ATLANTIC CITY—A few hours after arriving here for a four-day, early September visit ( with Windy City Times Managing Editor Andrew Davis ), I encountered my first link to the LGBT community.
Checking out the offerings inside a store at the gorgeous Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, I saw Andy Cohen's book. It was steps away from the overpriced candy bars. ( Sorry, but $1.80 is just a crazy price to pay for a standard-size fix of chocolate. )
However, Cohen's book was a steal at $3.
Yep, Cohen's 2013 release, Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture, was a bargain-bin price of only $3.
Cohen, 46, is the first openly gay host of a late-night talk show, and noted for his appearances on Bravo for the past 10-plus years. He hosts Watch What Happens: Live and is an executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise.
I guess they don't love Cohen in Atlantic City ( AC ).
But AC shows plenty of love overall for the LGBT community.
And the love certainly is at a fever pitch this time of the year, and that's been the case since 1991 with the annual Miss'd America Pageant, which successful, local life partners John Schultz and Gary Hill started. The pageant has long been held the Sunday after the Miss America Pageant ( also an Atlantic City fixture )—and the Miss'd show is done for fun, but is very competitive among the 10 female impersonators, seeking a crown and looking to raise money for local charities.
The Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance—a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to LGBT and LGBT-supportive businesses and citizens—runs the event, which will be held this year Sunday, Sept. 28, at Harrah's Resort. There also are specially-planned pre- and post-pageant events scheduled.
Carson Kressley of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fame will serve as the 2014 host, and Miss Victoria Parker is the reigning champion.
Participants have come from across the United States, organizers said, although there have never been any Chicago-based contestants. Pageant organizers asked which bars/locations in Chicago feature drag stars, hoping a Chicago diva will descend on The Broadwalk here in AC for the yearly late-summer showcase. ( See www.MissdAmerica.org for more info. )
In conjunction with the 2014 Miss'd America Pageant, there also will be the inaugural Standout Expo, Atlantic City's first LGBT business-to-business and business-to-community event, scheduled for Sept. 26-28 at Resorts Hotel Casino. ( For more information, go to www.standoutexpo.com . )
"As a resort destination, Atlantic City has opened its arms for many LGBT-related activities recently and I believe the city has made great strides," said Joe Lupo, senior vice president of operations for the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. "[The] Borgata is a destination that speaks to all demographics, including LGBT travelers. In addition to hosting specific events that speak directly to the LGBT market, Borgata's unparalleled product—including two AAA Four Diamond hotels, five celebrity chef restaurants, two destination spas, two entertainment venues, four signature nightlife venues, and exciting gaming options—offers something for everyone, with the opportunity for each visit to be as unique as the next."
Borgata's diverse entertainment program speaks to a variety of demographics. Performances by Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes and Erasure "assist Borgata in speaking specifically to LGBT travelers," Lupo said.
On Sept. 26, the Borgata will present "The Official Erasure Afterparty with Music by Tony Moran."
Earlier this summer, Borgata was a featured sponsor of Sand Blast 2014, hosting several events on property, including Women's Gaming, Ladies Tea Dance, and the White Party.
The Borgata also offers a "Pride" hotel package, starting from $209 per night, which includes a vista room at The Water Club hotel ( where we stayed ), breakfast-in-bed from Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian's in-room dining menu, two cocktails at The Sunroom lounge, access for two to the on-property fitness center and complimentary WiFi.
"[The] Borgata is committed to speaking to and working with the LGBT community to maintain its position as the preferred hotel-resort of choice in Atlantic City," said Lupo, who has been with the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa since its 2003 debut and he has worked for Borgata's parent company, Boyd Gaming, for more than 25 years.
The Borgata also offers gay porn on its in-room movie options.
"At Borgata, we believe it's important to offer something for everyone, and our in-room television programming is no exception," Lupo said.
The Borgata, which opened in July 2003 and now has 2,002 rooms, is the largest hotel in New Jersey and the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City. Of course, there are plenty of amazing food options when you're not dropping quarters in the slot machine or hoping for an ace-king combo at a blackjack table. There are, for instance, two fine dining restaurants that boast sthe names of their celebrity restaurateurs: Bobby Flay Steak and Wolfgang Puck American Grille.
The filet at Bobby Flay was cooked to perfection and oh-so-delicious. However, I did get a surprise with the chilled lobster-and-avocado cocktail appetizer, as it had onions—which are not my favorite and which weren't included on the menu.
I also went with a steak at Wolfgang Puck's, but didn't get—or eat—the steak I ordered. I ordered a bone-in New York, while my friend John, sitting next to me, ordered the ribeye. We each were a few bites in before we realized that they gave us the wrong steaks. Still, the steak was great.
Another person at our table ordered the risotto with shrimp, confit tomatoes, white corn, zucchini, basil and parsley. On looks alone, I'd give it a thumbs-up. I wanted to try it, but it was almost all gone before I could ask—I guess that speaks to how much he enjoyed it.
My favorite dessert at Wolfgang Puck was the carmelized banana tart. No one at my table, unfortunately, ordered the warm chocolate melting brownie tart, but I heard repeatedly it's a must-have for chocoholics.
Another option at the Borgata for those with a sweet tooth is the Borgata Baking Co. I must admit we made a few visits there during my time in AC. The store serves mouth-watering sweets and eats from executive pastry chef Thaddeus DuBois.
DuBois graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and formerly served as the executive pastry chef at The White House during the second term of George W. Bush.
The Borgata Baking Company offers euclairs, cake pops, whoopie pies, macaroons and more.
Other dining suggestions in AC include:
—Martorano's, located inside Harrah's Resort. I'll admit I'm not an Italian food fan. I don't really care for pasta, so I wasn't sure Martorano's would rank too high in my books. Boy, was I wrong. Tables have multiple waiters and multiple busboys, and they offered a look at the nightly specials via photos on their iPads. There were probably six entrees shown and at least three looked incredible.
I am so glad Andrew agreed to split our meals—both courses were great.
In fact, everything at Martorano's was delicious—and I can't wait to enjoy this entertaining eating experience again, be it at the AC location, or in South Florida, or Las Vegas.
—White House Sub Shop. It's a consensus must-visit among locals for its locally-baked bread.
—Tony Boloney is another AC original, which touts its indigenous Atlantic City inlet style pizza, award-winning subs and bad-ass grub.
My Atlantic City excursion wasn't all about eating; it also was about relaxing. ( Heck, why else would you even walk into a spa? ) Here's a thumbs-up to the massages at Red Door Spa, located inside Harrah's Resort; and the Immersion Spa at The Borgata Water Club hotel.
Hopefully, all of my knots are gone … at least for the time being.
A few final thoughts from this city of about 37,000 people. ( Yeah, I was surprised to learn it is that small, though it attracts millions annually, each hoping to strike millions. )
—The Burlesque Show at Borgata is entertaining and a bit edgy. Sure, it isn't for everyone, but I was entertained and not offended by the politically incorrect ventriloquist and his sidekick, who berated crowd members because of their age, ethnicity, etc.
The ventriloquist actually told the crowd, after his bit, that nothing he said was personal—it was just for laughs.
—United Airlines now flies nonstop from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Atlantic City. The flight is about one hour and 45 minutes on a one-cabin, 50-seat plane. Another option is flying into Philadelphia, which is about an hour drive away.
—Got to see the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tour stop in AC. There were great bodies all around and the play was intense. I also found my new favorite volleyball player: Summer Ross.
—Meeting all 53 contestants from the 2014 Miss America contest was very cool. I first spoke with Miss Texas and certainly had to have my picture taken with her, with each of us flashing the famous "hook 'em" hand symbol in tribute to her University of Texas.
Meeting Miss Illinois was extra special when she knew about Windy City Times and admitted she'd read it many times in the past. She even asked if the WCT office was "in Boystown." She is a teacher and certainly would get my vote for the 2014 title … if I had a vote.
—I wish I could attend the annual Miss'd America pageant. "Atlantic City needs to provide events that increase visitation, so hosting such a large scale event as the Miss'd America Pageant is helpful to all businesses that rely on tourism," Lupo said.
—Local legends John Schultz and Gary Hill have a multi-level home that goes beyond eye-popping. Let's see: There's a formal dining room with a table for 20, perhaps as many as 25. There's the wine room that would make some restaurants envious. There's a movie theater, with actual casino-style seating. The photo gallery features framed, color 8" x 10" photos of a who's-who of visiting celebs. The catering kitchen is bigger than that of many restaurants. The pool and spa were jaw-dropping. There also are four private suites for guests—each with its own kitchen.
Best of all, when talking to Schultz and Hill, Andrew and I agreed that they are super-nice, friendly, welcoming and just like anyone else.
On a more serious note, many may have read that Atlantic City has faced serious financial hard times this year. Four of 12 casinos have already closed, or will before the end of the year—and there is a possibility of a fifth closing, too.
The Trump Plaza ceased operations on Sept. 16. The Trump Taj Mahal may close in November, according early September media reports. Three other casinos already have closed, including Caesars Entertainment Corp.'s Showboat and the Revel Casino Hotel, which closed after being open for only two years. The casino closings have put about 5,000 people out of work.
In response, Lupo said, "The market has seen an oversupply in the eastern region; however, the Atlantic City resorts remaining open, especially Borgata, present a much different product than that of our competitors in neighboring jurisdictions. Therefore, we believe the demand will more suitably meet the supply in AC, make for healthier businesses and continue to differentiate itself with non-gaming amenities and a resort product not found nearby."
