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

[oybolshoi]

We got back from Vegas a couple of days ago. The deals are plentiful, but you have to do some searching to find the better ones. (Feel free to pm if you want more details of the multiple places to search.) We canceled an earlier reservation when Encore went to $149 a night for our dates. They upgraded us to strip view, woo-hoo!

I wanted to put a good word in for Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn. They have a prix fixe that is just fantastic. It's only offered before 7pm, so when you make a reservation keep that in mind. Here's the current menu:
http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/pdf/DB_menu_2_10_09.pdf

I had the skate, it was one of the best entrees I've ever had.

Rao's (at Caesars) was delicious, as usual. Great atmosphere--and really fantastic wait staff.

Both of these restaurants were very busy--reservations highly recommended.

So we're home...with fond memories of ordering room service coffee and sitting in our robes, enjoying the view.

That place at the Wynn sounds great - and what a great deal to eat before 7PM. There were a couple of restaurants at Mandalay Bay doing that last year when we stayed there ... one of them was Hubert Keller's place ... but we already had our plans set for other things. It's good to know for future trips, though ... like next May!

 

[oybolshoi]

Real whipped cream with Bailey's in it I can't believe I never thought of that

First I read the other thread with all the sushi and now this? You're killin me Brenda

I'm not sure why it took us so long to add booze to whipping cream.

I think next time we're going to try amaretto.

And was that sushi amazing or what?

 

[DisneyMom5]

Occasional lurker here popping in to say that the purpose of the brownie pan is to create a whole pan of brownies like those you get from the corners

That baked ziti looks yummy, Brenda. Thanks for posting the recipe! I just bought some ricotta and mozzarella while grocery shopping tonight. I may have to make a run to the store tomorrow for some ziti pasta. I think my hubby would love having that for dinner.

Ahhhh! That totally makes sense. I have to say I have never seen one of those pans before though. LOL

I 2nd the thought on the ziti. Mmmmm....

 

[OurDogCisco]

They do the white/black napkin thing at Palo on the Disney ships!

I actually went to the grocery store and COOKED today. You kids are an inspiration. Now, I just threw a steak on the George Foreman and opened a bag of Romaine and slapped on some dressing....but it WASN"T Burger King!

.

Yay... for cooking..

I've dined at Palo 4 times and they have never asked me. Must be something new, maybe?

 

[Minnie_Moo]

Well, I made the baked ziti for dinner. Very easy to make and YUM!!! I added ground beef because Mr. Moo isn't big on "vegetarian" dishes. Since it's just the two of us, I have plenty of leftovers for lunches this week

The only thing I think I would do differently next time is add more sauce, maybe two jars (I used 1 1/2 jars to account for the meat), and use the ziti that have ridges instead of the smooth tubes. It would be delish with Italian sausage too.

Thanks for the different dinner idea, Brenda!

 

[oybolshoi]

URGE TO KILL, RISING!!!

Jay and I loathe most musicals and this number that just finally ended on the Academy Awards has us quoting Homer Simpson in The Shining spoof they did one year for their Halloween special.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Oh come on ya old fuddy duddy; I thought it was ironic, and a postmodern global fusion of... No seriously, I wasn't sure whether to throw up or mute the channel. I asked my husband if it was just me who felt ill, but he was already changing the channel, so I guess not

BTW, the cake shop (where all the decorators get stuff) near my house has those brownie pans. I think they're getting more popular.

 

[oybolshoi]

Hey kids ... I just posted a "review" of our lunch yesterday with Jay's parents. Our Eye-Talian lunch, as Grimace would say, is posted on the blog for anyone who's interested. Just follow the links and enjoy!

 

[oybolshoi]

Oh come on ya old fuddy duddy; I thought it was ironic, and a postmodern global fusion of... No seriously, I wasn't sure whether to throw up or mute the channel. I asked my husband if it was just me who felt ill, but he was already changing the channel, so I guess not

BTW, the cake shop (where all the decorators get stuff) near my house has those brownie pans. I think they're getting more popular.

I just read your response to Jay who nodded most sagely and said, "See, we're not the only ones."

 

[DisneyMom5]

URGE TO KILL, RISING!!!

Jay and I loathe most musicals and this number that just finally ended on the Academy Awards has us quoting Homer Simpson in The Shining spoof they did one year for their Halloween special.

So I wasn't the only one who thought that Bollywood dancing to the Wall-E song was just....wrong???

And, honestly, they had to really stretch for songs this year, didn't they?
Two songs that sounded exactly the same, and the song that plays over the credits for a cartoon?
Disney needs to put out another musical.

I only saw that portion, as I was watching Amazing Race and Oliver Twist. I think I got the better end of the deal, as I have not seen ONE of the movies nominated! (Well, except for Wall-E, and I was underwhelmed.)

Today is John's (dh) birthday, so we are making hot fudge ice cream cake.
Mmmmmm, good.

 

[oybolshoi]

Happy birthday to your hubba, DisneyMom5!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

I don't even see enough movies anymore to keep up with the Oscars. I did take dd to see "Coraline 3-D" on Saturday . I did NOT like that movie and I don't think she cared much for it, either, way too weird storyline. I kept thinking about halfway through that if it was done with live actors it would be a rated R horror movie! Creepy, creepy, creepy.

(and it made me afraid of my laundry shute door.....lol)

 

[blissventure]

I don't even see enough movies anymore to keep up with the Oscars. I did take dd to see "Coraline 3-D" on Saturday . I did NOT like that movie and I don't think she cared much for it, either, way too weird storyline. I kept thinking about halfway through that if it was done with live actors it would be a rated R horror movie! Creepy, creepy, creepy.

(and it made me afraid of my laundry shute door.....lol)

Goodness, that sounds awful. We didn't watch the Oscars, opted to watch an old Tony Bourdain-No Reservations from the DVR.
But----I was laughing myself silly this morning. The early news shows had clips from the Oscar show of Ben Stiller's impression of Joaquin Phoenix's Letterman appearance. It was REALLY funny.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Ben Stiller's impression of Joaquin Phoenix's Letterman appearance. It was REALLY funny.

That was hillarious! My other favorite from the Oscars last night was Jack Black explaining to Jennifer Aniston how he makes so much more money from animated movies. He said he "takes the money he gets from Dreamworks, brings it to the Oscars and bets it all on Pixar" Then they announced the nominees for best animated movie: Wall-E (Pixar), Bolt (Disney) & Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks starring Jack Black) and the Oscar goes to....Wall-E

 

[travelmel]

just a quick chime-in and run. I thought Coraline in 3-D was visually the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.

I thought last nights Oscars were the funniest I have ever seen (cept why did they give poor RPatz the only left-over hideously scripted pat award giver speech????) I will definitely NOT rent the reader.

I loved how they gave nods to people who go see movies FINALLY. I thought it was down to earth and not nearly as boring as it usually is.

I know you guys are eating well over here!!! Lemme see if I have a pic to add..

Here is my paultry Christmas Brunch shot - I am a big Semi-Homeade type'a girl. Cept my semi-homeade often merges with my WT side. I get by.

I'm actually embarrassed to post this as it is so not fancy that it borders rude But, I'm gonna anyway. Please look passed the awful presentation and know that it tasted good (if you have a budget.. if you don't then this would be hell on a plate)

Pictured clockwise starting at the Grapes.

1) Grapes.

2) Mini Pancakes individually whip-creamed and syruped. 1/2 had fresh boysenberries and they were actually able to be finger-food as such.

3) Sausage Balls - these are the piece d'resistance. Yumm-E. (not O... E). Seriously, if you take nothing away from a good WT brunch, try these little things. They will not disappoint. They're sorta like that chinese chicken salad made with top ramen.. you say to yourself, WHAT?? how could this be good?? But it is.

Jimmy Dean Sausage balls Ingredients
2 lbs Sausage
1/2 cup Onion chopped
1 1/2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup Celery chopped
4 cups Cheddar cheese grated 1/2 tst Garlic powder

Instructions for Jimmy Dean Sausage balls
Mix all ingredients and form into 1" balls. Bake 15 min. on an ungreased cookie sheet until golden brown. These can be frozen uncooked. Also can use as a stuffing for mushrooms.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: (if you care) - I prefer these things more on the bread/biscuit side than the meaty-ball side so I always use 1.5 to 2 times more bisquick. I also bake them longer. They're done when they look done and overdone when they start to burn. About 30 min instead of 15, I'd say. They're better that way IMHO.

4) Stuffed Bagels - these were bought at a knock-off grocery wherehouse store. They're bagels stuffed with yummy stuff like cream cheese and cream cheese with cinnamon.

5) Plain Ole Eggs and Cheese - 'nuff said.

Every time I go to make a brunch I try too hard. I end up getting stressed out and not enjoying the WAY OVERBOARD AMOUNT OF FOOD I make. I was happy with this spread - the amount worked (good for 4-5 adults and two "tweens"), flavors were well blended, and ease of cooking was definitely a PLUS. Believe it or not, it was tasty. Despite the obvious lack of class.

P.S. So sorry if I already posted this pic.. it's been a long time since I have visited this thread And I don't have any new food porn!!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Goodness, that sounds awful. We didn't watch the Oscars, opted to watch an old Tony Bourdain-No Reservations from the DVR.

We watched about 3 hours of No Reservations yesterday.
I LOVE the episode where he goes to Saudi,
and we were just mesmerized by his '06 trip to Beruit, when war broke out. How do I not even remember this happening???

Happy birthday to your hubba, DisneyMom5!!

Thanks!
I decided to make him pork chops, and added a lovely sauce I discovered...
2 parts jellied cranberry sauce (no chunks), to 1 part honey mustard.
salt, pepper and onion or onion powder on the pork chops, spread with sauce, bake until done, or place in the crockpot all day.

Original recipe was for pork loin, and it is super yummy on that also.

Pork is the only meat I like any kind of fruit like substance on.
Maybe sweet and sour chicken, but that's it.

I like to keep my food groups rather segregated.
(Don't look too close into that one, as I am sure there are tons of dairy/veggie/grain crossovers in my diet, LOL)

Unfortunately, he is not yet home from work, so we had to eat it without him.
Don't worry, we saved him some.

I won't let the kids cut into the cake until he is home.

 

[TDC Nala]

OK I know I said I would have some Aussie (and New Zealand) food porn.

Because I can't post 70 pictures, this is a link to a slideshow.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=tyl4igg.9ypsg5b0&x=0&y=-mncbof&localeid=en_US

 

[TigerKat]

OK I know I said I would have some Aussie (and New Zealand) food porn.

Because I can't post 70 pictures, this is a link to a slideshow.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=tyl4igg.9ypsg5b0&x=0&y=-mncbof&localeid=en_US

Awesome!

 

[oybolshoi]

OK I know I said I would have some Aussie (and New Zealand) food porn.

Because I can't post 70 pictures, this is a link to a slideshow.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=tyl4igg.9ypsg5b0&x=0&y=-mncbof&localeid=en_US

Amazing pictures - thanks for sharing them! I laughed myself silly at the hairy lemons ...

 

[whogirl'smom]

travelmel,I don't know what was up with me and that movie. I kept taking my glasses off and thinking I would like it better in 2D. We loved Corpse Bride, I thought it would be similar.

I love sausage balls! I've never made them with celery, though, or onion. Just the bisquick, sausage and cheese. Your teeny, tiny pancakes look great--that's my kind of finger food!