Foodie Views : LA$ Vega$

Finally returned to Las Vegas! I can no longer be loyal to United Airlines (Continental) since the fares remain high and the airline doesn't seem to have as much fluctuation as before the merger. With that, I am Southwest's newest customer.

My second Southwest trip brought me to Las Vegas, via Phoenix....what a boring airport! I no longer mind changing planes
as it gives me a chance to stretch my legs; I'm getting old!
Arrived in Las Vegas, picked up my car and off to the hotel. Wow, it's already 101 degrees...but "it's a dry heat". I wasn't really hungry yet as I ate at a faux-Mexican restaurant in Phoenix.

In Las Vegas, everything is first-class, whether it's Mcdonalds or
some pizza place. My first dinner stop on Saturday evening was
a family owned Italian restaurant; Sicilian Cafe, way out on East Tropicana. I was really in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs for some reason and found this place by hearing an ad on KJUL. I heard this place has real, homemade style and taste so why not try it. I was greeted at the door my Mimma, and after my eyes adjusted from bright sunlight to indoor lighting, I was greeted by scenes and smells of Sicily. In keeping with the homemade theme, I consumed my spaghetti and homemade meatballs and homemade bread, but preceeded by a delicious bowl of pasta e fagiloi. I left full. I was a little disappointed with the sauce as I think mine is better. Should sauce be on the dry side? I needed more for the spaghetti.

Fresh Homemade Bread

While my dinner kept me full until morning, I had to check out

another Diners, Drive-ins and Dive place for breakfast.
I drove out about 23 miles to Boulder City, NV. This time, for a change, I was definitely
surprised and happy that The Coffee Cup Cafe was excellent!

Chile Verde omelet

I had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat at the counter as the place was very crowded at 10.30 in the morning. The hostess suggested I order one of their excellent Bloody Mary's with BACON!! I ordered one; a 16 ounce "hand crafted" Bloody Mary with bacon that is specially, again, "crafted" for the restaurant by a local purveyor.
A 16 ounce drink, combined with an outdoor temperature of 104 degrees, again, "a dry with an outdoor temperature of 104 degrees, again, "a dry heat" is not a great combination, but then again, I'm inside! When seated, I ordered their famous Chile Verde omelet with hash browns and sourdough toast.

The bar is in the adjacent dining area.

This was loaded with chunks and shredded pork with a nice kick of spices. It's not to be missed! Finally, Guy Fieri picked a winner!
Boulder City was originally built by the US Government to house construction workers during the construction of Hoover Dam. It's also a stopping off point for Lake Meade visitors.

Busy dining room and counter.

Tuesday afternoon, I had a reservation at the new Museum of Organized Crime and law Enforcement, commonly referred to as "The ~~MOB~~ Museum" which was the brainchild of former 3 term Mayor and mob guy defense attorney, Oscar Goodman. There is no ~~MOB~~! It's simply a group of business men...yeah, business
men, that's it...but they ran nice hotels and casinos.

So now "I know a guy...." Oscar Goodman and myself

Old prisoner transport bus

The Museum, not to be confused with The Mob Attraction at the Tropicana, shows the beginnings of Las Vegas crime history from the "wild west days" to modern Las Vegas and mob infiltration, mob hotels and the notable figures that built the City in the middle to late 20th century. It is a multi-media and educational journey to learn about all things mob and maybe some things you don't want to know. Most importantly, the museum is located in the old US Post Office and Federal Courthouse in downtown to give an authentic judicial feel. There is a huge history to this building. Leave the kids home, please.

MOB Museum

Steak Steak Steak

Loosely translated, Las Vegas means indulgence and lots of it
whether it's buffets, alcohol or magnificent hotels. Personally. I don't care for buffets, I'll do alcohol of course and ultra expensive hotels, I can do without.
After leaving the ~~MOB~~ Museum, I walked over to Main Street Station Hotel and Casino for dinner. The Triple 7 Micro-brewery located in the Hotel, brews excellent beer and has a very good, very reasonably priced menu. This evening I had, what else, Steak!

Triple 7 1 lb. T-bone

As I left, I put two dollars in the slot machine and I hit for thirty six bucks. That paid for dinner, plus a couple of more beers!

By far, the best steakhouse for the money, in my opinion is "THE Steakhouse" at Circus Circus. Yes, Circus Circus is the budget property for MGM group of hotels, but that doesn't stop me or anyone else for going to this old school Vegas temple of meat!! It is a special treat when I go here. I have my own waiter, Felix, who has been here almost 20 years. There is nothing better than a professional career waiter (or waitress).

A not very large menu is easy to negotiate. A cozy, quiet bar, dark wood and red leather booths make this a very Vegas steakhouse just steps off the glitzy Strip outside.

THE Steakhouse

21 Day Aged 24 oz. Porterhouse , magnificent!

After an entertaining afternoon at the MOB Attraction located at the renovated and beautiful Tropicana Hotel, I was able to try a 21 day, dry aged, bone in, rib eye. While not a fan of rib eye, I'm partial to porterhouse, as noted above, it was very good none-the-less. In the new, bright and modern restaurant, Biscayne Steak Sea and Wine, overlooking the fake beach just below, this was another relaxing dinner in casual bliss. That means shorts and sandals...but NO t-shirts.