By Scott Cronick
As the old saying goes: “One’s loss is another’s gain,” and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City recently made a big score by naming Betty McHugh “Property Maitre’d.”
Anyone who has been a regular to Caesars Atlantic City – or even dropped into Nero’s Italian Steakhouse – over the last three decades or so, knows McHugh. Hell, the casino even wisely named an Italian-themed restaurant in the back of Nero’s after her, calling the now-closed eatery Betty’s Back Room.
But when Nero’s closed in September, McHugh had some tough choices to make: Stay at Caesars in a different capacity or accept a job from one of her multiple suitors.
So, after more than 30 years, McHugh decided to head to North Beach and accept a job Hard Rock created just for her.
“My restaurant was closing, and this great opportunity came, and I was looking to do something different, and that lands me here as property-wide maitre’d,” McHugh said. “It’s different from what I was doing because I am spread throughout the casino and not just in one room. But I feel like I am such a good fit for this job. It’s been great, and they have been so welcoming to me.”
If you don’t know McHugh, you’re in the minority. The stylish, short-haired, always-smiling, restaurant-savvy, customer favorite started her career in Atlantic City at the former Playboy Casino before accepting her first job at Caesars – Milt & Sonny’s Deli – in 1988, leading to her managing many Caesars restaurants over the years.
“I was the first woman maitre’d in the city,” McHugh said. “I always wanted to work with people, and I learned pretty early on to stay on the floor and talk to everyone. I talked to every single person I could, and that’s how I became so in love with people. Every time I would talk to someone, they came back to see me, and I realized that was the key to being successful in any type of business, especially the food and beverage industry. It’s about building relationships and creating memories that last forever.”
Now, McHugh’s job is to create Hard Rock memories. She will literally bounce around Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro and Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill, as well as Plum, the high-end players club steps away from Kuro, to create experiences with customers and build relationships like she did at Caesars.
“I am the face of these restaurants, so when they come in, they see me. I want them to all feel like they are at home. It’s a lot different vibe here at Hard Rock than anywhere I worked,” said McHugh, who still holds a special place in her heart for Caesars. “You want to dance when you walk in. There’s energy and excitement. I was walking in one day and I thought, ‘This is my job?’ I am so lucky.”
McHugh will also help seat guests and ensure guests are having top-notch experiences.
“I am going to make enough time and spread myself around,” McHugh said. “I began concentrating on Council Oak, which is just a phenomenal place and the busiest restaurant I ever worked in, and now I will concentrate on Kuro for a bit. I am going to learn how to make sushi!”
If it sounds like McHugh is making the adjustment, she is. Did you ever have a doubt?
“Starting a new job after 30 years was a bit of a challenge,” McHugh said. “But the culture here is very loving and accepting. Their motto is ‘Love All, Serve All,’ and that’s me!”
‘Dance to the Music’ worth checking out
Producer Allen Valentine and the Hard Rock entertainment team have done it again.
Their latest collaboration, the ‘60s-themed “Dance to the Music,” not only keeps the casino revue business alive, but it does so in an energetic, fun and nostalgic romp with a stellar cast, perfect song selection, retro – yet contemporary – costumes and slick production values.
Performed 4 p.m. every Sunday through at least Dec. 18 at Sound Waves, “Dance to the Music” may be the best Hard Rock revue show Valentine and his team have offered there so far, and that’s saying something since we have been treated to everything from “The Rat Pack” to “Motor City Live” to “Disco Live.”
Like all of Valentine’s shows, “Dance to the Music” benefits from a live band, this one standing at eight pieces with a horn section, plus a cast of eight singers and another eight dancers as they deliver an hour’s worth of ’60s classics.
Standout numbers included a seven-song Beatles medley introduced on the huge video screen with an Ed Sullivan clip while the dancers wore costumes inspired by the “Sgt. Pepper’s”; a stylish take on “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”; Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight (Evreything’s Alright)”; a campy version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” complete with audience participation; a nicely delivered California-themed set with a Beach Boys medley capped by The Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin’” featuring a perfect trombone solo; and a great finale with the trippy “The Age of Aquarius” and the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’.”
There are moments that Valentine may want to revisit, particularly the two-song Elvis medley that falls flat and doesn’t capture the essence of the The King, and there are times when the cast’s energy devolves into scream singing, which can be a bit grating.
Otherwise, “Dance to the Music” has all of the moves and grooves you would ever want from a ’60s revue.
It will be exciting to see what Valentine and Hard Rock have up their sleeves next!
Halloween treats at Beer Hall
Here are some places you may want to check out this Halloween weekend:
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Alantic City will host two Halloween parties.
On Friday, Oct. 28, Suzanne Muldowney, best known as Underdog from “The Howard Stern Show,” will pay homage to the 25th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel by performing her interpretive dance “The Dracula Archives” and “The Dracula Fashion Show.” She will be joined by punk rock accordion legend Malcolm Tent and rockers 1Adam12. It all starts at 8 p.m. No cover.
Then, on Saturday, Oct. 29, the Beer Hall’s annual Halloween party with the rock band Quasimodo’s Bride will be ’90s themed. So wear your best Britney or “Scream” outfit for cash prizes. The band starts at 9 p.m. with costume contest at around 11 p.m. No cover.
Ocean Casino celebrates Philadelphia
It’s a big week for Philadelphia sports fans as the Phillies begin the World Series against the Houston Astros on Friday, Oct. 28, and the Eagles play two games: Sunday, Oct. 30, against Pittsburgh, and then again on Thursday, Nov. 3, against the Houston Texans.
Ocean Casino Resort is celebrating these winning teams with two signature cocktails that will be offered at The Gallery, Ocean’s sportsbook, and TopGolf Swing Suite, as well as its Lobby Bar starting Friday and going through the end of November.
The Red October ($14) features American Harvest Organic Vodka, simple syrup, cranberry juice, grenadine, club soda and cherries. And the Philly Phizz ($14) features Midori, American Harvest Organic Vodka, lemon juice and lime juice topped with club soda and garnished with lime.
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
