Could it snow in San Francisco?

Rumors of possible snow fall in San Francisco are circling. Could it be? I don't think I'd ever want to live anywhere with a snowy climate, but that doesn't mean I'm not excited about a possible snow day. Speaking of snow, during my last visit to Tahoe I was reminded of how much fun sledding is. It's not just for kids! It was actually pretty scary going down steep hills. Also, I went snowmobiling for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it (although my sister said I ride like a grandma).

Drais Hollywood

In celebration of a friend's booming business, we headed out for a night of fun with his company at Drais Hollywood. Despite the block long lines and  #$%@#$& security guards (hello Hollywood!), we managed to have a blast. Not hard to do when they put 6 bottles on the table and tell you to drink.

NBA All-Star Weekend in LA

I wonder how LA deals with events week after week in February: SAG awards, Oscar's, Grammy's and more. It's insane. Just look what the the Beverly Center looks like...

More updates coming soon!

Hi friends,

I've been wanting to post a few fun Tahoe details, but I've been really wrapped up this week and leaving on a jet plane tonight for LA in celebration of NBA all star weekend and a friend's event so check back for more on that later. I just downloaded the Blogger app so maybe I can get a few post in on the road.

Stay tuned!

Happy 40th Anniversary!

On February 13, 1971, my parents exchanged vows and til this day they are going strong and very much in love. I hope to be just like them when I'm older. They set such an amazing example. I know I've probably shared this photo with you before, but it's my favorite and never gets old.

Family Weekend in Tahoe

In Tahoe for the weekend celebrating my parent's anniversary. The first time we've been complete for a mini vacation since my sisters had kids (my oldest niece is 10) so it's been awhile.

Photo Booth

Ventured off to the Venetian to find 1 of 4 photobooths in the US that my face is on and here it is! I didn't even know this picture made the cut.

 

Beef Brisket Sandwich at Il Cane Rosso

#14 Beef Brisket Sandwich at Il Cane Rosso
7x7 The Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die in SF 2010

Another visit to the ferry building for the farmer's market and this time I attempted to get the #12 item on the 2010 Big Eat list (Porchetta sandwich from Roli Roti) but the line was soooo long and I try not to go over an hour for lunch so since Il Cane Rosso is inside the building I decided to try that instead. We ordered the beef brisket sandwich, creamy polenta and the panchetta collard greens. Overall, the collard greens were my favorite thing. I wish the sandwich had a bit more meat. Their salads looked really good (wish I had ordered one). Not sure why this item is on the list, it was just okay.

All Dolled Up

One of the funnest parts about coming to a city like Vegas is getting dressed up. Since I don't party as much as I used to, I rarely get the opportunity nowadays. Fun times.

Sandwiches & Frozen Custard

When I got to Vegas I wasn't planning on eating sandwiches, but after I tried Earl of Sandwich I ended up having 3 over the next 2 days. The meatball, italian and original were equally tasty and the huge plus is that they sell frozen lemonade. I am ALWAYS craving for frozen lemonade (especially when I have hangovers) so you can imagine how happy I was when I found that out. If you come during lunch hours there's always a line here, so just do what we did and come after the clubs/ bars.

If you have a car while you're in Vegas, don't forget to stop by Luv It for frozen custard. It's off the strip, but they have lots of yummy flavors.

 

Marquee

 The hottest new club on the strip is the Marquee at the Cosmopolitan. This place is gorgeous (so is the crowd) and reminiscent of a Miami club/ hotel. There are several bars throughout, a pool in the outdoor area, cabanas and more. Drinks are pricey, but you'd expect that from any Vegas club - especially a new one. $15 for a shot of Patron.

Music is great - Steve Angello was spinning in the main room when I went last weekend. What I love about the main room is that the DJ is the center of attention and the crowd really gets into the music. Bottle service is a bit steep here, I was quoted about $2k for a party of 8. Girls get in free if you're on the guestlist and there before 11pm otherwise it's $20 and for guys it's $30. Either come really early and wait in line, or do what we did and come REALLY late, know a few people and avoid the line period.

Serendipity

The famous NYC Serendipity has come to Vegas and what more perfect way to enjoy a beautiful day than to sit outside on the strip with a frozen hot chocolate.

Tapas at Firefly

For Tiffany's birthday dinner, we headed off the strip to Firefly a restaurant recommended by locals. The prices are incredibly low for a place with delicous food. For a party of 6, our tab was only about $150. Some of the stand out dishes included the stuffed dates (stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped with bacon) and the machengo mac n cheese. They have both red & white sangria which is great and overall the service was pretty good.

The Lion King

I've heard nothing but great things about Lion King on Broadway so when I found out that they were performing in Las Vegas I made it a goal to check it out. I stumbled upon a 50% off promo code from Travelzoo and jumped on the offer before I headed to LV and I'm glad I did. This was such a memorable show with incredible performers, unique costumes and fun music. I've done a Disney Broadway musical with Beauty & the Beast and wasn't impressed, but this was an entirely different show. The first act was so good it nearly brought tears to my eyes (well, I actually did get glossy-eyed). It's definitely a must-see.

Mon Ami Gabi

 The Paris hotel was nearby and after getting a recommendation and seeing their reviews on Yelp, we decided to check out the French Bistro, Mon Ami Gabi. We got a beautifully lit patio table (it's really dark inside the restaurant) which was perfect since it was nice and sunny outside. Almost all of us ordered a different dish so we were able to taste a little bit of everything and it was all well prepared and scrumptious. The service was outstanding, the menu had a wide variety of options and the prices were reasonable. Usually anything french is expensive, but this surprisingly wasn't too bad.

Chicken & Waffles with a Side of Bottle Service

Touching down early in LV gives you an opportunity to check out the city before the craziness starts. After dropping our bags off, we went straight to the infamous Hash House A Go Go for "twisted farm food". I was surprised to see such interesting items on the menu like the beer in a bag and bacon & beer options. Of course, I just had to get the beer in a bag for fun. The portions are enormous so make sure to share. Allison and I opted for the chicken & waffles and although it was a little on the dry side, it was still enjoyable (and nicely plated).

After strolling around the strip, resting up in our room and ordering our first sandwich at Earl of Sandwich (I'll expand on this later), we got dolled up and made it out to Eve. This club is Eva Longoria's and a lot more intimate than your standard Las Vegas nightclub which we appreciated. It helped that we knew a few people because we were able to score a few bottles at a great price (plus a free one for the ladies). After 4 bottles, we were dancing machines and had a crazy first night.

Still Recovering

First off, Happy Birthday to my dear friend TIFFANY! We had a blast in Vegas. A more "grown up" trip this time around which I absolutely loved because it was filled with tons of yummy meals, lots of top shelf drinks and nothing but positive vibes. I even walked the strip! In past trips, I never made it outside during the day. Here's a teaser photo - more to come!