Travel Thursday - Vegas Baby!

When we went to the mini-Bar last month we had the option of flying to Vegas or Salt Lake City. Vegas won. We had only been there one other time about 9 years ago. That time we stayed off strip. This time we stayed in the fairly reasonably priced, on strip Harrah's (it was a very nice hotel).  I would say the city is cleaner now than it was then. But at the core it is the same. Vegas is truly everything I hate about humanity and yet I love it. I love it because it is honest. However, it is a place I can only love a few days at a time.

On our first full day we walked the strip, stopping for drinks and food and a little gambling. 

Us at the Flamingo

Statue of liberty made of Twizzlers

Art in a mall

At the Bellagio

In the Bellagio

Because we are big foodies (and nice places are safer for people like me with lots of food issues to eat at), we had dinner that night at Gordon Ramsey's Steak house in Paris. 

The overall experience was great. Because you are in Paris eating at a British restaurant, they have a 'Chunnel' you walk though. The marketing in the restaurant is amazing. The pattern on the ceiling matches the glasses and the menu. I will say the chairs were very uncomfortable. I really did appreciate that one of the first questions the server asked was are there any food allergies. They were super good with them and actually double checked something (which if I had eaten the rest of the trip would not have been as fun).

One of the most impressive things was the wheel of meat. They brought out this wheel with a sample of all the cuts of steak and explained it.

In the end, we went crazy and ordered the most expensive steak on the menu, the American Wagu. The steak is now tied as the best steak I have ever eaten (Michael Jordon's Steak House in Chicago is the tie, I would really need to do a side by side taste test to see what is best). 

I took pictures of all the food but am just sharing some

We also had a side of mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts. The food was amazing. The service was maybe a little fast. I like a slower pace at a fancy restaurant and we were out within about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I have no regrets eating there, even after the credit card bill with the price in Canadian dollars came. 

Our stop after dinner was to the Rio to see Penn and Teller. They are the longest running show in Vegas history. They put on a really fun show. It was reasonably priced and lasted about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then after the show, you can stop and have your picture taken with them. We stopped at Penn's line as it was shorter. They have done this every show for over 40 years. 

On our second day, after vegging by the pool (it was May 1 and it was snowing at home), we went to the Billboard Music Awards. This was not in our plan, but we had the opportunity to go. When else am I going to see Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brother's reunion, learn who BTS are, and see Kelly Clarkson, Paula Abdul, Madonna, Mariah Carey and others all perform in one night. It was interesting to be on the other side of the TV show, but no matter what side you are on, 4 minute commercials are long. Fortunately my BFF was watching it and she and I texted at the commercials. Watching the crowd was as interesting as watching the performers and we saw some things. 

After the show, we went to Caesar's Palace to Bobby Flay's Mesa. This is still a pricey restaurant but a fair bit cheaper than Gordon Ramsey's steak house. The food was not as good, but was still excellent. The Man's chicken was overcooked and I didn't like my tomale, but my lamb was perfect. They even had a dessert (banana pie minus the crust) I could eat.

We enjoyed our 2 days in Vegas and then headed out to Bryce to meet up with the others. It is so amazing to me that this blog, which was designed to help me cope with my beloved Lee resulted in this opportunity. It is a reminder that you never know where life will take you. 

Next week I will share some pictures of our road trip to and from Bryce.