You really don’t want to let a day go by without one, so here’s today’s quote from Rita: “I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.”
This is Rita's sign in front of Harrah's. Not actual size.
Meet Angela! She’s Angela by day, but Mariah by night. She’s one of the Imperial Palace’s famed “dealertainers.”
She’s part dealer, part tribute performer…but entirely friendly and great at making folks feel at home at her blackjack table.
No public feuds with rappers for Angela, thank you.
Find out more about the dealertainer experience here. And if you’re into music, take a look at the new show, Human Nature, also at the Imperial Palace, presented by none other than Smokey Robinson himself.
If you know Vegas, you know the I-15. It’s that happy north-south highway that delivers hundreds of thousands of visitors to Las Vegas each year. Why, you ask, are the street lights so tall along I-15?
It appears the taller lights are more efficient, “nine or 10 times more” efficient, according to one source. Who knew?
If you’re a fan of the I-15, you’ll love this exciting Web site about the I-15 Express Lanes, scheduled to open in the fall of 2009, from the Nevada Department of Transportation.
We just love when old Vegas signs are restored and put on display. Looks like we’ll be seeing more around town soon. Read more.
Everything’s bigger in Vegas! As we were strolling through the Imperial Palace the other night, we spotted these giant beads, and Cesar generously offered to let us take his photo.
Chiropractic care is definitely in Cesar's future.
Seen bigger? Post a link to your big Vegas beads photo in the Comments section.
And the winner for “Tallest Stack of Chips Bet on Red at Roulette” goes to…
Thanks for helping, gravity.
Everyone at the roulette table at Imperial Palace had their fingers crossed. The result?
It's cool when that happens.
Now you know. According to suppliers, purple is the favorite ink color in daubers used by Bingo players.
It’s time to ask another random question of a real and actual Las Vegas dealer. This time, we pestered a very charming blackjack dealer at Harrah’s Las Vegas. This is Bella!
Bella was so sweet, she didn't even call security on us.
We asked Bella, “What’s the biggest bet you’ve ever taken?”
Bella said she once worked a blackjack table where the player was playing seven spots, each for $10,000, for a total of $70,000 a hand.
After we found a respirator, we thanked Bella for being so friendly, helpful and patient.
What would you like to ask a Las Vegas dealer? We’re here to serve! Post your questions in the Comments section, and keep it clean.
We found a hidden gem during a recent foray to O’Sheas. It’s free entertainment in the form of “The Rock and Roll Game Show.” It’s a little music, a little comedy, a little karaoke…and a whole lot of people getting silly in public.
Don't try combining music and comedy at home. Someone could get hurt.
Singer Stevenson Brooks keeps the acoustic hits coming, and wiseguy Matt Phillips interacts with the crowd, keeping things rowdy (and occasionally bawdy).
If you’re in the neighborhood, check out the show. And, if you’re feeling bold, jump onstage and grab your 15 minutes.
Oh, and did we mention it’s free? Find the show just inside the main entrance. Can’t miss it. Just look for a boisterous crowd of ordinary folks singing and dancing in ways only O’Sheas, and Las Vegas, can inspire.
Who knew there was a convention for bloggers, and why weren’t we invited?
We were saddened to hear of the passing of one of Las Vegas’ most game-changing innovators, Frank Fertitta Jr., founder of the town’s popular Station Casinos.
He died August 21, and he’ll be missed. Read more about this Vegas pioneer. We wish his family the best.
We don’t make up the news, we just report it: “Las Vegas Con Xpress is offering rides in authentic prison buses, right down to the graffiti. You even get to pick your own ‘sheriff’ – your tour guide.” Only in Vegas!
There we were, strolling outside of Caesars Palace. Loving the vibe on the Strip. And we stumble across a charming little restaurant called Serendipity 3. We knew we were in trouble, because this was the first thing we saw.
Frozen hot chocolate. We love a good oxymoron.
Soon after, it began. A journey into deliciousness. Into decadence. Into colors and flavors beyond description.
First, the color part. As we sat at the bar area at Serendipity 3, we noticed some glasses filled with what appeared to be cotton candy. A gregarious guy named Chris soon informed us it appeared to be cotton candy because it WAS cotton candy.
If it's a dream, don't wake us up.
Cotton candy, mere seconds later, in the capable hands of a well-trained beverage professional, became the Cotton Candy Martini.
Don't try this at home. Chris knows what he's doing.
Chris, if you’re ever in the market to be adopted, give us a call.
The world needs more heroes. Chris qualifies.
The frosty temptations continued to materialize.
You don't have to know what they're called to have a crush on them.
And materialize, they did.
Let us introduce you to Moe. Moe Jito.
Of course, one must remember to drink responsibly. Eating on the other hand…
The menu at Serendipity 3 is a vast and wonderous thing. [Note: The items pictured here aren't the result of professional "food stylists" under ideal food photography conditions. This is actual food, on its way to beaming customers.]
Brace yourself.
If your mouth isn't watering, check for a pulse.
“Comfort food” doesn’t quite do the food justice, actually. It’s comfort food, but tricked out and turned into joy fuel. Or something.
Mac and cheese pizza. Together at last.
Every time we turned around, there was another culinary delight calling our name. Hypnotizing us. Captivating us. Encouraging us to speak Farsi. (Not sure what that last one was all about.)
A glorious tower of onion ring succulence.
Why aren’t more foods served in towers?! The final blow was another take on “Nature’s Best Invention Yet,” pizza.
Vegas is not about portion control, people.
What a blast. Serendipity 3 is full of surprises, as well as a staff that’s some of the friendliest we’ve encountered on the Strip. Easy-access location. Great prices. This one’s a can’t-miss stop during your next Vegas visit.
At craps, an eleven is often called a “yo.” Did you know that’s because in the heat of a hot roll, “eleven” can sound like “seven” (a seven means the roll is over). The use of “yo” helps avoid confusion, consternation and words we can’t repeat in this blog.
Bonus craps tip: When you hold the dice, don’t switch hands. (Your friendly boxman and dealers will remind you about this rule, don’t worry.) And always keep the dice in plain sight, over the table.
Bonus craps trivia: Casinos never use dice with rounded corners.
Chris Daughtry rocked PURE Nightclub a few nights ago. Some great photos here.
