Vegas

I am home from Las Vegas with my lovely husband...and Mark Harmon & NCIS. Sigh.

So let me give a bit of background. We don't drink...well not alcohol. We don't gamble...well unless the feelings hit me & I will go more on that. We eat. Mike is a foodie. I mean past the Food Network stuff. There were channels on the HD spectrum that carried pretty intense food shows. And Mike watched them. And then stalked the chefs. Well, followed them through the internet to find out about their restaurants. We (me sometimes under duress....don't let me rant about the "acclaimed" sushi restaurant in PH after which and $150, I went to a buffet.) go to some of these much researched restaurants when we are in various cities. Being HERE in the somewhat foodie barren area of Utah, he is a frustrated foodie with limited glimpses of greatness in Vegas. We made the decision to go to Vegas in January....since then we have had multiple reservations at multiple places. As of late, Michael is struggling with his lack of robust family history in Coppola/Scorese ridden areas. His compensation is to eat...and he did.

When I move in between restaurants, I have watched many people. There is a gentleman who stands out. Now I am over 40 and pudgy so pretty much invisible to the younger set. We were in the casino heading out when I saw a young man with his friend and they were talking about what they were going to drink or hit on. All of a sudden he reaches down...I thought (hoped) he was reaching in his pockets...nope....boy was diggin. Pretty deep into his JUNK. Not sure that I could use that word appropriately until now...but he was digging deep in his junk. And I watched. He continued to converse, though I hesitate to call it multi tasking. I was within 18 inches to 2 feet away from him while he did this and all I could think of was he had NO regard for whomever was watching. That is the full scope of Vegas....doesn't matter what you do or to whom you do it or to what level you do it or how often you do it and finally who is watching...it is Vegas. Whether it is my age or moral level, sad.

Our first reservation was at Bouchon. I will go on record as saying I do not care for French food. Serious. No need for organ meats and sauces. Their bread and cheeses and pastries yes...but food...nope. So Bouchon is a French restaurant. It was a wifely duty. 10 floors up in the Venetian and a "plain old French Bistro". Mike was proudly wearing his authentic Mario Batalie bright orange Crocs as we asked to be seated. Our waiter was an amazingly engaging man who called Utah "Mormonia", and I fell in love immediately. Of course being a former Hag, he and I had alot in common! I ordered a salad which I spoke often about. Mike got French Onion soup. Thankfully no organ meats included. My husband was in heaven. The waiter suggested to Mike that if he was a TRUE foodie, he would NOT get the steak frites (steak & fries) as that was attainable everywhere, but he should have the DUCK. I of course somewhat goaded Mike into having it as well. I watched the two women next to us who were less fun and certainly less ambitious. They watched us pretty intently. Regardless of not liking French food, my baked chicken was amazing! I actually ate peas too! The meal ended with a dessert which I cannot describe. Mini brownies with homemade ice cream on them. But that does not encompass the joy. Then onto the old fart show which was the other part of my wifely duty (Jersey Boys) which is a musical about the life & music of Frankie Vali...yup THAT old. I did the dirty thing & trained my opera glasses on the boy who's face struck me. He and the brownies made the night great! OH...by the way....Mike ate the duck..."I would never order it again, but it was good to try"...you take what you want from that.

The next morning was the Carnegie Deli. Yes, like the one in New York. Before we went, Mike crawled into bed, hugged me & said "I was just on the Carnegie Deli websit looking at the pastrami". To which I responded "Honey, that is not foreplay!". So we walked and went. Where we met 2 other couples who were very interesting to talk to. Mike ordered borscht (yup, beet soup) because he wants another family history so that day it was Jewish. He also ordered the Reuben with corned beef. I can't describe the bomoeth proportions of the sandwich. The two couples we met marvelled at its size. I ordered a burger. Pretty unremarkable. Mike walked out of the deli without the leftovers shaking his head..."We have been here....no need to go again!". Check it off the list.

Dinner was one that I was looking forward to. There is a small Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. It is rumored to have catered to some of the mob. The owner enjoyed a few bit parts on The Sopranos. Last visit to Vegas when we were in the pregame warm up, I had noticed that Raos was opening in Vegas in Bon Appetit. We were lucky to have reservations opening week. We met all 3 owners (and got autographs) and I was flirted at by Frank, the very glamourous, distinguished, and charming owner. Never will forget that meal! I will honestly say I believe that Mike threw up all vestiges of the disappointing reuben to prepare for Raos. To me, what we ordered was GREAT tasting but of no consequence until the DESSERT. Ahhhh. I did have to struggle in not touching myself in public. Sigh.

Ending our food trip was up to me! Done with fancy schmancy food, I told Mike we were going to PF Changs. YUP. Something I could get in downtown SLC! Not caring. Just wanting lots of food that was familiar. So I got it. What we also got was dinner with the most engaging couple from Sonoma valley (Coppola connection) who loved Powell's and had just returned from Spring Training! No one else need to have applied as dinner companions of the Davidsons! Was the best dinner I had all week!

I will say, we ended our trip at a bar to see a concert. Now I am not a bar person per se. Not sure that I ever was. So I have little patience with bar people. But we did meet a great couple from Edmonton Canada & discussed the propensity of amazing celtic music coming from Nova Scotia. During the conversation, the guy mentioned that only in the US has he seen so many fake boobs here. I laughed. His girlfriend & I spent the evening in between songs, evaluating all of the women....real or fake.

I did lose patience and only ALMOST started a tussel. Laughingly my husband warned me that he didn't want to start any fights that night. My friends and I laughed at his chivalry. Hell yes....I may be old & pudgy but I will tell you I am still able to hold my own and can still give a stink eye which could stop words.

Be great to you!