Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Hello All -

Sorry to be gone forever as usual - 4 days before the 4th our oldest cat (6 1/2) tried to jump to high and after two emergency runs to the vet we found out she hurt her knee. So we have been in kitty quieting, med giving, party throwing, in-law staying, sink break HELL! Needless to say we only have a couple pictures from the 4th and no one took pics of the FOOD!

Sorry you've been having a rough time. I hope your kitty is doing much better. Your 4th of July party looked like a lot of fun. Very cool about the parade going right by too.

How's everybody today? It's just been one of those weeks...months...summers! I am sooo ready for vacation! I tried pre-packing my carryon and everything fits--it seems really big, but meets the measurement requirements. Oh, well, I hope everybody doesn't bring something to put in the overhead bin on the plane. I've already told dh we have to line up early each time to get to our seats early and snag the bin!

Tink, are you feeling better? I've already made myself a mini brandy milk punch this evening if you'd like some.

I can't wait to hear all about your trip to DL. Wow...you have your carry-on pre-packed already? I'm lucky if I have my stuff ready to go an hour before we leave for the airport.

Speaking of trips to the world and cruises, I am afraid that we are cancelling our F&W anniversary trip......but we are replacing it with a cruise instead. Originally we were going to celebrate our anniversary on a cruise with my best friend and her hubby (my honorary big bro) in June as our anniversary days fall within a week of each other. But DH started a new job in May, and so we handle to cancel. So then we hatched the F&W trip plan....but I just got an e-mail from Royal Caribbean that we can take the same cruise we were originally going to take for half the price, and we can still go the same week that we were planning on going to Disney. As it represents a savings of almost $1200 from the Disney trip, and since we are planning a family Disney trip next year anyhow, we are switching it up. So I'm sad, but at the same time excited. I'll just have to keep living vicariously through all of your F&W reviews until we can get there ourselves.

Its sad about missing F&W, but I'd be jumping at the chance to save $1200 too. That's even a better anniversary gift.

I have to share with you all some new developments for my 40th birthday coming up in November. I've booked my airfare, which was at a great rate, thanks to some help from a friend! Where am I going?

Viva Las Vegas!



Thanks also to Catherine, who put the seed of the idea into my head that I needed to go to Las Vegas for my 40th birthday. She had reservations at Bally's for 5 nights, but she brought up that we could spend the last night at Caesar's Palace and get tickets to the Bette Midler show for an obscenely low rate.

So before she went to modify her original reservation, I had the brilliant idea of telling her that it might be a good idea to sign in as a Total Rewards member before checking room rates. The idea was so good, that it saved us a boatload of money!

More money for shows and food!

The hard part is deciding where to eat, provided I get foie gras during my trip, preferrably on my birthday. I have absolutely no plans for my actual day (which is Friday the 13th this year!), so I'm open for ideas for how to spend my 40th birthday!

Oh, we're going November 11-16.

I can just imagine you two are going to have some primo food porn for us when you get back. Definitely sounds like an awesome birthday celebration.

Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Thought I'd share this with everyone in case anyone likes McDonald's coffees or mochas (or wants to try one). They are running a promo for free ones on Mondays...click the link for details on the site:

http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html?DCSext.quicklink=Y&DCSext.destination=http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html

Click at the bottom of the screen where it says Free Mocha Mondays. The promo is going on now through August 3rd. I've only tried their iced coffees but for free I'll give the other stuff a whirl.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I can't wait to hear all about your trip to DL. Wow...you have your carry-on pre-packed already? I'm lucky if I have my stuff ready to go an hour before we leave for the airport.

The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

Oh, I hope your mom will be okay; how awful for you all! She'll be in my prayers. Keep us updated.

And I didn't leave my bag packed...I just wanted to see how much it would hold so I could quit worrying if everything would fit. We wouldn't be able to do this if it were winter I don't think.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Thought I'd share this with everyone in case anyone likes McDonald's coffees or mochas (or wants to try one). They are running a promo for free ones on Mondays...click the link for details on the site:

http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html?DCSext.quicklink=Y&DCSext.destination=http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html

Click at the bottom of the screen where it says Free Mocha Mondays. The promo is going on now through August 3rd. I've only tried their iced coffees but for free I'll give the other stuff a whirl.

I really wish they'd make these in decaf. I used to love McD's iced coffee until I had to give up caffeine.

 

[hmgray95]

I have to share with you all some new developments for my 40th birthday coming up in November. I've booked my airfare, which was at a great rate, thanks to some help from a friend! Where am I going?

Viva Las Vegas!



Thanks also to Catherine, who put the seed of the idea into my head that I needed to go to Las Vegas for my 40th birthday. She had reservations at Bally's for 5 nights, but she brought up that we could spend the last night at Caesar's Palace and get tickets to the Bette Midler show for an obscenely low rate.

So before she went to modify her original reservation, I had the brilliant idea of telling her that it might be a good idea to sign in as a Total Rewards member before checking room rates. The idea was so good, that it saved us a boatload of money!

More money for shows and food!

The hard part is deciding where to eat, provided I get foie gras during my trip, preferrably on my birthday. I have absolutely no plans for my actual day (which is Friday the 13th this year!), so I'm open for ideas for how to spend my 40th birthday!

Oh, we're going November 11-16.

Woo hoo....Vegas, baby! We've only been once, to celebrate our 30th birthdays, but that was way back in 2003. So I can't offer any recent experiences, but we did have a great meal at Nob Hill at the MGM (which might not even still be there....once we had kids, going to Vegas became a distant memory, so I haven't even checked out what's going on there anymore!). Wherever you end up going, I'm sure we'll all be loving the food porn!

Lori ... go to Le Atelier at MGM ... 10-course tasting meal or an ala carte menu which includes foie gras. Actually one of the cool things about Vegas is that a lot of their restaurants still serve foie gras ... how dare they?

You will have a blast ... so many restuarants, so little time.

Brenda, glad to see you're back!

Yesterday I met a DIS friend and her two kids for lunch at the new mega-grocery in town (Wegmans). It is truly an amazing place, with a "food court" serving Chinese, Thai, pizza, Mexican, sushi, seafood, sandwiches, breakfasts and more that I am sure I missed. It has a two story seating area too. Just an eyeful for a foodie.

Oh, yeah... their grocery shopping isn't bad either. I decided to pick up a few things to have for dinner and came up with this:

badly out-of-focus cell phone shot of raw meat

We had the above-pictured chicken sausage (with spinach, feta and pesto) as well as a pork sausage coil (with wine, cheese and herbs) done on the grill. I also picked up a 1/2 pound of their ENORMOUS garlic herb shrimp as an appetizer. We did fresh angel hair pasta with a fresh tomato marinara as our side dish.

And, of course, a bottle of vinho verde to wash it all down with!

The best part? It only took about 20 minutes to throw the whole meal together!

Each of the coils was about a pound, so we have two dinners for three and a snack or light lunch for one from that trip. Well... I do have to admit that between our daughter and myself there is no shrimp to be found in the refrigerator.

Elin, that sounds great.....I wish we had a Wegman's here, or a Trader Joes's or Whole Foods that was less than an hour away, but that's what I get for living in an almost cultural wasteland. The best we've got is Fresh Market and an Earth Fare, which are great, but nothing like the others.


[QUOTEWell today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?[/QUOTE]

I'm so sorry.... I hope your mother is feeling better soon, and that the surgery goes well.

Thought I'd share this with everyone in case anyone likes McDonald's coffees or mochas (or wants to try one). They are running a promo for free ones on Mondays...click the link for details on the site:

http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html?DCSext.quicklink=Y&DCSext.destination=http://www2.mcdonalds.com/mccafe/index.html

Click at the bottom of the screen where it says Free Mocha Mondays. The promo is going on now through August 3rd. I've only tried their iced coffees but for free I'll give the other stuff a whirl.

I saw this on TV last night....I haven't tried their iced mochas yet, but DH has tried the hot ones. He says that they aren't great, but they will do in a pinch, and I am certainly not one to turn my nose up at a free beverage!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Financial update:

Because we (along with almost everyone we know) are trying to cut back on expenses, we are eating in more than we used to. We used to go out for dinner 2-3 nights a week but now it is more like 2-3 times a month, at most. But, the above described dinner is what we do instead. I am patting myself on the back because...

I just added up what we spent for dinner last night: $11 for the sausages, $10 for the shrimp, $2 for the pasta, $.50 for the tomato, $10 for the wine = $33.50. If we had gone out to dinner and had the same meal, the wine alone would have cost that! YAY!

We're doing a lot of the same cutbacks. We're even going to eat more CS at Disney (also trying to save room for the cruise food). Your dinner looked wonderful and that's a great savings for what was probably a better meal

Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

I'm so sorry

if we could combine these.....

Best wishes & prayers for your mom (and you)!

 

[kabuki]

I'm glad to hear your kitty drama is better! And I love that idea of a breakfast burrito bar with mango lemonade mimosas!

Yes! Breakfast Burrito bar was great! I am normally up at 0'dumb 30 making breakfast for 40 people! This was easy!
Everything is better with the mimosas though!

I have to share with you all some new developments for my 40th birthday coming up in November. I've booked my airfare, which was at a great rate, thanks to some help from a friend! Where am I going?

Viva Las Vegas!



Thanks also to Catherine, who put the seed of the idea into my head that I needed to go to Las Vegas for my 40th birthday. She had reservations at Bally's for 5 nights, but she brought up that we could spend the last night at Caesar's Palace and get tickets to the Bette Midler show for an obscenely low rate.

So before she went to modify her original reservation, I had the brilliant idea of telling her that it might be a good idea to sign in as a Total Rewards member before checking room rates. The idea was so good, that it saved us a boatload of money!

More money for shows and food!

The hard part is deciding where to eat, provided I get foie gras during my trip, preferrably on my birthday. I have absolutely no plans for my actual day (which is Friday the 13th this year!), so I'm open for ideas for how to spend my 40th birthday!

Oh, we're going November 11-16.

WOW! Too much fun Lori! You have gotten a lot of great suggestions for stuff below but I'd like to add Mesa Grill for at least a drink!
Also check out www.travelzoo.com for show discounts! I always say that I am happy Vegas is a 5 hour drive for me away other wise we would be there way too often!

Sounds like a great trip!! We go to Vegas frequently, due to DH's job. Here's a few suggestions:

Wherever you decide to dine, be sure to book a reservation.

Keep an eye out for prix fixes, they often are great values and delicious!
(Offers sometimes change over the months), but the current list from the Wynn and Encore is here:
http://newsletter.visitwynn.com/taste-of-wynn/

I highly recommend Daniel Boulud. A great place to stop for a glass of wine before dinner is Parasol Up in the Wynn. Very pretty. Downstairs, just outside of Daniel Boulud's is Parasol Down. It's nice, too, but much smaller.

At the Palazzo, Jersey Boys is a great night out. They will be selling tickets for your time frame pretty soon. I need tickets in Dec, so I've been checking regularly. Right now I believe they are selling into early Oct.

Other great things to do at the Palazzo:
We've eaten at Emeril's Table 10 restaurant. Great food!
On Friday evenings, Double Helix does a wine tasting from 5-7. If we're in town on a Friday, we try to go. Very fun!
http://www.doublehelixwine.com/

The MGM Grand has been offering prix fixes, they change seasonally. Here are the current offers. http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/summer-tasting-menus.aspx
As we get further into fall, there's a good change they'll continue I think. Vegas bookings overall are way down.

A place that's not too widely know is Onda's Lounge. (In the Mirage hotel). http://mirage.travel/restaurants/onda-lounge.aspx
They have lots of nice wines by the glass.

We like to stop there, and then walk back to Caesars and go to Rao's for dinner. Rao's takes reservations 3 months out now (unless it's changed) and it's a great place to go if you like Italian. We celebrated my husband's birthday there last year. I mentioned his birthday when booking, and they gave us a lovely tiramisu to share.
Portions are generous there. We usually ask for a couple of extra little plates so we can share back and forth.
And Payard's Chocolates is right across from Rao's. That place has treats that are amazing!!!!!

There are a bazillion restaurants in Vegas, I've only just mentioned a few.

Other options:
The Rio has a fantastic seafood buffet. It's a Harrah's property, (like Caesars) there are shuttles over there from various places on the strip. Caesars would have the latest on shuttles/times.

Paris also has a delicious buffet. Another buffet I really like is the one at the Bellagio.

November is a nice time of year to visit Vegas. The weather has cooled, and walking is much more pleasant. Happy planning!!!

I am keeping this! Great ideas! Jason's parents live on the other side of Vegas in Utah and we "pass through" a couple times a year! Thank you for all these ideas!

Sorry you've been having a rough time. I hope your kitty is doing much better. Your 4th of July party looked like a lot of fun. Very cool about the parade going right by too.



I can't wait to hear all about your trip to DL. Wow...you have your carry-on pre-packed already? I'm lucky if I have my stuff ready to go an hour before we leave for the airport.



Its sad about missing F&W, but I'd be jumping at the chance to save $1200 too. That's even a better anniversary gift.



I can just imagine you two are going to have some primo food porn for us when you get back. Definitely sounds like an awesome birthday celebration.

Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

I am so sorry.. this is all horrible! I am happy you were able to talk your Mom into the hospital. (I know what it's like to have to do it and you think pain and blood are two signs of YEA I think I need to go!)
My thoughts are with you and your family!

 

[MA pigletfan]

Sounds like a great trip!! We go to Vegas frequently, due to DH's job. Here's a few suggestions:

Wherever you decide to dine, be sure to book a reservation.

Keep an eye out for prix fixes, they often are great values and delicious!
(Offers sometimes change over the months), but the current list from the Wynn and Encore is here:
http://newsletter.visitwynn.com/taste-of-wynn/

I highly recommend Daniel Boulud. A great place to stop for a glass of wine before dinner is Parasol Up in the Wynn. Very pretty. Downstairs, just outside of Daniel Boulud's is Parasol Down. It's nice, too, but much smaller.

At the Palazzo, Jersey Boys is a great night out. They will be selling tickets for your time frame pretty soon. I need tickets in Dec, so I've been checking regularly. Right now I believe they are selling into early Oct.

Other great things to do at the Palazzo:
We've eaten at Emeril's Table 10 restaurant. Great food!
On Friday evenings, Double Helix does a wine tasting from 5-7. If we're in town on a Friday, we try to go. Very fun!
http://www.doublehelixwine.com/

The MGM Grand has been offering prix fixes, they change seasonally. Here are the current offers. http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/summer-tasting-menus.aspx
As we get further into fall, there's a good change they'll continue I think. Vegas bookings overall are way down.

A place that's not too widely know is Onda's Lounge. (In the Mirage hotel). http://mirage.travel/restaurants/onda-lounge.aspx
They have lots of nice wines by the glass.

We like to stop there, and then walk back to Caesars and go to Rao's for dinner. Rao's takes reservations 3 months out now (unless it's changed) and it's a great place to go if you like Italian. We celebrated my husband's birthday there last year. I mentioned his birthday when booking, and they gave us a lovely tiramisu to share.
Portions are generous there. We usually ask for a couple of extra little plates so we can share back and forth.
And Payard's Chocolates is right across from Rao's. That place has treats that are amazing!!!!!

There are a bazillion restaurants in Vegas, I've only just mentioned a few.

Other options:
The Rio has a fantastic seafood buffet. It's a Harrah's property, (like Caesars) there are shuttles over there from various places on the strip. Caesars would have the latest on shuttles/times.

Paris also has a delicious buffet. Another buffet I really like is the one at the Bellagio.

November is a nice time of year to visit Vegas. The weather has cooled, and walking is much more pleasant. Happy planning!!!

AWESOME !!! I love sponging off other people's Vegas advice!!!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses.

One of my favorite Vegas spots is Andres at the Monte Carlo. Excellent food and they always have foie in various incarnations since they are a French restaurant. Impeccable food there and extremely attentive (although possibly over attentive) service. We want for nothing when we dine there.

 

[blissventure]

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses.

One of my favorite Vegas spots is Andres at the Monte Carlo. Excellent food and they always have foie in various incarnations since they are a French restaurant. Impeccable food there and extremely attentive (although possibly over attentive) service. We want for nothing when we dine there.

Prayers and best wishes going out to your Mom.

I'm writing down Andres and popping it in my Vegas folder. Sounds like a fantastic restaurant. Thanks!!

 

[TDC Nala]

I've been to Daniel Bouloud, Jersey Boys, the Paris buffet, and the Rio buffet and will avoid repeating these unless the birthday girl wants to go to one on her birthday.
Wouldn't object to seeing Jersey Boys again with a discount - but if I do it and then take my parents to see it here in DC, then I'll have seen it 3 times in one year - don't know about that one. We have Bette Midler and Lori expressed interest in Love. I've seen all the Cirque shows except Zumanity.

Definitely repeating Mesa Grill.

As for the Helix wine tasting the only Friday we have IS A BIRTHDAY so it'd be up to Lori. Looks good to me though. So does L'Atelier - may go there one night even if she picks another place for the birthday.

that Onda place has CHEESE!

 

[blissventure]

I've been to Daniel Bouloud, Jersey Boys, the Paris buffet, and the Rio buffet and will avoid repeating these unless the birthday girl wants to go to one on her birthday.
Wouldn't object to seeing Jersey Boys again with a discount - but if I do it and then take my parents to see it here in DC, then I'll have seen it 3 times in one year - don't know about that one. We have Bette Midler and Lori expressed interest in Love. I've seen all the Cirque shows except Zumanity.

Definitely repeating Mesa Grill.

As for the Helix wine tasting the only Friday we have IS A BIRTHDAY so it'd be up to Lori. Looks good to me though. So does L'Atelier - may go there one night even if she picks another place for the birthday.

that Onda place has CHEESE!

I'm adding Mesa Grill to our list of places we need to visit!!

I remembered someplace else that we've been talking about want to try--Michael Mina's. http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/michael-mina.aspx
(When you go to the link, click on menu. His tasting menus are included there.)

We dined a couple of months ago at Mina's Nobhill Tavern (MGM Grand), and loved it!

Wherever you all decide to go, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!!

 

[PNO4TE]

Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

I am SO sorry. You poor thing. And I feel badly for everyone else in your family too. I hope your Mom is doing better this afternoon. Again, I am so sorry.

 

[BriarRosie]

Woohoo VEGAS BABY

I don't do champagne or spas - Lori will have to do those by herself

I think she might get a ticket to LOVE for her birthday - I've seen it twice but it's really worth seeing and discount tickets shouldn't be a problem these days.

Someone tell her where to get foie gras, I think she wants foie gras with a candle in it.

I think I can pass on the spa and champagne and save it for a time I'm not traveling with you. LOL! I think going to the LOVE show (with a discount! Michelle gave me a link to 50% off tickets) sounds like a decent plan. I'm not sure if I want to do a show on my birthday if I'm planning on doing a meal that has a prix fixe tasting menu. I think showtimes might conflict with meal seatings. Guess I have to investigate.

Foie gras with a candle in it? That would be hilarious.

Sounds like a great trip!! We go to Vegas frequently, due to DH's job. Here's a few suggestions:

Wherever you decide to dine, be sure to book a reservation.

Yep, I was planning on it.

Keep an eye out for prix fixes, they often are great values and delicious!
(Offers sometimes change over the months), but the current list from the Wynn and Encore is here:
http://newsletter.visitwynn.com/taste-of-wynn/

I highly recommend Daniel Boulud. A great place to stop for a glass of wine before dinner is Parasol Up in the Wynn. Very pretty. Downstairs, just outside of Daniel Boulud's is Parasol Down. It's nice, too, but much smaller.

Yes, the prix fix meals seem plentiful, but how to choose? I actually did have L'Atelier on my tentative list, and I did try to check out the menus at so many places! I think I had Daniel Boulud under consideration, too. Parasol Up and Parasol Down? Sounds like a Victorian era drill team.

At the Palazzo, Jersey Boys is a great night out. They will be selling tickets for your time frame pretty soon. I need tickets in Dec, so I've been checking regularly. Right now I believe they are selling into early Oct.

Other great things to do at the Palazzo:
We've eaten at Emeril's Table 10 restaurant. Great food!
On Friday evenings, Double Helix does a wine tasting from 5-7. If we're in town on a Friday, we try to go. Very fun!
http://www.doublehelixwine.com/

I'm not keen on Jersey Boys, even though I know it's a great show. I'm already making Catherine see LOVE for the umpteenth time, and I might be forcing her to see The Lion King (which I haven't seen either). I will give her a reprieve on this repeat. The Double Helix wine tasting sounds fun! If I happen to choose a prix fix in the Venetian area for my birthday meal, I'd definitely stop in there to check this out.

The MGM Grand has been offering prix fixes, they change seasonally. Here are the current offers. http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/summer-tasting-menus.aspx
As we get further into fall, there's a good change they'll continue I think. Vegas bookings overall are way down.

Yep, got that covered with my L'Atelier choice.


A place that's not too widely know is Onda's Lounge. (In the Mirage hotel). http://mirage.travel/restaurants/onda-lounge.aspx
They have lots of nice wines by the glass. [/quote]

Wine and cheese lounge. Sold!

We like to stop there, and then walk back to Caesars and go to Rao's for dinner. Rao's takes reservations 3 months out now (unless it's changed) and it's a great place to go if you like Italian. We celebrated my husband's birthday there last year. I mentioned his birthday when booking, and they gave us a lovely tiramisu to share.
Portions are generous there. We usually ask for a couple of extra little plates so we can share back and forth.
And Payard's Chocolates is right across from Rao's. That place has treats that are amazing!!!!!

I saw Rao's when I was checking out the Caesar's pages. Looks really good, but I wanted to try a Batali place if I'm doing Italian. But Payard's might be a stop after dinner at Mesa Grill.

There are a bazillion restaurants in Vegas, I've only just mentioned a few.

Other options:
The Rio has a fantastic seafood buffet. It's a Harrah's property, (like Caesars) there are shuttles over there from various places on the strip. Caesars would have the latest on shuttles/times.

Paris also has a delicious buffet. Another buffet I really like is the one at the Bellagio.

November is a nice time of year to visit Vegas. The weather has cooled, and walking is much more pleasant. Happy planning!!!

Last time I went to Vegas a couple years ago, we ate at the Rio seafood buffet, and I enjoyed that very much. I do want to skip that because I've got so many other places I want to try. Catherine's lukewarm about the Paris buffet, but who knows? I am not sure I want buffets or not quite yet.

Thank you so much for all those wonderful suggestions! I only have one meager trip under my belt, and I really welcome all the ideas!

WOW! Too much fun Lori! You have gotten a lot of great suggestions for stuff below but I'd like to add Mesa Grill for at least a drink!
Also check out www.travelzoo.com for show discounts! I always say that I am happy Vegas is a 5 hour drive for me away other wise we would be there way too often!

Oh, I'm most definitely got Mesa Grill as part of the plan, non-negotiable. I wanted to go there last trip from a couple years ago, but it was not to be. This time we're going there for sure.

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses.

One of my favorite Vegas spots is Andres at the Monte Carlo. Excellent food and they always have foie in various incarnations since they are a French restaurant. Impeccable food there and extremely attentive (although possibly over attentive) service. We want for nothing when we dine there.

I'll send you and your mom some pixie dust!

I've been to Daniel Bouloud, Jersey Boys, the Paris buffet, and the Rio buffet and will avoid repeating these unless the birthday girl wants to go to one on her birthday.
Wouldn't object to seeing Jersey Boys again with a discount - but if I do it and then take my parents to see it here in DC, then I'll have seen it 3 times in one year - don't know about that one. We have Bette Midler and Lori expressed interest in Love. I've seen all the Cirque shows except Zumanity.

No need to repeat the buffets. Daniel Boulud is still a possibility. I won't make you see Jersey Boys, and I'm not interested in Zumanity. Bette Midler and LOVE are the two shows on my priority list, and anything else I can take or leave depending on discounts.

Definitely repeating Mesa Grill.

Hell yeah! Well, repeat for you. First time for me.

As for the Helix wine tasting the only Friday we have IS A BIRTHDAY so it'd be up to Lori. Looks good to me though. So does L'Atelier - may go there one night even if she picks another place for the birthday.

Ok, L'Atelier looks like a firm deal. I'm not opposed to Helix wine tasting, especially if it happens to be close to a meal location to be determined.

that Onda place has CHEESE!

I know! They had me at "cheese".

 

[PNO4TE]

to our own TigerKat. Hope you have a WONDERFUL day, Kathy!!

 

[kabuki]

to our own TigerKat. Hope you have a WONDERFUL day, Kathy!!

YES! Happy Birthday!

 

[Shenanigoat]

......
Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses....

Oh nos. Major hugs to you, your mom, your family, and wdw for missing out on you! And will this emoticon do?

Yesterday I met a DIS friend and her two kids for lunch at the new mega-grocery in town (Wegmans). It is truly an amazing place, with a "food court" serving Chinese, Thai, pizza, Mexican, sushi, seafood, sandwiches, breakfasts and more that I am sure I missed. It has a two story seating area too. Just an eyeful for a foodie.

Oh, yeah... their grocery shopping isn't bad either. I decided to pick up a few things to have for dinner and came up with this:

badly out-of-focus cell phone shot of raw meat

We had the above-pictured chicken sausage (with spinach, feta and pesto) as well as a pork sausage coil (with wine, cheese and herbs) done on the grill. I also picked up a 1/2 pound of their ENORMOUS garlic herb shrimp as an appetizer. We did fresh angel hair pasta with a fresh tomato marinara as our side dish.

And, of course, a bottle of vinho verde to wash it all down with!

The best part? It only took about 20 minutes to throw the whole meal together!

Each of the coils was about a pound, so we have two dinners for three and a snack or light lunch for one from that trip. Well... I do have to admit that between our daughter and myself there is no shrimp to be found in the refrigerator.

Wegmans! Wegmans is probably the thing I miss most about living in NJ, and even then I had to make a pilgrimage just to get there with my car full of icechests. I was the weirdest, but best fed college student ever. I could never want for food variety and awesome markets here in CA, but Wegmans is still the best grocery store I have ever been in.

.....
Are you sure you're not Brenda???? OME that is funny stuff right there! It's exactly what I wanted to say! You crack me up!

As I disclosed in my Trip Report, I was brought here during a freak ion storm. I shaved off my goatee and attempted to assimilate into this world. I mean you no harm.
had to edit to say that emoticon is way creepier upon reflection than intended

to our own TigerKat. Hope you have a WONDERFUL day, Kathy!!

Happy birthday TigerKat! (Kathy?) I'm attempting to learn everyone's names here. And a very merry unbirthday to everyone else here!

 

[TigerKat]

I just added up what we spent for dinner last night: $11 for the sausages, $10 for the shrimp, $2 for the pasta, $.50 for the tomato, $10 for the wine = $33.50. If we had gone out to dinner and had the same meal, the wine alone would have cost that! YAY!

It does add up doesn't it, good job!

Well today we were supposed to be leaving for Florida. Fred wasn't able to get time off to do the agent special on DCL this month but we were scheduled to attend Saturday night's Vacation As You Wish presentation at the Contemporary. Fred was going to stay until Sunday night and then me and the kids were going to hang out through the end of the week so that Drew could attend his culinary convention just outside of Disney. The best laid plans always go awry though and just as I was about to start packing yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my mom. I'll spare the gory details and just say she had something in her stomach rupture. When I got to the house it looked like a murder scene and she was in very bad shape. I had to convince her to go to the hospital (you would think this would have been a no brainer). So I finally got home a 3am this morning after she was admitted. The surgeon is coming this morning. Is there an exasperated, highly fatigued looking smilie out there somewhere?

I am so sorry to hear this, will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses.

Please keep us posted, praying that all goes well.


Thanks for all the birthday wishes, y'all are too sweet!!!!

 

[hmgray95]

YES! Happy Birthday!

Here's some birthday pixie dust from me too, Kathy! Hope you have a great day!

 

[oybolshoi]

Thank you ladies for all the kind words. Looks like my mom will be going into surgery this afternoon. I have to head up to the hospital in a bit so I can see her and comfort her before she goes in. She was told it will be an easy procedure and that maybe she can go home tomorrow night or Saturday depending on how she progresses.

One of my favorite Vegas spots is Andres at the Monte Carlo. Excellent food and they always have foie in various incarnations since they are a French restaurant. Impeccable food there and extremely attentive (although possibly over attentive) service. We want for nothing when we dine there.

Best wishes to your mom Allison

I'm working from home now ... my car still isn't fixed even after I was told last night and then again this morning that it was. We're very unhappy with the dealership and are beginning to think that they are either a bunch or incompetents or are deliberately mucking up my car to keep their kids at summer camp or some such thing.

Not happy not happy not happy especially after dropping $1M there last night when I picked my car up.