Las Vegas Weekly

March 2, 2009 · 2:06 PM

Photo Gallery: The new $700 million M Resort is my resort

By Don Chareunsy

M Resort's VIP/media opening.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

By Don Chareunsy

As Vegas DeLuxe editor, I attended my first resort casino opening last night after moving here one year ago from San Diego. I’d been to other openings -- for nightclubs, restaurants and spas in my first year in Sin City -- but this was my first resort casino opening.

I am especially excited about the premiere of M Resort for two reasons: 1) It’s a locals resort casino, meaning it is away from the Strip, it doesn’t necessarily cater to tourists and it will have more reasonable prices for dining and cocktails (no $200 steak dinners and $20 cocktails, thank you very much) and 2) it’s only two miles from my house in Southern Highlands. Two miles. Sold!

I’m officially a local now, having registered my vehicle shortly after moving here and having the handy dandy Nevada driver license -- with a photo that shaves about 10 years off my age … yes! -- for local discounts throughout town.

So I’m a local, and Anthony Marnell III’s $1 billion M Resort is for locals like me. It’s a match made in Neon City heaven.

Before M Resort’s doors were opened the public yesterday at 10 p.m., VIPs and media -- all 4,000 of us -- were treated to a grand opening party replete with complimentary food and cocktails fit for royalty.

Seen and heard last night at M Resort’s VIP/media party grand opening from 6 to 10 p.m.:

*The M Resort staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Mr. Marnell would be very happy.

*There are three complimentary beverage stations with Coke products from the fountain. I know where I’ll be hanging out during the day this summer … when I’m not at work, of course.

*The complimentary feasts -- which included lamb, jumbo shrimp, oysters, crab legs, pastas, sandwiches and decadent desserts -- at Marinelli’s, Terzetto, Red Cup Café, Baby Cakes and Vig Deli were top-notch. Not one false note.

*My first two new acquaintances of the evening, at Terzetto, were Jerry and Su San Brassfield, owners of Brassfield Estate Vineyard in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., in the South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. They told me that their Brassfield wines will be served at Terzetto and perhaps other M Resort restaurants. A very nice and engaging couple, plus they make wine.

*Much to my surprise, the Studio B show kitchen buffet also was open and free to partygoers. A smart and hungry person would’ve started their evening here. We ended our evening here.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

M Resort's VIP/media opening.

*I was only able to walk by the Hostile Grape wine cellar bar and tasting room and 24-hour Red Cup Cafe. I’ll be back, as I’m a fan of the vino and late-night/early morning dining.

*Robin Leach, The Man who my work world revolves around 24/7, enjoyed well-earned nourishment at the bar in Marinelli’s after a working weekend that included the Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” Gala at the Bellagio and NASCAR (and who knows what else I don’t know about in Mr. Leach’s world!).

*While watching the pool show, which preceded the fireworks, someone said 30,000 people were waiting outside for M Resort’s 10 p.m. public opening and that parking had become chaos. Who knows if 30,000 was the actual number, but it felt like that many people making my way back to my car through M Resort after the party ended.

*The 10-minute fireworks spectacular at 9:50 p.m. was exactly that -- spectacular -- and put the Strip’s New Year’s Eve showing a few months ago to shame.

*One woman on her cell phone after the party ended at 10 p.m.: “Everything is beautiful. The food is phenomenal. We’re coming back here next weekend for our anniversary!”

So with the M Resort two miles away from my house, I might never need to go to the Strip ever again.

Click HERE for our Las Vegas Weekly colleague Melissa Arseniuk’s rundown of last night’s M Resort opening, and click HERE for our Las Vegas Sun colleague Amanda Finnegan’s M Resort report.

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