Holy Holidays! 10 Can't-Miss Openings Before 2013

This last week of December features a crazy number of openings. Ten restaurants and nightclubs open in the next week. Here's a guide to everything you need to know about the big restaurant and nightlife debuts just in time for New Year's Eve.

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1) Aria: The Buffet at Aria
The Situation: The Buffet at Aria closed mid-October for a quick for re-modeling. The 8,800-square-foot buffet budgeted $3.5 million for the overhaul, which will include "a redesign of the buffet stations and culinary offerings, signage, restaurant layout, color palate and more."
Opening Date: Dec. 22
· All Coverage of the Buffet at Aria [~ELV~]
[Photo: Bradley Martin]

2) Planet Hollywood Resort: Gordon Ramsay BurGR
Address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Gordon Ramsay
The Situation: The shouty chef opens his third Vegas concept, this one a burger joint that may be called Gordon Ramsay BURGR. Some of the cool decor includes a special visual effect "flame wall," a stacked keg room and 20 self-serve beer taps.
Projected Opening: Dec. 22
· All Coverage of Flame Burger [~ELV~]
[Photo: Bradley Martin]

3) Venetian: Bouchon Bakery
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Thomas Keller
The Situation: The celebrated chef opens his second bakery at the Venetian, this one a double-decker right on the Strip.
Projected Opening: Dec. 26
· All Coverage of Bouchon Bakery [~ELV~]
[Photo: Susan Stapleton]

4) Red Rock Resort: Pink's Hot Dogs
Address: 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.
The Players: Block16 Hospitality
The Situation: Block16 Hospitality plans to open the 2,000-square-foot restaurant in the Turf Grill space near the poker room and sports book.
Projected Opening: Dec. 25
· All Coverage of Pink's Hot Dogs [~ELV~]
[Photo: Bradley Martin]

5) Encore Las Vegas: Andrea's
Address: 3121 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Steve Wynn, Steve Angello, Joseph Elevado
The Situation: Andrea's plans to offer what it's calling "vibe dining" that combines "a restaurant and nightlife experience into one environment." That means the restaurant will be a part of the Encore Beach Club/Surrender Nightclub "entertainment complex." Joseph Elevado heads up the Asian kitchen while Wynn Las Vegas resident deejay Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia fame was named "musical chef" in charge of Andrea's music program. The 6,194-square-foot restaurant will feature a lounge, a step-up dining area designed for diners "to see and be seen," hexagon-shaped tables for larger groups, private dining enclaves and a 2,100-square-foot terrace overlooking Surrender Nightclub's outdoor space.
Projected Opening: Dec. 28
· All Coverage of Andrea's [~ELV~]
[Photo: Susan Stapleton]

6) Encore Las Vegas: VDKA
Address: 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Sean Christie of Las Vegas Nightlife Group
The Situation: This bar adjacent to Andrea's plans to serve up a list of 250 vodkas behind the bar including an array of martinis and flavored concoctions.
Projected Opening: Dec. 28
· All Coverage of VDKA [~ELV~]
[Photo: Susan Stapleton]

7) Palms: Scarlet
Address: 4321 W. Flamingo Road
The Players: N9NE Group
The Situation: This 200-square-foot bar has roots in mixology. Set to open next to N9NE Steakhouse, the bar will feature cocktails from Francesco Lafranconi, the executive director of mixology and spirits educator for Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada.
Projected Opening: Dec. 31
· All Coverage of Scarlet [~ELV~]
[Photos: Scarlet]

8) Tivoli Village: Poppy Den
Address: 440 S. Rampart Blvd.
The Players: Angelo Sosa and Bill Feather
The Situation: The former Top Chef contestant and the former head honcho over at Planet Hollywood Resort teamed up to open an Asian gastropub in the former Petra space. Look for a rustic environment inside and a poppy garden on the patio.
Projected Opening: Dec. 31
· All Coverage of Poppy Den [~ELV~]
[Photo: Bradley Martin]

9) Crystals: SHe by Morton's
Address: 3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The Players: Morton's, Jonas Lowrance and Eva Longoria
The Situation: The former Beso and Eva convert into a 1920s-era dining and nightlife spot complete with fashion shows, a new entrance outside of Crystals and a larger outdoor patio.
Projected Opening: Dec. 31
· All Coverage of SHe by Morton's [~ELV~]
[Photo: Bradley Martin]

10) Downtown: Krave Massive
Address: 450 Fremont St.
The Players: Kelly Murphy, who has Drink & Drag already at Neonopolis.
The Situation: Murphy is relocating his Krave from the Miracle Mile Shops to Neonopolis to create the world's largest gay nightclub. Five themed dance rooms — covering house, top 40, hip-hop, country and Latin music — will be inside the former movie theater. A martini lounge, a members-only VIP lounge called Indulge Private Lounge, Tickled Pink comedy club, a performing arts theater, an LGBT movie theater, a retail store and a lesbians-only dance lounge are among the proposed venues within the club. There's even talk of a 20,000-square-foot pool being built in front of the club, complete with cabanas.
http://vegas.eater.com/archives/2012/07/25/its-huge-krave-massive-aims-to-become-the-largest-gay-nightclub-in-the-world.php
Projected Opening: Portions open Dec. 31
· All Coverage of Krave Massive [~ELV~]
[Photo: Facebook]