Mangers: One night at Mirage, one at Four Seasons, two at the ‘Dust. Nearing voting age, Mirage forever will be stuck with substandard bathrooms but everything else that can be done to keep the place sharp and relevant seems to be on management’s radar screen. It’s hard to let go of the over-the-top tropical look in the wake of the remodel. On the other hand, a tired lineup of restaurants is going, going, gone – with the exception of one of our Vegas top-10 eateries, Onda. Four Seasons -- what needs to be said? If you’ve never experienced the outfit that Terri and I look to first for uniformly impeccable comfort and service in the hospitality game, do so at a Four Seasons in a getaway spot of your choosing. And the we-didn’t-even-ask upgrade to a suite was just an extra dollop of cream. Stardust – thanks LVA for two free nights. Nice sleeper hotel. VP: Aces with a kicker, twice … on Jacks. What else is new? We played BP for a good four hours at the ‘Dust on a minimal buy-in and took out what we left behind at the Palace. That’s it for the gambling exploits, which is about par for the course for us. Golf: DragonRidge and Angel Park Mountain. The former is a potentially outstanding track done in by the developer’s lust for homesites. Too bad. Unbelievable views from throughout most of the course. Some great par 3s and thoughtful short 4s. Great closing 5. At $145 through Stand-By a value play … which screams volumes about what’s wrong with the Vegas golf scene. Mountain remains a solid mid-market play, and infinitely better than Palm. Full details coming in 2007. Food: Some of our dining plans went awry, as is often the case with anything planned in advance. Lunch at Commander’s is in my estimation the best dining deal in Vegas, even if you don’t drink. We had a couple marties, a half-price split of Pouilly-F, and two three-course meals, one from the 1880 menu and the other being chef’s daily special. We started with turtle soup and crab/potato cake, had pecan-crusted catfish and boudin for mains and closed the deal with Foster and bread pudding “soufflé.†Service was off at times, which I’ve never experienced before. But it’s the Big Easy, which has the market on manana syndrome on this side of the border. Sushi King. We ate dinner at SK twice. I had sushi both times, on the second go around Terri had one of the dinner combos, with fork-tender ribeye and butterfish (black cod marinated overnight in miso) as the mains. We’ve never come across better sushi in Vegas, and none of the carpet joint show palaces can compete if price is factored in. Other stuff … MC Brew Pub. The beers were indifferent. Actually, they sucked; we had IPA and wheat. Great pizza, though. Usual gonzo-sized breakfasts at Peppermill; not the usual quality, particularly the chick stock-tasting Hollandaise. The new café at the Palms kicked ass and at about 60 percent of the price. Chocolate mousse cheesecake at Stage: mmmmmm. Border Grill is as good in Vegas as it is in Santa Monica. As for the Foundation Room, it is ALL about the view. SkyLofts: We toured the new-ish SkyLofts at MGM Grand. One word … hot. Friends: Marc, Cathy, Bruce, Lorraine, Wendy, Becki and Bethany … thanks for joining us for my 45th. You’re all a bunch of good eggs. Merry Christmas: I had the distinct displeasure of catching O’Reilly and Foulmouth on Fox the other day. Talk about whiners. Wow. Can you imagine parading through life that paranoid and that pissed off? Anywho, Merry Christmas to all, even for those who think Adam Sandler wrote the best seasonal tune (he did, btw). And to me: Feliz Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and Season’s Greetings work just as well. Let’s all just enjoy. And speaking of the Season of RW Angst ... go see the Conservatory!!!
It was great seeing you Ken. We had a great time, and I got the job I interviewed for Tuesday morning!
Can you do it the other way? El Co to 4S......:evillaugh. (just pulling your chain friend)....NOPE....(I already know the answer) It is, isn't it..... .....if we ever golf together, remind NOT to play the courses that are a rip off....2007????.....Can I get an advance copy??? Don't come to my side then... Back bacon, anyone????? Well, at least they did one thing right.......Man CAN live on pizza and beer...... I ain't THAT trendy.....(thank God)..... "THAT... is... what...it...is...all....about...... No. The Bellagio is a nice place to wander about, this time of year..... Happy Festivus, to all..............and to all....A Good Night!!!
Sounds like another fine trip! I'm envious enough over the stay at Four Seasons, then you go and mention the suite to boot. Nice! I think they'd have to drag me out kickin' and screamin'.