Las Vegas, 8th Time

 

Counts

Restaurants:  41

Ice cream/bakeries:  31

Hotels:  Imperial Palace, South Point Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, The Palazzo, Hilton at Resorts World, Conrad at Resorts World, Caesars Palace

Friday, March 15th, 2024 

Landed just before midnight.

   

Saturday, March 16th, 2024 

View from the room.

The first two night were at the Conrad in Resorts World. Last trip was the Hilton also in Resorts World.

Time to get breakfast.

Opened in 1989, Seigel's Bagelmania is a favorite for locals and tourists. It's decor gave me a Palm Springs vibe.

RABBI'S RUEBEN: Pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut 

DR. HOFFMAN: Brisket, mushroom, onion, peppers & provolone

A Smashin' Apple from Pinkbox.

Many make fun of Circus Circus for its declining reputation.

But I love it picturing 5 decades of families playing the midway, watching the trapeze artists over the gambling floor and 1971s Diamonds Are Forever was filmed here.

The AdventureDome was added in 1993, I first played in it in 2000.

Fountainbleau is The Strip's newest resort, though it was started in 2007.

Recessions and mismanagement caused a slew of delays.

 

And since opening it hasn't been busy and four top executives have left.

Real flowers.

It is a nice property.

Ubered over to Area 15, an activity, immersive, entertainment and food complex just west of the Interstate.

Loud music, a haze and darkness.

Different ticket levels allows participating on different experiences. Didn't care for it.

 

As an 80s kid, the only exciting part was the arcade.

It was something how fast it all came back.

Need sunlight and fresh air!

View from Liftoff.

 

Ubered downtown.

Sad how getting to feel the old Vegas is diminishing quickly.  

Sorry Not Sorry Creamery and their O.G. Buttercake.

Container Park, a concept seen the world over of shipping containers being used for shops and restaurants.

Little bit east, thinking of when these motels were nice and the generations of tourists and newlyweds.  

Going through El Cortez, one of the legends.  Opened in 1941!

Then joining the bustle of Freemont Street Experience.

Take the Vegas anything goes attitude and throw in it being St. Patrick's Day weekend.

  

Dinner at Le Thai. 

Larb Salad 

Short Rib Fried Rice

 

Missing the days of this stretch having $2 shrimp cocktails and $1 deep fried Oreos.

And miss their being more neon.

Tradition to get a pic with Vegas Vic.

A recent refurbishment.

  

Sunday, March 17th, 2024

Was at the original Spago in Beverly Hills in 2006. This one is in Bellagio.

Soy Glazed Ora King Salmon Salad 

Baby greens, pickled daikon, sesame seeds, ginger-lemon dressing

Window shopping through Bellagio...

 .....to the conservatory.

  

 

Cosmopolitan and Vdara.

A waste of canoes.

Aria and Park MGM.

Revisiting Haus of Gaga.

Going into Eataly...let's face it...wanted Gelato.

Along New York New York.

Which may be my favorite exterior.

Crossing Las Vegas Blvd.

 

To say goodbye to Tropicana.  Opened in 1957, it will close April 2nd to be torn down and replaced with a ballpark.  While it's looked shabby for a while, it was sad to stroll it remembering its glory days

Don't

Age 

 

At all....

 

What I always think of as the less polished stretch of The Strip.

   

BLVD under construction.

   

   

   

Not sure what this one is.

Linq Promenade

   

Dinner at Ocean Prime.

Ahi Tuna

Mango, avocado, cashews, spicy sesame soy glaze

Teriyaki Salmon

Shitake sticky rice, soy butter sauce

Miso Chili Roasted Broccoli

Monday, March 18th, 2024 

5AM run.

   

After working, headed out to lunch to Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.

   

Pan Seared Scallops 

English pea puree, bacon lardons, pickled apples, chicken jus 

Perfectly cooked. 2nd best I've ever had.

   

Lobster Risotto 

Butter poached lobster tail, truffle risotto, crispy onions 

   

Oven Roasted Octopus 

Crispy potatoes, pickled peppers, romesco, chimichurri

   

Sticky Toffee Pudding 

Speculoos ice cream

Absolutely stupendous. The warm cake oozes with sauce, showcasing a depth and range of flavors, countered with the cold and outstanding ice cream. 

   

The Venetian is just like Venice. Without the pigeon poo.

   

      

Going into Wynn.

   

More window shopping among the low-end stores.

   

Really came in to look at the flowers.

   

It has to be the most polished of all Strip properties.

   

Attention to detail.

   

Everywhere.

   

The next fine dining destination was Dirt Dogs for an Elote Dog.

   

Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 

Morning run behind The Strip.

   

Another day of work taking a rare lunch to get a Sushi Bowl on Linq Promenade while soaking in the weather.

   

And having had such a healthy and high quality lunch, treated myself with Birthday Cake Gelato.

   

This evening, back at The Venetian.

 

Dinner at Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse.

The team of 3 provided some of the best service I've ever witnessed. 

   

Emeril's New Orleans Barbecue- Petite rosemary buttermilk biscuit 

Certified Piedmontese Filet Mignon- olive oil, sea salt, confit garlic, rosemary 

Charred Brussels Sprouts- Smoked apple bacon 

Emeril's Banana Cream Pie

   

More of The Venetian.

   

Over at The Forum Shops at Caesars. Even having seen all this so many times, the scale never ceases to amaze.

   

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 

Morning run was doing the two levels of Caesars conference center. It took over a half hour.

   

The only Guy Fieri restaurant in LV to NOT get bad reviews in Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen in The Linq.

Trash Can Nachos

House smoked pork, SMC (super melty cheese), black beans, jalapenos, sour cream, pickled red onion,pica de gallo

 

Opened in 1989, The Mirage was The Strip's first mega resort and its success triggered a building boom through the 1990s. Later this year, it will be renovated into a Hard Rock hotel and the famed volcano will be replaced with a guitar shaped hotel like the one they have in Seminole, Florida.

   

   

Remember when Fashion Show Mall was small?

   

Remember when Treasure Island had the pirate show?

   

Until next time.