Las Vegas Getaway

Sunday, I attempted to surprise Jodie with a 3 day getaway to the Mirage sans Moxie and of course that never works. She found out from checking my iphone where I had forgotten to remove my email receipt for the room, and then her brother spilled the beans as well but I didn’t warn him it was a surprise so I can’t blame him either. So while it wasn’t a surprise it was a fabulous escape.

We checked into the Mirage Sunday afternoon on the 20th anniversary of the original opening of the resort and got a rate of $80 a night plus $50 in credits to the Buffet. They upgraded us to the 24th floor with a partial view of the strip, which was really nice. The rooms have just undergone a complete renovation and while don’t compare to the rooms at Encore they are really modern and a few steps above a Marriott which is what I am used to.

Our first order of business was a bite to eat at BLT Burger in the casino. Burger joints are all the rage in Vegas and everyone is trying to out do each other. BLT Burger is Mirage’s offering and is in the space previously occupied by Sigfried and Roy’s white Tigers. We shared the Kobe beef sliders. There were three in all, one was with too strong blue cheese, one was the signature BLT which was too smoky and the last was with barbecue and onions which was the best of the bunch. They were a little under-cooked but still okay which is better than the last two places I have ordered burgers at and they said they can either get them medium well or well done, if they don’t trust the quality of their meat why should I. Back to BLT, they are also known for their milk shakes which was the high point of the meal. We shared a Twinky Boy which is Vanilla Ice cream, a Twinky and Carmel sauce blended, and it is to die for, is should that read it is to die from. So good…

Next we took a nap from the over dose of sugar and watched some TV which is much more enjoyable without a little girl asking to watch Mickey the entire time. After the amazing race we went out for a walk and dinner. We went next door to Joe’s Stone Crab at the Forum Shops of Caesars. This is a Lettuce Entertain You re-do of the original Joe’s Stone Crab from Miami Beach and they do a really nice job. We shared a bowl of the Stone Crab bisque, the onion strings and 5 Large Stone Crabs. Everything was top notch and just delicious. Glad that there is another one in Chicago.

Next was a walk through the rest of the forum shops and to buy some Christmas presents for Moxie at F.A.O. Schwartz. By this time it was 11 and they were closing so we sundered back to our room.

Monday, we actually slept in which is a big deal for me, also sad that 8am is sleeping in, i’ll take what I can get. We started over at the Forum shops where we left off and went through Caesars to see all the new construction from the past few years. It doesn’t even look like the same Caesars. We walked back to the mirage and used our free passes to Sigfried and Roy’s secret garden and looked at the Dolphins and tigers and lions oh my. It was really interesting and amazing to see. They have all 40 of Sigfried and Roy’s animals right there at the Mirage. It isn’t something I would probably do again and I doubt I would have done it if I would have had to pay for the $15 per person admission as it just isn’t that much to it, but I’m glad we got to see it.

Next up was a nap and then something else we didn’t have to pay for. Dinner at the Mirage Buffet, Cravings. Jodie and I went back when they first opened and it was really good. This time not so much, Not one thing stood out, and no where close to being worth the $50 it should have cost. We ended the night with a walk through the Grand Canal shops at the Venetian and watching the newly redone volcano at the Mirage.

We were both able to sleep in again Tuesday morning and started out with breakfast at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in the Venetian. It was very good but over priced. We then got a late checkout and went back to bed till noon.

After we checked out we drove down the strip to the Planet Hollywood resort to have a sandwich at Earl of Sandwich. Their sandwiches are so good. My first experience was at Downtown Disney when they opened their first one in 2004. They have branched out a little with about 13 locations across the US mostly in Florida and Texas.

We then drove back to the in laws to our little princess who was glad to see us.

Thanksgiving Week

So this week work took me to Pittsburgh on business. We had 2 all day meetings discussing an upcoming project which I will be a part of. I also found out that I may have one more trip before the end of the year, Maine, and while Maine isn’t the best state to be in in December I always enjoy it, but the flight will be a little long.

That brings us to Thanksgiving week. We started by taking Moxie to ‘My Gym’ at the district in Henderson.

I'm not a fan of the ball pits either.

On the incline board with mom

We are looking for some activities to keep the Mox busy over the next month while we are still in Vegas. It doesn’t really compare to ‘The Little Gym’ that we are used to from Arizona and will have Moxie in again when we get to Illinois. It was very corny and I felt Moxie looking at us and saying: ‘Mom and Dad, I’m so above this, why are they talking down to me.’ The highlight was BBQ afterwards at Lucille’s and a nap. While Mox and I napped Jodie helped her mom get her Grandma home from the hospital. She had surgery to get a vein that was 90+% blocked cleared out on Wednesday. She’s now home and doing well.

Today is Sunday and I had a big surprise planned for Jodie. I arranged for Jodie’s mom to watch Moxie for 3 days and made reservations at the Mirage from Sunday-Tuesday just to get away since I have the week off. So like usual Jodie ruined it by seeing an email with the reservation confirmation, so I had to cancel it. Ok, not really but maybe that would teach her not to look at my mail. One of these days I’ll surprise her but I just don’t know how yet. Any suggestions?

Thursday we are having Thanksgiving dinner with Jodie’s Family and a couple of tag alongs, . Jodie and I are responsible for the Dressing (Aunt Irma’s Famous) and the potatoes (Jodie’s Famous).

Moxie is talking more than ever and always has something to say or contribute, she is just amazing. Jodie took her to the park on Thursday with her cousin and a friend and she just couldn’t get over how kind and sweet our little girl is.

I think that is going to all for now, I’ll post some pictures of our mini trip when we return.

31 days till Florida, not that I’m counting.

Misc Pictures:

Our View of the Strip from Mon Ami Gabi a couple weeks back

Photo Update

Blue Diamond Road to Bonnie Springs

Blitzen

Moxie testing out her Jedi Mind Tricks

Moxervations

Sorry for all the postings today but I have a little time so I’m taking advantage of it.

Moxie is doing awesome, enjoying the time with Gus (the in laws dog) and of course grandma and grandpa. She has this new thing where she makes me backup across the room and then puts her hands up close to her and says ‘i’m gonna get you, i’m gonna get you’ and then tickles me. it is the cutest thing I have ever seen and want to tape it but she will stop the minute i try.

Sunday we took her to bonnie springs ranch in Red Rock Canyon which is an old ranch that has a petting zoo and old west town and train and restaurant. She LOVED petting all the deer, and goats and pigs. They had a reindeer, two bobcats and a wolf. We had lunch at their restaurant and walked around. Had a really great time. I’ll post pictures as soon as I get them off my camera.

Yesterday she wore her first ponytail. It was so cute, very short but it still counted.

Vegas Day 5

Day 5 was my Birthday. Woke up early like usual and went to Whole Foods to try and get a Breakfast sandwich which they changed for the worse, so ended up getting bagels from Einstein which is always reliable.

I went to Massage Envy for a massage which was so nice and relaxing and spent the rest of the day with the girls.

At 7:00 we went and tried a new restaurant which has a lot of Yelp 5 star reviews so had high hopes and of course was let down.

We started with a completely flavorless onion soup and a so-so spinach salad. Skipped the appetizers and I had the ‘signature’ bone in rib eye that again was completely flavorless. It was cooked a perfect medium but there was no flavor, no great tenderness, nothing that stood out. I had it topped Oscar style which was nice and added the only flair.

Jodie had the Sea Bass which was served over wild mushrooms and topped with Crab Victoria. The fish was perfect as were the mushrooms. The crab was seasoned with Thyme and Rosemary which was just awful and took away from the fish. She added the butter poached king crab which again was seasoned, this time with parsley which again took away from the clean flavor the the crab and while I have had butter poached lobster before, the crab did not taste like anything had been done other than boiling.

The only high point were the sides. We shared the Creamed corn and the bacon and Gruyère mashed potatoes. Both were perfect.

Service was very good as well but we will not be making a return trip.

We finished up the evening by seeing a Cirque Du Soleil showing of ‘O’ at the Bellagio which was amazing. There is so much going on, on stage that its almost impossible to catch everything but it was oh so good.

There are only 2 Cirque shows in Vegas we haven’t seen yet-Love which is themed to the Beatles and Believe which is a Chriss Angel show which I have NO interest in. There will be a new one called Viva Elvis opening next year at the City Center which I’ll wait to decide on.

It was a good day and a good birthday.

Vegas day 4

Today we made the trek to Pahrump. It’s a small unincorporated town of 24,000 just west of Las Vegas and it’s claim to fame is the closest brothels to Las Vegas, however the reason we went was to visit the Winery for lunch. It’s about an hour drive from Vegas and you go right through the Spring Mountains to get there.

Joe and Maureen found it somehow and kept raving about the lobster bisque so we had to go and try it. Everyone at the table had a bowl, and while it could have been a little hotter it was very flavorful and creamy with nice little pieces of Lobster throughout. To accompany it I had the Turkey Bacon Club and Jodie had the burger. Everything was decent but nothing was to rave about. Moxie enjoyed the trip and was the entertainment.




Since we were at a Winery I had to try some wine. I only tried three. The Symphony which was my favorite, the Desert Blush and the Burgandy.

In the afternoon Jodie and I went and saw ‘Taking Woodstock’ and ‘Extract’. Neither one was great but both were entertaining.

For dinner we went across the way from the Town Square Theater to the Cadillac Ranch and shared some appetizers. Nothing will make you feel older than going to a Bar and Grill with a bunch of 20somethings. Jodie and I are officially old.

After feeling so old we wanted to do something to feel better about ourselves so we went downtown to Mermaids Casino. In this seasons ‘Kathy Griffin:My life on the D-List’, Kathy took Bette Midler to Mermaids to have some Fried Twinkies and Oreos and Jodie and I had to go since we are going to miss the state fair this year. We choose the right place to feel better about ourselves, I have never seen such a group of people in my life, it was beyond words. We got our Twinkies and Oreos and got out of there, and they were worth the trip, they were delicious.

Tomorrow we don’t have much planned but are going to another nice dinner and going to see Cirque’s O at the Bellagio.

Vegas day 3

Thursday, I’m starting to relax a little more, at this rate by Tuesday I’ll be able to sleep in but can’t because I have to go back to work. Glad we are taking 2 1/2 weeks off in December. Hope I can relax then.

We went to Jodie’s Grandma’s to let Moxie spend some time with her Great Grandma and we took a Metro Pizza Stuffed Pizza. Came home Moxie and I got a little nap and Jodie went and got a Manicure and pedicure.

For Dinner we splurged and went to another Top Chef Restaurant. Fleur De Lys in Mandalay Bay. The Chef Owner is Hubert Keller who was also on Top Chef Masters and Jodie and I really enjoyed him and his cooking.

It was the best meal we have had in years. Beautiful dining room and excellent service.

To begin they served us complimentary Moscato D’Asti which is an Italian Dessert wine, and while we are not drinkers, it was so light and refreshing, Jodie had seconds.

They next brought the Amuse Bouche which was a beet served on a dollop of Goat Cheese.

I had the 7 course tasting menu and was pleasantly surprised by each and every course. Started with Ahi Tuna over a shredded fennel slaw.

Next was the silkiest creamy onion soup I have ever had with just a touch of black truffle.

Then to the veal ravioli, wasn’t bad but wasn’t a highlight like the next course:

Which was a poached hamachi fillet served with a ginger sauce and mushrooms. So delicate and just full of flavor.

That was followed up by the best lamb i have ever encountered, served over a couscous with a mango chutney.

The pre-dessert course was a mango gelato served on banana bread, swimming in a coconut soup containing strawberries, tapioca pearls, and fried plantains.

The final course was the low-light for me, a molten chocolate banana cake with a cup of espresso. I felt that the bitterness of the espresso really ruined all the beautiful flavors of everything else but i didn’t eat enough and didn’t allow it to affect my incredible meal.

My wife had the surf and turf which was a prime fillet with a butter poached lobster. It was served with a potato puree that is precisely what potatoes should taste like.

The entire meal was beyond words and lived up to my HIGH expectations.

The final Chef Offering were little lemon cookies served with a chocolate Ganache.

The Service was excellent and while expensive i felt it was worth the money. My only complaint is $5 for 8 oz. soda’s. I’m OK with being gouged on the food but not on the soda’s. All high end restaurants do it but I’m still not a fan of the practice.

To finish out the night we went to Town Square and walked around and watched People. It was a fabulous evening.

Tomorrow we are off to Pahrump. Stay tuned.

Vegas Day 2

Day 2 in Vegas and I still can’t relax. I find my self checking emails and getting up around 6. It’s not fun getting older.

We started the morning by running a couple errands and going to breakfast with Jodie’s Mom. We went to Shoe Lab to try to get my work suit case repaired, and that was a bust as they wanted to charge $30 for replacing a zipper pull and $45 to replace a screw. Luckily they sort of showed me how they were going to do it so that is on the agenda to do tomorrow.

Breakfast was at Green Valley Ranch Station at the Original Pancake House and was great as always. Moxie loves their bacon and Jodie and I love everything else.

Jodie and I got go out on a date and we went and saw ‘Hangover’ in the afterrnoon which was hilarious and then out to dinner.

View of the MGM/Mirage City Center from the parking Garage:

Dinner was at RM Seafood at Mandalay Place which is on the bridge between Mandalay Bay and the Luxor. It is owned by Rick Moonen who is a ‘celebrity chef’ who was featured on Top Chef Masters. He was actually in the restaurant which was really nice to see. That was one of the things we enjoyed when watching Top Chef Masters, how the Chefs were actually forced to cook and shop. Things they probably haven’t done in a long while.

Fresh and tasty Seafood. This was our second time to try RM Seafood and this time it was excellent. Our first time around left something to be desired, wasn’t bad but wasn’t memorable either. This time made me want to come back.

Jodie and I shared the steamed mussels served with garlic bread and the Garlic Tuna appetizers which were both as fresh as possible and bursting with flavor.

For our dinners we shared the seared scallops served with a scalloped corn and the fish and chips. the scallops were perfectly cooked and complimented by the corn so perfectly. They also had a touch of Lemon Verbena on top which added a nice flavor component. The fish and chips was crispy and so delicate, I didn’t want to stop eating.

The service was very attentive and kept our drinks full.

Chef Moonen was on site in the dining room which is always unusual to see and he even offered one table a tour of the kitchen. Just wish it had been us.

Rick Moonen

We will definitely go back.

Pictures of the Dam Bridge

The Hoover Dam Bridge project has finally completed the twin arches. It is supposed to be completed late 2010 after delay after delay. It should save us at least 20 to 30 minutes in the commute to Vegas.

Surprise, we are home

We made it home last night around 8. Everything is good and its wonderful to be home. The grass was up to my knees in the back but we spent a couple hours in the yard this morning and its back in shape. The investment to keep the weeds gone was the best one we have made in a while. Usually when we come home from being gone for 3 weeks we have to spend 2 days picking weeds, not this time. There were maybe 4 weeds.

On the way home we of course go over the hoover dam and they are making nice progress on the bypass bridge. Here is a nice picture i got from Vegas Today and Tomrrow website. I can’t wait for it to be completed. It will probably save us at least 20-30 minutes.