Ra Sushi

Ra Sushi is located in the Fashion Show Mall. They also have locations in other states. They have a Happy Hour Mon-Sat from 3-7 pm and 10 pm-close. On Sundays, Happy Hour is 3 pm-close.

The interior is dark.

Edamame--$3.50. Seaweed salad--$4.50.

Salmon Nigiri--$4.50 for 2 pieces.

Yellowtail Nigiri--$5.30 for 2 pieces.

California Roll--$5.70.

Tuna Tataki--$9. This was a few pieces of seared tuna over a salad. Not good value.

Shrimp Tempura Roll--$7.

Ra Chips & Salsa--$7.

Viva Las Vegas--$9. These were weird but they were favorites on Yelp. The sushi was deep fried.

Rainbow Roll--$9. Very fresh fish.

Ra'ckin' Shrimp--$9. Too much batter.

Dragon Roll--$12.80

2017 02 18

Forum Shops

After brunch, we walked through the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.

Spiral escalator connecting the different floors.

In the center of the Forum Shops is a free show--the Fall of Atlantis. The show plays every hour on the hour beginning at 11 am until 10 pm. There's an extra show at 11 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

It can get very crowded so watch your belongings.

The show features animatronics and pyrotechnics.

There's a huge H&M store in the mall.

Freaky chairs--kids love to peer through the eye openings.

2017 02 18

Border Grill

We had brunch at Border Grill the next morning. We went to the one in the Forum Shops but there's also a location in Mandalay Bay. The Border Brunch is unlimited small plates for $34.99, bottomless  mimosa $10, bottomless Michelada, bloody mary and mimosa $20.

Guava Empanadas--delicious.

Banana Bread--moist and good but there are so many better choices for brunch.

Tres Leches French Toast--this was good but filling.

Steak and Eggs. The steak was well prepared but the eggs were overcooked.

Shrimp & Grits--nice & spicy.

Serrano Ham Waffle--okay.

Breakfast Fries--beer braised short rib, Manchego cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, sunny side egg. Too much and too filling. I would skip this next time.

Fried Green Tomatillos--triple cream brie, hominy grits, spicy Romesco, smoked chile aioli, Applewood smoked bacon. I liked these.

Green Corn Tamales--sweet corn, salsa fresco, sour cream. These were so good--my favorite.

Esquite Lettuce Wraps--baby bibb, black beans, corn, panela, avocado, chipotle aioli. Delicious.

Ceviche del Dia--loved it.

Bottomless mimosas were not worth it. Lime, passion fruit and peach--not enough fruit flavor.

2017 02 18

Table 10

We arrived late on Friday and grabbed a late dinner at Table 10, located in the Palazzo.

Happy Hour is 3-6 pm then again 9 pm to close. The Sangria--$6 was disappointing but Sand Dollar--$7 was very good. It was rum, grapefruit liquor, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon brown sugar syrup.

Warm rolls.

Chicken & Andouille Gumbo--$11. The gumbo had good flavor but wasn't the best I've had. 

Truffle mac n cheese--$11. This was delicious. Creamy and so much truffle flavor.

2017 02 17

The Grand Canal Shoppes

Walking through the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian is like walking through Venice, except it is more sterile.

The Grand Canal with shops on either side.

There are even gondola rides.

The Venetian is attached to the Palazzo. This is the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium, complete with a LOVE sign.

It's the Year of the Rooster. This sculpture was near the Waterfall.

2017 02 17

The Venetian

We stayed at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

Lobby at the Venetian.

The rooms are all 2-room suites with a large living area. There is a refrigerator but if you open it, there's a charge. There is a daily resort fee of $39 + tax. According to their website, The Resort Fee includes access for 2 to the fitness facility, in-suite internet access, boarding pass printing, unlimited local and toll-free calls, daily newspaper at Cafe Presse. Essentially, I paid $39 for internet access since I didn't use any of the other amenities.

We got the Bella Suite, which has 2 queen beds.

The bathrooms are huge and all-marble. The toilet has its own room so 2 people could use the bathroom at the same time.

I booked a strip view and this is what we got--not sure it was worth the extra. I think the best strip view rooms are at Treasure Island.

Pool area at the Venetian. Closed in February.

The Mirage was just across the street.

2017 02 17

Allegiant to LAS

We flew Allegiant Air--the king of nickel and diming. I thought Norwegian Air was bad, but Allegiant was even worse.

My $202 ticket got me transportation from STS to LAS and back. It was extra to select a seat. It was extra to check a bag. It was even extra to bring a carry-on. It was extra to get a boarding pass at the airport. On the flight, it was extra to get water. Pretty soon, if you want to use the toilet or use a seatbelt on board, it'll be extra. I wonder when we'll need to provide our own life jackets?

When did airlines start competing to be the worst at customer service?

That's me on the left. I was able to bring a "personal bag" without paying a fee. I'm a pretty efficient packer and could bring everything I needed for 2 days and 3 nights in my bag, including strappy shoes and 2 evening outfits.

Our flight from STS to LAS was one of the bumpiest flights I have experienced. Even the flight attendant threw up.

The Vegas Strip is much more impressive at night but my night shot was fuzzy.

2017 02 17

Flying Out of STS

Santa Rosa has a small airport--no larger than a bus stop. The airport is the Charles M Schultz--Sonoma County Airport and the 3 letter code is STS. It has 1 gate and 1 waiting area so clearing security takes all of 5 minutes. Long-term parking is $10/day.

There are Alaskan, American and Allegiant flights to San Diego, LAX, Santa Ana, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and Las Vegas. There is a restaurant, open from 8 am-9 pm, ATM machines and WiFi--access costs $15.

The Welcome committee outside STS.

2017 02 17