Friday, February 14, 2025

Letty's Cafe

Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekly Recap Feb 8 - 15 2025  Las Vegas NV

Las Vegas NV

There are a few things that were on my list for this trip but the $Canadian dollar is making me rethink.
We did not do Omega Mart when we did Area 15 last year, but a friend highly recommends it. But ticket prices range from $54 - $64 US depending on day of the week. Sure, I can get a discount of $5 from other selected vendors. At an average price of $60 US that is $90 CAD X2.
Do I really want to see it that badly?
John and I agree we'd rather spend our money on dining experiences.

We have been looking at shows to see, nothing really jumps out at us. There are some big ticket stars playing here but again, I'm not willing to fork over $1,000 US for a couple of tickets. 
We've already seen Shania Twain and Garth Brooks at home, and we went to Columbus OH to see Blake Shelton.

We laughed as we walked by a discount ticket stand and the guy shouts "Barry Manilow tickets!!!" John looks back at him and says whoopty do!!! 
Can you imagine Donny Osmond is still performing here! We saw Donny and Marie in 2013.

Saturday 
Steps 8,800
We were both up at 7. We had strawberries MEXICO with our yogurt. Strawberries were 2 X 16oz for $5.
We were going to head out early but John went to the car for the backpack and said it was cold!
So we played around until after lunch to head out. It was sweater weather 18C.

I've never seen so many holy rollers preaching here and in front of Paris.


I've cropped the photo so you can see/read the signs and note that he is standing next to the rather good looking guys available for topless photos.






I didn't see the second S until John pointed it out!


I had to leave the sign in this photo!


Our first stop is Bellagio for the Lunar New Year of the Snake display. Click here for more photos.







Chocolate fountain in Bellagio.


We decided to wander through Paris.










Planet Hollywood

Tipsy Robot

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Sunday Superbowl 
I was up at 7, John 8. We went out at 10:30, nice and quiet on a Sunday.


We went to Von's, the one on Twain because it has a bakery, to finalize our meal plan for this week. I still find it weird to find slot machines inside a grocery store, on the left.


Never seen rotisserie turkey before.


These are gigantic subs.


Seriously, groceries are cheap here! Where do you get Lays potato chips buy 2 TWO and get 3 THREE FREE???? That'll last us until we get home. I did notice that chicken stock was way more expensive than at home?
Eggs, expensive but there is a shortage. Still not as expensive as I saw in Palm Springs.


Today's order $108, after savings of $40 (Von's member price) is the equivalent of ordering 5 beers on the Strip plus tip!

And there is nothing better than making your own sandwich to your desire! For me - bologna (don't judge me, I buy it once a year), tomatoes, scallions and lettuce.
John - bologna, cheese and lettuce.


John watched golf and then we both watched the Superbowl pre-show.


The commercials were interesting.
Rocket Mortgage decided to turn the lens on the human spirit and the drive that fuels each individual with a dream. And Rocket Mortgage found the perfect song with “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The company ended the commercial with “Everyone deserves their shot at the American Dream.” That’s when the program cut back the coverage of the game. And somewhat surprising, the entire stadium was singing the song. 

What a surprise, the phone rang, and I expected a timeshare sales person. No, Housekeeping, did we need anything? I asked for another pot and a potato peeler...delivered. Garbage taken away.
I feel like I am in a Mexican resort, so much housekeeping, unlike when we were in Palm Springs.
They called because we had left the do not disturb sign on the door this morning when they do they daily rounds.


Monday 
Steps 11,940
Monday Mural Desert Hot Springs CA.



We were both up by 7. I planned our weekly (loose) agenda and menu.
We then headed out after lunch when it warms up.



Inside MGM Grand.
Who is Joel Robuchon? 
Joël Robuchon ( 7 April 1945 – 6 August 2018) was a French chef and restaurateur. He was named "Chef of the Century" by the guide Gault Millau in 1989, and awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France's best worker) in cuisine in 1976. He operated more than a dozen restaurants across Bangkok, Bordeaux, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Macau, Madrid, Monaco, Montreal, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and New York City. His restaurants have been acclaimed, and in 2018 he held 32 Michelin Guide stars among them, the most any restaurateur has ever held.He is considered to be one of the greatest chefs of all time.

He must be good, the fixe prix is $525 US, not including wine or tip.
Andrew, no salad sandwich here, either!


I'll take the food court.





Across to New York New York. We had stayed here in 2013.





NY NY food court, one of my favourites.













Into Park MGM, a totally smoke-free casino! 



We popped into Jason Aldean's Kitchen, what a farce. Hostess says, go ahead sit at the bar. No seats at either bar. All other (empty) tables set for dining. We go to sit at a hightop in bar and are told no, we have to sit at bar, fist come first served. We walked out, funny way to treat your paying customers, considering the place was half empty. We can better spend our money, anyway, gave him the finger, as he is a tRumpster!!

We went into the Cosmopolitan to find our Wednesday restaurant, good thing, it took us two rounds to find it, hidden in plain sight.

We did spend our money, less than classless Aldean's, at the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan.


The Chandelier in Las Vegas is three floors of lounges serving different cocktails, each with its own singular vibe. But the overall effect is absolutely palatial and stunning. After all, you're inside a massive, three-floor, two-million-crystal chandelier that drips down three floors.


My favourite activity!! I just went down that hole writing this post!






We came back and Housekeeping had been in and tidied up including changing the towels and taking the garbage. Nice!


Tuesday 
Steps 8.780
I was sorry to hear that one of my favourite Toronto museums is closing.


We were up at 7, becoming a habit. We had coffee and puttered until 9:45ish and then headed out for breakfast and the Arts District.
GPS Guy (GG) was determined that we take I-15 so we did.
Since our breakfast choice didn't open until 10:30 we did some wandering.






You know an area is getting trendy when Marriot opens a boutique hotel (rates $250 -$400 US).
It is also home to the Pepper Club, a dining experience by celebrity chef Todd English.






Time to eat!!


We were the only customers but it quickly filled up with area workers.



Check out the menudo. I heard someone order it.




I had the Rancheros, no beans and tomatillo sauce. John had the chorizo and eggs with extra hot habanero sauce on the side.










We  strolled along Main St.



















I had a mission to find a newly restored neon sign. By mistake we went along E Charleston Blvd
before realizing it was on W Charleston Blvd.
But we caught the Blue Angel Motel.



The Neon Museum’s “Free Aspirin & Tender Sympathy” sign – loaned to the City of Las Vegas – has officially been relit in the Las Vegas Medical District on W. Charleston Boulevard. 
Dating back to the late 1950s, the Free Aspirin & Tender Sympathy sign was originally located on what is now Las Vegas Boulevard, which was previously 5th Street – a segment of Highway 91 linking Las Vegas to Los Angeles. 
The sign was installed at the former Allen Post’s Union 76 gas station, situated at 3758 S. Las Vegas Blvd. near the Desert Rose Motel and the Lone Palm Motel – locations now occupied by Park MGM and New York-New York Hotel & Casino, respectively.

During Kenneth Lehman’s ownership of the gas station, he continued the legacy of the “Free Aspirin & Tender Sympathy” and the “Ask Us Anything” slogans on the building and was quoted saying “You can’t put it on a sign and not do it.” In 2001, upon closing of the station, the sign was donated to The Neon Museum.


We decided since we were already in the car that we would go to the south factory outlets. Nothing, nada.
John reminded me that in 2024 we had made our purchases at the North factory outlets.

Wednesday
Another lazy morning, it was only 4C when we got up! John made us a late breakfast of bacon and eggs.
We whiled away the day. 
Meanwhile, back home the Management Office closed at noon due to the incoming snow storm!

We had decided we were not going to dine at any of the fancy celebrity chef restaurants. But José Andrés is a little different. Of course, our resolve may change...if Ramsay still has his jalapenos still on the menu!

Walking over to Cosmopolitan.



And the purpose of these is???


Looking down on the floore.



Yes, Andrew, we both said, hey, it's a Gillie and Marc!!!!




An innovative concept from Chef José Andrés, China Poblano combines the flavors of Mexico and China to create an experience that encompasses both authentic dishes and inspired new favorites.

Chef José Andrés, born and trained in Spain, moved to the US at age 21. He soon settled in Washington, DC, and began volunteering at DC Central Kitchen, where he started to think big about philanthropy. This path inspired José to found World Central Kitchen in 2010 after a devastating earthquake in Haiti. Since then, he’s pursued a mission to fulfill the words of John Steinbeck: “Wherever there’s a fight so that hungry people may eat … we’ll be there.”

It was a fun, energetic, tasty experience.



Char Siu For You! Cantonese-style barbecue pork ribs, marinated seasonal vegetables, green onion $16.88
Delicious, but only three pieces. Loved the pickles.


Fried Wonton 7pc Filled with shrimp and pork, served with sesame dressing $13.88


Mongolian Beef Lettuce Marinated beef seasoned with shishito peppers, onions, ginger, soy sauce and Chinkiang black vinegar, and wok-tossed with lettuce hearts $26.88


John looks happy that I suggested he have the Anejo (tequila) flight as "dessert".


Casa Noble   Siempre   Don Julio


Thursday 
We woke to rain so John moved his golf to Friday.
Incoming rain to break 214-day dry spell in Las Vegas; Mountain snow on the way.
A very rare sight in LV!! Grey skies and rain.


And back home it is a snow day as Toronto got 23 cm of snow!





Funny this appeared this morning - Chef José Andrés (from last night's China Poblano) is in Toronto.


We topped up our groceries for the weekend at Von's on Twain. We were finished by 11:15 and we knew Housekeeping was coming at 11. It was rainy and cold so we decided to visit a couple of casinos since we had the car. These are off the Strip so parking is free.
Silverton, we had never been to and I had heard they had done a multi-million dollar renovation of their older premises.



What fun when you walk in the door. Video






Shady Grove Lounge is your road trip to fun.
Kick back with some ice-cold brews, small plates of great food and game-time action on 12 screens, or try mini-bowling inside a 1950s Airstream trailer. You can even lounge under the canopy of an indoor North American Aspen tree. 






On impulse, we had planned on going home for lunch, we decided to grab something here.








John wanted to revisit New Orleans Casino, we had been here in 2013.







We came back and relaxed and watched a movie together. The weather continued to be miserable so we were glad we were eating in.





Friday
.

John headed out to golf around 10:30. 
I went shopping and got in 6,920 steps and a $10 sweater.
John hated the golf course, he said it had a creek running through it that was  stinking full of garbage. That's the first time he has made a derogatory comment about courses here.









He offered to meet me in Planet Hollywood but I was on my way back. We just enjoyed our afternoon.

Happy Family Day to Ontario!



COOKING
Groceries are very cheap here in Nevada! I like dining out but LOVE cooking our own meals. American restaurant portions are just too big and cause so much waste.

Saturday L sandwich
               D ham, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts
Sunday    L sandwiches
               D SUPERBOWL chili, bread
Monday  L Salad
               D leftover ham, potatoes, sprouts
Tuesday B OUT
              D leftover chili 
Wednesday B bacon and eggs
              D OUT
Thursday L OUT
                D chicken divan
Friday     L bacon and eggs
               D Costco steak green peppers onions garlic bread (IRELAND butter)

*****************************************************************************




WATCHING
We tried season 2 of Squid Games, but it didn't work for us.

Freefall Flight 174 True story of a brand-new Canadian airliner running out of fuel in-flight and forced to glide to the nearest airfield. Filmed in CANADA.

Blink Twice 2024 When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality. Filmed in MEXICO.

Wild Card 2015 When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play...and it's all or nothing. This was fun, filmed in Las Vegas and starring Jason Statham. LAS VEGAS
 
We started a good series Wilderness 2023. It is a British psychological thriller miniseries produced for Amazon Prime Video based on the novel of the same name by B. E. Jones. 
Liv and Will seem to have it all. A rock-solid marriage. A glamorous new life in New York. Until Liv learns about the affair. Enter the American road trip she's fantasied about. For Will, it's a chance to make amends, for Liv it's a very different prospect - a landscape where accidents happen all the time. The perfect place to get revenge. Primarily filmed in CANADA.

John watched Most Dangerous Game filmed in CANADA.

READING




I seem to be in vacation mode reading, nothing too complicated.

The Missing Wife There weren't any dramatic twists and turns. Nothing made me jump off my seat or intrigued me to read further.

I Dare You by the same author, this dragged a little and I really disliked the residents of the village!
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2 comments:

  1. AndrewFebruary 15, 2025 at 2:59 AM

    Ray always wanted to visit Las Vegas. I did not, my view made very firmly. But maybe we should have. I am sure I would have liked the Chandelier Bar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jackie McGuinnessFebruary 15, 2025 at 11:23 AM

      There's a lot to like in Vegas. We don't gamble. There are great bars and restaurants. And the people watching is something else.

      Delete

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