Atlantic City Weekly

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Where in America will you find a magnificent special-events center a quarter of a mile out over an ocean? Ride the elevator or escalator to the fourth level of The Pier Shops at Caesars, and when you arrive at One Atlantic you will find a charming facility that offers a beautiful view of the New Jersey shoreline and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The view from any vantage point at One Atlantic is breathtaking, particularly in the evening when the moon rises out of the ocean and casts its romantic spell upon those fortunate enough to be attending an event in this very special place. Its reception area is handsomely decorated with a bar and comfortable couches that have the equivalent of lamps with fire that is encompassed in a glass frame. In the evening, as the moon emerges into the sky from the ocean, a romantic glow is felt in the hearts of those who are viewing this most exciting scene.

Without a doubt, there will be many an event — be it a wedding, a bar mitzvah, a benefit function, a family gathering or the celebration of a special occasion — that the surroundings at One Atlantic will help to make a most memorable one. It’s a handsomely decorated event center that can easily accommodate 500 to a sit-down dinner. The selections for your dining pleasure will be prepared by outstanding caterers carefully chosen by the operators of One Atlantic. This is a wonderful addition to the development of Atlantic City as a destination center, and there is little doubt in my mind that people will be coming from around the nation to enjoy their special function in a very special facility. Welcome to Atlantic City, One Atlantic, we are delighted you are here and we congratulate you for your foresight in making The Pier Shops at Caesars your new home.

Neustadter Gets NBC Pilot

Scott Neustadter, a lifelong Margate resident who is the son of Michael and Annie Neustadter, teamed with Michael Weber in writing the script for the hit movie (500) Days of Summer, which last week was awarded the Independent Spirit Award for the best original screenplay of 2009. The award program was on television and his parents and family members where watching the presentation.

When Scott was called to the stage to receive his award, he proceeded to wave to his mom and dad, and then let it be known that his sisters and grandparents were watching the show. A few days later hollywoodreporter.com ran a story about it that includes the following: “Sixteen years after picking up a pilot about six single friends that would go on to become one of NBC’s biggest series ever, the network once again is green-lighting a Friends comedy pilot, but these new friends come with benefits. In a quick turnaround, NBC has picked up single-camera comedy pilot Friends With Benefits, from 20th TV and Imagine TV. The project written by (500) Days of Summer scribes Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber and to be directed by Wedding Crashers helmer David Dobkin, was originally set up at ABC in September with a script commitment plus penalty. After ABC passed on picking it up to pilot, 20th TV executives were able to secure a quick release. NBC immediately swooped in and green-lighted a pilot. Friends With Benefits explores modern-day romance through the eyes of five friends each looking for ‘the one,’ but in the meantime settling for ‘friends with benefits.’ Neustadter and Weber are executive producing with Brian Grazer and David Nevins.

Notes of Interest

Pinnacle Entertainment has finally agreed to take down the fence surrounding their property, and to replace the sidewalk and streetlights on Indiana Avenue that were removed when they demolished the Sands Casino Hotel. The ground will be filled in and have wild flowers on its outer edges. The Special Improvement District has been contracted to oversee the site.

The Old Homestead Steak House, one of the first restaurants to open in the Borgata, celebrated its one-millionth customer last Friday night. Eric Schepps, the lucky diner, will receive dinner for two at the restaurant once a year for life. The Old Homestead, which typically averages 800 covers on a Saturday night, is one of Borgata’s most successful fine-dining restaurants. Romeo DiBona has been the Old Homestead’s executive chef since its opening in July 2003. They have sold an astonishing number in terms of culinary items in their seven years of existence. The following is a list of how many of these items have been sold: 374,122 jumbo shrimp; 327,819 oysters; 319,563 filets; 216,528 clams on the half shell; 84,433 signature Gotham rib steaks; 64,899 New York sirloins; 10,387 whole lobsters and 10,365 20-ounce Kobe beef burgers.

The Atlantic-10 Men’s Basketball Championship brings March Madness to the seashore this weekend (see p. 44). The quarterfinal round doubleheaders will feature two doubleheaders on Friday, with the first session at noon and the second session at 6:30pm. The semifinal round doubleheader will be played on Saturday starting at 1pm. The final round will be played on Sunday at 1pm. The final game will be televised on CBS, beginning at 1pm. Single-session tickets range from $25-$65. All-session tickets are priced at $75 for bronze, $100 for silver and $200 for gold. Special prices for students are $15 for each of Friday’s sessions and $20 for the semifinals and final round. Beginning Friday night, the Pepsi Fan Zone, presented by the Nike Factory Store at Atlantic City Outlets – The Walk, will offer a fan-friendly interactive entertainment area located in the Ballroom of Boardwalk Hall, which is packed with activities offering fun for the whole gang. I hope to see you at the games!