Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

The news released today (Feb. 20) about Revel’s plans to file for a Chapter 11 prepackaged bankruptcy in March that will reduce its debt burden by more than $1 billion will not come as a shock to anyone, despite the fact the casino opened a little more than 10 months ago. Revel’s CEO, Kevin DeSanctis, said that the restructuring would give the casino resort more flexibility to operate.
“Today’s announcement is a positive step for Revel … The agreement we have reached with our lenders will ensure that the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit Revel every year will continue to enjoy a signature Revel experience in our world-class facility.”

I know a lot of people in the casino business, and many of them thought Revel’s business model was flawed from the beginning. The notion of selling itself as a high-end (translation: exclusive and expensive) self-contained resort with the gaming aspect as a secondary component would not work in this region because most of the region’s patrons are blue collar. You can’t survive without the slot players.

Revel’s operators had a mindset that included offering a players card that didn’t have different levels of rewards, thinking promotions were not needed to sell their brand new super luxurious resort and that being smoke free would be embraced.

Atlantic City Weekly’s on-line “Casino Promotions” column is usually the top story in readership week after week for a reason.  Here are a few comments left there about Revel:

“Revel has no players club for premium players, stick to Borgata for best comps. If the Revel offers a lounge for premium players I may give it another try, if not I will stick to a good thing” … “Still no players lounge at Revel? Hard to believe. Premium players deserve special treatment” … “Revel is a failed project taken over on the cheap by amateurs who fail to understand that gambling is the business and the entertainments are the overheads. Real players come for the casino action. Tourists come for the $20 meals.” … “Showed my Harrah’s Diamond Card at Revel and received $50 in slot play. Played it with my new Revel card-then nothing, no offers of rooms, no nothing. I wonder what happened?”

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ZZ Top

Revel Casino has added two new shows to its entertainment schedule with The Best of Il Divo on Saturday, May 4 and ZZ Top on Saturday, May 11. Prices have not been announced yet. Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, Feb. 22, 10am.

Revel, while struggling on the gambling side, has brought major concerts to the region including Beyonce’s Memorial Day concerts last May, her first since she became a mother, and the only solo shows by Kanye West in the United States during New Year’s Eve weekend.

Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

I’ve been a big fan of Atlantic City’s Restaurant week since it began in 2009 and have enjoyed fantastic meals at McCormick and Schmick’s at Harrah’s, The Inn at Sugar Hill in Mays Landing, Evo at Trump Plaza and last year, Harry’s Oyster Bar at Bally’s.

I’ve already begun my deep research into what restaurants have the most enticing menu choices this year and the news is very good for fans of exceptional food at a ridiculous price — three courses (appetizer, entrée, dessert) for just $15.13 at lunch and $33.13 for dinner, plus tax, tip and the cost of beverages.

If your first thought were that perhaps the fancy top-of-the-line eateries are downsizing their ingredients for these pre-fixed prices, you would be wrong. The restaurants use this special week of increased business to show off their culinary skills and earn fans who will come back after restaurant week concludes. My RW meals have been amazing over the past four years, including surf & turf, salmon stuffed with crab and brie, scallops as an appetizer, crab cakes, coconut shrimp and Key Lime pie for dessert.

Upping the food quality even more this year will be the first opportunity for Revel’s outstanding restaurants to join the party. Diners can enjoy a special menu at three of Revel’s Signature restaurants, Amada, Azure by Allegretti and American Cut, along with four of Revel’s Select restaurants, Mussel Bar & Grille, Village Whiskey, Central Michel Richard and Lugo Cucina e Vino.

Among the menu items, an 8-ounce filet mignon with a choice of sides at American Cut is pretty exciting. There is also Merluza a la planxa, Spanish seabass, at Amada, a mussel chowder appetizer at Central Michel Richard and Belgian White Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert at Mussel Bar & Grille.

Thanks to Atlantic City Weekly, you have a chance to win a gift certificate for four to Restaurant Week. Go to our Web site here to sign up for the contest. The deadline is Feb. 24.

Pictured from left are Gov. Chris Christie, president of South Jersey Building and Construction Trades Will Pauls, Assemblyman John Amodeo and Revel CEO Kevin DeSanctis.

ATLANTIC CITY — New Jersey Gov. Christie toured Revel  the day after the soon-to-open mega-resort’s gaming license was approved Monday, March 26.

The $2.4 billion Revel Resort and Casino begins three test nights starting Wednesday, March 28, then opens this coming Monday, April 2, for an eight-week preview, and the complete resort will premiere on May 25 — the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Click here to see a video of the Governor’s latest Revel visit.

Pictured from left are CRDA Director John Palmieri, Revel CEO Kevin DeSanctis and Atlantic City Alliance CEO Liza Cartmell.

The Governor shook hands with some of the 4,000 employees who have been hired to work at Revel, and was greeted by regional elected officials and members of the CRDA and other local agencies before addressing the media.

“The completion of Revel and its opening is a turning point for Atlantic City and a clear sign that people once again have faith in the city’s ability to come back and be successful,” said Christie.

Photos by Christine Steiner