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Frugal hound - one who sniffs out the best deals possible without compromising quality.
(Source: Merriam-Westie's Collegiate Dictionary)
Dear Diary – April 14,
I was so excited this morning to learn this TR has received the Gold Seal of Approval. Any reader dissatisfied with its content will have his or her purchase price cheerfully refunded. All requests for refunds should be emailed to [email protected].
Ann, the former Ms. Westie, and I approach the final hours before a Las Vegas trip differently.
Ann is having both her hair and nails done today.
I shaved and bathed.
Ann purchased two new outfits for the trip.
I am so into recycling.
Ann is already packed.
I have moved my luggage from the attic to the bedroom floor.
Ann uses a packing list.
I use Westie’s rule of exception: if it is clean and hole fee, it is packed.
Ann’s carry on bag is full of oceans of lotions, elixirs and beauty items.
My carry on bag is full of coupons, certificates, restaurant reviews and lucky charms.
Dear Diary – April 15,
We departed Rancho de Westie at 9:30AM and in short order deposited Max J. Schipperke at the VCA Cromwell Vet where he will be staying for the duration of our trip. Since his last visit, the “corporate office” has eliminated the frequent stay program so he won’t be accruing credits towards a future stay. I am pretty certain VCA is an abbreviation for Very Cheap A....s.
We arrive at Executive Valet Parking where I am using frequent parker credits saving us approximately $75. As usual, Ann is flying free courtesy of SWA’s benevolent frequent flyer program while I am paying full freight. I initially booked our tickets in December but during the intervening period I rebooked my flight 3 times as airfares declined.
Our nonstop flight arrived on time and we were soon on the shuttle to the rental car facility. I have booked two separate weekly rentals from Alamo in order to extract maximum value from the use of their $25 online coupon. There were no economy cars in the lot so we were "upgraded" to a compact. Shortly after exiting the facility I heard a scraping sound from under the car, but continued on for a few miles when the sound reoccurred. As we continued, the loudness and frequency became alarming, but we were on the highway so I grasped my St. Christopher’s medal firmly and kept on truckin’.
On our arrival at the Eastside Cannery's parking lot, I discovered a large piece of molding behind the front bumper was almost touching the pavement.
We held reservations for 12 nights so at check-in I inquired about a "courtesy" upgrade to a deluxe room. We were assigned room 1335, a deluxe room that compared to a standard, has an additional set of floor to ceiling windows, a Jacuzzi and substantially more square footage.
After tossing our bags on the bed and freshening up, we headed to Ellis Island for a merlot (Ann) and Hefe Weiss (me) (2.5 Sips). Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
McCormick & Schmick’s was offering a special menu priced at $10.40 in celebration of the final day for filing the 2008 federal tax income form. After being seated I requested the special menu and was told it was only offered in the bar. We beat a hasty retreat to the bar area where Ann ordered fish & chips. The chips were standard fare, but the fish batter was not crisp and the accompanying coleslaw was pretty mediocre. In contrast, my pecan crusted catfish topped with Cajun remoulade sauce and accompanied by mashed potatoes and crisp green beans was delicious as usual. As a bonus, we received a $10.40 certificate good toward our next meal in the dining room. ($25.42, 4 Forks (mine), 2 Forks (Ann)) McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant - Fresh Seafood, Aged Steaks, Salads, Pastas
It was just a short drive back to the rental facility and in only a few minutes we were off in a mid-size vehicle headed for Wal-Mart, located across from Sam’s, where we picked up a survival package that included a case each of water and caffeine free diet Pepsi. After returning tot our room, I headed for the casino floor while Ann took advantage of the Jacuzzi.
Dear Diary – April 16,
From this point forward I am going to call you Di, it seems much more personal wouldn’t you agree?
I was up very early for my first morning session on the FPDW (full pay deuces wild) machines which turned out to be a loser. On returning to the room I soon fell asleep while Ann began preparing herself for the day.
For breakfast we headed west to the recently opened M Resort. The M Resort Spa & Casino Las Vegas Our first impression as we approached was ho hum, but the interior is beautiful with of the restaurants and lounges featuring floor to ceiling windows offering expansive views of the valley.
There were three smiling ladies staffing the slot booth, but no customers at 9AM, so it took little time for us to sign-up for Imagine Rewards cards. We next took a $10 coupon from a locals mailer to the Red Cup Café where we were seated in a booth facing a wall of windows. The M Resort • Dining • Red Cup Cafe Service with a smile is what we encountered throughout this trip each time we visited M Resort and this morning was no exception. We each ordered a bagel with cream cheese with Ann also making use of her red cup by ordering coffee. The bagels very likely hadn’t been boiled, but they filled the tummy and the price was right. ($3.08, 1.5 Forks)
Our next stop was the Gold Coast where, using match play (MP) coupons from a R-J insert, we netted a $23 profit at the craps table. We then drove across the street to the Palms where team Westie struck again for a $10 profit using MPs from the Las Vegas Advsisor (LVA).
Since we were in the immediate vicinity, we stopped at Bon Jour Euro Bakers where we purchased a Milequille (puff pastry layered with cream) and a Marquis (a vanilla and chocolate mousse concoction). I planned photographing our desserts, but Ann was on them like a swarm of locusts in an Iowa corn field. ($7.25, 4.5 Forks)
The remainder of the afternoon was spent reading and dozing though Ann put in her first VP session. At the stroke of 5 we made the short drive to Sam’s for merlots and then attempted to play a pair of MPs at the craps table, but were told it was 1 per roll.
Fuego at the Fiesta-Henderson got the call for dinner this evening.
http://www.fiestahendersonlasvegas.c.../fuegomenu.pdf Over the years we have enjoyed many meals here, but for whatever reason we haven’t returned in well over 5 years. Our waiter served us warm Parker House rolls, very different from those served in Boston, but excellent nonetheless. Entrees include a choice of either soup or salad, a starch and a sautéed vegetable of the day. We each chose the 12 ounce prime rib which was supersized, tender and delicious. We finished off this feast with a shared crème brulee. ($34.99, 3.5 Forks) Note: prices of meals include the cost of any certificates used plus gratuity and taxes. In this case it was a $50 certificate acquired from a local radio station.
Our waiter was very personable and I soon became convinced he had waited on us in the past. Near the conclusion of our meal I asked him how long had he been waiting on tables and had he ever sold perfume? Sure enough it was the same guy who sold Ann a few of bottles of pseudo perfume back in 2003. His current sideline is author of Italian Mothers Never Die, a book about how his deceased mother is responsible for untold miracles and guides his day-to-day activities from the other side. I think if this were true mom would have nagged him until he found a new hair stylist.
On our return to the Eastside we won another $10 at the craps table.
Dear Di – April 17,
This morning’s VP session could best be described as financial water boarding. Losing on my first few days of each trip seems to be developing into an unfortunate pattern so I am thinking in the future maybe I should not gamble until the fourth day. My buddy TJ, the slot shift supervisor, stopped by to say hello and offered to comp breakfast when I was ready; but when I was ready I discovered TJ had mysteriously vaporized.
As we exited the Eastside, the temperature was heading for the upper 70’s and the skies were beautiful. We decided on the Sunset Station buffet for breakfast where we were delighted to discover the quality has improved since our last visit. Food is now put out in smaller batches and the staff seems diligent in wiping up any spillage. On my first pass I chose fresh grapefruit sections, cantaloupe and ambrosia. Cooks.com - Recipe - Ambrosia Salad I replenished with easy over eggs, a small dollop of corned beef hash, wedge of cheese quesadilla, Italian baked potatoes and carved ham. Everything was very fresh and delicious with the exception of the quesadilla which was limp and tasteless though a liberal application of guacamole and salsa helped immensely. ($3, LVA, Comps, 3 Forks)
We made the short drive to Massage Envy on Marks Street to check out the facilities and make an appointment for Ann early next week. Our next stop was the Whitney Library where we made computer reservations, checked out a few books and viewed a historical photo exhibit. The photos included Sammy Davis Jr, Elvis, Madonna, Elton and many others. (2 Claps)
On returning to the Eastside we parted company with me headed for the room and
Ann off to visit the VP machines.
In the late afternoon we drove to the South Point for pre dinner merlots. (2 Sips) followed by dinner at R. E. Tapas. We started with stuffed dates (4.5 Forks) and pequilla rellenos (2.5 Forks). Our second order was crabbie paddies (2.5 Forks) and grilled mahi mahi (2.5 Forks). There were only a few other dining this Friday evening and the food seemed less creative than in the past. ($15.78, Restaurant.com, 2.5 Forks)
We returned to the South Point for the twin bill of Bill Medley and Paul Revere & the Raiders. The latter started off and put in about 60 minutes which we enjoyed more than when we saw the group perform alone. Bill Medley was backed-up by the Raiders plus his own musical director on keyboards. His performance covered a number of Righteous Brothers hits including a few duets with his son Darrin who is a Raider. His daughter, McKenna, also joined on stage as well as performing a few solo numbers. (4.5 Claps)
We were both thirsty on exiting the showroom so we bellied up to the bar and ordered mudslides. (3.5 Sips)
Dear Di – April 18,
I got hammered at this morning’s VP session, hitting a number of natural quads, but none walked or talked like a duck. After rousting Ann out of bed and a quick shower and shave for me, we sauntered over to Snaps, the Eastside’s coffee shop, for breakfast. After reviewing the menu for a few minutes I narrowed down my choices to $3.49 for a short stack of two pancakes or $3.49 for 3 pancakes, 2 eggs and hash browns. Guess what I ordered – burp! ($7.69, LVA, 3 Forks)
I hitched up our buggy for the drive to Boulder City where the local art guild was running an arts festival. Exhibitors are limited to those from neighboring states and most should find another hobby, but Ann managed to find a very nice polished glass necklace before I escorted her back to the car. Home
On our return to the room I napped and then read, napped and read a little more until it was time to depart for pre dinner merlots at Sam’s. We heard music so we followed the sound to Roxy’s lounge and listened to Skid Rodeo, a country group that we have enjoyed in the past. (3 Claps)
Dinner was at the Greek Bistro, a very casual restaurant on Marks Street in Henderson which we enjoyed in December.
reviewjournal.com -- Neon - RESTAURANT REVIEW: Greek Bistro
Ann ordered the chicken souvlaki plate while I requested the gyro plate. Each entrée included warm pita, a salad, rice pilaf and tzadsiki. Ann’s breast (chicken) was juicy and my gyro meat was both ample and moist, but the side salad and pilaf were disappointing. I tendered a 2/1 coupon from the Entertainment book, but we were told they stopped accepting the coupons in February, but would accept ours. ($23.15, 2.5 Forks)
Our last stop this evening was Boulder Station’s Fixx Lounge to listen to Van de Guzman. MEDICATION: A BUDDYHEAD BLOG: Meet Van de Guzman... He is a pretty talented singer who accompanies himself on keyboards, sax and the karaoke machine. I will forever associate Van with the Macarena which he performed at the old, now defunct, Vacation Village. YouTube - Macarena
(2.5 Claps)
During a break we headed to the FPDW machines where I lost, but Ann hit her first quad deuces of the trip. Our last stop of the evening was Marilyn’s Lounge at the Eastside for some old school music courtesy of the group Next Movement. This quartet sings many Motown standards and most frequently may be found performing Downtown at the Plaza’s. Welcome to The Next Movement Show (3.5 Claps)
Dear Di – April 19,
I have 4 morning VP sessions under my belt without a single quad deuces and paranoia is beginning to set in. Have I been re-infected by the Benny Binion curse or is the bad karma originating from our room on the 13th floor? I turned to the yellow pages and placed an emergency call to the local affiliate of Exorcists-R-Us.
On departing the Eastside we followed Rita Rudner’s recommendation and used Desert Inn to get to the Maple Tree Country Kitchen. The Maple Tree - Las Vegas In September I took a photo of Susan, our server, and on entering presented her with a copy. This led to the owner joining us for a chat and his coming over to tell us she has posted the photo on her Facebook page.
Our orders were the same as in September; strawberry cream cheese stuffed French toast topped with fresh strawberries and real maple syrup for Ann and the New England Benny, a pair of crab cakes served on top of English muffins halves and topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce for me. ($16.39, Entertainment, 4.5 Forks)
Continuing west on Spring Mountain Road we stopped at L’Elysee Bakery where we picked up 4 desserts – purple taro cake, black forest cake, egg custard and cappuccino mousse. It is hard to believe but over the course of the following several days we shared each one and all were unexceptional. ($3.50, KSHP, 1 Fork)
On returning to the Eastside we were disappointed to find our room was ready so we returned to the casino floor and quickly netted a $10 win at the craps table before heading to opposite ends of the casino. Ann played FPDW while I scored a royal on the 10-line, 1 cent, 9/6 JOB machines for a thrilling $40 win.
In the late afternoon we again scored a $10 win on the craps table before heading to the lounge to listen to The GoodFellas. We enjoyed the fella’s outfits, but their voices were pretty mediocre. In an example of our visiting Las Vegas too often, I recognized a couple on the dance floor who look like fire plugs and were last seen a few years back at Fiesta-Rancho dancing to the music of the group DooWop.com.
(1 Clap) The GoodFellas on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos
We drove to the Suncoast Casino and enjoyed a pair of merlots using ticket stubs from the Plaid Tidings show at the Gold Coast back in December, 2006. (1.5 Sips)
Our next stop was the nearby J. W. Marriot for dinner at Shizen, a beautiful, but largely unoccupied Japanese restaurant. Rampart Casino located in Summerlin Las Vegas We started with potato croquettes (3 Forks) and soft shell crab (0.5 Forks). The crab was unrecognizable, overcooked, tasteless and overpriced. We each ordered the misoyaki butterfish, black cod (4.5 Forks) which was accompanied by miso soup (1.5 Forks), salad (dressing congealed – 1 Fork), rice and green tea. ($36.45, R.com, 2.5 Forks)
We returned to the Suncoast for what will likely be the Scintas last performance in Las Vegas for some time. The Scintas Official Website We have seen this family of performers off and on for several years and found them to be entertaining, but very resistant to change. Joey Scinta is now totally inept and, if I understood them correctly, Peter O’Donnell, the drummer and adopted Scinta, will not be performing with them in the future. No reason was provided, but I suspect it has to due with declining revenues. (2 Claps)
(Source: Merriam-Westie's Collegiate Dictionary)
Dear Diary – April 14,
I was so excited this morning to learn this TR has received the Gold Seal of Approval. Any reader dissatisfied with its content will have his or her purchase price cheerfully refunded. All requests for refunds should be emailed to [email protected].
Ann, the former Ms. Westie, and I approach the final hours before a Las Vegas trip differently.
Ann is having both her hair and nails done today.
I shaved and bathed.
Ann purchased two new outfits for the trip.
I am so into recycling.
Ann is already packed.
I have moved my luggage from the attic to the bedroom floor.
Ann uses a packing list.
I use Westie’s rule of exception: if it is clean and hole fee, it is packed.
Ann’s carry on bag is full of oceans of lotions, elixirs and beauty items.
My carry on bag is full of coupons, certificates, restaurant reviews and lucky charms.
Dear Diary – April 15,
We departed Rancho de Westie at 9:30AM and in short order deposited Max J. Schipperke at the VCA Cromwell Vet where he will be staying for the duration of our trip. Since his last visit, the “corporate office” has eliminated the frequent stay program so he won’t be accruing credits towards a future stay. I am pretty certain VCA is an abbreviation for Very Cheap A....s.
We arrive at Executive Valet Parking where I am using frequent parker credits saving us approximately $75. As usual, Ann is flying free courtesy of SWA’s benevolent frequent flyer program while I am paying full freight. I initially booked our tickets in December but during the intervening period I rebooked my flight 3 times as airfares declined.
Our nonstop flight arrived on time and we were soon on the shuttle to the rental car facility. I have booked two separate weekly rentals from Alamo in order to extract maximum value from the use of their $25 online coupon. There were no economy cars in the lot so we were "upgraded" to a compact. Shortly after exiting the facility I heard a scraping sound from under the car, but continued on for a few miles when the sound reoccurred. As we continued, the loudness and frequency became alarming, but we were on the highway so I grasped my St. Christopher’s medal firmly and kept on truckin’.
On our arrival at the Eastside Cannery's parking lot, I discovered a large piece of molding behind the front bumper was almost touching the pavement.
We held reservations for 12 nights so at check-in I inquired about a "courtesy" upgrade to a deluxe room. We were assigned room 1335, a deluxe room that compared to a standard, has an additional set of floor to ceiling windows, a Jacuzzi and substantially more square footage.
After tossing our bags on the bed and freshening up, we headed to Ellis Island for a merlot (Ann) and Hefe Weiss (me) (2.5 Sips). Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
McCormick & Schmick’s was offering a special menu priced at $10.40 in celebration of the final day for filing the 2008 federal tax income form. After being seated I requested the special menu and was told it was only offered in the bar. We beat a hasty retreat to the bar area where Ann ordered fish & chips. The chips were standard fare, but the fish batter was not crisp and the accompanying coleslaw was pretty mediocre. In contrast, my pecan crusted catfish topped with Cajun remoulade sauce and accompanied by mashed potatoes and crisp green beans was delicious as usual. As a bonus, we received a $10.40 certificate good toward our next meal in the dining room. ($25.42, 4 Forks (mine), 2 Forks (Ann)) McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant - Fresh Seafood, Aged Steaks, Salads, Pastas
It was just a short drive back to the rental facility and in only a few minutes we were off in a mid-size vehicle headed for Wal-Mart, located across from Sam’s, where we picked up a survival package that included a case each of water and caffeine free diet Pepsi. After returning tot our room, I headed for the casino floor while Ann took advantage of the Jacuzzi.
Dear Diary – April 16,
From this point forward I am going to call you Di, it seems much more personal wouldn’t you agree?
I was up very early for my first morning session on the FPDW (full pay deuces wild) machines which turned out to be a loser. On returning to the room I soon fell asleep while Ann began preparing herself for the day.
For breakfast we headed west to the recently opened M Resort. The M Resort Spa & Casino Las Vegas Our first impression as we approached was ho hum, but the interior is beautiful with of the restaurants and lounges featuring floor to ceiling windows offering expansive views of the valley.
There were three smiling ladies staffing the slot booth, but no customers at 9AM, so it took little time for us to sign-up for Imagine Rewards cards. We next took a $10 coupon from a locals mailer to the Red Cup Café where we were seated in a booth facing a wall of windows. The M Resort • Dining • Red Cup Cafe Service with a smile is what we encountered throughout this trip each time we visited M Resort and this morning was no exception. We each ordered a bagel with cream cheese with Ann also making use of her red cup by ordering coffee. The bagels very likely hadn’t been boiled, but they filled the tummy and the price was right. ($3.08, 1.5 Forks)
Our next stop was the Gold Coast where, using match play (MP) coupons from a R-J insert, we netted a $23 profit at the craps table. We then drove across the street to the Palms where team Westie struck again for a $10 profit using MPs from the Las Vegas Advsisor (LVA).
Since we were in the immediate vicinity, we stopped at Bon Jour Euro Bakers where we purchased a Milequille (puff pastry layered with cream) and a Marquis (a vanilla and chocolate mousse concoction). I planned photographing our desserts, but Ann was on them like a swarm of locusts in an Iowa corn field. ($7.25, 4.5 Forks)
The remainder of the afternoon was spent reading and dozing though Ann put in her first VP session. At the stroke of 5 we made the short drive to Sam’s for merlots and then attempted to play a pair of MPs at the craps table, but were told it was 1 per roll.
Fuego at the Fiesta-Henderson got the call for dinner this evening.
http://www.fiestahendersonlasvegas.c.../fuegomenu.pdf Over the years we have enjoyed many meals here, but for whatever reason we haven’t returned in well over 5 years. Our waiter served us warm Parker House rolls, very different from those served in Boston, but excellent nonetheless. Entrees include a choice of either soup or salad, a starch and a sautéed vegetable of the day. We each chose the 12 ounce prime rib which was supersized, tender and delicious. We finished off this feast with a shared crème brulee. ($34.99, 3.5 Forks) Note: prices of meals include the cost of any certificates used plus gratuity and taxes. In this case it was a $50 certificate acquired from a local radio station.
Our waiter was very personable and I soon became convinced he had waited on us in the past. Near the conclusion of our meal I asked him how long had he been waiting on tables and had he ever sold perfume? Sure enough it was the same guy who sold Ann a few of bottles of pseudo perfume back in 2003. His current sideline is author of Italian Mothers Never Die, a book about how his deceased mother is responsible for untold miracles and guides his day-to-day activities from the other side. I think if this were true mom would have nagged him until he found a new hair stylist.
On our return to the Eastside we won another $10 at the craps table.
Dear Di – April 17,
This morning’s VP session could best be described as financial water boarding. Losing on my first few days of each trip seems to be developing into an unfortunate pattern so I am thinking in the future maybe I should not gamble until the fourth day. My buddy TJ, the slot shift supervisor, stopped by to say hello and offered to comp breakfast when I was ready; but when I was ready I discovered TJ had mysteriously vaporized.
As we exited the Eastside, the temperature was heading for the upper 70’s and the skies were beautiful. We decided on the Sunset Station buffet for breakfast where we were delighted to discover the quality has improved since our last visit. Food is now put out in smaller batches and the staff seems diligent in wiping up any spillage. On my first pass I chose fresh grapefruit sections, cantaloupe and ambrosia. Cooks.com - Recipe - Ambrosia Salad I replenished with easy over eggs, a small dollop of corned beef hash, wedge of cheese quesadilla, Italian baked potatoes and carved ham. Everything was very fresh and delicious with the exception of the quesadilla which was limp and tasteless though a liberal application of guacamole and salsa helped immensely. ($3, LVA, Comps, 3 Forks)
We made the short drive to Massage Envy on Marks Street to check out the facilities and make an appointment for Ann early next week. Our next stop was the Whitney Library where we made computer reservations, checked out a few books and viewed a historical photo exhibit. The photos included Sammy Davis Jr, Elvis, Madonna, Elton and many others. (2 Claps)
On returning to the Eastside we parted company with me headed for the room and
Ann off to visit the VP machines.
In the late afternoon we drove to the South Point for pre dinner merlots. (2 Sips) followed by dinner at R. E. Tapas. We started with stuffed dates (4.5 Forks) and pequilla rellenos (2.5 Forks). Our second order was crabbie paddies (2.5 Forks) and grilled mahi mahi (2.5 Forks). There were only a few other dining this Friday evening and the food seemed less creative than in the past. ($15.78, Restaurant.com, 2.5 Forks)
We returned to the South Point for the twin bill of Bill Medley and Paul Revere & the Raiders. The latter started off and put in about 60 minutes which we enjoyed more than when we saw the group perform alone. Bill Medley was backed-up by the Raiders plus his own musical director on keyboards. His performance covered a number of Righteous Brothers hits including a few duets with his son Darrin who is a Raider. His daughter, McKenna, also joined on stage as well as performing a few solo numbers. (4.5 Claps)
We were both thirsty on exiting the showroom so we bellied up to the bar and ordered mudslides. (3.5 Sips)
Dear Di – April 18,
I got hammered at this morning’s VP session, hitting a number of natural quads, but none walked or talked like a duck. After rousting Ann out of bed and a quick shower and shave for me, we sauntered over to Snaps, the Eastside’s coffee shop, for breakfast. After reviewing the menu for a few minutes I narrowed down my choices to $3.49 for a short stack of two pancakes or $3.49 for 3 pancakes, 2 eggs and hash browns. Guess what I ordered – burp! ($7.69, LVA, 3 Forks)
I hitched up our buggy for the drive to Boulder City where the local art guild was running an arts festival. Exhibitors are limited to those from neighboring states and most should find another hobby, but Ann managed to find a very nice polished glass necklace before I escorted her back to the car. Home
On our return to the room I napped and then read, napped and read a little more until it was time to depart for pre dinner merlots at Sam’s. We heard music so we followed the sound to Roxy’s lounge and listened to Skid Rodeo, a country group that we have enjoyed in the past. (3 Claps)
Dinner was at the Greek Bistro, a very casual restaurant on Marks Street in Henderson which we enjoyed in December.
reviewjournal.com -- Neon - RESTAURANT REVIEW: Greek Bistro
Ann ordered the chicken souvlaki plate while I requested the gyro plate. Each entrée included warm pita, a salad, rice pilaf and tzadsiki. Ann’s breast (chicken) was juicy and my gyro meat was both ample and moist, but the side salad and pilaf were disappointing. I tendered a 2/1 coupon from the Entertainment book, but we were told they stopped accepting the coupons in February, but would accept ours. ($23.15, 2.5 Forks)
Our last stop this evening was Boulder Station’s Fixx Lounge to listen to Van de Guzman. MEDICATION: A BUDDYHEAD BLOG: Meet Van de Guzman... He is a pretty talented singer who accompanies himself on keyboards, sax and the karaoke machine. I will forever associate Van with the Macarena which he performed at the old, now defunct, Vacation Village. YouTube - Macarena
(2.5 Claps)
During a break we headed to the FPDW machines where I lost, but Ann hit her first quad deuces of the trip. Our last stop of the evening was Marilyn’s Lounge at the Eastside for some old school music courtesy of the group Next Movement. This quartet sings many Motown standards and most frequently may be found performing Downtown at the Plaza’s. Welcome to The Next Movement Show (3.5 Claps)
Dear Di – April 19,
I have 4 morning VP sessions under my belt without a single quad deuces and paranoia is beginning to set in. Have I been re-infected by the Benny Binion curse or is the bad karma originating from our room on the 13th floor? I turned to the yellow pages and placed an emergency call to the local affiliate of Exorcists-R-Us.
On departing the Eastside we followed Rita Rudner’s recommendation and used Desert Inn to get to the Maple Tree Country Kitchen. The Maple Tree - Las Vegas In September I took a photo of Susan, our server, and on entering presented her with a copy. This led to the owner joining us for a chat and his coming over to tell us she has posted the photo on her Facebook page.
Our orders were the same as in September; strawberry cream cheese stuffed French toast topped with fresh strawberries and real maple syrup for Ann and the New England Benny, a pair of crab cakes served on top of English muffins halves and topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce for me. ($16.39, Entertainment, 4.5 Forks)
Continuing west on Spring Mountain Road we stopped at L’Elysee Bakery where we picked up 4 desserts – purple taro cake, black forest cake, egg custard and cappuccino mousse. It is hard to believe but over the course of the following several days we shared each one and all were unexceptional. ($3.50, KSHP, 1 Fork)
On returning to the Eastside we were disappointed to find our room was ready so we returned to the casino floor and quickly netted a $10 win at the craps table before heading to opposite ends of the casino. Ann played FPDW while I scored a royal on the 10-line, 1 cent, 9/6 JOB machines for a thrilling $40 win.
In the late afternoon we again scored a $10 win on the craps table before heading to the lounge to listen to The GoodFellas. We enjoyed the fella’s outfits, but their voices were pretty mediocre. In an example of our visiting Las Vegas too often, I recognized a couple on the dance floor who look like fire plugs and were last seen a few years back at Fiesta-Rancho dancing to the music of the group DooWop.com.
(1 Clap) The GoodFellas on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos
We drove to the Suncoast Casino and enjoyed a pair of merlots using ticket stubs from the Plaid Tidings show at the Gold Coast back in December, 2006. (1.5 Sips)
Our next stop was the nearby J. W. Marriot for dinner at Shizen, a beautiful, but largely unoccupied Japanese restaurant. Rampart Casino located in Summerlin Las Vegas We started with potato croquettes (3 Forks) and soft shell crab (0.5 Forks). The crab was unrecognizable, overcooked, tasteless and overpriced. We each ordered the misoyaki butterfish, black cod (4.5 Forks) which was accompanied by miso soup (1.5 Forks), salad (dressing congealed – 1 Fork), rice and green tea. ($36.45, R.com, 2.5 Forks)
We returned to the Suncoast for what will likely be the Scintas last performance in Las Vegas for some time. The Scintas Official Website We have seen this family of performers off and on for several years and found them to be entertaining, but very resistant to change. Joey Scinta is now totally inept and, if I understood them correctly, Peter O’Donnell, the drummer and adopted Scinta, will not be performing with them in the future. No reason was provided, but I suspect it has to due with declining revenues. (2 Claps)
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