Buffet, Cafe or SUBWAY??

Subway Miami

Buffet, Cafe or SUBWAY®?? This blog is all about how to travel 5 Star on a dime…. and we do. More recently we have incorporated SUBWAY® into our travels since they have restaurants in 102 countries!!! Bet you didn’t know that. They have more restaurant locations than any other chain worldwide. Eat Fresh!

We all know SUBWAY® is healthier than fast food, great to bring to sporting events and to the beach of course, but did you know that you could save $32 per day on eating out for a family of four by choosing SUBWAY® for one of your meals? That’s a savings of $224 per week. The average cost to go out to lunch at a restaurant is about $12 per person with drink, tip and tax. Okay so you don’t want to eat at SUBWAY® every day, than eat there every other day and save $128 in a week.

Our family enjoys sitting down to fine dining for hours but we also like to grab something on the go that is healthy. When traveling from plane, to train, to ship and rental car sometimes you just need to grab something quick and easy that you can eat on the go or pack away for later. But then how do you please 4 different appetites you say? I like wheat bread but the kids prefer white . Our daughter won’t eat mayonnaise, mustard or any veggies other than pickles and olives. SUBWAY® will be more than happy to make it half one way and half another and even better, they will wrap each half separately. Did you know that they serve nearly 2,800 sandwiches and salads every minute?

What’s in it for the kids? SUBWAY FRESH FIT FOR KIDS™ meals are great for kids because they include a freshly made sandwich on a mini sub roll, a SUBWAY FRESH FIT™ side choice of  sliced apples and a drink choice of 1% low-fat white milk or a 100% juice box.

Fresh Fit Sandwiches: There are 8 sandwiches which have been certified by the American Heart Association. SUBWAY® is the first restaurant to earn The American Heart Association heart check and for that reason ALONE, this is why I chose to write this post. Look for the red heart with the white check mark inside. Those are the Fresh Fit choices which consist of: Black Forest Ham, Oven Roasted Chicken, Roast Beef, Subway Club, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, Turkey Breast, Turkey Breast and Black Forest Ham, and Veggie Delight.

Here’s what I love, SUBWAY® offers freshly brewed, non-sweetened ice tea, bottled water, 1% milk and VitaminWater!! This is a great option for our family, as we do not drink soda. In addition, they offer healthy choices such as apple slices and Baked Lays.

Pizza gets old fast and it’s so greasy! Don’t get me wrong, we love pizza. At SUBWAY® our family of four splits two $5.00 foot long’s. That is only $10.00 and then another $1.50 or so each for drinks. We love to grab SUBWAY® for lunch but it’s great anytime. They even offer breakfast!! At breakfast, you have the option of 3 different breakfast sandwiches made with egg whites for under 200 calories (steak, egg white and cheese/ egg white and cheese/ black forest ham, egg white and cheese). Even better, breakfast is only $3.00 and includes a coffee or 21 oz. fountain drink of your choice. You can’t even buy a coffee for $3.00 at your local coffee chain!

Our favorite thing to do is grab a sub while on a long car ride and take it with us. Then each person can eat when they are hungry. All SUBWAY®’s are fairly consistent when it comes to pricing. We live on Kauai and the sandwiches are more like $6/$7 foot long’s but that is still very cheap.

Tired of sandwiches? Try the chopped salad which includes tasty chicken, turkey and roast beef, plus fresh garden veggies like crisp spinach and crunchy cucumbers.

Subway Kauai

St Regis Monarch Beach

Last year we took a family trip to Laguna Niguel, California and stayed at the St. Regis Monarch Beach which was fabulous. We only ate one meal at the hotel as it adds up for four people real fast. We stopped at the local SUBWAY® located in the Plaza de La Paz Shopping Center more than once and picked up sandwiches to bring back to the hotel. In fact, we ate sub sandwiches as we watched the election on T.V.

International Menu’s:

SUBWAY® brand maintains the same menu worldwide; however, menus do change in order to accommodate the different dietary needs of consumers where appropriate. In India, the population is largely Hindu and do not eat beef, or Muslim who don’t consume pork, these ingredients are substituted with chicken, lamb, or turkey.  Customers can add or eliminate ingredients based on their own dietary needs since all sandwiches are made to order.

Health Facts:

In 1997, SUBWAY® introduces 7 under 6™ menu, featuring seven sandwiches with 6 grams of fat or less.

In 2000, SUBWAY® makes the biggest change to its menu by introducing four gourmet sauces and seasoned breads.

In 2007, SUBWAY® launches its Fresh Fit® and Fresh Fit for Kids™ meals.

In 2010, SUBWAY® offers a variety of breakfast options which include sandwiches and melts, with the choice of egg whites or whole eggs, veggies, toppings, and sauces.

In 2011 SUBWAY® introduced avocado to their menus, a super food.

In 2012 SUBWAY® brand was recognized as the “Most Loved Fast Food Chain in the US” by YouGov’s BrandIndex Buzz Rankings. The American Heart Association’s awarded a Heart Check Certification on a number of menu items and meals at SUBWAY® restaurants.

Please read other healthy options and ways to stay fit while traveling by clicking on the topic “Travel Fit” on the right hand side of the page

5wheelsto5star is featured monthly in Destinations Travel Magazine

The Ultimate Dining Experience~ Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Kauai Grill, St. Regis Princeville, Kauai

Kauai Grill, Steam Onaga

Dining at a Jean-Georges restaurant is an experience which is practically indescribable. It’s

Kauai Grill, Seared Wagyu Strip Loin

not the obvious…. that he is one of the world’s most famous chefs, his impressive Michelin background, his restaurants are all 3 and 4 star ratings or the fact that they are world wide. It’s something more and once you have experienced it, you will know. We were left wanting to seek out additional Jean-Georges restaurants as we were in awe of………beautifully displayed food, fresh concepts, unique menu, exotic flavors of the East and impeccable service.

A little about Jean-Georges Vongerichten ~ a French chef born in Alsace, France, March 16, 1957. Currently, he resides in New York City where he has ten restaurants. Vongerichten opens restaurants in most of the culinary capitals such as Las Vegas, London, Paris and Shanghai, as well as New York. He is author of five cookbooks, two with Mark Bittman. When Jean-Georges was 16, his parents brought him to the 3-star Michelin-rated Auberge de l’ill for a birthday dinner and that is where his love for food began.

Kauai Grill, Sichuan Peppercorn Crusted Bigeye Ahi Tuna

What make Jean-Georges unique? His signature cuisine eliminates the traditional use of meat stocks and creams.

Kauai Grill, Spiced Chicken Samosas

Instead, he features the intense flavors and textures from vegetable juices, fruit essences, light broths, and herbal vinaigrettes.  Jean-Georges’ culinary concept has redefined industry standards and radically changed the way we eat.

New York Magazine wrote that in the past two decades, no single chef has had more influence on the way New Yorkers dine out or on the way other chefs cook and other restaurants look. “He invented America’s answer to nouvelle cuisine,” says Mario Batali. “When I first came to New York, his book Simple Cuisine was the holy grail for young chefs, and JoJo was the hottest ticket in town.”

Kauai Grill, Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

Kauai Grill, Salmon Sashimi

Jean-Georges and Starwood Hotels: Vongerichten and partner Phil Suarez have formed a new company with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Catterton Partners, a consumer-focused private-equity firm which owns, operates, manages and license restaurants in Starwood properties. This new venture includes seven Spice Markets and other concepts world wide. The total number of eating destinations may possibly total 56 with this contract. The first to open were two Spice Markets at the W Hotel in both Atlanta and Istanbul.

Accolades: Jean Georges has received the James Beard award for Best Chef and Best New Restaurant. Esquire Magazine voted Chef Vongerichten the Chef of the Year in 1997. Jean Georges restaurant holds 3 Michelin stars. In 2008 it received a 18/20 “Excellent” rating. In 2009 it won the James Beard Foundation Award for outstanding restaurant. In 2007, Lia Bardeen, Jean Georges executive sous chef, was featured as a contestant on season 3 of Top Chef. In 2010, Jean Georges won the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Wine Service”. In 2013, Zagat’s gave it a food rating of 28, the second-highest in the West 60s, and rated it the 6th-best restaurant in New York City.

Sunset at Kauai Grill

Kauai Grill, St Regis Princeville Resort

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Kauai Grill opened in 2009 which is located in Kauai at the St. Regis Princeville.

Home Cooking with Jean-Georges

Throughout the restaurant there are large windows displaying breathtaking views of Bali Hai  and Hanalei Bay.  A hand crafted fiber optic and ruby glass hibiscus chandelier hangs from the center of the ceiling and zebra woods are throughout.

Our experience at Kauai Grill was quite interactive, rather than everything happening all around us, we

Kauai Grill

felt engaged in the process. The waiter recommended several appetizers, wine, entrees and dessert. We were pleased that our favorite appetizer, the Grilled Black Pepper Octopus, remained on the menu. The waiter recommended the Salmon Sashimi with Warm Crispy Rice which melted in our mouths.

Our son ordered a house made soda which was comprised of passion fruit juice, thai chili and club soda. When our son was less than thrilled with the soda (too spicy for his taste), our

waiter was at our table instantly with alternate recommendations. The waiter checked in with us each time food was brought to the table. When our son expressed his love for cooking and the waiter brought two Jean-Georges cookbooks table side for him to look through while he was awaiting the entrée.

Kauai Grill, Mashed Potatoes

For the highlight of the evening, the chef took him on a tour of the kitchen!! The overall experience could not have been any more magnificent. We ended the evening with the waiter’s recommendation for dessert….. Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae. The ice cream is made daily at Kauai Grill!

Kauai Grill, Roasted Ali’i Mushrooms

Jean-Georges restaurants offer kids menus. Many of the entrées on the kids menu were the same as the adult menu, offering smaller portions. The kids menu even had a burger and fries option.

St. Regis Deer Valley, UT

J&G Grill, St Regis Deer Valley, Utah

Black Truffle Pizza with Fontina

J&G Grill is the Jean-Georges restaurant located within the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort in Utah. The restaurant is decorated with dark woods, stone and fireplaces throughout.

J&G Grill, Mussels

The resort has a high-end lodge ambiance throughout with floor to ceiling glass windows where you can watch the snow fall. After a long, cold day or skiing or just simply playing in the snow, it is wonderful to sit down to a nice, hot meal at J&G Grill. To start off, we have to describe the Black Truffle Pizza with Fontina Cheese. This pizza is possibly the best we have ever had. The kids asked what was on the pizza and we said we didn’t know (thinking they wouldn’t eat it if they knew it were truffles) and it was gone. It was outstanding so we ordered a second pizza. Next, we ordered the Maine Mussels Mariniere with Grilled Garlic Toast. The picture tells it all. Again, Jean-Georges offered a kids menu and our daughter chose a simple burger after skiing all day. It is refreshing to find a fine dining restaurant which not only offers a kids menu, but one which includes a burger option on the menu.

J&G Grill, Kids meal

J&G Grill offers simply grilled preparations of the highest-quality meats and freshest local fish, accompanied by bold condiments.

You must try the 7452 Mary, which was chosen due to the altitude of the bar which is 7452 feet above

sea level. It is an enticing blend of the St. Regis famous Bloody Mary mix and fine oat-distilled Vodka 7000 from local High West Distillery-served with a touch of salt on the rim and finished with a
Wasabi-Celery foam.

Le Meridien Barcelona

In 2009, Le Meridien Barcelona began offering new elements created by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Breakfast with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Buckwheat Spinach Calzone

The breakfast has 5 new elements:

1. Jean Georges Elements.  The breakfast innovator has created 7 “Eye Openers”, juice tasting and 6 dishes, some of which can be found in the buffet and some on the menu.
2. Dishes invented internally. Le Méridien organised the competition “Sabor a Descubrimiento” (Discovering Flavours) which challenged the chefs from all the chain’s hotels to send original recipes that gave new perspectives on pastries, sweets and sandwiches for breakfast. The prize for the winners was recognition for their recipes by including them in the Le Méridien Breakfast.
3. International Menus.  There is a selection of menus fromChina,Japan,India and theMiddle East.
4. IllyCaffé.  The intense experience of sampling one of the world’s best coffees, both in the lobby and at breakfast.
5. Uniforms. The chefs  wear a uniform according to the Breakfast.

Breakfast with Jean-Georges Vongerichten

While spending time in Spain, you must indulge in Jamón (ham). Early in the morning, we would went

down to the lobby at the Le Meridien Barcelona and smelled the wonderful meats and cheeses. After grabbing our cappuccino, we headed straight for the Breakfast with Jean-Georges. Our daughter loved the cured meats with eggs and toast while we opted for the buckwheat spinach calzone with sea salt. Jean-Georges breakfast offers an array of fresh squeezed juices in a rainbow of colors.

“My goal for Le Meridien was to create a breakfast experience that not only delivers the basics at a high quality level, but also provides a level of ‘discovery’ for guests by blending exotic flavors with everyday ingredients.  The dishes deliver a unique blend of flavors that invigorate and awaken the palate,” added Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Le Meridien Barcelona

Jean-Georges Restaurants

United States

New York

Jean‑Georges

Nougatine at Jean‑Georges

Terrace at Jean‑Georges

JoJo

The Mercer Kitchen

Perry St

ABC Kitchen

ABC Cocina

The Mark

Simply Chicken

Chicago

Pump Room

Las Vegas

Prime Steakhouse

Jean‑Georges Steakhouse

Bahamas

Paradise Island

Dune

Cafe Martinique

China

Shanghai

Jean‑Georges

Mercato

France

Paris

Market

French West Indies

St Barths

Sand Bar

On the Rocks

Mexico

Los Cabos

In Collaboration with Culinary-Concepts

United States

New York

Spice Market

Atlanta

Spice Market

Bal Harbour

J&G Grill

Boston

Market

Kauai

Kauai Grill

Park City

J&G Grill

San Juan

Fern

Scottsdale

J&G Steakhouse

Washington DC

J&G Steakhouse

Canada

Vancouver

Market by Jean‑Georges

England

London

Spice Market

French Polynesia

Bora Bora

Lagoon

Mexico

Mexico City

J&G Grill

Qatar

Doha

Market by Jean‑Georges

Spice Market

Cookbooks

Home Cooking with Jean-Georges (co-authored with Genevieve Ko) (November 2011)

Asian Flavorings of Jean-Georges (October 2007)

Simple to Spectacular (co-authored with Mark Bittman) (October 2000)

Jean-Georges: Cooking At Home with a Four-Star Chef (co-authored with Mark Bittman) (September 1998)

Simple Cuisine: The Easy, New Approach to Four-Star Cooking (1991)

5wheelsto5star is featured monthly in Destinations Travel Magazine

It’s Vegas Time!!!!!

Bartolotta at The Wynn

VEGAS – THE WYNN – THE VENETIAN – CELINE – LE REVE – PHANTOM OF THE OPERA- MARIO BATALI – CAESARS PALACE – FASHION SHOW MALL – BELLAGIO – SLOTS – GONDOLAS – CAPTAINS AND PINEAPPLE –

Living room in Venetian suite

Vegas, Vegas, Vegas where to begin…first thing first – book your hotel!! I personally love

Venetian Pool

the Venetian Hotel and you can get pretty good rates by signing up in advance for their Club Grazie (it’s free!). Sign up to be a Grazie member at http://www.venetian.com/Grazie-Loyalty-Program/ They will send promotions and specials about room packages throughout the year. I have stayed at the Venetian three times and love it more each time. It can be expensive if you don’t book the room on a special – it would not be a great hotel to book last minute. Most of the

Venetian Suite

Venetian’s Piazza San Marco

hotels in Las Vegas have a club or membership to sign up for, mainly for gambling purposes but also for room specials. By booking in advance the rooms can be as cheap as $159.00 per night which is really cheap considering all rooms are suites!! If you split that cost with a friend than you are only paying $80 per night!! The suites have large sunken living rooms with huge windows and a bar area. The bathroom has double doors with a separate toilet room, bath, and a vanity separate from the double sink area. The rooms are over the top

Venetian

amazing and not expensive! In comparison to the Wynn or Bellagio where the average cost of rooms is

Otto Enoteca Pizzeria

about $300 per night for a smaller room – not a suite.  It is not easy to choose a hotel room when you consider Las Vegas has 152,275 rooms in 355 hotels. While Las Vegas is not the city with the most hotels in the U.S. it is the city with the most rooms in the U.S. Las Vegas hotels are massive!! Phoenix has the most hotels with Orlando in second place among U.S. cities.

We were celebrating a birthday while at the Venetian and the rooms are spacious enough to really hang out and have a small celebration. The living room really adds to the space and makes the room so open.

Venetian Suite

Gondolas at the Venetian

Gondolas:

“No trip to Venice — or The Venetian — would be complete without a graceful and romantic glide

Gondolas

down the Grand Canal in an authentic Venetian gondola. Float beneath bridges, beside cafes, under balconies and through the vibrant Venetian streetscape as your singing gondolier sweeps you down the Grand Canal for a ride like no other.” For more information visit http://www.venetian.com/Las-Vegas-Activities/Gondola-Rides/

All reservations must be made in person. Ticket sales open daily at 9:30 a.m. for the indoor ride and 10:00 a.m. for the outdoor ride.

 

Gondolas

The Venetian is a great choice if you love food!!! Or shall I say if you love Italian and Mario Batali??? Vegas is all about the Food Network Stars!!! Mario has two restaurants at the Venetian and I have eaten at both! B&B Ristorante is a fine dining restaurant. When we ate there, compliments of the chef continued to come out. It was an absolute experience that we reveled in for hours sipping the night away.

B&B Ristorante

Otto Enoteca Pizzeria

Chef Mario Batali and his partner/ winemaker Joseph Bastianich are bringing their award-winning New York City based Italian restaurant expertise to the other city that never sleeps. B&B Ristorante will feature the duo’s acclaimed blend of exquisite Italian food and a casual elegance that “captures the soul of an Italian grandmother dancing the tango with pop rock hipsters”. http://www.venetian.com/Las-Vegas-Restaurants/Fine-Dining/B-B-Ristorante/

On the more casual side – try Mario’s Otto Enoteca Pizzeria located in Venetian’s Piazza San Marco. Otto has 100 bottles under $100. Customers can order a taste by the ounce from the Enomatic Wine Preservation System or buy a Enomatic Card and create their own personal wine tasting experience. The menu offers Sicilian eggplant caponata and caprese salad, mixed affetati plate with prosciutto di Parma, house cured salumi, and cheeses, pizza, pasta, and piatti. I could eat at this restaurant every day while in Vegas. The selection of cheeses alone is worth the visit. Highly, highly recommed Otto!!

Otto Enoteca Pizzeria

About the hotel: The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino is a luxury hotel and casino resort. It is located between Harrah’s and The Palazzo on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel tower is 36 stories and rises 475 feet. The Venetian is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. The Venetian also is the location of the corporate headquarters for its parent company. This hotel features a lifelike replica tower of St Mark’s Campanile in Venice, Italy.

Caesar’s Palace

The Las Vegas Strip is a 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard. The Strip is actually not

Venetian Pool

located within the City of Las Vegas but it passes through the towns of Paradise and Winchester. Bet you didn’t know that! Most of the Strip has been designated as an All-American Road. The strip comes alive as a scenic route at night. Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world are located on the Las Vegas Strip. Fifteen of the world’s 25 largest hotels by room count are on the Strip, with a total of over 62,000 rooms.

Las Vegas’ cityscape is best known for its use of dramatic architecture. Vegas is one of the most popular destinations for tourists due to the hotels, casinos, restaurants, and residential high-rises on the Strip.

Fashion Show Mall

Fashion Show Mall is located across from the Wynn – there is a bridge which connects the mall to the

Fashion Show Mall

hotel. Fashion Show Mall is unlike any mall I have ever been to. It is one of the largest enclosed malls in the world. The mall has over 250 stores, 7 anchors, an elevated stage, a fashion runway and “The Cloud.”

We were walking along shopping when the stage suddenly popped up, the screen came down displaying a countdown until the runway show began, and the music started. Fashion shows take place in the mall every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The local models are free to watch. During the Winter months, the mall has scheduled snow storms inside. Santa Claus also makes special appearances, even giving a high-energy performance on the runway with his group of elf helpers.

IT’S SHOWTIME!!!!!!!

The number one reason I go to Vegas is for the shows!!!! The Venetian has a number of shows in the

Phantom of the Opera

hotel. Another wonderful reason to stay at Venetian. The theater at the Venetian was built

Phantom of the Opera

for Phantom of the Opera.

The theater costs 40 million dollars to build. Wow!!! The 1-ton chandelier is made of hand-strung crystal hurtles down amid pyrotechnics from above only to stop a mere 10 feet above the heads of some in the audience. When the chandelier fell, I screamed and felt my throat tighten up. It was intense! That’s just Vegas style.

Vegas doesn’t have to worry about space constraints such as Manhattan or London and they have the money to build from the casinos.  A single Vegas showroom can cost more than the combined budgets for all new Broadway productions for a given year. Phantom in Las Vegas was by far the best theater experience I’ve had.

Sadly the show left the Venetian in 2012.

Celine Dion

CELINE!!!!!!!!! When my girlfriend asked if I wanted to head to Vegas to see Celine Dion for her b-day- that was a no brainer! I had seen concerts before in The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace and loved the concert hall. Celine was amazing in concert, her range is unbelievable and she will not disappoint!

Celine is the second residency show by the Canadian recording artist. Celine has 70 performances per year. The show ranked 26th in Pollstar’s “Top 50 Worldwide Tour”, earning over 20 million dollars.In 2011 over 200,00 people saw the show. Dion the “most profitable music act in Las Vegas” since Elvis Presley.

Dion has extended her residency contract to 2019.

“I’m coming back home to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and I’m very excited about it. With the orchestra and the band we’re going to be able to perform our songs like never before. The repertoire is going to be extraordinary…a mix of timeless Hollywood classics, along with all the favorites that my fans like to hear me sing. It’s going to be a very beautiful show, and I think we’ll be raising the bar higher than we’ve ever done before. There’ll be some truly wonderful moments……I can’t wait” Celine Dion

The Colosseum is the main entertainment venue for Caesars Palace. Deemed the Home of the Greatest Entertainers in the World, the theatre hosts numerous residency shows by Cher, Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Shania Twain. The venue seats 4,100 and is inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome. The cost of the theatre totaled $95 million,

Celine sign

becoming the most expensive entertainment venue in Las Vegas.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler- The Showgirl Must Go On…..I was fortunate enough to see Bette Midler in the short time that she was at Caesar’s Palace. Bette’s show was more of a variety show and less of a concert which was disappointing, as I love her voice. She still sounds amazing and sung most of her popular songs. The show catered to senior citizens and therefore; I really didn’t get the show. The jokes were about medications and there was even a number where Bette and her show girls came out in wheelchairs. Overall, I was disappointed in the show but grateful that I got to hear Bette sing live.

Bette Midler is also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She is an American singer-songwriter, actress, comedian, film producer and entrepreneur. In the past 50 years, Bette Midler has been nominated for two Academy Awards, and won three Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a special Tony Award. She has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

The Showgirl Must Go On was a show at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas that starred pop diva Bette Midler from 2008-2010. Bette Midler signed for 300 shows from 2008 to 2010 at a pace of 100 performances a year. Shows were presented five nights a week with the house dark on Mondays and Thursdays.

The show included The Staggering Harlettes, 20 female dancers called The Caesar Salad Girls and a 13-piece band. The show played its final performance on January 31, 2010, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special in 2011.

Le Rêve – The Dream

Le Rêve – The Dream

Le Rêve – The Dream: Le Reve shows at The Wynn Hotel Friday through Tuesday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and is performed in an aqua theater. The theater guarantees a great view no matter where you sit as it is tiered seating in a circular layout. Le Reve is more of an adult show, as it is both gothic and erotic. The music is very loud and gothic while displaying a romantic love story. The acrobats and diving are impressive and similar to Cirque de Solei. We purchased tickets the same day and got a great deal. Sometimes shows are cheaper in Vegas the day of.

Le Rêve – The Dream was voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” for three years running by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association. “Discover a new realm of stunning performers, provocative choreography, artistic athleticism and breathtaking aerial feats that will take you on a romantic journey into an aquatic world, where fantasies and dreams become reality.”  For more information about the show visit http://pages.wynnlasvegas.com/lereve/?WT.mc_id=ppc_google&WT.srch=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_content=lereve&utm_term=brand&gclid=CMDd7azW87gCFS6CQgodZREAUw

Mesa Grill, Las Vegas

Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill: Before the Celine concert, we wanted to grab something quick

Mesa Grill, Las Vegas

but yummy. We decided to try Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill which opened in 2004. I highly recommend making a reservation for the popular restaurant. Bobby Flay has a passion for bold and innovative Southwestern food. Bobby developed his signature style of American cookery, marrying the flavors of southwest with his love of grilling at Mesa Grill.  On he menu you will find New Mexican Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon-Ancho Chile Sauce, Sweet Potato

Mesa Grill

Tamale, Crushed Pecan Butter, Chiptole Glazed Rib-Eye with Red and Green Chile Sauce.
“Las Vegas’ proximity to Mexico gives the restaurant access to some of that country’s highest-quality tequila and mezcal offerings, and the expansive wine list has a global reach yet maintains an emphasis on top American wines.
The combination of Mesa Grill’s magnificent decor, the exciting vibe of the casino atmosphere and Bobby Flay’s stunning range of textures, flavors and colors incorporated into his menu continue to electrify diners year after year.”

http://www.mesagrill.com/las-vegas-restaurant/about.php

There are three Mesa Grill locations: Las Vegas, New York and on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Bartolotta: This is the first restaurant I have eaten at where the fish is priced by the

Bartolotta

Bartolotta

ounce! AND I have experienced many five star and fine dining restaurants.

The fish menu is quite impressive with seafood options flown in daily from the Mediterranean. Fish, fish, fish……is the main thing there, mostly whole-roasted ones. Sea bass, purple snapper, big eye and turbot are the English names, and there are others. Occasionally the chef will make one in a salt crust — a technique to seal in the juices that doesn’t make the fish salty at all — or alla Palermitana (green olives, garlic and tomatoes.)

Paul Bartolotta has over 20 years of culinary experience, culinary expertise and strengths in new business development. Paul and his brother Joe, the co-owner of The Bartolotta Restaurant Group, combined fused vision to open their first restaurant, Ristorante Bartolotta, for a casual yet authentic Italian cucina in 1993.  Today, The Bartolotta Restaurant Group owns and operates 8 award-winning, fine-dining restaurants, and 2 fast-casual concepts. Reservations are recommended. I have listed some of the seafood options below.

PESCE ~ whole fish

15.00 per 100 grams (approximately 3 ounces.)

orata…

 gilthead sea bream

branzino…

 sea bass

san pietro…

 john dory

dentice imperiale…

 imperial snapper

rombo…

 turbot

sogliola…

 northern Adriatic sole

pagello…

 pink snapper

occhiona…

 big eye red sea bream

pagaro…

 snapper

CROSTACEI ~ crustaceans

astaco…

 Mediterranean blue rock lobster 22.00 per 100 grams

cicala imperiale

 … slipper lobster 22.00 per 100 grams

aragosta…

 spiny lobster 20.00 per 100 grams

$$ saving tips: There is so much to do in Vegas for free!! Walk around, people watch, search for the moving trees, grab samples of food and products (diamond cream). First thing, book your room way in advance. There are great deals for rooms in Vegas but don’t book around a huge event (like I did) such as the World Rodeo Championships!!! When all of the hotels are sold out for a large event- you will not get a deal even if booking far in advance. There are so many rooms to choose from. Don’t just pick based on price, look at the square footage of the room. The Venetian offers large suites for half the price and 30% more square footage then some of the other hotels. To find the square footage of the rooms, go to the hotel website and click on room information. Choose your shows before booking the room. Then, either book your room where the show is or close to the show so that you can walk. Otherwise you will be standing in long, hot lines and spending money on taxi cabs. In Vegas, taxi’s do not go anywhere fast. You will sit in traffic on the strip at night forever, while the meter is running and then be dropped off far away from your destination. Then you will look up and notice that your hotel was right across the street! Don’t always purchase show tickets in advance. For headline concerts such as Celine- purchase in advance to guarantee a ticket but for smaller hotels shows such as theater, save money and purchase the day of. That is when there are great deals because they are trying to fill the theater. Travel to Vegas outside of June-August. One reason is it will be cooler and less crowded but that is also when special room rates are offered.

This page is dedicated to my Vegas Girl!!!!