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John Katsilometes
The last New York strip steak, slathered in the restaurant’s special sauce, served at House of Lords at Sahara.
Published Friday, May 13, 2011 | 1:27 p.m.
Updated Friday, May 13, 2011 | 1:27 p.m.
A photo of members of The Rat Pack at the entrance of the House of Lords at Sahara.
The letter issued to the Sahara's final guests.
On the final Friday the 13th, or Friday of any sort, in the 59-year-history of the Sahara hotel-casino, we can report luck both good and bad.
Good fortune will come to some 60 or so ticket-holders who will have their numbers called during a cash raffle that begins at the hotel at 7 p.m.
To comply with state gaming regulations, the property must liquidate all the money it has accrued to pay anyone who has hit a jackpot on the casino floor. That’s about $30,000, to be given out in $500 increments to anyone holding a ticket for the drawings that begin this evening at 7. Anyone wishing to pick up a ticket can do so at the once-regal hotel between now and 6:30 p.m.
However, anyone hoping to pick from the full menu at the stoic House of Lords is out of luck. Having dined there last night as part of my weekend stay at the hotel, I was met first by what was not available on the menu. Which is just about anything. At this writing, there are four or five prime rib dinners left, maybe a sirloin steak or two, salads, potatoes, asparagus and bread.
But all else -- the lobster, chicken and duck entrees and all desserts but creme brulee -- have been consumed. I think there are but two creme brulees left, and last night, I was the last guest to be served a New York strip steak in the hotel’s history.
Oh, and good luck finding red wine anywhere on the property, too. You have to know someone who knows someone to get a glass, which is fine for us teetotalers as long as the diet cola holds out.
But aside from most of the items bearing the famed “Sahara” logo, especially stationery and writing implements, the rooms themselves are in good shape. Clean, comfortable, great view of the Stratosphere and such L.V. Boulevard landmarks as the Holiday Hotel and Aztec Inn.
I left for a couple of hours this morning, and the housekeeping staff cleaned the room with customary care and aptitude, as if there is no end in sight for the hotel. But there is, Monday at noon.
No late checkout time, either, we’ve been told.
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My first Las Vegas stay was at the Sahara in 72 or 73. As a young man we walked to Downtown. It was quite the visit. I remember the great pool with a High Diving board. We drank something at the pool with Umbrellas in it. Bought some "special" sunblock because ours from back home was not good enough for the Las Vegas sun. Actually came home with $20 more than I left with. Don't know how that happened. Had an all-time best Caesar Salad in the Coffee Shop. We'll miss you Sahara, I wish we were both young again.
This is indeed sad. Goodbye Sahara.
I can't believe that anyone would have allowed that photo to get published! That looks like a wet dog turd accompanied by asparagus - a fitting metaphor for most of Las Vegas.
I have to wonder: if the hotel closed at 2, did those last rooms get cleaned? I sure hope so! Even if she sits empty, she should be looking kept up.