Trip Report: Las Vegas...All Work...Not!

A friend of mine adores using the hashtag #allwork.  Usually, this hashtag accompanies pics of him on a yacht, a private jet, or in his F12 Ferrari.   All work...RIGHT!!!  Whether I am in Vegas for a few hours or a few days it is tough to have any trip JUST be all work.  Last weeks Board Review Course  and more meetings two days later on how to make my hospital awesome[r] had me in Vegas twice in the last 10 days.  Here are some hits from my "work" trips:


Mon Ami Gabi:

Mon Ami Gabi

The conference I attended was in The Hotel Paris...you will note it DOES NOT get mentioned as a highlight.  It was super cheap and I was focused on the conference so I figured "what the hey".  I will not be staying there again.  It's a dump.  Having said that, Mon Ami Gabi was suggested by a local friend as a place with decent Steak Frites and a solid wine list full of Bordeaux and Burgundy.  We had dinner there Sunday and I had lunch there twice more during my stay.  

Right Bank Easy Drinker

The steak frites were indeed tasty and I found a great Bordeaux at a reasonable price to wash it down with: 2010 Chateau Louvie Saint Emillion Grand Cru. Cool, Right Bank, ready to go Bordeaux that was perfect with our Steak Frites.  Went back to Mon Ami later in the week and had the Salmon Salad with a nice, by the glass, Pouilley Fussie.  This place was alarmingly solid for the volume of humanity they push through.


Le Cirque:

Le Cirque

In the theme of Joel Robuchon, a decadently adorned small space which is run tight.  Some of the best service we've had to date in Las Vegas.   We went with the Degustation, 7 courses from Amuse Bouche through dessert.

Caviar Trio

The highlights were the Caviar Trio and The Kobe with Bone Marrow.  This was the perfect tasting menu for when you are hungry but not famished.  Also, nothing was overly heavy and if it was heavy there was very little of it.

White Burgundy and Bordeaux of the Night

We started our wine adventure out with Domaine du Chateau de Pulignay-Montrachet Merasault Premier Cru. Moved on to a 2006 Chateaux Giscours Margaux.  Big, dirty, earthy, chewy...Cab forward Bomb! Just my style.


Cirque Du Soleil "O":

"O"

I am fortunate enough to have a good friend who is a lead in the show.  As such, I've seen it over 10 times.  This time we scored comped Light Box ( the control room from whence the show is directed)  tickets.  Thanks Anja, you the shizz! One might think I would get tired of seeing something again and again.  Not so.  Still one of the most entertaining and spectacular ways to spend an hour and a half.  The clowns, the music.  The dudes in the red coats and thigh highs( don't judge) who fly out over the show.  I am lost in this show every damn time.  LOVE IT!


Prime Steakhouse:

Prime

If you live in Phoenix the "fine dining" options are essentially the high end steak houses.  So, when I'm in Vegas I tend to avoid them for more subtle fair.  But sometimes you just need a damn steak. Mastros is always an excellent choice but if you want to have a steak in an exceptional setting Prime is really the only choice.  Located along "Lake Bellagio", this elegant room adorned in heavy drapes, plush seating and carpet, this is a BOSS steakhouse.  Great Steaks, sides and wine list.  I went with a Peppercorn New York Strip with Broccioli and Truffled Mashed Potatoes on the side.  Washed down with a young but ample 2011Cliff Lede Cab.  Chased with a splash (or more) of Hine Triomphe Cognac, this was a great meal.


American Express Centurion Lounge:

American Express Centurion Lounge

I've had an Amex Platinum Card for years.  The convience and access this card has provided has been a game changer.  Simple things like being able to pay an Ubër bill with my Amex points or perks like having Amex Concierge score me a two top at a Michelin 3 Star restaurant make the $400 annual fee more than worth it.  The Centurion Lounge at select airports (in this case Vegas) is a nice touch.  Tasty Buffet Lunch, Gourmet Coffee's and Solid Complimentary wine are some of the benefits.  My last two trips to Vegas we used the lounge to grab a bite and relax in comfort while waiting for our flights.  The lounge may be reason enough to break me of my habit of arriving to the airport with minutes to spare.  Well done again Amex!


These last two trips to Vegas were more filled with work than I would prefer.  However, I am a proponent of squeezing in play time whenever possible.  My philosophy is to MAKE opportunity happen.  Work it important but MUST be balanced with a healthy dose of self indulgent play time.  This, I have on lock!

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

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