Las Vegas Trip Report - February 24 - 27, 2019

I'll admit this "low roller" was surprised when I got an offer for 3 nights comped in a FOUNTAIN VIEW king room at Bellagio.  Hell yes!  Normally all I get is the regular, non-view room offers there.  I had three choices this time: that one, strip view or this one.  I was in!

I got my airfare relatively cheap from Vancouver (WestJet) for $340 CAD including taxes and got a $100 off that with points from credit card.  Lastly, I was lucky enough to return with all the money I brought last visit, so didn't need to worry about that.  THAT was a good thing, as our dollar is sooooo shitty right now!!!  I've never been in February either.  It seemed like a good time to take a break from the winter doldrums, and work...I just booked this in December without trying to find company to join me.  Love my solo trips and there was a bunch of new "dining" to explore since my last visit... However, when it was time to leave, I wasn't looking forward to this trip.  I wasn't feeling it and really didn't want to go - my usual Vegas spirit wasn't there.  Of course I had to as my air wasn't refundable.

This was the FIRST time ever I did "carry-on" only luggage.  Figured I could do 3 days in it.  I seem to be getting better at "minimalist" things at my age of 54 now.  I have to admit I had fun shopping and picking all the toiletries in mini-size.  I didn't have fun seeing it all had to fit in a 1 quart/litre ziploc bag which was medium size.  Oh well, better than a sandwich bag, I guess.  I usually lug a laptop too, so this was like freedom of excess crap.  I pre-checked in on my mobile the day before I left and Bellagio said a room would be ready for me by noon.  I wrote this report when I returned home.

Sunday, February 24, 2019:

I had an early flight on WestJet for 8am, so took a taxi from home at 5:30am to the airport.  I got an email advisory from WestJet that security lines were extra long due to the new enhanced screening for electronics.  I received another email prior to leaving which made Lyft my choice of rideshare for this trip.

Security was easy and I had plenty of time to go for breakfast before departure.

I arrived and was ordering a Lyft before 11am.  Bellagio sent an email saying my room was ready as well.  With 25% discount Lyft was $11.19 for private 4 door and I tipped $5 cash.  My check-in took minutes and I was in my room.

Location, location, location!  I was only a couple of doors down from the elevator and ice vending room.  Loved it!  First thing first was to check out the view...

Nothing to complain about - impressive for sure...  The rest of the room was exactly the same as every other room I've stayed at in this hotel.  Below is going left to right as far as the window.

I was unpacked in about 10 minutes and departed to the lobby and summoned Lyft again.  Originally I intended to walk to the Palms as it looked like a straight line down Flamingo on Google Maps.  On the advice of the Trip Advisor forum, I decided to use rideshare to get there.  It was less than a 2 mile (3.2 km) walk but consensus was it was not a "pleasant" jaunt and to only do it in the day.  I like walking but not along scary fast traffic, and overpasses, etc. so that made my decision.  Same private 4 door car was $6.15 with discount.  I tipped the same $5 cash and for my remaining Lyft rides.

This was my first visit to the Palms.  The reason for it was to visit Chef Michael Symon's Mabel's BBQ.  I was really looking forward to eating here.

I was here for the meat, so I ordered a half pound of brisket and ribs.

Pork Spare Ribs - Half Slab $18, Beef Brisket $17 & PICKLES, KRAUT & WHITE BREAD

OMG - I loved it!!!  Just yum and wow.  Now, where I live, we have zero good BBQ so it's not hard to beat what I'm used to, but I enjoyed every single bite and taste that went in my mouth.  Those sweet pickles and spicy kraut were the best I've ever had.  So good with the fatty meat.  Seriously:  Best.Pickles.Ever.  No sauces were needed, but all were great in flavor.  I tried the Cleveland mustard and Vegas hatch chile on the beef, and the Sweet & Sour on the pork.

I haven't been eating much meat since the new year started so I didn't get very far, about a third way through the meal.  I got it packed to go.  I went and played some slots.  As I was leaving,  I sat at one by the door beside a gentleman about my age.  It was one with "dynamite or maybe fire crackers" haha...  He was playing 60 cents a spin and I $3.  We both hit bonuses about the same time.  I barely broke even, but he hit the major jackpot and won $3,000.  He was so shocked.  He told me it was his first time win.  I was so happy for him!  I remember how shocked and happy I was on my first and only hand pay.  We shook hands, I congratulated him and left him sitting there with a face that was full of bliss and dazed.  I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, but I really, really was joyful for him.  It's nice to see people win. 😊

I walked over to the Gold Coast next.  Sheesh, it was smokey and that was my first thought when entering.  I've never been here before either.

I got my players card (did at both casinos) and went and used my $5 free play on a slot.  I hit a bonus that brought me about $60 ahead.  I can tell you now, that that is the last time I'd be ahead in gambling for the rest of the trip.  I used the Lyft app and went back to Bellagio.  Same exact price as ride there.

Rainbow in the fountains

I went to the MLife desk and got my freeplay and food/bev credits along with "MyVegas" rewards.  One reward was for Lily lounge so I went and had a cocktail ($20 value).

COLLINS LIKE YOU SEE IT:  Ketel One Botanicals Peach & Orange Blossom vodka, watermelon, lemon and club soda

Drink was delicious and bartenders were upbeat, friendly and kind.  It was a nice stop.  And then I went to the casino and started to lose, and lose more.  I went to Bally's, Paris, and then walked down to Caesar's and lost at all casinos.  I had cancelled reservations for Cleaver restaurant when I returned from the Palms.  I had intended to go for steak/lobster but there was no way I could have more meat today.  I just wanted a salad.  In hindsight, I wish I would have went to Sadelle's at the Bellagio, but unfortunately, I chose Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill.  I haven't dined at either before, but I've been to all of the other Ramsay restaurants in Vegas.  

I noticed they were doing the same special (3 courses for $75) as Hell's Kitchen with the Beef Wellington.  I was seated right at the rail there as in the picture - right in the thoroughfare.  Anyway, I ordered soup and salad.  

ENGLISH ALE & ONION $13

provolone, parmesan crouton

CHOPPED $19

grilled chicken, salami, shrimp, chickpeas, tomato,

English cheddar, pretzel crisp, cider vinaigrette

So, while nothing was bad, none of it was exciting at all, especially the salad - DULL.  Very average/pedestrian for both dishes.  Service started off good, but when a large party came in for some reserved tables, I never saw my server again.  I understand as she was busy and was trying her best but then they need to add staff.  I never got a second glass of wine that I wanted to order.  I asked another food runner for pepper and it got dropped off but was empty.  I stood up to flag my server down so I could ask her for my bill.  Besides that, I had a table behind me that kept having friends come by and they would yell at each other by the rail I was sitting at.  One guy from the table would get up and stand at mine and they'd have ongoing conversations, not once, but two or three times (What were they doing later?  Where would they meet up?  Why was the Caesar's buffet so expensive?  And on and on and on).  It was like I wasn't even present to them - sitting smack in the middle of their bantering.  Anyway, that was annoying, though I did try to ignore it, but obviously not well if I'm writing about it. 🤔

I forgot I saw that Sadelle's had a chopped salad on the menu and I was sad I didn't remember. ☹  Going there would have let me see what happened to the old Cafe Bellagio (which I loved) as well... I had spent my daily budget so went to my room to retire for the evening.  I got to see the fountains at night while I nibbled on more ribs/brisket and drank wine.  I walked 16 KM or 10 miles today.

I took so many pictures of them, it's impossible to pick the best ones...Doesn't that CVS neon ruin the view though?  I think so...

Monday, February 25, 2019:

I awoke about 5:30 am.  I could see the sun starting to rise (below) and it was mesmerizing to me, so I watched it for a while and finished the ribs/brisket!  Still damn good.  I had a glass of wine (yes, you read that right)  and then went back to sleep till about 9 am.  I didn't take any pictures of it, but I noticed every morning these little boats and people (which both may or may not have been little) would go out and perform maintenance along the fountain tracks...it was too early yet with the pic below, they came out during business hours.

I got ready and made my way walking to the Wynn hotel.  I entered in the high end shopping area which the picture below is at in one of the stores.  I thought the display was captivating.  

I haven't been back to Wynn since we stayed in 2015.  No reason why, in fact I always think about having a drink at Parasol Down and did today too but got distracted and forgot to go, again.  My purpose today was to have lunch at Cipriani.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  Reviews online at all of their restaurants were mixed and the word "pretentious" stuck out to me.  It was also hard to find for me at the resort.  It was in the "plaza shops" which I don't even know if they were there on my last stay?  I don't remember it and it looked new - but that doesn't mean it wasn't, lol.  Anyway, the plaza shops are by Allegro restaurant which I do remember from my last stay.  

After I found it, I went back to the casino and gambled.  I had an Irish Coffee while doing so, and lost whatever I put into the slots.  I made my way back.  The restaurant was beautiful but empty.  In fact, the whole time I dined, there was only me and one other table.  We were on opposite sides so I had the whole side of the restaurant to myself.

Anyway, while it's not busy and "unknown" I would say to take advantage of the lunch deals here!

Small carafe (9 oz I think) of house wine - my choice was Pinot Noir - $25

I got 3-courses for $25!  Seems unheard of at a Wynn establishment, no?  Service was as as you would expect when dining anywhere at the Wynn as well.  It didn't feel any more pretentious as any fine dining place does.  I didn't eat the bread basket below, but that did look average compared to some of the ones I've had in Vegas and even at the Wynn.

Spinach Salad, Mushrooms, Walnuts, Buffalo Ricotta, and Bacon

Baked tagliolini with ham. Below is to show what it looked like under the cheese

Tiramisu

Seriously, this was one of the better deals I've had in Vegas for lunch.  The ricotta in the salad tasted freshly made and salad in its simplicity was perfect.  The bacon just made the saltiness right on.  The pasta had a crispy cheese topping that was heaven.  Underneath, it was rich and dreamy.  I left some, but could have easily eaten it all.  The dessert was light and whip creamy.  I just had a bite or two but it was splendid.  No complaints at all.  Glad I got to dine here.  When I left, I saw that there was an entrance/exit from the shops right onto Las Vegas Blvd.  I totally missed that and walked a real, long long way around the resort to find it...I didn't mind the exercise, but just saying...Oh, and leaving out that exit made me forget all about visiting Parasol Down which I really wanted to do.  

My return walk meant donating money into the casinos along the way.  Mirage I took a huge hit at, then Cromwell and then Bellagio.  I was almost out of daily budget money, so I went drinking on my charge card rather than gambling. I found happy hour at the Vdara.  Vice Versa lounge and got in 2 drinks after arriving at 3:20!  Not bad.  They have early HH from 11 - 3:30. 

They have this really awful dill popcorn that is totally addictive for some reason.  The bartender told me it is specially made for them.  Just warning you...  I went to Aria and donated almost the last of my daily budget.  Aria was full of convention people.  Tags, tags and more tags everywhere.  I went to Bardot Brasserie but it was closed to a private function.  Probably all those tags?  So, I made my way to The Chandelier bar at Cosmo.  

I have always wanted to go have a drink there but haven't yet.  Today was the day.  It was busy and packed by the time I left.  A lot more convention tags were in sight (Financial convention I learned by asking one of them).

Skybar lounge at the Waldorf was next.  This is a beautiful bar with gorgeous views on the 23rd floor.  It was full.  I managed to snag a single seat at the bar between the conventioneers.  They all had their backs to me and ignored me but that was fine.  I'm going to be honest and say that all the conversations I had eavesdropped on so far were very, very boring but yet better than the one I didn't want to hear at Gordon Ramsay's but couldn't get away from...  Anyway, I ordered:

Wasabi peas were good.  Bartenders were super attentive and friendly.  I just realized I was having a meal of bar snacks!  I stopped but drank up and moved on.  Eataly at Park MGM was next.  I was pretty buzzed at this point so my pictures sucked, but I sat at a nice wine bar with a really friendly server.  I had something that was like Pinot Gris and listened to him teach the fellows beside me about "Amaro" (an Italian liqueur).  It was interesting.  

I made my way to dinner though the casino to Chef Roy Choi's new place.

When you enter, it looks like a liquor store.  Past that and this funky curtain...

I found myself in the restaurant.  The tables are close together so I was dining with others no matter what.  Thankfully the diners were really nice on both sides of the table.

I was looking at the tasting menus but my server tried to talk me out of them.  He told me they were too much food and I should order separately, even though it would cost more to do so... then when the young couple was seated beside me asked if they could split one menu then, he told them no and that it would not be enough for two.  So, I just went against what he said and ordered the first Chef's menu - the $50 L.A. Love Story but I told him not to bring the dessert.

OK, remember that all this food below that I'm going to show you, is meant for ONE person...

The kimchi was great - and had a really nice heat punch

And that's not including dessert!  I couldn't believe it.  There is no way possible one person could eat that, though one guy at the table to my left said he could and his lady vouched for it.  I gave a couple of ribs to my right side table.  They wouldn't accept anything more though.  I gave all but one scoop of shrimp to the table on my left.  They also got one corn and two tacos.  I ended up taking most of everything else to go.  I think because I was so over-whelmed at how much food was given to me.  It was all tasty but they really need to look and have a re-think about the tasting portion menu.  I charged this to my room and I really enjoyed the company tonight.  Table on my left were locals and a fun quartet to chat with.  I took the tram back to Bellagio which was stupid and much longer than walking to Aria and walking back through Vdara.  At least for me.  I forgot to mention that in the Conservatory and at Bellagio, the theme was Chinese New Year, so that's what the pig is below.  It's kind of what I felt like at this particular moment too...

If I had any daily budget left, I used it because I woke up with an empty wallet.  I was thankful that I use my safe to help me budget.  I walked 19.5 KM today or 12 miles.

Tuesday, February 16, 2019:

Not much on the agenda this day.  I slept in till about 10.  I dumped last night's dinner right in the garbage, I wasn't up for it.  Amazingly I didn't have a hangover.  I did feel finished with my visit though and just wanted to go home.  Like I said, I just wasn't in the mood this trip and it doesn't help when losing.  This is the only time I can remember not enjoying being "solo"on a trip.  I wanted company which is unusual.  I guess I was grumpy at this point?  I had free "MyVegas" rewards for Bellagio buffet with unlimited drink pass.  The only reason I'm going to show my plate is because, it reflected my mood...a big ole pile of dreary...I thought Aria buffet was better, but like I said then, the only way I'd eat at a buffet is for free...

The food like at Gordon Ramsay's was serviceable.  One plate and done.  I try not to waste food but left the slider bun and the pizza crust behind.  It took me an hour to finish the rest of it!  My server kept my sparkling wine glass full at all times.  The ladies that worked there were lovely to me and I enjoyed talking to them.  They cheered me up a bit with their jovial moods and trivial conversation.  I was seated behind the beautiful flowers at the entrance.  They gathered there and included me in their chats.  I tipped my server $10 and she gave me a "to go" cup of sparkling wine that couldn't fit a drop more in it.  Then I went to gamble and lose...I played this dumb 3-D pirate slot for like an hour.  It ended up costing me $100 at $2.40 a spin and the bonus I finally hit on paid me $12.  I lost another $100 at Davinci Diamonds in almost the same way.  So, I made my way to another of my favorite drinking spots, the Petrossian bar.   Below is looking at the lobby.

I had a martini and started on those dang bar snacks again.  I listened to the piano player.  He was looking for attention, adoration and song suggestions.  I wasn't the one to give it to him, so I headed out and walked to Vdara again.  Below is on the way there...

I headed straight to the Waldorf 23rd floor for SkyBar only to find out it was closed to a private event.

I love that they have a champagne machine by the elevator doors too.

I made my way back to Eataly and window shopped.  With carry-on, I wasn't going to be able to get anything home with me.

And then I went to the same seat as yesterday and had a glass of something dry that I let him pick for me.

The bartender was from Mexico city so I asked where he likes to go eat food from home here.  He said there are different places for different things, but that Bonitos was consistently good and he is a regular.  He said it's close to the Palms.  I moved on to happy hour at a bar/lounge in Park MGM called Juniper.

House Merlot - $5.50

BUBBLES $10

Ketel One Vodka

Fresh Lemon

Strawberry Caviar

Sparkling Wine

I sat here and drank with a retired couple from Wisconsin I met at the bar.  I had fun and stayed until my reservation was ready at Nomad Bar.

I felt a sway in my step as I made my way there and above my pictures feel drunk to me, lol.  Another empty restaurant at 7pm.  One loud table of 3, another solo diner and myself.  I ordered a Pinot Noir and then just went with an appetizer that sounded like fritto misto.  $35.

   Mixed fry

THE WORLD TOUR

A platter of seafood, meat & vegetables

In the style of Italian fritto misto, Japanese tempura & the american south

As soon as it was delivered, I realized I didn't want this.  I nibbled but wasn't feeling fried food it turned out.  There was calamari, hush puppies, chicken, green beans, prawns and some zucchini chips.  I didn't like either of the dips- one was soy sauce something and the other I have no idea.  I wanted Tzatziki  but that wasn't it.  The fry was great though and everything was seasoned perfectly.  My decision making was poor because of my alcohol state.  I asked if I could get it packed up and just have a half Caesar salad.  They said no halves so I just got the bill.  It was $75 after tip.  I brought it to my room and then went to gamble and lost every dollar I had for the trip except for about $20 which I saved for tips tomorrow.  I was in my room about 11pm and down and out for the count!  I walked 9.2 KM or 5.7 miles today.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019:

I slept until 8.  I tried to see if I was hungry.  The food looked exactly the same as it did last night.  I had a piece of calamari and then it all went in the garbage.  What a waste.  While I was in the shower, someone tried to come in and I heard the bar I put on at night bang loudly on the door.  When I got out I could see it had been jarred.  When I went to check out on the t.v. they hadn't applied my $50 credit.  I phoned "guest services" and they took care of it immediately.  Lyft to airport was $14.16.

This trip cost me $2000 USD for 3 days.  I realize how ridiculous that is and I've decided Vegas and I need a break for a while now.  I say that, but I did look at offers when I got home and had the same ones I had this trip from both Aria and Bellagio waiting for me to use until August.  I'm not biting though.  Then, when I do return, I'll be so excited because I know I'll miss Vegas, I always do.  Until that time though, I will say so long for now...