Vegas 2015

Vegas 2015

Jaime turned 33 this year! When I asked what he wanted for his birthday he said “All I want is to eat good food and spend time with my baby.” We decided we might as well go to the heart of Vegas to eat at some of the newer celebrity chef restaurants. Prepare to start drooling when you see some of the dishes below.

Flying

I've yet to actually be packed the night before we leave for vacation but I always make it to the airport on time...even if I'm sleep deprived. I did manage to get a new haircut though.

 

Bacchanal Buffet at the Palazzo

We found our favorite new brunch spot. We were blown away at the diversity of the different cuisines and pretty much stuffed ourselves full. They have a 2 hour time limit and I think we maxed it out. Just look at the pictures...they speak for themselves. 

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The fresh squeezed juice was definitely a favorite. Too many choices...so we drank them all.

Yes after all that food....we were a mess. 

Window Shopping

I have always loved quotes and little sayings. You'll often find them around out house. Connor and I always exchange good quotes to each other and a few years ago I started a quote book. We found these quotes while window shopping. My favorite was "When you love what you have, you have everything you need." It's such a beautiful statement that reminds us to cherish and be grateful for what we have. Even though we often long for more, there are people all over the world who would die to live in our shoes and enjoy the things we have. Also, I had to a take a pic of the poop emoji for my fellow nursing comrades. I would have bought it but it was $50...no joke. 

  

 

Cesars Palace Mall

We strolled around Cesars mall and watched the sculpture show. I got a sweet pic of this mantaray that kept starting at me...kinda creeped me out. We went to the Bellagio and saw their Autumn decorations too. 

 

Old Vegas

Jaime wanted to go to Old Vegas where it all started. We saw a lot of interesting things: street dances, nude people (it was really really cold), people zip lining and just a lot of interesting people. But it was cool to see "the old strip." Also guess what competition we ran into while we were there! Of course we went in to watch a few lifts. Jaime was on cloud nine. 

 

Slot machines

We may have tried out a few slot machines. We had a good stretch of luck on one of them too!

Bellagio Water Fountain

Last time I was in Vegas I tried to see the water show and it was shut off for the night so this time I made sure it happened and it was really cool to see. 

 

Bouchon

It would only be appropriate to go to a French restaurant the night after Celine Dion's concert. The concert started late and we blazed out the door after but the taxi line was so long we would have never made it to our reservation. So instead we ran through crowds of people over half of the strip. I was in my dress in heels and NEVER want to do that again. I dont' know how I made it. I'm not sure if people were looking at us because they thought we were crazy or they were so surprised I hadn't face planted in my Badgely Mischka heels. After all we made it and here's what we enjoyed: 

Salade Frisée aux Lardons et Oeuf Poché: frisée lettuce, lardons, poached egg & bacon vinaigrette with pain de campagne / Scallions with butternut squash risotto / Rib eye with mashed potatoes / Lemon Tart Dessert

 

Vegas High Roller 

We got to go on the Vegas High Roller on our last day which is the world's largest viewing deck. I think we had the best view of Vegas all to ourselves. It's pretty crazy seeing things from a completely different view. 

Javier's Mexican Restaurant

Jaime's parents recommended a Mexican restaurant for lunch on Jaime's bday. We were not  disappointed! 

Mole Poblano: Bone-in- airline chicken breast, braised in mole poblano sauce. Served with arroz, refritos and tortillas / Carnitas: Fresh natural prepared Michoacan style. Served with refritos, guacamole, salsa quemada, cilantro and tortillas / Traditional Flan

Celine Dion

As a young girl I still remember my mom buying me my first Celine Dion CD for my birthday. I had it memorized by heart within a few days and at any given moment you could find me singing her songs. Celine Dion was my hero, my idol and I dreamed of seeing her live in concert. While I was a teenager she announced that she would be taking time off because her husband was sick and I never knew if I would be able to fulfill my dream. When we booked tickets to Vegas for Jaime’s bday he texted me while I was at work and mentioned that she was playing live at the Colosseum on his birthday. Jaime knew it was my dream to see her and was gracious enough to let me jump on tickets for Friday the 13th…which was his birthday. I bet he never expected to be seeing her for his 33rd bday but he went with a smile on his face just so I could see my favorite singer of all time. Tears were rolling down my eyes as I listened to her songs and reminisced of being that little girl singing every word to every song she ever recorded. Music healed me in so many ways growing up and through my parents divorce. It was so special to share that part of my childhood with Jaime and to be amazed by the power of Celine’s voice and gift.

Serendipity

We actually made it to brunch one day on our vacation. We said we were going to get up everyday and we all know how that never happens. Anyway..that one day we did we made up for the others! Yes I finished all my waffles and no Jaime didn't finish his plate. Adrianna (1), Jaime (0). 

Fried Eggs Benedict: Corn Meal Crusted Fried Poached Eggs, Classic Hollandaise & Canadian Bacon atop Sausage Gravy & House Made Biscuit / Strawberry Cream Waffles: Freshly Sliced Strawberries & Cream, Sandwiched between 2 Jumbo Waffles. Topped with Fresh Strawberries & Drizzled in Chocolate

 

Buddy V

The first night in Vegas we went out for the best Italian food and service we have ever had. The chef went through the top pics of the menu, showed up the proper way to dress and eat the food and gave us his card and said if we ever come back he wants to personally serve us. I think we will take him up on that offer because this food was to die for. I think I drooled looking at the options of desserts and ended up having him decide for us. 

Mac & Cheese Carbonara with smoked mozzarella, fontina, egg, pancetta, sweet peas / Cesar salad with parmesan, polenta croutons, classic dressing

 

Valastro Sunday Gravy: Meatballs, sausage, lamb, pork, bowl of rigatoni / My Mother in Law’s Capellini Shrimp Scampi: Roasted tomato, spinach, garlic, white whine

 

Italian Birthday Cake: Rum soaked sponge cake, cannoli filling, chocolate pastry cream and toasted almonds

The Cut

By far our favorite restaurant of the week and our top pick was Wolfgang Puck's restaurant called The Cut. You have not had true Wagyu meat until you have been here. Jaime was practically crying while eating his steak he was so happy. He said this was the best bday present he could have ever asked for. We were so impressed with how knowledgeable the waiters were and how passionate they were about the food. We asked them a million questions about the menu and they knew everything. All of their recommendation were on point!

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Bone Marrow Flan, Mushroom Marmalade, Parsley Salad / True Japanese 100% Wagyu Beef From Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu / Moroccan Spiced Carrots, Currants, Mint, “Charmoula” Yogurt / Cavatappi Pasta “Mac & Cheese,” Quebec Cheddar / Crème Brulèe Chocolate Sauce, Roasted Banana Ice Crea