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ANY BREAK IS A GOOD BREAK Publish Date : 1/11/2006 5:30:59 PM Source : Laura Glendinning
On that Vegas trip, we dragged our battered garment bag, with a freshly broken strap, across the lush marble-floored lobby, looking like refugees. We entered our suite-like room - with its canopy bed, step down tv lounge and huge marble bathroom (two sinks, a shower and a huge tub), pulled out the nice champagne we'd brought along in our cooler, pulled out our travel champagne glasses (if they break we don't care) and put on the plush robes the Venetian provides. A cable movie and champagne shook the dust off the road trip. The next couple of days in Vegas sometimes means the spa for me, for sure the sports bar for John, and our search for the stranger slot machines to play. The "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" slots actually reward you for answering trivia questions. Vegas is not really about thinking, but the times we've played the game we've gotten a few interested onlookers impressed with our ability to pull facts out of our brains. We toyed with the idea of hanging around the machines having a cocktail and helping other players answer their bonus questions but decided against it. Along the strip, the Barbary Coast has maintained its original kitsch, sandwiched between lush hotels who doubtless are sporadically trying to buy them out. The tables there are friendly and attract a mixed crowd of fairly low stakes players. Like, a lot of hotels, dealers display where they are from on their name tag. A tall, blond Czechoslovakian dealer at the Barbary Coast took John's blackjack stake away with breathless speed and efficiency. Was she paid by how many cards she dealt? She was so fast that the dealer at the next table actually seemed mad at her for ruining everyone's fun. His attitude was "This is the Barbary Coast, we don't do that here". Good thing the sports book paid off for John phenomenally. If you're into food, Vegas can be frustrating. Bargain buffets notwithstanding, to-order food is often pricey and mediocre. You can always count on chains for consistency (Vegas has branches of California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfgang Puck's, Chin Chin, and tons more), but part of a vacation is to try something new. We found two gems last visit. The two new places were both at venerable Ceasers, a survivor from the Rat Pack era which keeps re-inventing itself and staying near the top of the competitive heap on the Strip. At the Palm restaurant (also in NY and L.A.) there is a businessman's lunch for $15.95 - choice of soup or salad, choice of fish or filet mignon (!), and coffee. Wines by the glass are pricey but excellent. One of Caeser's food courts features such offerings as good southern bbq, roasted turkey sandwiches, and above average pastries. As for dinner, we can't resist our old standby - The Four Seasons' Verandah restaurant. Their three course dinner special for around $30 is a great deal - cooked by a chef (not a kitchen worker), and always with a carefully designed menu. One night we learned there was most definitely a chef on hand as the man himself - beefy and affable - came out of the kitchen to talk when we had a question about how he made such perfect fish. I still use his halibut recipe - hot pan on the stove top, almost finish the fish, then transfer it to a cold un-oiled pan in a hot oven - but I digress. Even during the very hot summer, night time outdoor dining at the Four Seasons is quite pleasant, as you can sit by the pool. It's hard to come by quiet in Vegas, but here you get it - there is no gambling in the Four Seasons. If you want to gamble after dinner at the Verandah, the hotel is joined to Mandalay Bay by an air conditioned lobby. We left town the next day, stopping at Ceasers , our new casual dining spot, for good coffee for the road - and contemplated a last attempt at the Ripley's slots. We decided to skip it and call it even when we learned the valet parking outside the coffee shop was free. We got on Interstate 15 and joined the weekday throng of truckers headed into California. Traffic was light 'cuz thanks to driving an off time. We cruise to Interstate 10 and can't be at the kennel soon enough for the dogs. I am sure the dogs know when we are getting close but I always call the kennel keeper to warn her. Humans need advance notice for what dogs already know. The sound of an approaching car sets off every dog in the kennel but the barking settles down once the fellas see us and know they are hopping in the convertible and heading home. Bert the shepherd sits in the middle facing forward to make sure we are following the right route. The other two mutts, Buster and Louie, lounge in the back, hanging their heads out the window, the kennel already forgotten. We never make the trip home without a few kids waving and pointing at the funny people with three dogs. At least picking them up involves a lot less guilt than dropping them off, but sorry boys - there will always be another three day weekend ahead. About the Author Laura is a travel and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles, CA. She is also content director for www.threedayweekends.com, a on-line travel site. |
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