NFC @ NFR (and Tahoe!)... thirteen days, six hotels, five hats

I'm having a very hard time imagining myself wanting to get to know Sheldon Adelson as a person.

 

Just binge read this whole trip report! Great job, awesome trip report, thank you for doing it

 

Alright, taking a chunk of time to update on everything since my last update. I can only write this update now, will try to get back to some of the replies tomorrow all in one shot.

Officially, we last left off at the Hooters blackjack table. Went to bed, got up, had breakfast, and headed over to the MGM Grand to catch the monorail up to the Convention Center to check out Cowboy Christmas.

The lion in the MGM Grand’s lobby seemed to be getting his rodeo on



So I joined him for a selfie!



Made it to the show. People aren’t kidding when they say it’s huge. I’d advise budgeting a minimum of 2.5 hours to see it all if you’re a fast walker like me, or at least three hours otherwise.





Here are some cool finds...

Real Louis Vuitton bags modified to be a bit more “country”.





Liquor taps with antlers for handles



And some very interesting lamps!



I went into this promising myself I wouldn’t buy anything. But we all know how that goes what ruined that for me was this coaster made out of cowhide. The only place I use a coaster is on my desk, and the one I use primarily is boring, so I figured this would be a cool upgrade.



Also got a pair of deerskin gloves. American made, very nice quality leather. They really stood out to me, so they were sold pretty much at first touch.



Dropped my acquisitions at the hotel and headed to Orleans. Watched barrel racing for a bit, then killed some time playing some slots, playing two machines again. Lasted about half an hour with $20 in each. A few wheel spin bonuses that always seemed to land on the lowest payout. Ah well. No cocktail server came by in this stretch as well. Though I don’t want to open up that discussion again.



Next, dinner. It was Prime Rib Loft - though I should preface this by saying it almost didn’t happen. I’ll tell you the story in order.

Got to Prime Rib Loft.



Checked out the dining room, nice-looking place.



Admired the view, and got a table with some of that view.



A closer look at the view, but standing up.



The server comes over, we exchange pleasantries. I’m now ready to order. I’d like the gamblers cut of prime rib. Now, you can see what that comes with. House salad or corn chowder to start, and choice of potato with the prime rib.



As some of you may recall, I have an allergy to potatoes, so I can’t eat them. In most situations, it’s an easy substitution to make. For breakfast, it’s usually sliced tomatoes instead of hash browns. For things like burgers, it’s usually salad instead of fries. For things like meat entrees, it’s usually rice instead of baked potato. I rarely encounter difficulty in making this happen. It’s also very rare that it costs anything, because typically these substitutions have a very low food cost in line with what potato costs. In some cases I will have to pay a standard supplement (e.g. $3 extra for salad instead of fries), which is perfectly fair to do, I think, if it involves using more expensive ingredients.

When my server got around to asking what kind of potato I’d like, I gave her the usual line of “I’m actually allergic to potatoes. Could I do rice or something instead?” She said potato was the only option, except for saying no potato.

I asked her, what about the rice pilaf? That’s on the menu and it’s even the same price as the potato. She said I’d have to pay full price for it as a side. I told her I’m not willing to do that, and politely asked if she can check with a manager to allow the change. She went and came back saying “we can offer a *tiny* bit of green beans, but that’s it”. I told her I appreciated the flexibility, but that substitution goes against how a meat entree is supposed to be served, with a starch - which is exactly why things like potatoes and rice are common sides to meat entrees.

So then I gave the ultimatum, I’d like it with rice, or I’m leaving. I assured her that I understood this isn’t her call to make, and that she’s simply relaying the information. But she confirmed that that’s all they’re able to do. So I thanked her, told her to have a good night, and walked towards the exit. I’m not paying $6 extra to have the equivalent of something that’s already included in the prime rib meal.

Approaching the exit, I passed by the host desk and asked the hostess if she has a business card for the restaurant. A man who I later discovered to be the Orleans food and beverage manager was standing right behind her and asked if there’s anything he can help me with. So I gave him a quick rundown of what happened and why I was leaving, and without even hesitating he said “of course we can do it with rice... your server tried to tell you we couldn’t?”. He assured me he’d take care of it. So I sat back down, my server came back confirming that it would be taken care of, and then I finally got my order in.

So now to the actual food part

House salad was decent. Ever since I gave up romaine, I came to realize that iceberg is actually quite a bit better. My go-to green is spinach, so this is the first iceberg lettuce I’ve had in a while.



Then the main course. A 14 oz medium rare thick cut prime rib with two “scampi” (it seems there isn’t a standard definition of what that word means, as discussed in another thread) and, of course, rice. All brought over on a cart, which I thought was pretty stylish. Californian red zinfandel to drink.





Overall an above average meal. The two “scampi” for $10 was a rip off I think. The prime rib itself was tasty and good value. But not worth paying $28 for compared to the downtown prime rib specials that go for less than half of that. The atmosphere and service was good though.

Then I went to the tables to try and sign up for the baccarat tournament. Which you’d think would be running that night considering they had multiple signs up that say there’s one on December 12. I asked two different pit bosses if it’s running, and both of them said they didn’t think it was. Great answer eh? I’m sure you can tell I am not fond of the Orleans.

Then went to watch the NFR in the showroom. Which I thought was pretty cool. The showroom itself is quite nice actually. They also had an MC hosting the event, engaging with the audience and doing giveaways. Doesn’t beat actually being at the NFR though.



On my way out, I saw another example of high degeneracy. A dedicated paycheck cashing line. Geez.



I also passed by the craps table, which had a minimum bet of $5, and there was this guy betting $500 on the pass line taking full 5x odds, and with about $400 on each of the numbers. That’s about $5,000 in total action per throw. He had a very unique line as he threw the dice, saying “keep it fun, guys!”.

Managed to sneak a photo



Now off to an unexpected place... Wild Wild West! As you know, I love my dive casinos, and this was very high on my list to visit. It’s about as divey as you could imagine it to be, but with some unexpected attributes.











As you can see, the hotel registration desk and the casino floor are very close to one another



Another angle



Other shots of the casino floor. Note the ceiling fans.





Blackjack was a $3 minimum, so I bought in. Didn’t go too well, from the dealer managing to pull an incredible amount of 21s and always on my big bets. Ah well. I view it as a donation to the place to keep it going.



Got two chips for my collection



Now, here’s the interesting part... I’ve NEVER seen a sportsbook with a non-digital display. Ever. Seeing the odds hand-written like this was a very unique sight to me.





Also, even more amazing... they actually have a transparent set of guidelines for comp drinks! Gotta love that



Then off to the MGM Grand for the poker tournament, which I already posted about.

Then off to Crazy Horse III, which you saw my anecdote about. What I have to say about the place other than that is that it’s probably the most high-pressure club I’ve ever been in. It’s not really that extraordinary from a perspective of the performers or the atmosphere. But I felt like a piece of meat from the moment I arrived. There seemed to be a pretty systemic process of taking me through several motions in the interest of persuading me into getting dances/bottles/etc.

I was also “assigned” a girl when I got in, who I hung out with at my table. I wasn’t crazy about her, but I got a few lap dances from her to be polite... both to her and to the club, since it’s an implicit obligation to spend a certain amount in exchange for comps like free limo and free entry.

Anyway, that all went until about 4:00 am, upon which I went back to Hooters to KO, getting to sleep around 5:00 am. Got up around 9:30 am, got everything packed up, and went up to Paris for the buffet.

Now, as most of you know, I don’t really care for buffets. They’re just not my thing. Paris, though, did something right with this buffet. Between the food quality and selection, and the layout, this buffet overcame a lot of the things that have me dismissing buffets in general.

Not much to say in terms of comments, so here’s a general picture dump.











Crepe station









I think I mentioned this in my earlier post... even with my lowly platinum status, there’s still a VIP entrance for the buffet, and you get a free alcoholic drink which includes champagne. I think that for $25 the whole thing is a pretty good deal for lunch.

Then ran back to Hooters to get my side bag for Tahoe (leaving my main bag behind at their bell desk, to be picked up when I get back on Sunday). Got to the airport, boarded the plane, landed, caught the shuttle, and made it to Tahoe without issue.

Love this sunset, and I can’t wait to see it from higher up during my snowshoe tour tomorrow!



The hotel itself is pretty sweet. If I calculated the rate correctly (it was a bundle on Allegiant), it was about $475 for three nights, including a Friday and a Saturday. For a Hyatt property, especially one with this many amenities, I think that’s an amazing deal.



They give you sparkling wine on check in, something I’ve only ever had done at a five star resort in Mexico.



In the lobby there was a giant wagon made of gingerbread. Very cool form of holiday decoration!



I got upgraded to a patio room, where I have a patio that walks right out to the pool area. Though you’ll understand shortly why that isn’t exactly important.





Went to Cutthroat’s Saloon for dinner (it was the only option other than their fancy restaurant, Lone Eagle Grille). Food was ehh. Hope the other restaurants are better than this.



Then went to check out the casino. I thought it was really cool, with a very authentic “cabin” theme.









Tables were $10 for blackjack and roulette, and $5 for the carny games. I’m pretty sure craps was either $10 or $15.

Never thought I’d see the “Hyatt” name on a table sign like this.



Then got two chips for my collection



Now for a swim. They have an indoor access area, where you go in the pool on the inside, and move down the “river” to go outside into the main pool. Pretty neat way of swimming in the winter.







That’s it for now. Going to play the day by ear tomorrow, and then going for my snowshoe tour at sunset, and likely to Lone Eagle Grille for dinner after that.

Talk soon guys!

 

There are times when that dedicated paycheck cashing line at the Orleans is backed up 100 people deep. I think they offer some sort of free play for cashing payroll checks (obviously with the hope/expectation that some of that cash now in your pocket ends up in theirs). In any event, the service is quite popular

 

I don't know of a casino that DOESN'T cash paychecks...lol

 

Or as a stripper...

 

I vote you spend time with the flirty bartender from the German restaurant over the stripper.

Who's with me?

 

You were really going to walk out of a restaurant because they wouldn’t give you a free substitution of your choice???

Dude, you are something else!!!

You obviously have never worked in the service industry. Servers probably cringe when they see you as a repeat customer...

 

Boy, do those gloves look familiar. Circa 1994. Lol

 

Cool board, but does Phoenix have a hockey team again?

 

I believe we have visited that little casino. We were driving around the area on a roundabout way back to Reno after visiting Lake Tahoe. We didn’t stay long because there was a cold weather front coming over and we didn’t want to be stranded there. It was early April 2017. Dad was amazed by the snow banks alongside the roads.

 

never knew potato allergy was a thing :shrug:

 

This is quite the trip! Re PRLoft - I agee with your approach. I think you handled it quite appropriately and I'm glad you ran into the manager. Yes, I also avoid ordering seafood unless I'm in a coastal city or I know it's been flown in very recently. Fyi, the 'Orleans' cut used to be $17 (now $24 after the remodel). We used to be able to get out of there under $60 including a decent bottle of wine.

Glad you made it to SLT - I've only been there in the summer, but agree it's a cool place ('cool' at least in the winter ... lol).

GG

 

I can't imagine there is a more miserable rich person in the world. Everything the guy does screams "I hate myself but hate other people more" or "I got mine, screw everyone else"

 

You're seeing some very cool things. The hotel in Tahoe looks pretty decent, too.

 

It sounds like your server at the Prime Rib Loft was in a bad position with some hidden person making decisions. Kinda like the player’s club at Boyd.

 

NotConcentrateMan,

Don't listen to these Wisenheimer's telling you to watch for solicitation and / or the probability you'll be beat over the head with a loaf of French bread by a pimp of the shorty over at Crazy Horse.

It's true that many are prostitutes, but there are many more that are not. They'll let you know before you ever meet face to face outside of the club if they're expecting certain donations.

The best advice came from one Eddie Rabbitt when he came out and said, "First step, you ask her out and treat her like a lady. Second step, you tell her she's the one you're dreaming of. Third step, take her in your arms and never let her go!"

Of course, this means you have to abolish this 'no casual sex' cancer that has overtaken you. You gotta knock them boots, baby!

Good luck, partner!

 

I think the cowboy hat should be your new go to hat. The Hyatt Lodge looks nice, very quaint.

 

Never seen a sports book that wasn’t digital is understandable, you’re just a “pup”!