TR March 8-11: GN, Downtown, etc.

My last “touristy” trip before moving to Vegas with Spike in a few weeks. I told myself it was to sign the lease, but really I knew it was to see Spike, and to have one last touristy fun trip.=)

Hotel:

Golden Nugget! I am a longtime fan of this hotel, and have stayed here numerous times. I love downtown. I’m a Private Arrangements member at GN, so one of our nights was free with points I had built up. If you stay frequently at the GN definitely check into this program. It’s like a free, “frequent guest” program. One of the perks is that you make your reservations through a separate PA office than the usual reservations. These women are always super nice, and have your preferences noted. Just like last stay in October, when we checked in they put me in my requested room “High floor, away from elevator, Non-Smoking, South Tower, double beds”. We were on the top floor of the South Tower, room 22062...exactly as specified. They have remodeled a few of these South Tower rooms (see my pics) and some now have a Red/Gold theme as opposed to the older Green/Gold theme. I liked it!! We checked in around 11 am on a Saturday morning and the line was very short. We had no problem securing a room even though we were early. You get use of free bathrobes at the GN, and housekeeping was wonderful! Spike had brought a bunch of tulips when he met me at the airport, and we didn’t have a vase...so we improvised and used one of the trash cans with a towel in the bottom of it! Worked well! LOL!! =)

I ordered room service for lunch one day while Spike was at work. It arrived quickly within 25 minutes, and was hot and delicious! I had the tuna melt, and it came with french fries. Yummy! Compared to many other hotels, their room service prices are pretty cheap!

We didn’t gamble a whole lot here, as we were out and about, but we dropped some money in the slots. They have a new bank of Wizard of Oz slots as you enter the casino...just across from my nemesis $1 Sphinx slot! This was now up to $87,591,000 and some change. Lulutoo and Ducky....I had restraint this trip and did not play it!!! We did see one woman playing it Monday night as we were heading back to the room. I looked at her credits and had to rub my eyes...she had $811 on that thing!! I wonder if she put in more than $100 to start?! She was still playing away...I would have cashed out long ago, but I gave the slot a mental cussing out for paying this woman anyway!! LOL!!

Food:

Deli at Golden Gate: How did I ever miss this place?! Spike took me here for lunch our first day. We split one of the sandwiches, and then we each had a medium sized shrimp and crab cocktail ($2). You can get the small shrimp only for .99 or you can do a large shrimp only for $2.99. The medium was perfect. Big hunks of fresh crab, and really yummy shrimp. Ask for the cocktail sauce on the side, and they will load your cup a bit fuller than if they dump the sauce on the top. We split a beer too....our tab was less than $20! Perfect filling lunch!!

Champagne Brunch Main Street Station: We went here on Sunday and were glad we did! Without any coupons it’s around $22 I think...so maybe $11 per person? Very reasonable. Our waitress was generous with the champagne for our mimosas! The food was great too. They had breakfast fare, an omelette station (I did this and it was good), eggs benedict, blintzes, waffles, fruit, etc. A big salad bar, various pasta salads. For lunch items they had a taco bar, a Hawaiian food station (the kalua pork was great!), meat carving station, etc. A good variety of food! They had a whole dessert section too. We were impressed with this brunch!!

Rainforest Cafe at MGM: Yes, it’s a chain and it’s touristy...but they have great appetizers! We split an appetizer sampler, and then also split the lettuce wraps. Our server was great, and service was quick. If you need something casual and you’re at the MGM this is a good choice.

Redwood Bar %26amp; Grill at California: This could easily be one of our new favorites for steak!! We went furniture shopping Monday night and got back downtown late. We wanted to celebrate the lease and the furniture, so we decided to try and do a steak dinner. At first, we thought we’d try the Great Moments Cafe at the Las Vegas Club. We were seated there and it was pretty depressing. Hardly anyone in there, yet the waitress decided to talk with the next table over for a good 20 minutes after we were seated!!! Spike finally said “Let’s go..this is ridiculous”. We were thinking of heading to the 777 Brewpub at MSS, but as we were in the overhead walkway between California and MSS, we noticed the sign for the Redwood Bar %26amp; Grill. We thought we’d give it a shot and were so happy we did! Now they label this as “upscale” and it’s nice in there, but we didn’t feel out of place in jeans. It’s dark, and cozy and romantic in the dining room. We each ordered the filet mignon. Spike added a bernaise sauce with his, and I added a peppercorn sauce. It comes with salad, bread, veggies, and garlic mashed potatoes. They have the coolest garlic mashed potatoes here...they wrap them inside wonton papers and shape them to look like a garlic clove and then brown the outside! You can eat the whole thing...it was very cool! Filets were cooked to a perfect medium rare...the sauces were great! Our server was friendly and very prompt. They had a piano player for a bit after we got there. We laughed so hard because he played some rock song ballad, and then moved on to “Day-O” followed by a rousing “Lone Ranger” theme!! At the end of the Lone Ranger theme Spike let out a “heigh ho silver!” and the piano player laughed! Not your typical dining music, but it was fun! =) We also had a great bottle of wine with dinner and their wine list is good. Prices here were less than those at the Great Moments Cafe, and service was unbelievable! We both highly recommend this restaurant if you are downtown and want steak! =)

In-N-Out: Gotta have this! We had this as our first meal in our new place..of course there is nothing moved in there yet, so we sat on the carpet of the dining room to eat! I used the drive thru this time and it went much quicker than waiting inside! We had our usual..a double double animal style for me, and a 3X3 animal style for Spike...fries light animal style. Mmmmm.....good stuff!

Gambling:

Golden Gate: Spike hit an Alfred Hitchcock slot here towards the front entrance that was very bonus happy! He put in $10 and cashed out $80!! The $3 blackjack tables were packed as usual, and we didn’t feel like waiting to get a seat.

The Plaza: We went here to check out the Dome Sportsbar, and to play a bit. The Dome bar was cool. I never saw the restaurant that used to be up here, but can imagine it must have been nice. The sports bar has a bar area to the left when you first walk in with some tables. Straight ahead is the “dome” a big glassed in dome area that gives you views of Fremont St, MSS, etc. Along the outer edge they have sports memorabilia, uniforms, etc. They still have round booths all along the inside center of the dome. Tv’s everywhere to keep up on the games. Gambling wise we did ok. We got decent cocktail service here. Contrary to any other reports we’ve seen...there was no funny smell in here. The only place that I smelled something off was in the Las Vegas Club. All other casinos were ok.

Main Street Station: We played here for a bit...no huge wins to report. I really really like this casino, the 777 Brewpub, and the overall feel of the property.

Las Vegas Club: As you entering LVC from crossing the street where you come from the California...there is a bank of “Viva Las Vegas” slots along the back wall. We played these for awhile and had fun...they show Elvis Clips, and other “actresses of the day” clips....kind of fun. This was also the only place I saw those “Poppit” slots people are talking about!! We played...Spike got the bonus but I never did. He said the bonus is similar to if you play PoGo online...you pick balloons and try to get them to fall in a certain pattern...they were fun though! Warning...there was a very funky sewer smell in the entire Las Vegas Club that night! Icky!!!

The Orleans: Neither of us had a players card here, so we stopped by to sign up. When you sign up you get a coupon for a free buffet (good through the end of the year) and beads. They had some new John Wayne slots here we had never seen, and they had this cool screen on top of the usual screen that almost made it look 3-D when it showed which lines you hit. They also had a machine by the entrance that we have never seen before. It had a Big screen TV on each side with a “virtual Dealer” ...in this case it was a woman in a red Baywatch type bathing suit! One side of the machine was Blackjack, and the other was 3 card poker. I can’t remember the minimums...I think maybe $3?? There are 4-5 seats on each side. Good cocktail service here, and the waitresses here have very skimpy uniforms!! LOL!! =)

MGM: We wanted to play Sigma Derby since I have never done this, but the seats were packed!! People were lined up 2-3 deep behind each player, so we knew it would be a long time before we could get on. We played the Majestic Lions...$30 gone! We played some 2 seater nickel slot by the Centrifuge bar that has a bunch of balls in the middle. No one ever got the bonus round while we were there, so we didn’t get to see what happens. We watched some of the dancing bartenders at Centrifuge for awhile while we waited for the cocktail waitress. For the first time ever I FINALLY smelled the “scent” when you enter the lobby of the MGM. I never smelled it before, but finally did. Kind of a flowery scent..not too overpowering.

TR March 8-11: GN, Downtown, etc.

BARS:

Diamond Lounge Paris: Courtesy of TexasTeejay and her DH...they took us into the Diamond Lounge on Saturday night. WOW!!! We all had a kamikaze shot...and then Spike switched to Dewar’s, and the rest of us switched to martinis!! They had a great little buffet area with food, appetizers, etc. A computer station to use (we tried to log in and post...but then the post never showed up! I think we’d had one too many martinis! LOL!!) Our waiter was great....drinks were great! I can see why these lounges often have lines waiting to get in! Thanks so much Teejay and Mr. Teejay!! We had fun with you that night! =)

Napoleon’s at Paris: One of my friends from Colorado was coincidentally in Vegas the same weekend...so we met her for a drink here in the afternoon. There were no pianos yet, so it was just a lounge atmosphere. Very dark, and nice. Drinks were good...I had a chocolate martini, Spike had Dewar’s, and my friend Kerry had a regular straight up vodka martini. All were very good! This was a fun place to have a drink.

Cabaret Lounge at Paris: Prior to meeting Teejay at the diamond lounge we had a drink with Spike’s friend E at the Cabaret Lounge. There was an old song style group playing...a piano, a bass, and a woman singing. They were good!

The Griffin: We met up with Reh2775 downtown one evening at the El Cortez video poker bar. From here, we went over to the Griffin. It was my second time here, and I liked it just as much as I did the first time. It’s dark, lots of seating areas, good drinks, a fireplace, good music, etc. We had a few drinks here and then moved on to......

Downtown Bar: The guys told me I’d have to find the door in. We showed up...and it was not obvious where the door is to get in! Although I was tipsy, I was able to guess the right “panel”. On my second push, I got us inside! This place is similar to the Griffin, but different too. I went to the ladies room, and laughed out loud! The doors to the stalls are the same as the entry door to the bar! They are not clearly marked...you have to figure out where to push to get in! They are all dark mirrored doors...and the inside of the stalls was dark too. Very interesting bathrooms! They were clean and nice. We had a few more drinks here.....and then moved on to the Four Queens bar. Ordered one drink there before all the drinks caught up to me....LOL! I told Spike I needed to lay down (my head was spinning a bit) so we parted ways with Reh and headed back to the GN. Reh....thanks for a fun night!!! Can’t wait til’ December and the OSM when we get to do it all again!

Other:

Secret Garden %26amp; Dolphin Habitat Mirage: I hadn’t been here since the baby dolphin Sgt. Pepper was born, so since I was solo on Tuesday I valet parked at TI...gambled a bit then headed over to the Mirage. The tram was down, so I just walked over. I got there around 1:30 pm...it was nice out but not beastly hot. I have always loved the Secret Garden and usually spend a little over an hour in there. I checked out the dolphins first...Sgt. Pepper was in the birthing pool with his mom and 2 other females. Although he’s 7 months old now, he is still noticeably smaller so it’s not hard to pick him out. He was also swimming like a crazy dolphin...zooming and zipping all over the place like any youngster would do! LOL!! I went to the secret garden to check out the other animals. I saw the white lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, etc. I still miss Gildah the Thai Ceremonial elephant who passed away a few years ago. Her enclosure now holds 6 llamas and 2 swans....sigh. One of the white tigers was actually up and moving about so that was fun to watch. See..they aren’t always sleeping people! =) I went back to Sgt. Pepper and he was a bit calmer now. He was swimming with his mom and she would do different swimming “styles’ and he would imitate her. Very cool to watch this! If you are at all an animal lover, I think the $15 to get in is well worth it!

Valet Oops!!: We used valet at GN and they were great as always. On the last day...Spike went to work and I slept in. Checkout wasn’t until noon. I realized after I woke up that the valet ticket was still in Spikes wallet! Ack!! I called and he read the number on the ticket which I wrote down. Once I got checked out and down to valet with the bags...I explained the situation, told them when we parked the car, the car type, where the rental papers were in the glovebox, and that those papers matched my name on my license. They were very nice and after everything matched up they brought the car out. WHEW!!! Lesson learned...make sure I hold on to those valet tickets!!

The Weinermobile in Vegas!!: After consuming many drinks at the Diamond Lounge with Teejay we were meeting Reh at the El Cortez, so we cabbed back downtown. There was some construction happening along the valet side, so we just told the cabbie we’d hop out and walk on the sidewalk. As we passed the valet lot Spike said “Hey come check this out” and led me into the valet lot. I looked at the cars trying to figure out what he was looking at. I said “That truck?” no....”The cadillac?” no.....we walked to the back of the lot and there was the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile!!! LOL! They valeted it at the El Cortez! We snapped a few pictures, and then stopped for one quick smooch. As we were walking back towards the El Cortez we see a security guard approaching. Uh-oh...he says “You can’t be doing that in here!” I thought “We just kissed once...geez!” LOL! Spike told him we were checking out the Weinermobile. He hadn’t seen it so we showed it to him and he laughed. He told us we still weren’t allowed to be in the valet lot, and that the security cameras had picked us up as soon as we stepped in the lot. He walked us back towards the hotel and radioed in “The 2 people in the valet lot were just looking at the Weinermobile.” Silence on the radio....which we all thought was very funny! He was a cool guy and was just doing his job! =) Incidentally...the valet guys told us the Weinermobile had been parked there for 3 days now. We wonder if the people who drive it had gone on a gambling spree or something?! =)

All in all a very fun trip!! I have tons of things I still want to check out after I move there, so our weekends are booked for awhile! Pictures can be found at:

…webshots.com/album/562787478GSVGyQ…

TR March 8-11: GN, Downtown, etc.

Co: You had another wonderful trip to Vegas. Aren%26#39;t glad that it%26#39;s now going to be your new home!

First meal at the new place ... In and Out....lol terrific choice.

Loved the pics...Hooters, duckies, Lions with cetain parts showing...lol Shrek%26#39;s poker room ..all of them TJ and REH also!

Enjoyed everything as usual

Marge

We%26#39;ll be Downtown Easter Sunday to check out the Sphinx!! John says we have to get a postcard of whatever hotel looks most like a church to send to my mother and pretend we went to Mass there on Easter Sunday...hmmm. Maybe bellagio looks a little like the vatican and we can tell her we went to Rome??? Anyway, thanks for the reports- Redwood Grill sounds interesting-maybe that%26#39;s where we%26#39;ll celebrate when we get that Spinx jackpot!

Glad you had such a great trip CO! Say hello to Spike (note to self - send Spike MEGAmoney!) and thanks fo taking the time as always to post such a great report, great info and the Redwood Grill, the Downtown Bar and so much more. We miss the Alfred Hitchcock machines here, they have all been sent away, so I will look for those at LV Club in April.

Co , sounds like you 2 had a great time and I loved the description of the food. I%26#39;ve never stayed DT but with the TR and Benezett we are now talking about a day or 2 DT.

zbethg

p.s. the MGM%26#39;s lion called and he wants to know if you%26#39;ve heard from his attorney about the picture. His children were surprised. LOL

Marge...thanks! It is so funny how we think of all the forum people when we see things now! =)

Lulu...have fun! Go take a picture of that church that is downtown, turn it into a postcard and send that one! They had a fun new bank of slots inside that little salon with the ';new machines'; that is next to the Sphinx. It was on the right hand wall as you enter towards the back...can%26#39;t remember the name but they were pennies and paying well. Someone on the opposite side of the salon hit a hand pay jackpot on a Playboy machine! The Wizard of Oz machines by the Sphinx seemed to be paying well too! Is is just me or had you noticed the new red-gold room decor in your last few trips??

Foxy....those Alfred Hitchcock slots were so much fun! I hate when they send machines away. These were at Golden Gate though..not LV Club. I will tell Spike you said hi! =)

zbeth..lmaooo!! I just had to take that pic...there were so many people commenting on it around us that I just had to do it! =)

Great trip report! Lots of good info. LOL about the experience at the ElCo valet area. Nice to know the security is that good.

I can%26#39;t wait to stay downtown this trip!! We will be staying at the Nugget as well. I guess there is no reason to pay for the north tower?

Thanks for sharing. I%26#39;ll be reading this again.

mitzyd...I stayed in the North Tower once and actually thought the bathrooms were smaller and darker. Other than that you get a marbled entryway in the North Tower and that%26#39;s about it. I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s the worth the price to upgrade here. The walking distance between the two is something other people mention, but really it%26#39;s maybe a 2-3 minute walk tops. I hope you have fun there...if you have any GN or other questions send me a pm or feel free to ask!! =)

Nice TR- Am so happy for you and excited about your move to Vegas! Glad you had fun!