July “Birthday” Road Trip 2010 to Vegas!

July “Birthday” Road Trip 2010 to Vegas!



The Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho

Our first day out was driving to Twin Falls, Idaho.

The Hotel Eight, Twin Falls, Idaho

Were we stayed at Hotel Eight**
208-734-5801
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03907

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La Fiesta, Mexican Restaurant, Twin Falls, Idaho

La Fiesta, Mexican Restaurant***
Twin Falls, Idaho
208.734.0685



La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Twin Falls, Idaho - La Fiesta Beef Burrito

La Fiesta Beef Burrito*** Char broiled skirt steak

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Short drive to Jackpot, Nevada

Barton's Club 93 Casino and Hotel

Barton's Club 93 Casino and Hotel***
Jackpot, Nevada
800.258.2937
http://www.bartonsclub93.com/Index.cfm
The room was large, clean and had a balcony as wide as the room.

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Cactus Pete’s Desert Room Café***
Jackpot, Nevada
775.755.2321
http://www.ameristar.com/Cactus_Petes_and_Horseshu.aspx

 

Cactus Pete’s Desert Room Café Jackpot, Nevada - Meat Lover’s Skillet

Meat Lover’s Skillet** 3 scrambled eggs with Cheddar cheese, ham, bacon, sausage, country gravy on golden hash browns. Not as crisp as I would have liked.



Cactus Pete’s Desert Room Café Jackpot, Nevada - Bacon Cheddar Burger

Bacon Cheddar Burger***

Barton's Club 93 Casino, Restaurant**
Jackpot, Nevada

Friday Seafood Buffet** they though this was a big deal. Did not jump for the very deep fried frog legs…

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Then off to Vegas...

Flamingo Hotel and Casino

Flamingo Hotel and Casino**
Las Vegas Nevada
http://www.flamingolasvegas.com/casinos/flamingo-las-vegas/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml

The room was old and dirty with papers and pills under the bed. The toilet rocked back and forth like a rocking horse...

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Mon Ami Gabi

Mon Ami Gabi
Las Vegas, Nevada
702.944.224
http://www.monamigabi.com/vegas
We were able to visit Mon Ami Gabi twice. Located in Paris, Las Vegas, this restaurant has both inside and out side seating. We sat outside both times and enjoyed people watching at is fineness.



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Cucumber mint Du Jour

 Cucumber mint Du Jour*** a light, tasty Gazpacho



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Smoked Salmon

 Smoked Salmon*** brioche, crème fraîche, red onion, capers. Wonderful flavors of salmon lightly salted with the capers.



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Open-Faced Crab Salad Sandwich

 Open-Faced Crab Salad Sandwich** with avocado



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Open-Faced Ham sandwich

 Open-Faced Ham sandwich**



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Fig smoked bacon BLT

 Fig smoked bacon BLT*** with organic tomato. Great Ingredients, but still a BLT



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Sea Scallops Gratinées

 Sea Scallops Gratinées**** caramelized fennel and onion marmalade, mussel cream. Scallops were cooked perfectly, great presentation



Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Warm Brie Cheese

Warm Brie Cheese*** black pepper honey, hazelnuts, croutons.

NV Jean-Louis - Rose Brut** light, off dry rose’

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KGB-Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers Harrahs Las Vegas - KGB-Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers

KGB-Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers
Harrahs Las Vegas, Nevada
https://www.harrahslasvegas.com/casinos/harrahs-las-vegas/restaurants-dining/kerrys-gourmet-burgers-detail.html




KGB-Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers Harrahs Las Vegas - Bacon cheese burger

Bacon cheese burger*** medium rear, one of the best burgers I have had.

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2010 4th of July Fireworks - Caesar Palace

4th of July in Vegas, we have been in Vegas several times over the 4th. This is the first time I have seen fireworks! Way to go Caesar Palace!

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After several days in Las Vegas we are off back to Twin Falls, while at Twin falls we ate at La Fiesta, Mexican Restaurant again.

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Twin Falls, Idaho - Char broiled steak

 Char broiled steak*** skirt steak, mushrooms, avocado, sliced egg



La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Twin Falls, Idaho - Fajitas Quesadilla beef

Fajitas Quesadilla beef***

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Wine Tasting in Prosser

Then off to Prosser, Washington for wine Tasting. While in Prosser we had a dinner planed for the first day with our new friends, but first we had a little wine tasting to do.

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After visiting with our friends at Olsen Estates we traveled a short distance to Willow Crest for a light late lunch.



Willow Crest Prosser Washington

Meat and cheese platter*** What more do you need with a bottle of Cab Franc?

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Alexandria Nicole Cellars
http://www.alexandrianicolecellars.com/
We have been here and their tasting room in Woodinville many times. This visit we tasted there just released club wines and the also new released Merlot.

2009 Marsanne*** peach, with great mouth feel

2008 Grenache*** warm overtones and balance

2008 Primitivo*** black cherry. Washington’s Zins are starting to come on.

2007 Rock Star Red*** jam and spice

2008 Merlot*** Needs more time to develop.

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Mercer Estates Winery
Prosser, Washington
509.786.2097
http://www.mercerwine.com/

2007 Sangiovese*** intense first taste and long

2007 Merlot** light cherry

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon**

2007 Syrah**

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Tuscany dinner

Jessie and Susanne Ayala chief and owner of Tuscany Grill in Prosser put together a wonder full off the menu dinner for us and a few of our “new best friends” so we laughingly call our selves.

Carpaccio Kobe Beef at Tuscany Grill

We started with Carpaccio Kobe Beef**** this was to die for. Followed by a wonderful Caser salad***. We posed for a light Pear Sorbet. Jessie then offered a delicious Salmon, Prosciutto, and Olive Tapenade Wrapped with Puff Pastry**** the salmon was off the chart. What about the wine you say. Here it is, the list of wines we all brought in for our meal:

2007 Olsen Estates Petit Verdot

2008 Olsen Estates Blanc des Coteaux

2007 Mercers Sangiovese

2007 Alexandria Nicole Cellars Jet Black Syrah

Food always tastes best with friends and wine.

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Day two of our Prosser wine tasting. Off to Red Mountain…



Terra Blanca Winery Benton City Washington

Terra Blanca Winery
Benton City, Washington
509.588.6082
http://www.terrablanca.com/

2005 Arch Terrace Merlot*** black currents

2003 Estate Reserve Merlot*** long finish

2005 ONYX** dark, with fruit

2006 ONYX** young, with cherry

2005 Arch Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon** lots of tannins

2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon**

2004 Winemaker’s Barrel Select Syrah** laid back

2003 Estate Reserve Block 8 Syrah** big nose, hint of burnt rubber

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Goedhart Family Benton City Washington

Goedhart Family
Benton City, Washington
509.554.6042
http://www.goedhartfamily.com/
Both syrah’s are well made, would only question the price point.

2006 Bel’ Villa Vineyard Syrah***

2008 Bel’ Villa Vineyard Syrah***

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Hedges Family Estate Benton City Washington

Hedges Family Estate
Benton City, Washington
509.588.3155
http://www.hedgesfamilyestate.com/

2008 CMS Red*** black cherry, balance

2002 Red Mountain Reserve*** dried fruits

2007 Hedges Family Estate, Red Mountian*** cocoa with hints of earth, and mouth feel

2008 Desendants liegeois Dupont, Les Gosses Vibeyard** taste of white pepper

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Fidelitas Benton City Washington

Fidelitas
Benton City, Washington
509.588.3469
http://www.fidelitaswines.com/

2007 Columbia Valley Malbec**** :-)

2007 Jaguar Red Wine***

2007 Columbia Valley Merlot***

2008 Optu White Wine***

2007 eight Red Wine***

2007 Red Mountain Cabernet Franc***

2007 Red Mountain Red Wine**

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Kiona Vineyards Winery

Kiona Vineyards Winery
Benton City, Washington
509.588.6716
http://www.kionawine.com/

2006 Estate Red Mountain Lemberger*** black cherry color with blackberry flavors

Vivacious Vicky Red Merlot*** light, very drinkable

2003 Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon** light with tannins

2003 Estate Red Mountain Syrah*** hint of spice

2003 Estate Red Mountain Sangiovese**

2006 Estate Zinfandel** light, spicy

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Now it’s off to Leavenworth



The Loft Leavenworth Washington

There is a new restaurant in Leavenworth called The Loft. They have over 12 beers on tap. So far they have only burgers and sausages on their menu with a plan to expand over time. The Loft is located over the Soup Cellar restaurant and is owned by the same owners.

Back home we go…

zzz