Super Bowl Suds, Grub and Specials

NEWS & VIEWS

Plus Drew Toonz on GNR, Album of the Week (Leonard Cohen) and Diamonds for a Cause benefit

By AC Weekly Staff

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Feb. 1, 2012

"The Brady Bomb"

Super Bowl Suds, Grub and Specials 

Even though legalized sports betting has a few major hurdles to pass before it ever gets ratified in Atlantic City, there are always plenty of spots in the casinos (and region) to catch the big game. While the Borgata’s offering Super Bowl speciality cocktails all week through Sunday at its Long Bar, B Bar and Gypsy Bar — including the Manning Special for Giants fans and the Brady Bomb (pictured) for Patriots fans, among other creative concoctions (see recipes online at acweekly.com) — other casino restaurants, bars and lounges will be catering to Super Bowl viewers too. As an example, the new Harry’s at Bally’s, with its nine big-screen TVs at the bar, will be adding two more in its dining room, as well as a large projector screen for the game. There will also be drinks and apps specials. Caesars’ Toga Bar and Bally’s popular Mountain Bar will also offer Super Bowl drink and grub specials. Additionally, look through the pages of this issue for more area Super Bowl Sunday party specials. While your own living room or neighborhood bar may be a nice comfy spot to watch the Giants lose to the Patriots (sorry, Giants fans), there’s a little extra excitement watching the big game at a casino. Even without legalized sports betting yet. (Click here for full recipes and photos.) — JS 

Diamonds, and Charity, are Forever. 

When fundraising functions exceed all expectations from year to year, even in a down economy, it’s a sure sign an organization has been effective in spreading the word about the importance of assisting others in times of need. That’s certainly the case with Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS), which will be hosting a glamorous cocktail party called “Diamonds for a Cause” for the fifth year Thursday, Feb. 9, at Caesars’ luxurious Diamond Lounge. “Last year we raised the bar with an exclusive venue, delectable cuisine and lavish prizes, [and] this year’s cocktail party should exceed all expectations thanks to our amazing partnerships with both Caesars Entertainment and Tiffany & Co,” says Andrea Steinberg, executive director of JFS, an organization that provides varied services for over 3,000 people annually. The party takes place 6-8pm and all proceeds benefit JFS’s children and family services. Tickets are $100 per person, and in addition to a surprise signature drink, compliments of Zyr vodka, the event will feature a craft beer tasting with several of the finest American and imported brews. Diamond raffle entries can be purchased for $100 each, or two for $150, and the grand-prize winner will receive a stunning pair of Tiffany & Co. round brilliant diamond circlet studs in a platinum setting, and a private “Breakfast at Tiffany” with guests of their choosing. Additional prize drawings will include a Las Vegas getaway, an Atlantic City dine-around (dinner for two at Mia, Scarduzio’s, Dos Caminos, Luke Palladino and The Reserve at Bally’s), and a day at the spa VIP weekend at Harrah’s compliments of Caesars Entertainment. You need not be present to win. The Margate-based JFS is a non-profit, multi-service agency that provides a wide variety of services to children, families and seniors. Each year its “Diamonds for a Cause” event brings more than 200 of the area’s most influential community leaders together for a good cause. Call 822-1108 or visit jfsatlantic.org for more. — Ray Schweibert  

Leonard Cohen  

‘Old Ideas’ (Columbia) 

Leonard Cohen has been a poet, a ladies man, a devoted monk, a novelist, a Canadian and European superstar, and all of that, including his life devoted to the craft of songwriting, inspires his first new studio album in eight years. Like Bob Dylan’s 1997 Grammy Album of the Year Time Out of Mind, Cohen’s new Old Ideas deals with getting old (Cohen’s now 77), the struggle of existence, love, lust and, of course, spirituality —all with a sly sense of humor, which bobs and weaves throughout the 10 masterful new songs. Unlike Cohen’s great but too synthy Dear Heather (2004) and Ten New Songs (2001), Old Ideas features more live and acoustic instruments, including banjo, violin, piano, and Cohen’s unique flamenco style guitar. All the “old ideas” here are majestic ones. — Jeff Schwachter