Thanksgiving 2005 Trip Report (Part 2 of 4)
Steve T
(Note: Also Posted on vpFREE Forum)
DAY THREE: SATURDAY
Day 3 of 8
MORNING COUPON RUN (ALMOST)
Began the day with another coupon run. This time to the New Frontier first.
Played a $5.00 blackjack MP coupon and hit a blackjack for a $12.50 profit.
I next drove across the boulevard to the Riviera parking garage.
I dropped the car keys between the driver's seat and the console and heard
them slip down to the floor under the driver's seat. I couldn't reach them,
so I had to get out to open the back door and reach under the front seat to
get them. I'm always having trouble figuring out power door locks, so before
I got out of the car, I pushed the power door lock button thinking I had
unlocked the back door. As I opened the front door I realized how windy it
was outside in the upper floor of the parking garage. The garage was a not
fully enclosed (only half height walls) and I was parked in a corner spot,
so the winds were ripping through this portion of the garage. I went to open
the back door and it was still locked. So I went to go back into the open
front door to attempt to unlock the back door from the power door lock
switch and just then a heavy gust of wind shut the front door. It wasn't
shut tight and I was hoping the front door wasn't set to lock or if so that
it hadn't latched. Well it was set in the lock position and it closed just
enough to latch. It was locked (along with all the other doors) and the keys
were under the driver's seat. Shit!
After thinking what a jerk I was, I finally realized how lucky I was that I
had my wallet and cell phone in my pants pocket and not in my coat pocket
still on the passenger seat (which is sometimes the case). Otherwise, I
would have been completely screwed with no money, no IDs, and no cell phone.
Next, I fantasized that I could just call Dollar and they would be able to
open it remotely, just like you see/hear in the advertisements on TV and the
radio. So I called, but no such service was available. I think they call it
Onstar. She said Dollar could send someone to open it but it would take a
couple of hours and they'd have to charge me about $50.
She suggested I call AAA, if I was a member, which I was, and they would do
it at no charge. They came within 45 minutes with some burglary tools and
opened it in about 30 seconds. My keys were right where I thought they would
be on the floor under the front seat.
After all this bad luck, I decided I shouldn't gamble at the Riviera or
anywhere else for the time being. So I just drove to the Flamingo to pick up
show tickets for Second City Comedy evening performance (used a Billhere
2-for-1 coupon). Then went back to the room at the Aladdin still thinking
what a putz I was for allowing myself to be locked out of my car. I guess I
could blame it on force majeure (the greater force or an act of God) that in
a contract excuses a party from liability if some unforeseen event beyond
the control of that party occurs). Still, I felt like a putz.
GOLD COAST BUFFET
Later, we went to the Gold Coast for a late lunch buffet. I had an ACG
2-for-1 coupon, so it only cost $8.00 for the two of us. Despite the $4.00
PP cost, it was still overpriced. The service and the food were horrible. We
had to chase down a waitress and beg her in order to get drinks. The
selection of food was slim. The turkey soup was cold. My wife said that
everything she ate "tasted funny". The apple cobbler tasted "old". The lamb
looked good, but again was cold and dry. The potato pancakes were flavorless
and mushy. The vegetables looked precooked and canned. The only item that
was tasty was a banana bread pudding.
LAS VEGAS HILTON
We then went to the Hilton. Despite that it is an old facility, overall it
looked good. I understand there have been many recent renovations and it
showed. In fact there were still some areas under construction. I had two
ACG Matchplays for $10 each. I won one and lost one for a $10 profit. More
importantly, we went there to play video poker as the Hilton is one of the
few places on or near the strip that has Pick'Em, a game my wife and I play
locally at a casino in CT.
The nice thing for me is they have it at the $1.00 level. The game is not
greater than 100% pay back, but it is 99.95% payback, essentially breakeven.
My wife was not doing well at deuces wild and she knows Pick'Em almost cold
and enjoys it. So we played at the StarTrek bar side by side. I played the
$1.00 machine and she played quarters. A strange thing was upon cashing out
even at the dollar level they pay off in large metal tokens. In the end, the
overall gambling trend continued, I won ($40) and she lost.
SECOND CITY
Later, we went to the 8:00 PM Second City Show at the Flamingo. It was
funny, but not killer. Had I paid full price of nearly $50 a ticket, I don't
think I would have thought I got full value for my entertainment dollar, but
if you can land a 50% off coupon (as I did) it would be worth it. I think my
wife liked it more than I did.
BAHAMA BREEZE AND THE PALMS
After the show, my wife and I went to Bahama Breeze restaurant on Paradise a
few blocks east of the strip. It was touted on one of the numerous Vegas TV
shows. Service was fast and extremely attentive and friendly. The place was
clean, bright, and nicely decorated. The mashed sweet potato accompaniment
was extremely tasty. The prices were reasonable, as I recall in the very low
teens per entree
After the late dinner, I dropped my wife off at the Aladdin and I headed to
the Palms for some JW video poker. After about two hours being down at about
2:00 AM, I hit a big hand and came back to about even leaving with an
overall $5.00 win.
DAY FOUR: SUNDAY
Day 4 of 8
After coffee and Danish, I dropped my wife off at the church across the
street from the Stardust. I went to the New Frontier next door, where I
played a $5 MP and lost and dropped another $7.00 playing FPDW video poker
at a bank of slant-tops.
WYNN
Following church and souvenir shopping, we went to the Wynn, to check out
the player's club sign-up deal for two buffets. I signed up for the player's
card and asked the guy about the buffet deal. He said if you rack up 500
points you can get two free buffets. Each $3.00 at slots was worth 1 point,
so if you pass through $1,500 in slots you'd get two buffets worth as much
as $30.00 per person plus tax -- a $68 value for dinner. For video poker,
however, you have to pass through $9.00 for each point or $4,500. I said to
him that I had heard you only needed 50 points to qualify. He then
elaborated and disclosed that it's 500 points on the weekend, but only 50
points on weekdays. This would mean you only need to pass through $150 in
slots or $450 in video poker to qualify on the weekdays.
I asked if that meant that if I came back on Monday or Tuesday to play that
I would only need 50 points? He said yes. I make it rule not to chase comps,
but I figured even with horrendous luck, the most likely loss at video poker
with a paytable of 99% or higher shouldn't be much more than 20% of the $450
passthrough (although it is technically possible to lose all $450). And I
also had an equal opportunity to win as much, but more likely expected to
break even plus or minus $25 or $30. I made a note to come back.
AUTO EROTICA
While passing through Wynn my wife noticed the Ferrari-Maserati dealership.
As we got closer, we noticed the $10 admission fee was in effect (perhaps
because it was a weekend). We subsequently found a place called the Exotic
Car store at Caesar's Forum Shops, which has many Ferrari's, Maseratis,
Rolls Royces, and other exotic cars and motorcycles on display for free.
After looking at the more extensive free car exhibit at the Exotic Car
store, we hit the Stage Deli at Caesars. The food was good, abundant, and
reasonable (I had a corned beef sandwich). After lunch, my wife went
shopping at the Desert Passage Mall and I went to Terrible's to play a few
MPs and to Ellis Island. I broke even on the MPs, but had fun and got a free
tee-shirt at Terrible's.
MAGGIANO'S
That night we ate at Maggiano's at the Fashion Show Mall and the service and
food was fantastic. I had the lasagna (that my fussy Italian wife even
liked). She had a special pasta and sausage with shrimp dish. She loved it.
Although relatively new to Vegas (about one year old), this place is already
rated very highly at www.ratelasvegas.com and I can see why.
ZUMANITY
Since we have already seen Mystere and KA, we decide to try Zumanity at
NYNY. Before the show we played some penny slots and won $3.00. The show was
essentially a male and female R-rated strip club circus act and we had front
row seats, so we were asked to participate in the show in a minor way. The
show consisted of upper body nudity and lower body thongs, simulated sex
acts with sex toys and dancing and gymnastics. It was a bit disjointed and
each act was a bit longer than it needed to be, but overall it was
entertaining, although surely not for everyone.
Steve T
(End of part 2 of 4 - to be cont'd with two more installments)
spenc...@attbi.com
>
> That night we ate at Maggiano's at the Fashion Show Mall and the service and
> food was fantastic. I had the lasagna (that my fussy Italian wife even
> liked). She had a special pasta and sausage with shrimp dish. She loved it.
> Although relatively new to Vegas (about one year old), this place is already
> rated very highly at www.ratelasvegas.com and I can see why.
We would go to Maggiano's in Chicago every year when we went there in
March for an annual convention. We loved it.
Then they open one in Boston a few years ago and we've been only twice.
I highly recommend the Family Style option. If I remember correctly it
might require a minimum of 4 people and each pays the fixed price which
last I knew was $22 - $23.
Then you pick 2 salads, 2 appetizers, 2 pastas, 2 main courses, 2
desserts, and includes coffee. And everything is all you can eat.
They'll bring more of any of the dishes.
annie
>them slip down to the floor under the driver's seat. I couldn't reach them,
>She said Dollar could send someone to open it but it would take a
>couple of hours and they'd have to charge me about $50.
Back in 1999 I rented a car from Dollar at LAX. Over the next weekend I
was checking out one of the malls way down in Orange County and I
locked the keys in the car. :( I phoned Dollar and they said no
problem, it happens all the time. I waited around for a while kinda
watching the parking lot when I saw this van slowly circling. It was
the locksmith on call from Dollar and they just handed me a duplicate
key and apologized for taking so long. They didn't charge anything
extra. They did check my ID, though.
>Later, we went to the Gold Coast for a late lunch buffet. I had an ACG
>2-for-1 coupon, so it only cost $8.00 for the two of us. Despite the $4.00
>PP cost, it was still overpriced. The service and the food were horrible. We
Right after they remodeled this a while back it was great for the
price. Then they started to slip. Now on the last trip in October, I
ate there with some friends and it wasn't bad at all. I guess it's
probably catch as catch can.
>SECOND CITY
>Later, we went to the 8:00 PM Second City Show at the Flamingo. It was
>funny, but not killer.
I thought this was hilarious! :) I do understand they vary the cast and
the lineup of skits all the time. Did they do the one with the deceased
nun and them selecting old phonograph records to play at her funeral?
:) :) :)
>BAHAMA BREEZE AND THE PALMS
>After the show, my wife and I went to Bahama Breeze restaurant on Paradise a
>few blocks east of the strip. It was touted on one of the numerous Vegas TV
>shows. Service was fast and extremely attentive and friendly. The place was
I was pleasantly surprised with this place. I went there with some
friends last year, and although it's not a place that I would likely
choose, I enjoyed it. I can't remember exactly what they called what I
had, but it was kind of marinated steak arranged in kind of a cone
shape.
Anyway, I'm really enjoying these TR's. :) Thanks.