Vegas trip report
 

Thanks everyone for the advice - I really was able to use it.

Arrived Monday night in Vegas. Got my rental car and quickly realized that I should have gotten a GPS with it. Finally found hotel and checked in.

Was deciding whether to go out or not, but I was just so tired. Even though it was only 1AM by the time I got settled, that was 3AM my time, so I decided I'd just go to bed. :(

Went to work, had lunch with coworker at Super Mex. Coworker was bragging about Southwestern style Mexican (vs. TexMex which is what I am used to) so I agreed to go to his suggested restaurant. Pretty decent food I must say, by the way the tomatillo sauce there is really good. This place can match up to any place in Texas, and that's saying a lot.

Finished up work early, then came back to hotel to do some further investigation of where to do dinner and to hang out after dinner. I decided to head over to Mandalay Bay first, as it looked like it had the best selection of restaurants within close proximity (Fleur de Lis, Red Square, and some other nice restaurants).

I've already been to the Fleur de Lis in San Francisco, and I doubt they could improve upon that experience in Vegas, so I decided upon Red Square. I sat at the bar.

I had one of their signature martinis and started to look at the menu. Oddly enough, I was still full from lunch, so I figured I'd just get an appetizer and dessert. I picked steak tartare for an appetizer, because I've always wanted to see what the jazz about that dish was. It was unremarkable and I had to ask for extra french bread in order to eat it. Nothing against Red Square, I just don't think I like steak tartare (maybe I'd like the tuna one better?).

However, the martini was good so I had another. Then I had a creme brulee. It was decent, but I've had far better creme brulees in my life. At least it cleansed the palate.


(to be continued)

Next door was Rumjungle, so I decided to check it out. It was pretty dead but it seemed it could be interesting at another time. However, I got the itch to get out of there as I figured better things awaited me.

On a whim, I decided to go onto MGM Grand. I walked around and saw Tabu, which I was looking forward to visiting. The guy at the door said it was closed. It was 11:30 PM so shouldn't it be open by then? Anyway, he gave me a discount coupon for Studio 54.

I asked him where Zuri was, and he pointed across the way to a lounge bar with a view of the casino. Didn't really live up to expectations.

So, I decided to walk over the pedestrian bridge to New York, NY. A man gave me a coupon for Coyote Ugly. I didn't really want to go there, there's one in my city...

So, I walked around a bit and I saw the 9 Fine Irishmen Bar. It looked okay but kinda dead. Perhaps the economy is really affecting Vegas?

The Bar at Times Square was the only place that had any vibe (oddly enough), so I decided to chill there a while.

It was mostly drunk conventioneers in their 40's and 50's getting drunk. Kind of reminded me of New Orleans when those big conventions used to roll into town. No pretentiousness at least.

(more to come)

enjoying your report....I'm in the process of planning a Vegas trip over the holidays so thanks for sharing! Keep it coming!


Layla %%-

I decided earlier in the night that I was going to do things my way. No longer would I stick around a place if I wasn't having a good time. If I stepped into a bar for a minute and then walked out, so be it. I guess I'm finally getting used to my new found singledom... :)

I decided to check out Club 54, as it seemed like everything else was dead. I know I told everyone here that I didn't want to go to clubs and just lounges, but I guess part of me still likes the action in a dance club...

It was shortly before midnight when I came in, and I stayed until around 3:30AM.

First impressions: Nice club, not as big as I'd thought it'd be. Roped off lounge areas for VIPs only were a big turnoff. Dancers on podiums were reasonably attractive, decent dancers, but I think MGM Grand can afford better.

The crowd was pretty live though. I had a nice red bull and jeiger drink to get me rev'ed up.

(more to come...)

By the way, temps were perfect. The highs were in the low 70's and the lows in the upper 40's to low 50's.

It was dry, almost too dry (think lotion/chapstick), but very pleasant weather altogether.

Somebody said early December is the "low season" in Vegas, but I don't know why. If you're from a Northern clime and want to escape winter and get good prices, consider a vacation to Vegas in early December.

The mix was of people in their 20's and 30's primarily. The music was mostly pop I guess. Pretty nice atmosphere overall. Expensive drinks ($15 a pop).

I didn't meet anybody but had a good time nonetheless, observing and then dancing once the alcohol kicked in.

The club started dying down around 3AM and by 3:30AM it was all but dead, so time to leave. I decided to call it a night.

Next day, I woke up at around 7:30 AM (I guess I still am okay with the sleep deprivation thing) and worked until around noon when I checked out.

I went to this Indian place for lunch that was near the hotel. It is called Gandhi's India Cuisine.

The place is in a state of reconstruction (it will be very nice when they are finished), so if you can stand the reconstruction, you are in for some really good Indian cuisine. They had some really good Paneers, chicken masala, and some other specialties. If you ask for something that's not there, like papadum, they'll bring it out free of charge.

The dessert was a mango custard and it was rather nice, with chunks of fruit in it.

If you're in Vegas and need an Indian fix, this place will definitely do it. Also, it's only around $13, so really a good bargain (especially compared to the $75 waste of money at Red Square).

I am planning a trip to Vegas on the 15th and was wondering if you went into the NYNY Hotel while you were there? If you did, do you remember what kind of construction may have been going on? A friend was there in July and said it was awful.

Thanks for the help!

nice report. I've had the Voodoo Lounge on my list, if for nothing else, the view and different atmosphere.
Going in March for a bachelorette party.. close friend's younger sister.. I think she's getting pole lessons. should be rich!((D))

troublemp,

I walked through the casino portion of NYNY and I did not notice any construction at all.

bk, you need a link to this in the lounge on your inquiry thread.

Glad to hear you danced! ;-)

yea, did you dance by yourself?!!!

ncounty,

I said I didn't "meet" anyone, that doesn't mean I didn't dance with them!

Dancing, by definition, is best done with a partner or with a group.

It may be "best" done with a partner or a group but I've certainly gotten up and danced all by myself at many places around the world. I also noticed that in Madrid, MEN!! will do that as well....just get up and start dancing on their own. I know, a freaky notion to us, but I was quite amazed. Super hard care dance fanatics....

ncounty,

Yes, I danced by myself as well. I actually do (and did) just get up and dance by myself at the beginning. Over the night, I let nature take its course as far as who I danced with.

What happened on the dance floor in Vegas, however, WILL stay in Vegas.

Good for you, bk, way to go!!!