Ellen and I took a two day visit down to the Horseshoe down on the Ohio River.
It used to be a Caesars but they rebranded (which probably made sense given the area) about three years ago. Other than the hotel exterior which looks just like the Palace tower in Las Vegas and the name of the boat (Glory of Rome)all remanants of the previous identity are gone.

The crowd was very thin and they had the majority of the tables closed. The VP is still good with 9/6 paytables on everything 50 cents and above. The bonus and double bonus schedules were decent too.
They keep bringing in the new theme slots. This time it was "Sex and the City" nominally a penny slot that is actually a $6 slot. Ellen made a couple hundred off it. It is focused about bonus spins up on a video screen.Choose Charlotte's dress, pick Samantha's gift, etc. The big win is to get all the shoes. The person next to us hit a $1400 jackpot with 15 pairs of shoes.
They are rethemeing the "Villa Buffet" to the "Paula Deen Buffet". This was still in progress but seems like a good marketing decision given the clientele. The buffet quality dropped pretty severely when it changed from Caesars so they had to do something.
We ate at Binion's Steakhouse which met expectation. Not great, not bad. Its crowd was also very thin and most of the restaurant was not in use. To be fair, it was mid-Week.

We were comped for the rooms and used points for everything else except since this is Indiana they can not pay for alcohol.

Just the name Paula Deen Buffet should attract a crowd. It's the most attractive buffet I've heard of in a very long time.

Have you tried the Binions Steakhouse in Las Vegas?

Thanks for the trip report. I hope you make it out here soon.

JMT, funny that you mentioned Binion's Steakhouse.

I have guests coming to town and have been checking out some of the old time LV dining spots which I have not visited in a very long time .... and a few nights ago I took the elevator ride up to Binion's Steakhouse to see if there were any changes since my last visit.

I have to say that it looked nice and inviting (very subdued lighting somewhat on the dark side with a view towards the Strip that was very nice) but there must have been only six people in the entire restaurant.

Have you dined there recently?

Am also considering Hole in the Wall which at one time had a great reputation. My first and only meal there many years ago was Veal Picatta which was terrible, but I was told that a bad meal there was very rare .... so I'm willing to try it again.

And Piro's?

And Pamplemouse?

And Michael's which is now in the South Point and looks empty when I peek through the glass fronted door. (I'm more than likely looking a bit too early.)

Any comments on any of the above or other old time LV dining spots would be appreciated.

I love Paula Deen! However I think I'd be very suspect of a buffet named after her.

I have never thought of Paula Deen as whoring out her name for money. I certainly wouldn't expect her to be in the back cooking. I wouldn't even expect the quality of food you get from the places here in Vegas with a famous chef name, and that chef is never there. I am curious as to what level of input she had in that deal. Still, it's the most attractive buffet name I've ever heard.

For Paula Deen fans, she has been running a contest where fans send in a recipe. I don't know the details. Anyway, a Las Vegas woman was one of 16 people that will fly out to ??? for a cook off where Paula will be the judge. The winner gets a lot of money and maybe a Food TV offer. The Las Vegas woman will compete with 2 others in the appetizer category.

eric and ellen-not sure if i am asking the right people but how is the dealer doing? or what is the dealer doing?

Yes, the ex-dealer is our son.

He got laid off in early 2009 when business turned sour. He did not have enough time to have recall rights and actually I do not think that their business has improved enough for them to be bringing back staff.

Harrahs Tunica has had a Paula Deen buffet for awhile now and when you get full you can go to the Paula Deen Suite to rest up.

I hope youall read my message titled We Love the Horseshoe in So. Indiana. I think you will enjoy it. We live above Louisville and it is about a forty five minute drive . Now being a member of Total Rewards lets us have comped nights fro Sunday thru Thursday if we wish but what we do is about every other month to break our boredom we will go up on a Thursday afternoon and return home on a Friday afternoon.