The Stratosphere Casino & Tower has been sold to Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds. The deal includes Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Arizona Charlie's Boulder and the Aquarius Casino in Laughlin. The purchase price was $1.3 billion.

The deal is expected to close by year's end, but little is known of the buyer and no plans for the casinos have been made public. The Stratosphere, tallest building west of the Mississippi, has changed hands several times since its inception.

PALMS BISTRO: The new buffet at the Palms, the Bistro, has opened. There's American, Italian, Asian and seafood — the latter including crab legs, fried fish and crayfish. There's gumbo, corned beef and cabbage, breaded mushrooms in garlic butter, barbecued ribs, a carving station, and several of the Palms' famous soups — all for prices lower than the Las Vegas norm: $7.99 for breakfast, $9.99 for lunch, and $16.99 for dinner and brunch. Show your player's card for discounts.

OPEN AND SHUT: The great Michael's gourmet restaurant has re-opened at South Point, having completed its move from Bill's Gambling Hall (formerly Barbary Coast). Back at Bill's, upscale restaurant Drai's has closed.

Q. How big is Vegas relative to other U.S. cities?

A. Las Vegas, with 1,778,000 residents, ranked as the 28th largest city in the nation in the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 poll, coming in behind San Antonio (27th), Kansas City and Orlando.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.