Smart Baccarat

I must say, they did such a nice bar setup in our suite. I'm all about the glassware, and they were very good about making sure we were always supplied with sufficient quantities of proper drinking vessels.

I also wanted to mention, that I had a number of requests that were handled very well by the Palazzo resort concierge Helen (mostly via email) before our arrival. This included pre-blocking a concierge level suite. In addition, the concierge wasn't able to get us a smoking Bella Suite, but got approval for us to smoke in our non-smoking suite and proceeded to send ashtrays (approximately 10) to the suite. I must say, the ventilation and air circulation was so good, the room always smelled fresh, even though we were smoking in the suite.

Alex picked us up in his convertible rental car, and we proceed to the Golden Nugget.

We arrive at the GN for dinner with quietlion and Andy. This was such a nice treat, and I was very happy to be sharing my birthday dinner amongst such fine company.

I started with some oysters on the half shell, and had a very nice medium rare 8oz filet mignon sans butter. Numerous vegetables were ordered and shared among everyone at the table. We started off with a Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne, which was a perfect compliment to my oysters. The wine with dinner was Darioush 2004 Shiraz, which was exceptional, and went very well with the variety of entrees ordered at the table. Of special note was the quail appetizer, which Richard had suggested, and I tried a piece of from Alex's plate -- it was very nice.

After dinner, we took a nice walk down Fremont street, so that we would have time to enjoy our cigars. Cigars included Davidoff Grand Cru No 4 and some Cubans Dave had brought me back from his trip to Cancun.

We got back to the Nugget and were just hanging around in front of a dice table. Alex mentioned we should give it a whirl, and both stick left positions were wide open... so, why not. Alex stood immediate stick left, with me to his left. When the dice finally came to me, I was one fire! 6 Points (ok, it might have been 5) --- tons of numbers, back to back hard 10's --- it was by far my best roll in the past year. And, what did I do, I fuck'ed it up. Yeah, I won hundreds... but it should have been thousands..... (Alex won around $700 since he was being pretty aggressive on the 4 & 10). But, I was just so distracted by our friends, and arranging for the "Georgia Girls" to meet us. I was on the line for $10 and backing up full (Vegas) odds, with the 6 & 8 for an average of $24 each, and the occasional 4 & 10. For the life of me (well, actually, because I was distracted) --- I still don't know why I didn't press up my pass line bet (to secure more odds) after the 2nd or 3rd point rolled. But, how can I complain, it was my birthday..... and I had a great roll at the dice table. During all this, there were also goodbyes to Dave and Merf who were fading fast... so, as you can see --- lots of distractions, but at least I can say it was a conservative controlled roll. And, after my roll (which had to be at least 20 minutes) --- Alex and I colored up; with the "Georgia Girls" arriving just moments before.

I really wish I had a picture to show, but these girls really dressed themselves up for the town; but heck, it was their first night out in Vegas.

We went to the bar and Richard picked up drinks for us to bring back to the split level suite, and we all hung around for a while. Just after we got to the suite, Lisa (MissL) arrived, and I met her downstairs and we proceeded to pick up 2 splits of Champagne (Laurent-Perrier) to bring up to the suite to toast our birthdays. My birthday of 26th June was just about ending, and Lisa's was about to begin on the 27th of June --- so, we had a toast at a time appropriate to celebrate both of our birthdays.

After a bit more relaxing and hanging out, Alex, myself and Lisa left with the "Georgia Girls" with a plan to potentially go to Pure. But, we hit a wicked horrible traffic jam (like 30 minutes) -- and we were all beat (especially me, who had been up since 4AM Eastern Time for the flight to Vegas). I decided to just go back to Palazzo, and Lisa got off there, with the intent to walk back to Paris, just hours before her return flight to Phoenix.

It was a great arrival in Vegas --- and a great way to celebrate my xx birthday!

Thanks to EVERYONE for sharing it with me, and making this a very special and memorable birthday!

Labels: baccarat_king, dice, golden nugget, palazzo, quietlion, vic and anthony's

So..... we land in Vegas, and since we have checked bags, I absolutely refuse to rush off the plane; as we need to wait for the bags anyway. We say our good byes to the awesome flight attendants and are on our way to baggage claim.

The Venetian Limo dude is waiting with a sign in baggage claim, and we proceed to pick up our bags. While waiting for our bags, I start chatting with these two nice girls from Georgia; who just arrived on the ATL-LAS flight (we were on the SLC-LAS flight). Of course, we are a bit anxious about our bags, since our connection from BOS (in SLC) was only 20 minutes. Alas, the bags come off the plane -- much to our relief. I ask the "Georgia Girls" if they want a ride in our limo, as no Vegas Virgins should be forced to deal with a cab to their hotel, of course, they say yes.







First stop is the liquor store, and we procure the requisite Sparkling Wine, Beer (Sam Adams - for Merf), Grey Goose L'Orange, and a few other items.

We do a short strip tour (it's also Merf's first time to Vegas) --- and then stop at the Palazzo first (Georgia Girls will continue to MGM). Upon arrival at Palazzo, since we are prebooked in a concierge level suite --- we get to check in at the private concierge desk right at the entrance of Palazzo (no need to walk all the way to invited guest check-in). Dave hands over his credit card, and we are checked-in in under 5 minutes, and on our way to the Bella Concierge Suite on the 25th floor.




Our bar setup in the suite (notice the copious quantities of glassware)

A lovely cheese plate send by my friend executive chef TS







After we get settled, everyone realizes they are hungry --- and there is still a bit of time before my shave at "Art of Shaving - Palazzo Shops." We decide to get a quick bite at Woo

Woo: The folks behind the Las Vegas legend Mayflower Cuisinier have cloised that place and opened Woo in the Palazzo. The menu is pan-asian and the food is served family-style, meaning enough to share. Order a lot of different things since the portions are small, and you'll want to sample many dishes.

Alex joins myself, Dave and Merf - and we have a blast. The food is terrific, and includes a tuna tartare and some excellent ribs! Yum.... I break away from lunch early, to go get my birthday shave (a few shops down) at the "Art of Shaving."





After an awesome shave (THANK YOU - Dave!) -- Alex drives us over to Paris/Bally's as it's time to get him checked into his room at Bally's. Alex tends to spend 2-3 weeks at a time in Vegas --- so, I offer to get him 5 nights @ Bally's to use between his other comp night stays. We valet at Paris, and walk over to Bally's -- using Diamond Check-In I make it known to the lovely lady that it is indeed my birthday. BINGO - score a junior suite for Alex (for a stay which includes a weekend). I tip the nice lady, and we are off to check out Alex's very 1980's junior suite in the north tower.

We decide to get a quick drink at the Paris Diamond Lounge, which is super crowded at the point.
We manage to find a table, and I grab some food for the table. I'm actually surprised there was hot food, such as egg rolls and chicken fingers --- I grab a selection and some cheese for everyone. Since we don't have a lot of time, we order quite the round (or two) of drinks. A lemon drop martini for Merf. Dirty Martini's for myself and Alex. Dave wants a chocolate martine (what is that boy thinking).. in addition a round of sparkling wine for everyone x2 (remember, it's also Merf's birthday celebration, as it was her birthday a week earlier)... and a few Perrier waters for the table (hydration and drinking water is always key to staying healthy in Vegas, especially in the summer).

We finish our drinks, and go to get a cab back to Palazzo. The cab line is hugh, but the Diamond card gets us to the front of the cab line, managing to piss off around 20 people.... but, heck, that's one of the perks... so, you might as well use it. Unfortunately, there is no signage (or not very good signage) at Paris with regard to the "Diamond-Cab Line Cut --- so, you just need to by-pass the line, and get the cab dispatcher's attention (and, of course, I always tip).

Back to Palazzo and a bit of time to freshen up before dinner downtown at Vic and Anthony's at the Golden Nugget. QL has invited us for dinner, and that was very gracious... did I mention, it's my birthday!

Labels: art of shaving, baccarat_king, ballys, delta, diamond lounge, las vegas, palazzo, paris las vegas, vegas virgins, woo