Just received an e-mail newsletter from MBS touting a promotional rate of S$359 through the end of July that includes room upgrade and a S$50 "Destination Credit".

Most impressive to me, however, is the fine dining restaurant line up:

Tetsuya Wakuda is opening his first outlet outside Australia. His eponymous first restaurant in Sydney is one of the world's finest and definitely in my personal top 5.

Guy Savoy has up to now had his places in Paris and Las Vegas, both superb though architecturally different as night and day. Now there will be a third venue in which to sample his signature artichoke and black truffle soup among other haute cuisine trick or treats. Wonder what it will look like.

Big bad Mario Batali had to get in the act too. Meaning that Singapore will now host a branch of L.A.'s Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza.

Cut is the surprising top choice for steak in Vegas. You'd think ol' Wolfgang Puck would be mailing it in by now. But if Singapore is any comparison to the desert outlet, this place will more than satisfy any serious beef jones.

Naturally, Daniel Boulud had to sign on too with another branch of DB Bistro Moderne.

And Michelin three-star winning Spanish chef, Santi Santamaria (hate to admit I've never heard of him) is also opening spot at the Sands.

Only Santi and Guy Savoy are already open. More waiting for the rest.

Looks like a riff on a hawker centre is also scheduled to open in the basement, though I have to admit, it's going to be tough to get in the door of this place, other than to play a few games of chance. Even on this, I'm a little bummed that there will be no craps, no poker, not even any pai gow poker mentioned on the website.

--mcz