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But you don't need big bucks and you don't have to stay at The Water Club to enjoy the Sunroom, The Water Club's unique and relaxing lounge/restaurant that is open to non-hotel guests.

Living up to its name, the Sunroom is filled with natural light during the day as it overlooks two of hotel's pools - one indoor, one outdoor. With its own waterfall and tropical plants, including a pineapple tree, the Sunroom is a perfect place to grab a drink for casinogoers looking for a break from gambling or Water Club guests.

At night, the 40-seat room's stone and marble glow near the room's large fireplace as Water Club and Borgata visitors grab a drink before and after dinner. The small bar fills up quickly, as do the comfy lounge seats throughout the room.

"The only problem is that it's too small," says celebrity chef and Water Club consultant Geoffrey Zakarian, who oversees all food and beverage operations at The Water Club, including the Sunroom, spa, pools, and in-room dining. "We treat The Water Club as a very special place with different clientele than the Borgata. It's a place where people come who may not want to be around slot machines and just want to spend time in a resort. The Sunroom is a fabulous place where people can hang out and enjoy a light snack, have a bottle of champagne or great glass of wine, and just relax. We're seeing people come in here before dinner and returning after. The place just has a really nice vibe. There's no TVs, no distractions. It's just a lovely room."

"All of our ingredients are organic or natural," says Zakarian, owner and chef of Manhattan's Country and Town restaurants. "I use the same purveyors I use for the hotels in New York. We go the extra mile with quality. I am a firm believer that a lot of nickels thrown together make a dollar."

One of the most fun items on Zakarian's menu is his "reinvention of the cheesesteak."

"When I first came to Atlantic City, everyone raved about the cheesesteaks that were very sloppy and greasy," he says. "There's people that like that. There's another group, including myself, that doesn't like that. So we do it differently. We put aged ribeye on a very small French baguette with arugula, vinaigrette and provolone from Di Bruno's in Philadelphia and topped with fried onions, and serve it with truffle french fries. It's much lighter. It's the same basic ingredients, but it won't get all over you."

Zakarian says a cheesesteak, a chicken Cobb salad, the "Chocolate Pudding to Die For" - made with bitter dark chocolate and a layer of cream - and a glass of rose or bottle of champagne equal a great meal in the Sunroom.

Like Zakarian's food, the drink menu follows the freshness rule with organic mixers and fresh puree juices.

"It's like the club service you would get in a trendy club in London," says Zakarian, who has appeared on NBC's "Today" and Bravo's "Top Chef." "This city has never seen anything like this. We are going back to the way martinis should be made and how bartending should be. Not only do you get a youthful crowd that's young and happy, you also get your drink made properly.

Top drink sellers include the Improved Hemingway Daiquiri and the Old Virgin, both made with Cruzan single barrel estate rum and fresh juices. Zakarian also recommends the Domaines Ott rose, available by the glass.

"We knew the summer would be great here, but we really believe the winter will be just as exciting," says Zakarian, who is at The Water Club two days a week. "The indoor pool will become more of the place to be, and this is such a charming room, it's going to draw people. I am just so happy to be there. To work in a culture that really appreciates the finer things and what you do is a real treat."

Celebrity sightings

The sold-out Bubbapalooza at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort - Bubba the Love Sponge's tour of his radio show that is famous on Howard Stern's 101 on Sirius Radio - drew some well-known Stern names. Stern sidekick and stand-up comic Artie Lange performed for more than 45 minutes, right after Sal "The Stockbroker" Governale offered about five minutes of stand-up. Lange stayed in a suite at The Water Club, which he proclaimed was the nicest room he has every stayed in. Stern friend and stylist Ralph Cirella was also back stage but refused to come out to say "hi" to Bubba fans. Stern Fan Network owner "Mutt" was acknowledged by Bubba in the crowd.

Former Eagle All-Pro wide receiver Mike Quick broadcast live from the Rumba Lounge at the Tropicana last week.

Madame, yes the puppet made famous by the late Wayland Flowers, made an appearance at Boogie Nights at Resorts Atlantic City.

Phillies relief pitcher RJ Swindle was seen gambling at Harrah's Resorts, where he stayed on Sunday night.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry hung out at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino's Beach Bar.

Former Oakland A's slugger Jose Canseco, in town to get knocked out by Vai Sikahema, enjoyed a post weigh-in dinner at The Palm in the Quarter.

A.C. Country Club events this week

Atlantic City Country Club, owned by Harrah's Entertainment, has two dining events worth checking out this week.

On Thursday, July 17, the "Nine & Dine" event features a shotgun start for nine holes at 4 p.m., followed by a dinner that includes Mandarin salad, crab cakes or chicken Francaise and homemade vanilla ice cream. Price is $75 per player; $45 for dinner only.

On Friday, July 18, the "Lobster Grille Spectacular" costs $64.95 and includes a large menu that features grilled whole Maine lobster from the grill, bone-in chicken, steamed clams, corn on the cob, salads, vegetables and dessert. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and includes professionally selected wines.

Call 609-236-4465 for reservations.

The Who returns

Rock legends The Who, with original members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, will return to Borgata's Event Center for a Halloween show on Oct. 31 on their Maximum R&B tour. Don't let the ticket prices scare you - $97, $375, $325 - The Who always delivers.

Wine dinner at Palm

The Palm at the Quarter is offering a Benzinger Wine Dinner 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, featuring wines from the winery's organic and biodynamic vineyards.

The $95 event includes appetizers like purified oysters on the half shell, imported cheese and carpaccio of prosciutto di parma. Courses include crab cake with cucumber mango relish and roasted pepper aioli, double cut lamb rib chop with goat cheese polenta and a sundried cherry demi, choice of New York strip or cedar plank roasted wild Alaskan halibut, and molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Call 609-344-0483 for reservations.