Monte Carlo

We went to Las Vegas before Christmas. It's the low season so hotel rates were very low. Because we had reservations at Andre in the Monte Carlo and at Le Cirque in the Bellagio, we decided to stay at the Monte Carlo. It's considered mid-strip.

We upgraded to a high floor Strip View but the upgrade wasn't worth it. The Mandarin Oriental is right next door and it blocks the north view of the strip. Plus, you overlook the roof of the Monte Carlo casino, which isn't much of a view.

View at night--MGM across the street. I think the best strip view room is at Treasure Island. If you get a south facing room, you have a very nice view of the entire strip.

The rooms were decent sized but the walls were very thin and we could hear the guests next door.

2014 12 21

Monta Ramen

You know I'm always in search of good ramen. I read about Monta Japanese Noodle House and had to try it while I was in Las Vegas. It's located at 5030 Spring Mountain Road. They don't take reservations--our wait was about an hour at 1:30 pm on a Sunday.

Tonkotsu Ramen--$6.95. It comes with 2 slices of chasu (pork), bamboo shoots and wood ear. I added Nitamago (flavored egg) for $1.50. The pork broth was very flavorful but too thick. The noodles were toothy and just right. I still prefer Orenchi in Santa Clara.

Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen--$6.95. Same thing as the tonkotsu ramen except it was thinned with shoyu. I thought the flavor was diluted but it was definitely a thinner broth. I still prefer Orenchi. I wonder if I'll ever find ramen that's better than Orenchi's?

2014 12 21

Snow Flake, Las Vegas

When we arrived in Las Vegas, the first thing we did was head to Monta Ramen. Unfortunately, there was over an hour wait. Luckily, there was Snow Flake nearby. It's located in Chinatown, just a 10 minute drive from the strip, 5020 Spring Mountain Road.

If you've never had shaved snow, it's ribbons of shaved ice cream.

Black Sesame Sensation--black sesame snow with condensed milk and mochi for $4.48. I loved it--nice sesame flavor with just enough sweet from the condensed milk and I loved the chewiness of the mini mochi balls.

The next day, we went to Raku which was in the same mall. Unfortunately, there was another hour wait so we went back to Snow Flake and created another winner. This was mango shaved snow with condensed milk, mini mochi balls and passion fruit popping boba--they look like salmon roe but had a nice pop of passion fruit inside.

2014 12 21

Dewar's

In Bakersfield, Dewar's Fine Candies has been an institution since 1909. It's family-owned and has the best chews and ice cream. The original store is located at 1120 Eye Street.

Dewars is an old-fashioned soda fountain, complete with pink vinyl chairs.

Black & Tan--$6.99. Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and chocolate ice cream with caramel sauce. The ice cream was delicious--almost as thick as Haagen Daz and the hot fudge was very thick.

2014 12 20

Woolgrower's Basque

On the way to Vegas, we stopped in Bakersfield. When in Bakersfield, you have to have Basque food. The funny thing is that this is unlike any food we had when we were in the Basque region in Spain/France. Woolgrower's is located at 630 E. 19th Street. Order an entree or just have the "set-up."

The "set up" includes vegetable soup with beans and salsa,

pickled tongue (boiled beef tongue, sliced thin and marinated with an Italian salad dressing), green salad, tomato salad, vegetable of the day, French fries and spaghetti. The "set up" is $14.50 and is definitely enough to make a hearty meal by itself. 

The "set up" is included with all entrees. I chose oxtail stew--$25. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender.

Bottle of house wine for $10. It actually wasn't too bad.

2014 12 20

Guilty Pleasure

We went on a road trip to Las Vegas right before Christmas. I don't eat fast food often but when I do, I love the fried zucchini at Carl's Junior.

Fried zucchini--$2.59. The zucchini breading is nicely seasoned and is best when it's hot. 

2014 12 20

Rock of Ages

For our final night in New York, we decided to see another show. We went to TKTS and found 40% off tickets for Rock of Ages at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th Street. Tickets were $91.50 in the Mezzanine.

Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew & Sherrie, both from small towns, who move to LA to chase their dreams of making it big. It features rock classics from the 1980s so I knew I would like the music.

Rock of Ages opened in 2009 and will have it's final Broadway performance January 18, 2015. When we were there, Drew was played by Constantine Maroulis, a contestant on "American Idol."

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