Trip Report Las Vegas: Does it Count if it's on Someone Else's Dime?

Las Vegas translates to "The Meadow".  This really has nothing to do with the post but I thought it was interesting and entirely oxymoronic.  Las Vegas is all about a 3 mile strip bursting with more entertainment, dining (and debauchery) than just about any other 3 mile stretch in all the land.  I'm a fan.

This trip was a quick hit (Friday-Sunday).  Fortunate enough to go on The Phoenix Suns dime.  We have court side season tickets and they incentivise  folks to pay early with the "carrot" of a trip to Vegas for Summer League Basketball...easy enough...count me in.  It will come as no surprise that we made time to eat, drink and be merry.  Here are some "slam dunks" from this weekend:

Wynn Hotel:

Wynn

Steve Wynn is probably THE hotel trend setter in Vegas.  He did "cheese" with Mirage and later Treasure Island.  He's done opulent with Bellagio and now Wynn and Encore.  His properties, especially Bellagio and Wynn, are the gold standard for Las Vegas Luxury.  We've stayed in all manner of rooms at Wynn before and we love it.  Of late, we kick it at Aria....price an amenities are tough to beat but if I had to pick one room in Vegas to "ball out in" it'd probably be a tower suite at the Wynn.  Separate entrance, valet, lounge, pools and you don't have to walk through the casino...ball-so-hard!  Alas, this trip we had to "settle" for the standard rooms which are still very nice...perhaps made even nicer because someone else was picking up the bill (Thank you Robert Sarver).  Great common areas, elegantly decorated and solid food choices make Wynn worthy of a stay.

Cabana Pool Bar at Wynn

With Encore adding Beach Club you can get your party turned up to Hi along with 2,000 close friends with the quickness.  Been there. Done that.  I generally want a little less party than that (and I prefer my pool with less urine) so Wynn's pools will do for me.  As you move further away from the hotel the pool becomes more adult and the music gets better.  On the far side of the pools is Cabana Bar which has it's own DJ (house music all day long!) but is far from packed to the gills...chairs A plenty.

La Cave:

La Cave at Wynn

Suns hosted a happy hour here.  We had not been in a couple years and forgot how good it was.  Menu is basically all small plates, wine and beer.  Spoiled for choice here.  The Salmon Tostada and Chorizo Pizza always get got when we come thru.

Parasol Up:

Padron 1926 at Parasol Up

I've been known to enjoy a cigar and a whiskey (and a whiskey) from time to time.  Vegas is unparalleled in it's choices of comfy spaces to do so.  Parasol Up is one of my faves.  Solid whiskey offerings at reasonable prices.  They have a decent cigar selection but if at all possible BRING YOUR OWN...unless you don't mind spending 4X on an Opus X.

NBA Summer League:

Andrew Wiggins and Coach Blatt

For $25 a day you can see 7 games a day. This is crazy! If you are a hoop head (like my wife and I) you see the value in this.  No, the whole team doesn't play but the stars of tomorrow do (you'll be like that friend of yours who used to see Dave Mathews in an empty dive bar back in the day).  Plus, some of the biggest names in basketball are just there to hang out and watch.  I waited in line behind The Unibrow, Anthony Davis, for a pizza.  In addition, you are unlikely to ever see NBA players work harder in a game in your life.  Many of these guys are on the bubble.  I have never seen more guys fighting for a loose ball or diving in the stands in my life. Awesome!

Giada at The Cromwell:

Giada

I wasn't familiar with Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis but I am now a fan.  This place is a classic Vegas "scene" restaurant.  Big, vibrant and live room teeming with well dressed folks from far and wide.  Usually a "scene" restaurant falls way down on food.  Not the case here.  The Charred Octopus, Bucatini and Rack of Lamb were fantastic.  We also scored a table with a killer view of The Fountains at Bellagio just across the street.  Plus, they have a photo booth...how can you go wrong!?

Cheese!!

Michael Mina:

Michael Mina at Bellagio

I've been trying to get to this place for the last 10 trips to Las Vegas but something has always come up.  In five words: It Was Worth The Wait!!!  Delicately prepared, fish based menu with a great wine list (we went through two bottles of Chablis and a bottle Burgundy...both excellent).  

Chardonnay for Days

G and I  did the Signiture tasting menu.  The Caviar Parfait and Lobster Pot Pie were "slap yo mama" good. The tasting menu had a great mix of beautifully plated, delicate, well delineated flavors and comfortable, savory courses with well blended tastes and textures.  Great meal.

Caviar Parfait

Any experience is enhanced when someone else picks up the tab.  We didn't get too nuts this trip but still found ways to help fund the local economy a bit.  Vegas never disappoints with so much choice in such a small area.  We will be back again later this summer adding to our list of personal favorites.

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay