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Vegas-tastic Extravaganza (2/28 - 3/6) - Semi-Live

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by eliza, Feb 28, 2018.

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  1. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    My Trip Report

    It's that time again. I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to VEGAS!

    Shortly after the beating I took in Atlantic City in January, my Aunt called: "Hey I think I'm going to have to go to Vegas for work, want to come?" I'm a glutton for punishment, so of course I said, "Sign me up!"

    Unlike my norm, I'll be travelling with family for the whole trip - my mom, my aunt, and a cousin are with me for various portions. I'm excited because my family is awesome. But, a little nervous because I'm so used to solo-rolling Vegas and just doing my own thing. The family doesn't gamble much, so compromise will be the name of this game.

    Staying at:
    • Treasure Island (2/28 - 3/4) - courtesy of Aunt's work
    • Main Street Station (3/4 - 3/5) - comped
    • Four Queens (3/5 - 3/6) - comped
    All new hotels for me - so looking forward to it, even though it's a bit heavy on the hotel hopping.

    Warning: This TR Will Include
    Copious Alcohol Consumption
    Video Poker (though perhaps not as much as normal)
    A Weird Mix of Cheap Eats and Fancy Food
    Sigma Derby

    Things on My To-Do List
    Prime Rib Special Downtown
    Pizza Rock Happy Hour
    Stage Door
    Mac King

    Things Always On My To-Do List, But That I Never Manage to Do:
    Big Elvis
    Pinball Hall of Fame
    Finally Learning How to Play Craps
    Frankie's Tiki Room
    Bob Taylor's Original Ranch House
    Neon Boneyard

    This might be my trip to finally do touristy Vegas things that aren't gambling. My mom is with me the whole trip and she's (1) not a huge gambler and (2) not very comfortable exploring a new place on her own. So, I'm looking for ideas on non-gambling things to do that aren't ridiculously expensive --- any advice?
     
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  2. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    34F5CCB1-5176-46D6-9EFC-10F88B4EF14E.jpeg

    Vegas, baby!

    My mom and I had a mostly uneventful direct flight from DC. We had a row to ourselves - an empty middle seat makes coach so much more pleasant. Of course, we did get seated directly in front of the one loud talker on the flight. Everyone else is asleep/trying to sleep and this guy just won’t shut up - blabbing his entire life story to his new best friend who kept trying to shine down the conversation but failed. Luckily headphone + eye mask = two and a half extra hours of sleep for me. When I woke up? The dude was still talking.

    In a Lyft to TI right now. Debating the relative merits of Mon Ami Gabi versus In and Out for lunch. Both are amazing in their own right and I can’t decide what I want. #VegasDilemmas.
     
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  3. budroux2w

    budroux2w Low-Roller

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    Enjoy and good luck. Looking forward to the report.
     
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  4. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    image.jpeg

    Lunch time.

    image.jpeg
    First drinks of Vegas: Bloody Mary and Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade.

    image.jpeg

    Fried green tomato BLT.

    image.jpeg

    Blue plate special.

    image.jpeg

    Mac and cheese w fried chicken.


    So amazing. And now I'm so full. Time to cash in some $25 free play vouchers at Venetian that United gave us. #Winning.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2018
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  5. amk121

    amk121 VIP Whale

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    Have fun! Your trip reports have been great to follow in the past, so looking forward to following along!
     
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  6. RedChip

    RedChip VIP Guppy

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    Funny about the blabber on the plane. Food looks great and blackberry bourbon lemonade sound really easy to drink. Good luck!
     
    One night at the Gambling Hall...
    ...followed by two nights downtown
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  7. Mnguy763

    Mnguy763 Low-Roller

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    Have a great trip... may the luck be ever on your side. Looking forward to following along!
     
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  8. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    Blew $10 of my $25 FP playing slots with my mom.

    Then turned the $15 left into $17.50 playing VP.

    Savoring the feeling of being up for the trip --- won't last long I'm sure.
     
  9. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    image.jpeg Our view. Can't wait to see it tonight.
     
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  10. BlueBellThunder

    BlueBellThunder VIP Whale

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  11. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    Happy hour time.

    Wise Guy Hefe for me.

    98064491-BE80-4654-85D5-D136C1E6F2D7.jpeg
     
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  12. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    $1 Grey Goose Martinis and Ciroc Cocktails at Cromwell. Best happy hour in Vegas?

    image.jpeg
     
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  13. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    Confirmed: happiest hour in Vegas.

    55239BB0-3B2E-4B99-95AD-3DEB9946C8C7.jpeg

    Some of the aftermath. I think we’ll be back. Live music. Practically free Grey Goose. Great service (the cocktail waitress is a magician - no idea how she managed to get so many drinks out so quickly).

    Next up - Morimoto reservations at 8.
     
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  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice start! Is that $25 FP thing a generic United promo right now? Anyone know?
     
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  15. Texas Steph

    Texas Steph A Work in Progress...

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    Curious about this too... flying United in May.

    Trip sounds great so far! Have a blast and lots of luck!
     
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  16. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Hope you have a fabulous trip!
    Never had it before before Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade sounds divine and $1 drinks? Fantastic!
    Regarding things to do with your mom that are minimal to low cost, I'd consider the Bellagio conservatory for sure and, if you think she might like it, the museum exhibit ,which looks pretty interesting. I think it runs $18. The Mob Museum downtown would be great as you will be downtown anyway for part of your trip. I also love the Neon Museum though that is a short cab ride away.

    If she likes Bingo, she could hang out in the Plaza Bingo room while you play elsewhere. It's every other hour but she might be fine on her own in the "off" hours anyway.
     
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  17. Mnguy763

    Mnguy763 Low-Roller

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    Are those full size martini glasses? Or are they scaled down? I wouldn't complain about a smaller pour of goose for a buck either way.
     
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  18. GamblingGolfer

    GamblingGolfer VIP Whale

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    I'm just missing you! At Luxor tonight, and leaving in the morning. Have a good time!

    GG
     
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  19. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    I think it's a generic United promo right now. My aunt also got one on her trip. Before arrival the flight attendants passed out little blue boxes - they contained a cloth thing (shoe shiner? electronics wipe? who knows!) and coupons including: $25 free play, 2-for-1 Signature Cocktails at Dorsey's, free cocktail with purchase at Chica, 30% off Baz, and $25 daily resort credit when booking with the included code.

    Thanks - those sound like great ideas!

    They were small - probably around 1/2 of a normal sized martini --- so still a great deal.

    Sorry to miss you. Hope you had an awesome trip and a safe return home.
     
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  20. eliza

    eliza Creepy Vegas Friend

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    Confession time: I would make a terrible food blogger. Morimoto was amazing, my pictures do not do it justice. Notably, I didn't manage to take a picture of a single dish until it had been partially eaten and I missed one dish entirely. Sorry, not sorry.


    Started out with a Casual Encounter - a cucumber themed cocktail.
    IMG_0014.JPG

    Then we ordered a bunch of dishes for the table.

    Spicy Yellowtail Maki

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    Pork Gyoza

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    Sticky Ribs (my favorite dish of the night -- and perhaps not coincidentally, the worst picture)

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    Pork Ishi Yaki Bop:

    IMG_0020.JPG

    There was also a duck confit fried rice in there somewhere that didn't get a picture.

    And a glass of wine (or two).

    IMG_0019.JPG

    I enjoyed watching the sushi chefs work - I would definitely come here again and sit at the sushi counter solo.

    IMG_0015.JPG

    All in all an incredible meal. There wasn't a thing here that I wouldn't order again, given the chance.

    Day 1 was overall a rousing success. Cromwell happy hour was awesome. Lunch and dinner were amazing. My mom is up $125 on slots (when mom is happy, everyone is happy). I'm up $17.

    No idea where tomorrow will take us, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2018
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