Las Vegas Jan 2008

Wednesday, January 16

Actually, the anniversary celebration started the day before, with dinner at The Basin (prompted by a water bill issue). Mischel had polenta salad, then their excellent liver & onions. I had the fois gras, then the mushroom rigatoni, and a one-cheese dessert, with apple and pecans. We shared a Stag’s Leap pinot noir.

Thursday, January 17

We flew SouthWest and checked into the Wynn.

Thurs Jan 17: over the Sierras

About 5:15 we were in the room and heard noise outside: there was fireworks on the roof of the new Palazzo hotel-casino next door:

Thurs Jan 17: Palazzo fireworks

Without a tripod, this photo became more like abstract art. The double lines are probably from reflections in the double-pane windows.

Thurs Jan 17: Wynn fountain & frog

The people in the water are statues.

That evening we had our anniversary dinner at the SW Steakhouse in the Wynn. Having just flown SouthWest, I was expecting southwestern cuisine; after a while I realized the “SW” was for Steve Wynn.

Thurs Jan 17: Anniversary dinner

Sharing seemed a good idea. We shared a Caesar salad, a porterhouse steak and a 2004 Stag’s Leap Fey cabernet wine.

Thurs Jan 17: Anniversary dinner

They provided a chocolate dessert, gratis:

Thurs Jan 17: Anniversary dinner

Friday, January 18

We took a cab to the Hilton Grand Vacations and checked out a two-bedroom unit in the condos for July. Then we walked to the Hilton casino, took the monorail to Bally’s and walked over to the Bellagio.

Fri Jan 18: Bellagio lobby

At the Bellagio we visited the Conservatory to see the Chinese New Year’s decorations, and had brunch at the café.

Fri Jan 18: Bellagio conservatory

It’s the year of the rat. Here’s Mischel with the rat:

Fri Jan 18: Bellagio conservatory

Then we walked back to Bally’s, and took the monorail to Harrah’s. We walked to the Venetian and saw the Guggenheim art show.

Fri Jan 18: Venetian lobby

Fri Jan 18: Palazzo happy egg

Then we walked to the Palazzo and back to the Wynn. Along the way, we gambled some, with no great success.

That evening at the Wynn we saw Spamalot, a one-act musical revue based on the movie “Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail.” It helps if you’ve seen the movie (yes) or at least some of the Monty Python TV series (yes).

Fri Jan 18: before Spamalot

That’s me on the right, wearing glasses.

Fri Jan 18: before Spamalot

A “grail” is a ceremonial cup; you could get one by ordering a beer or slurpee. I had scotch. After the show we had sushi at the Okada.

The Tryst nightclub is downstairs from the Okada. Somehow, they avoid the word “basement” – instead, it’s the “lake level”. We had no problem getting through the lines (preferred and other) for Tryst, as we obviously didn’t fit into that young well-dressed crowd. Later, in our room on the 28^th floor, we could hear the “music”.

Saturday, January 19

Back to the Palazzo: I checked on Mischel, who was at a 3-card poker table. Just as I walked up she was dealt a straight-flush for $600! A half hour later I checked again- she was at a dollar machine, trying to figure out why the reels kept spinning. She had hit a free-spin bonus for another $800!

We had lunch at the Wynn café. Late afternoon, we took a taxi to the Rio: back to the scene of the crime, where we were married ten years ago.

The Italian restaurant where we had our reception has been replaced by McFadden’s. The Rio still has the carnival show, on the hour from 6 pm to midnight.

The show is in the high-ceilinged part of the casino. There’s a stage with dancers, and more dancers (including some civilians) in different vehicles that slowly drive around, suspended from the ceiling:

Sat Jan 19: Rio carnival show

Sat Jan 19: Rio carnival & Mischel

The Rio has expanded, but generally the place seemed crowded and dirty.

We took a taxi to the MGM Grand, and had dinner at Emeril’s. We shared a shrimp appetizer. Mischel had mahi-mahi and I had a Texas redfish with a pecan crust. Both very good. The wine was a 2003 Paradigm cabernet.

Sat Jan 19: MGM Emeril’s dinner

Having mentioned our anniversary and declining dessert, the waiter provided a scoop of gelato with a candle, and flutes of an Italian spumante dessert wine: Michelle Chiarlo Nivole. A good alternative to champagne.

Sunday, January 20

Pack, taxi to airport, stopping at the MGM to cash two tickets found in my pocket.

The End is Near

All that’s left of the Frontier is the marquee, a pile of debris, and a port-a-potty:

Sun Jan 20: The Frontier

The End

The Wynn has the most consistently attractive cocktail waitresses, but the Rio has more interesting uniforms:

Sat Jan 19: Rio waitress show