Christmas Dinner In Las Vegas

December marks a special month for the Stirling Club. Eight years ago, the club opened with special guests that included Cheryl Tiegs, Alana Stewart, James Caan, and Jack Nicholson (among others). Who might be seen this year is anyone's guess.

But what won't be a guess is how many people will visit Las Vegas during the holidays. It won't be slow. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is anticipating as many as 300,000 visitors per day, spurred on by a host of events that include the opening of City Center; Cher performing at Caesars Palace, through Dec. 20; and Garth Brooks ending his retirement to launch a new show at Wynn on Dec. 11.

With so many people already making plans to visit, the Stirling Club concierges are making a list of holiday menus and Christmas dinner possibilities. To help narrow the choices, here are five top picks for a Christmas dinner in Las Vegas. Enjoy.

Five Top Spots For Christmas Day Dinner In Las Vegas.

The Stirling Club. The Stirling Club will host a grand buffet created by Chef Charlie Palmer and his team of executive chefs with two seatings at noon and 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. Seating is extremely limited and reservations are required. $49.95 per person and $19.95 for children under 12. One of the outstanding features this year is a special appearance by Santa Claus and his elves.

The Stirling Club is also hosting two Christmas Eve dinner seatings at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in The Stirling Room. The dinner features an a la carte menu with special holiday creations and prices that reflect the benefit of membership.

Verandah. Under the direction of Chef Michael Goodman, Verandah at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas will feature a traditional menu with a choice of free-range oven-roasted turkey, braised short ribs with tiger prawns, smoked herb-crusted organic salmon, and a vegetarian assortment. Service will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. $77 per person and $36 for children ages 4-12.

Pinot Brasserie. Located at The Venetian, Pinot Brasserie is featuring your choice of a three- or four-course menu with three entrees that include sea scallops with a celeriac remoulade, rack of lamb Niçoise with ratatouille gratin, or pavé of New York strip with potato mousseline. The menu was developed by executive Chef Eric Lhuillier. Service begins at 5:30 p.m. $55 per person for three courses; $65 person for four courses; and $15.95 for children under 12.

Andre's. Located at the top of the Monte Carlo, Chef André Rochat will offer a complete menu ranging from free-range chicken and veal pot au feu to Colorado rack of lamb and Maine lobster thermidor. Service begins at 5:30 p.m. As an a la carte menu, dinner will range between $60 and $120 per person.

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro. Located inside The Palazzo, Morels will feature an 8-ounce filet mignon with a whole Maine lobster, accompanied by a wild mushroom risotto, with a petite parsley and asparagus buerre blanc red wine reduction. Service is from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. $75 per person.

For more Christmas dinner options or assistance with reservations, members may call The Stirling Club concierge. Members visiting from other cities are also encouraged to make their Christmas dinner selections as early as possible, as many venues will have limited hours and/or seating. Some may have a dress code.

Five Exclusively Unique Gifts For 2009

The Stirling Club Courtier has created its top five exclusive gifts for 2009. All of them represent some of the most exclusive finds that people are talking about this year, and all of them include an element of originality, including the price.

Along with our top five quick picks, The Stirling Club is sharing several of its upcoming special events for the next two weeks. Like the exclusive gift picks, they all represent events that you cannot find anywhere else in Las Vegas. Enjoy!

1. Life-Sized Lego Sculpture of You, $60,000

Nathan Sawaya is considered the world's foremost independent LEGO artist, using LEGO exclusively as his art medium of choice. When he isn't touring along with The Art of the Brick museum show, this freelance artist accepts commissioned work from individuals, corporations, and almost anyone with a good idea. During the holidays, some of those good ideas include building a life-sized LEGO sculpture of anyone, based on nothing more than measurements and a few photos.

2. Limited Edition Fighter Motorcycle, $110,000

There are only 50 P120 Fighter Combat motorcycles available, with 45 of them being offered in the 2009 Neiman Marcus Christmas book. Featuring a 120-cubic inch radial twin engine that delivers 160 horsepower, the ride is described as informed, pure, and explosive. It's yet another success for Confederate Motor Company, which was founded in 1991 to create the most holistic, avant-garde process in motorcycles.

3. Stuart Weitzman Tanzanite Heels, $2 million

First spotted at the Le Vian party in Las Vegas, these silver leather designer heels flaunt 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. The shoes were the collaborative efforts of Stuart Weitzman teamed with jeweler Le Vian. Given the exclusivity of this single pair, you might have to settle for one of the other wonders from Stuart Weitzman, who is responsible for designing five of the world's top ten most expensive shoes.

4. One Night in the Royal Penthouse Suite, $65,000

As much as it would be nice to attribute it to Las Vegas, the world's most expensive suite is the Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, up from $33,000 per night last year. The four-bedroom suite occupies the entire top floor of the hotel and has bulletproof windows and doors. The suite is popular with international diplomats. The hotel itself overlooks the imposing panorama of the Geneva Harbor at Mont Blanc. In Las Vegas, the current ooshest publicly available suite is the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at The Palms, which runs as high as $40,000 per night.

5. Holiday Membership Gift at The Stirling Club, $200*

Admittedly self-serving to include membership at The Stirling Club as one of the most exclusive gifts of the year, the Holiday Membership Gift is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a member of a premier private club in Las Vegas. This special gift, which is only available through an existing member, is ideal for referred family and friends. The membership does require a modest administration fee* (no initiation fee) and monthly dues, based on the level of membership they prefer.

You can discover the property amenities at The Stirling Club site, but the real benefits of membership tend to be what happens here all the time. Here are some highlights over the next two weeks. (Reservations are required.)

• Designer Sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3. This special member event features up to 80 percent off fashions from Versace, Just Cavalli, Galliano, Torras, and others. The sale also includes some rare and exclusive gems and settings selected by Fred Paris.

• Chanco - Rahman Piano Duo, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4. Aileen Chanco and Raja Rahman have been performing together since they were students at The Julliard School, which is one of the one of the world's most prestigious performing arts conservatories.

• Kids Art Class, noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. Taught by 'Art Classes for Kids,' this special family event in the North Lounge teaches children (and those young at heart) how to paint gingerbread houses, reindeer, poinsettias, of abstracts for the holidays.

• Member Holiday Open House, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10. Set in the Stirling Room, this festive members-only event includes complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

• Hanukkah Dinner, starting at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11. A special Hanukkah dinner and Menorah lighting will take place in the member dining room. A special menu insert will also be available during the holiday.

These events are all in addition to regularly scheduled live entertainment, Sunday brunches, and Monday night football parties in the cigar bar. For more information about any events, please refer to the The Stirling Club newsletter.

For non-members interested in becoming members and then taking advantage of the Holiday Membership Gift program, please contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive membership director, at 702.784.4603.

Bryan Brothers Swing Into Las Vegas For Tennis Camp

A few days ago, former Wimbledon doubles champs Bob and Mike Bryan released a new five track album, Let It Rip. The album comes complete with a new single, Autograph, featuring debut from British tennis star Andy Murray and Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic.

While most critics are advising Murray and Djokovic keep their day jobs, everyone is giving props to the Bryan Brothers for pulling it together. The release of the new album also comes just in time for Camp Bryan 3 on Dec. 12-13 in Las Vegas. The event, immediately following the Zeno/Canon Tennis Challenge in Florida, includes cardio tennis workout, clinics, round robin play, an amateur challenge, a pro-am tournament, and Bryan Brothers Concert.

"I play a lot of pro-am tournaments but Camp Bryan was the best of them all," noted Michael Scott, the winer of last year's Camp Bryan. "The Stirling Club was first class and the competition was high-level. I was fortunate to play with Bob Bryan and win first place. My prize tickets to the 2009 French Open!"

Camp Bryan III will be the last opportunity this year to work on tennis skills with the twins, who have dominated the doubles scene with over 54 tour titles since their first tournament at age six. In fact, at the writing of this post, the Bryan Brothers are currently competing in ATP World Tour Finals, hoping to win the rest of their matches en route to the title and finish the season atop the rankings much like they began the year.

They were ranked first after claiming their seventh Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the Australian Open final. They hope to be there again.

All funds raised at the camp benefit USTA-NV Junior and Multicultural Tennis Programs. All four courts at The Stirling Club are clay, which offers a better quality of play, easier movement, and a softer surface. (Among the top rated in the city.)

Stirling Club members may participate weekly clinics throughout December. Marty Hennessy, tennis director, is also organizing a Holidays Ladies Round Robin Doubles competition in December. For nonmembers hoping to learn more about tennis programs offered at The Stirling Club, contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive membership director.