Taking the Back Roads - 9/9 - 10/9

Checked into the Andaz Napa for two nights. Got upgraded to a junior suite with a small sitting area and a soaking tub (in the bedroom area). Walked around downtown Napa a bit and then had a drink at the hotel bar - a blueberry zin cider for me.

 

Dinner at Glen Ellen Star was fabulous. We sat at the counter overlooking the kitchen which was particularly fun.



Shared the wood-fired Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam. Nom.


I had a NY Strip with a glass of Pinot.

Aunt had the whole Branzino.


Glen Ellen is a little bit of a drive from where we are staying in Napa, but it was well worth it.

 

Those sprouts and steak look fantastic!

Thanks for taking us along

 

Love how both are plated. Is that stuffed squash with the steak?

 

Yep. It was squash stuffed with wild rice and carrots and then topped with a comte fondue. It was good enough to be an entree in its own right.

 

Breakfast at Andaz was good - smoked salmon eggs Benedict.



First tasting at Buena Vista vineyard. This place was gorgeous. We did a tour and barrel tasting, but they have a bunch of options or you can come and get wine by the glass to enjoy in the courtyard.

 

Second tasting today was up north of Santa Rosa at Reeve Family. Very serene location looking out over the vineyards. And some exceptional wines. They do a lot of single vineyard small batch wines - I’m a sucker for that.

 

Dinner last night at Angele. Very good meal. And bonus for being walkable to our hotel.

Bread


I started with a vodka based cocktail


We shared the escargot app


And a carafe of Pinot


Aunt had lamb


I had mushroom risotto


And we shared a caramel bread pudding for dessert


Up early this morning. Grabbed breakfast at hotel - just got the basic eggs and bacon breakfast, but it hit the spot.



Took I-80 to Reno airport to drop off aunt. Pretty drive over the mountains near Donner Pass. After dropping aunt off, I headed down to Incline Village on 431. What a drive! Even better than this morning - gorgeous drive over the mountain pass.

 

Casino #21 - Hyatt Lodge - Incline Village, NV

Smallish casino. But they have a nice big VP bar. No FP, but 8/6 jacks at $.25 and 9/5 with RF prog at $1. A 13 table lit - but only a handful ope. At 1PM Thursday:
BJ - $15 and $25
UTH - $10
Craps - $10

Was kind of shocked craps table was open. I won $20 and validated my parking pass (it’s $10/hr, but there’s a validation machine just sitting out at the cage for anyone to use).



They are decorated for Halloween with some real nightmare fuel.

 

Casino #22 - Crystal Bay - Crystal Bay, NV

Smallish casino right on the border of NV and CA. Handful of slots and VP plus a small pit with one $15 BJ table open at 2PM Thursday. But two nice VP bars. I won $25.



Tahoe Biltmore across the street sadly didn’t survive.

 

Casino #23 - Jim Kelly’s Nugget - Crystal Bay, NV

An even tinier place. Some slots, some VP, a small bar. No pit. I didn’t play, but glad I popped my head in. The Crystal Bay casinos don’t seem very prosperous. Who know how long it will be here.

 

Is the Tahoe Cal Neva still there?

 

I am absolutely loving your report. Thank you so much for sharing!! The food alone has me licking my monitor.

 

Sadly no. Google maps says it’s permanently closed.

That’s the plan - 50 pretty much all the way back to St Louis.

 

Those casinos on north shore have been there forever; I would assume they get enough business to survive (the Biltmore probably got sold for someone who just wanted out or something)
Believe me; during the season (mid summer or mid winter) even Jim Kelly’s nugget is lit.

 

When I visited Jim Kelly's Nugget, I asked the gentleman at the player's club counter for a card. He replied "why, it doesn't get you anything." So I said fair enough and went to the Biltmore. You didn't miss anything there either.

 

Checked into Harvey’s. Room is nice, but not amazing. The peekaboo view of the lake is very nice though.



Folks have a bunch of great suggestions on restaurants in my thread on the other forum, but I just don’t want to go out again. So booked a reservation for Friday’s Station - hoping I timed it right to catch the sunset.

 

Oh man. I managed to lose $725 slotting around around before I even found the walkway to Harrah’s. Had to psych myself back up - some days are just like that. And then managed to win $850 at Harrah’s before my reservation. So I’m about even! #Winning



Just sat down at Friday’s Station and have an amazing view of the lake!