Heading to the Anti-St. John

[Ron_L]

Las Vegas, that is

The company that I work for is holding a training class for our sales engineers in Vegas (Vegas in August = cheap)and the training just happens to be the week after my wife's birthday so we're going to go out early and spend the weekend at the Planet Hollywood Resort (formerly the Alladin). She's going to hang around for the week and lay around the pool while I am in meetings (we're staying at the Golden Nugget for the company portion of the trip). I can't think of anyplace else that would be more the polar opposite of STJ!

Has anyone been to Vegas lately and want to recommend some good shows or restaurants? Spamalot is definately on our list since we missed it when it was in Chicago.

[California Girl]

Ron, I haven't been to Vegas for 2 yrs., but last time, we also stayed at the Golden Nugget. Tell your wife to reserve a cabana by the pool early in the day. It's free and it has a fridge stocked with cold water and fruit (the fruit may cost extra, but I don't think so - my nephew took care of it).

We didn't see a lot of shows, but I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Blue Man Group! Maybe the best show I've ever seen!

[mia]

Ron,

Elton John's show was spectacular.

We LOVED Cirque du Soleil's "Love"...great, especially if you're a Bealtes' fan. 16 speakers in your seat....phenomenal!

Best meal was at Bouchon at the Venetian...they serve a scrumptious breakfast too.

[CariBert]

I would highly recommend Circ du Soliel! Either of them, but I would try for the adult one. It is truely amazing what those people do. Having said that, if you haven't called for tickets by now, you may not be able to get in...they sell out months in advance.

P.S....CG, you teaching your cat how to swim or snorkel?

-Bert

[CariBert]

Oh, I forgot, last time we werte there, we stayed at Paris, and the water show across the street at Bellagio is NOT to be missed. (and it's free) Go see it at night, and then see it from on top of the Eiffel Tower.

-Bert

[DCphoto]

Hi Ron,

Let me know how your trip goes, we are thinking of going there for our honeymoon in Oct. I've never been and I thought it would be fun. Since we bought the timeshare in St. John we have a ton of Westin points to use and there is a Westin in Vegas. We have not booked anything yet though. We are in the planning stage right now. So any suggestions would be great!

Sandy

[chrisn]

Any of the Cirque shows are spectacular. My little man is dying to see Chris Angel.

We also always like to drive around and see the free stuff. Erupting volcaino at Mirage, Dancing fountains at Belagio, pirate show at Treasure Island, the talking stautues at the Caesar's Forum Shops, etc.

If you don't mind a buffet, the Rio has an outstanding seafood buffet.

[California Girl]

P.S....CG, you teaching your cat how to swim or snorkel?

-Bert

Ha! I wish! If I could teach him to snorkel, we'd be quite the pair in the water! Me pointing out the fish and him swimming as fast as he can in the opposite direction! He's known far and wide as the original "fraidy cat"!

P.S. That's not really a picture of my cat, but I do think it's hysterical!

[Coden]

Try here for a nice meal:

http://www.grandluxcafe.com/locations.htm

It is located at the Venetian and was yummy!

[mia]

I second Coden's recommendation....Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian is a wonderful place to have a meal. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner....I believe they are open 24 hours a day.

[cirruskye]

Hope you guys have a great time!! DH and I were there for a week in April and if you like homemade italian go to Panevino. Its off the strip maybe a 5-10 minute drive, the pasta, the service, and the wine list were all fabulous. It is just behind were the private jets land and ask for a table with a view, we had one and it was fun to watch the jets come and go. The backstage deli at the Luxor is great, their cornedbeef is as good as my favorite deli in Skokie (The Bagel at Old Orchard if you were wondering). Raffles in Mandalay Bay is just off the casino floor EXCELLENT for breakfast fresh squeezed OJ and homemade brioce used for french toast and excellent omlettes. The Food Court at Ceasars has a lot of yummy "different" choices. The Carnagie deli at TI wasn't too bad. We ate at both Mesa Grill and Emereils
but i was put off by the service and the cost of what you "got" that I didn't think the food was that "awesome". We always hit the In and OUT burger thats just behind NEW YORK NEW YORK, It's just yummy and fun to be eating with an "old friend" to us.
We had a coupon to eat at the buffet at MGM it was just "ok". The buffet at Aladdin was better but that was a year ago so its probably different now. OOPS sorry to have made this so long Vegas is one of our favorite trips!

[STJ_gal]

LOVE (Beatles show) is phenomenal. Elton John was fab as well. Highly recommend both.

[LMG]

I second/third/fourth/whatever any of the Cirque shows if you can get 'em. They're wonderful. And don't worry if you can't find tickets online... try either your hotel's concierge or the boxoffice itself. They often have tickets left that become available somewhat last-minute.

Also, for great, old-school Italian try Batista's. It's sort of behind the Flamingo hotel. A good friend is the chef there and it's got great ambiance and, like I said, a great place for that Old Vegas, old-school Italian feeling.
Have fun!

[Kentuckygirl]

Hi Ron!
My husband is in Vegas right now. I will let you know if he as any suggestions when he gets back.

[Ron_L]

Thanks everyone! I've looked at the various restaurant recommendations. When I looked at the Grand Lux Cafe web site I found out that there is one in Chicago. Never knew! It sounds good and we'll probably try it when we are in Vegas. I've been to Batistas and enjoyed that.

As far as shows, I noticed that Wayne Brady had extended for two more days so we bought tickets to see him on my wife's birthday and we're going to see if we can get last minute tickets to another show (Spamalot or one of the Cirque shoes most likely).

Cirruskye... The bagel is a great deli! My parents live in Skokie (at least until they sell their house) so I get up that way fairly often. Have you ever tried Siegelman's Deli on Algonquin Road near Golf Road in Rolling Meadows? Great corned beef and pastrami and the best sweet and sour cabbage soup that I have had.