Vegas with the Parentals
Last weekend my parents and I went on our first vacation together in quite a long time. Our destination? Las Vegas (as usual) but we took advantage of free rooms at the Aria Resort and Casino at the new CityCenter and took advantage of our new lodgings to explore more of the newer attractions of the Las Vegas strip. My parents were simply amused that I was finally old enough to play slots with them, and I had a couple of my own things on my to-do list :)
1. Reunion with Fat Tuesday's Bellini:
Ever since Spring Break and being unable to get a refill of the fabulous half-yard frozen Bellini (basically Peach Schnapps and Champagne), this was probably the one "food" item that I was looking most forward to having :) That's a pic of me on my second refill. These 2 semi-cute Asian boys in front of me in line convinced me to try something different so I ended up with a mix of 190 Octane and Hurricane...and it was REALLY strong...don't listen to cute strangers when it comes to alcohol is on the list of things I've learned while on holiday.
2. EAT a lot (and in pretty places too)
If you didn't know from watching Top Chef, Las Vegas is home to some major cuisine. Each up-and-coming hotel sports fancy restaurants and buffets more luxurious than the last.
At the Aria's buffet there wasn't a specific theme as with some of the other buffets, and some might even argue that the buffet didn't have as many options as some of the others (I disagree with this and think the physical set-up of the buffet is misleading in this way), but everyone would agree that the quality of food is quite superb and even for the jaw-dropping price of $34.99 per person at dinnertime, my family definitely felt like we were getting our money's worth. (It helped that our complimentary stay at the Aria included 2 free buffet meals.) Our dinner included lobster tails and complimentary wine (for those so inclined), and like I said the food was of wonderful quality...I've definitely paid more for dinner in Providence and didn't feel nearly as full as I did after the buffet...ahh just typing about it now is making me hungry.
The cakes and train depicted were from Jean-Phillipe's patisserie which is at both the Aria and the Bellagio...honestly I don't know who Jean-Phillipe is, but since his patisserie was right next to the guest elevators, I always got a nice whiff of crepes and chocolate as I entered and exited...and the place was ALWAYS full, so I didn't get to try it :( but it must have been good!
This picture's from Chill, the Aria's pretty gelatto and coffee stand just outside the pool area. Isn't the decor reminiscent of PinkBerry?
3. SEE a lot (and a lot of pretty place too)
At the Aria:
Viva Elvis!
At the shopping center
lots of weird/unexplainable architecture
At Bellagio's Conservatory: (I felt like Alice in Wonderland)
At the Palazzo: (They had an umbrella theme going)
Out and About (Caesar's Palace, on the Strip)
Even though I've been more than once a year for just about every year of my life, Las Vegas always holds a new sparkle whenever I go back, with new attractions, updates on the old, or simply a new perspective with which to experience the city. Who knows when I'll be back, but I'm certain that there's still a lot left on the list, so the city will keep being new and exciting :) (Spring Break 2011 anyone?)
1. Reunion with Fat Tuesday's Bellini:
Ever since Spring Break and being unable to get a refill of the fabulous half-yard frozen Bellini (basically Peach Schnapps and Champagne), this was probably the one "food" item that I was looking most forward to having :) That's a pic of me on my second refill. These 2 semi-cute Asian boys in front of me in line convinced me to try something different so I ended up with a mix of 190 Octane and Hurricane...and it was REALLY strong...don't listen to cute strangers when it comes to alcohol is on the list of things I've learned while on holiday.
2. EAT a lot (and in pretty places too)
If you didn't know from watching Top Chef, Las Vegas is home to some major cuisine. Each up-and-coming hotel sports fancy restaurants and buffets more luxurious than the last.
At the Aria's buffet there wasn't a specific theme as with some of the other buffets, and some might even argue that the buffet didn't have as many options as some of the others (I disagree with this and think the physical set-up of the buffet is misleading in this way), but everyone would agree that the quality of food is quite superb and even for the jaw-dropping price of $34.99 per person at dinnertime, my family definitely felt like we were getting our money's worth. (It helped that our complimentary stay at the Aria included 2 free buffet meals.) Our dinner included lobster tails and complimentary wine (for those so inclined), and like I said the food was of wonderful quality...I've definitely paid more for dinner in Providence and didn't feel nearly as full as I did after the buffet...ahh just typing about it now is making me hungry.
The cakes and train depicted were from Jean-Phillipe's patisserie which is at both the Aria and the Bellagio...honestly I don't know who Jean-Phillipe is, but since his patisserie was right next to the guest elevators, I always got a nice whiff of crepes and chocolate as I entered and exited...and the place was ALWAYS full, so I didn't get to try it :( but it must have been good!
This picture's from Chill, the Aria's pretty gelatto and coffee stand just outside the pool area. Isn't the decor reminiscent of PinkBerry?
3. SEE a lot (and a lot of pretty place too)
At the Aria:
Viva Elvis!
At the shopping center
lots of weird/unexplainable architecture
At Bellagio's Conservatory: (I felt like Alice in Wonderland)
At the Palazzo: (They had an umbrella theme going)
Out and About (Caesar's Palace, on the Strip)
Even though I've been more than once a year for just about every year of my life, Las Vegas always holds a new sparkle whenever I go back, with new attractions, updates on the old, or simply a new perspective with which to experience the city. Who knows when I'll be back, but I'm certain that there's still a lot left on the list, so the city will keep being new and exciting :) (Spring Break 2011 anyone?)
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