Posts Tagged ‘las vegas’
Loving Las Vegas: More Bling and a Giveaway
Today is the second part of my two part posting about my trip to Las Vegas last week.
Day 3: Please refrain from touching the artifacts.
I had coffee for breakfast as I usually do when I am home. I would have spent another lovely day by the pool but it was a bit too chilly so I went to the Liberace museum.
If you are familiar with Liberace and his performances then you know his museum is tasteful and subtle…NOT. His costumes for performances could take a year to create. I am really sorry that I somehow managed to leave the museum without pics of the cars and the pianos. Seriously people, this place is worth a visit if you go to Vegas. The museum is located in a strip mall on East Tropicana. When Liberace died he left nothing to any member of his family or any of his companions. His will instructed that all of his homes and most of his possessions be liquidated and a foundation be created that has awarded thousands of students with scholarship opportunities.
After the tour we jumped off the shuttle at The Bellagio and had drinks in one of the lobby bars. I had my favorite spirit, Glenmorangie Port Wood with an absolutely perfect Romeo y Julieta 1875 because it’s Vegas baby!
That evening we went downtown to The Plaza Hotel. Built in 1971 it’s right across the street from The Freemont Street Experience. We had an edible dinner of Tapas at Firefly, which overlooks the light show.
We then headed downstairs to the Copa Room for The Rat Pack is Back!. It’s a fun show and I highly recommend it. Very talented lookalikes performed as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and of course, Frank Sinatra imagining that The Rat Pack were doing their famous Vegas show once more, tonight. Also, for a psychedelic moment, a song by a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. They did it old-school, in a way that was never uncomfortable, with some references to Sammy’s skin color, Dean’s drinking, Frank’s mob ties and “Joey Bishop” made fun of them all.
Due to some last minute arrangements I am going to post the giveaway on Monday. Call me a tease, but I want the package to be as big Vegas.
Loving Las Vegas: The bling report with giveaway! Part 1 of 2
Spectacular Las Vegas
A shining desert jewel
My favorite oasis
I’ll always be your fool
—————————–
I spent 4 days and 3 three nights at The Venetian in Las Vegas last week. If you’ve been watching my reports via Twitter you already know some of the fun I had there.
Day One: Spa!
Until last Monday I’ve never had a spa day. A professional massage in a studio? Yes. A mani/pedi at a nail salon? Yes. Have I spent a lot of money getting my hair done at salons that specialize in cutting my corkscrew curls? Yes. But I have never been to a spa, and on my first day in Vegas I splurged and got myself a massage at the Canyon Ranch Spa, which includes a day pass and use of the facility. I was rubbed and loosened and rejuvenated by a strong man who also put incredibly hot stones on my back and I loved every luxurious extravagant second of that 50 minute hour.
I baked in the jacuzzi, the sauna, and the Aquavana rooms with hydro-pools and “experiential rains.” I floated out after relaxing for nearly 4 hours. Oh la-di-da I spent the day at a spa!
I was treated like a Queen and the soft, plush, cotton terry robes are available up to 5x. I thought that $160 was quite the bargain for the whole experience.
Lunch before spa at Taqueria Cañonita. Shared a delicious meal by the side of the “river” with my friend. Perfect margaritas, but then again Patron Silver is always perfect. Appetizer $14 – Ceviche Trio: Ahi tuna with cantaloupe and rice vinaigrette, Veracruzano with manzanilla olives, Shrimp and Calamari sangrita. Entree $9- Smoked Chicken Quesadilla Platter Flour tortillas with shredded chicken, tomatoes, onions, serrano slaw, guacamole and Pico de gallo. Served with black beans and cilantro rice. Singing Gondoliers — priceless.
Dinner at the magnificent Tao. What can I tell you that you don’t already know about the famous Tao? The room design is sumptuous although I always find the music too loud and the sushi is fresh even on Monday. I don’t care what Anthony Bourdain says in Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (HARDCOVER)
Day Two: OMG WAYNE NEWTON
Breakfast at the Wolfgang Puck poolside restaurant, Riva. I had the American Breakfast $17: two organic eggs any style (over easy for me), chicken-apple sausage, and sourdough toast. I wasn’t in the mood for potatoes so the kitchen placed a very pretty mixed fruit arrangement on the plate and it was all decidedly yummy. Also, my waitress shared my first name so we totally bonded over coffee. I lingered and enjoyed the serenity for nearly 2 hours.
Most of the day was spent being lazy in the sun. Ummm I mean laying in the sun. Oh, same thing.
In the evening we headed for The Trop (Tropicana to the rest of you) because we had tickets to see Mr. Las Vegas himself Wayne Freaking Newton!
Is he old you ask? Yes, Wayne is old. Can he still sing? Um…that all depends on your definition of the word “sing.” But come on! It’s Wayne! And this is pretty much it, his last big (but not as big as it used to be) show called “Once More Before I Go.” There is a movie screen on stage and between stories about his career Wayne shows videos as a kid on different tv shows and of himself singing with celebrities. There was a medley with Dean Martin and he sang “You’re Nobody Until Somebody Loves You” with Sammy Davis Jr. Did you know that Wayne has released 165 albums and has had seventeen #1 songs?
There were too many jokes about little blue pills but the audience was filled with people who appreciated those jokes. And every time Wayne shook his tush every grandma screamed like she was 16 years old and that is a wonderful thing.
Dinner at Bacio, an Italian restaurant at The Tropicana. I had the sea bass ($22) and my friend had baked ziti ($17). I have to say that I was a little worried but both were pretty good, although the sea bass was the stand out dish. My only warning is that you might want to stick with a cocktail because the wine list is abysmal.
Late night snack: Delicate and delicious beef and shrimp Dim Sum at Zine, in the Palazzo — the more contemporary hotel tower on the other side of gondolas from The Venetian.
Tomorrow — Liberace, Scotch & Cigars, The Rat Pack AND A GIVEAWAY
Until tomorrow I leave you with a bit of Mr. Las Vegas.
