July “Birthday” Road Trip 2010 to Vegas!
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| The Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho |
Our first day out was driving to Twin Falls, Idaho.
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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.
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| 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...
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| 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.
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Cucumber mint Du Jour |
Cucumber mint Du Jour*** a light, tasty Gazpacho
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Smoked Salmon |
Smoked Salmon*** brioche, crème fraîche, red onion, capers. Wonderful flavors of salmon lightly salted with the capers.
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Open-Faced Crab Salad Sandwich |
Open-Faced Crab Salad Sandwich** with avocado
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Open-Faced Ham sandwich |
Open-Faced Ham sandwich**
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Fig smoked bacon BLT |
Fig smoked bacon BLT*** with organic tomato. Great Ingredients, but still a BLT
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| Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - Sea Scallops Gratinées |
Sea Scallops Gratinées**** caramelized fennel and onion marmalade, mussel cream. Scallops were cooked perfectly, great presentation
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| 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
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| 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.
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| La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Twin Falls, Idaho - Char broiled steak |
Char broiled steak*** skirt steak, mushrooms, avocado, sliced egg
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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…
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
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| 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
