting five items including a gelato dessert.
For menu details, go to caesars.com/caesars-ac/restaurants/nobu/mothers-day-menu.
If Atlantic City-traditional is more mama’s speed, the oldest casino eatery has her covered:
Capriccio at Resorts Casino-Hotel is rolling out its Mother’s Day Gourmet Brunch Buffet. It includes all-she (and you)-can-eat antipasti; flatbreads; seafood bar; sushi; hot breakfast and lunch offerings and a variety of desserts.
Prices (excluding tax and gratuity) are $79 and $39.95 for children 6-12 (kids 5 and under nosh for free). Reservations (609-340-6300 or via Open Table) are required.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
