I’m back! I just spent the past week (Mon-Sun) in Las Vegas. Believe it or not, it was for work. I work at a company that has a free IT software and community, so we had a booth at Interop (an IT expo). I figured I should also have some fun away from work, so my husband flew in after the expo, and we stayed 2 extra days :)
By the way, this entry is kind of long and filled with photos, especially the food part!
The expo: Went really well for us since a lot of attendees were our target audience, and several were already using our product. Most who stopped by were amazed at how much our software does (and at no cost). I’m hoping we picked up some new users!
The shows: My husband and I went to 2 shows while there. One was KA, which was our first Cirque du Soleil show. I thought the performances and the moving stages were impressive, but KA tries to tell a story, which didn’t always make sense nor was very smooth.
The second was Penn and Teller, which we really liked. Unlike other magic shows in Vegas, they aren’t super flashy. Instead, it was funny, and they even explained a few of their tricks. It was a lot of fun to watch. We got photos with them too!
The food: Was expensive but absolutely amazing. There are so many restaurants by award-winning chefs. A lot of people are fans of singers and actors, but me? I’m a big fan of celebrity chefs.
One is Chef Hubert Keller, who owns Fleur (French/New American). We liked the variety in the small plates, and my favorites were the risotto and the souffle. Unfortunately, my food photos didn’t really come out, but I do have a photo with Hubert Keller! I was really excited to meet him!
I also had lunch at Border Grill (Mexican) by Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. I had tuna tacos with a habanero sauce and watermelon relish, which were spicy yet nice and refreshing. I even ran into Susan Feniger, and I geeked out to her about the food shows I saw her on XD;;
My husband and I loved Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak (steakhouse). I had a ribeye there, and it’s probably the best steak I’ve had so far – cooked to a perfect medium rare and very juicy. The lobster bisque and risotto were very rich, and the wagyu tartare was one of my favorites.
We also stopped by Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill (TexMex/New American). We started with blue corn pancake with duck, which we loved. The duck was tender and covered in an addicting sweet sauce. Our entrees were good too, which was a sweet potato hash and a pork tenderloin sandwich.
A couple restaurants were recommends to us like Estiatorio Milos (upscale Greek), which I went to with coworkers. It’s not the hummus, gyro, etc that most are used to. It was family style, so we shared a few appetizers, then got lamb chops and sea bass for entrees. The rosemary flavor on the lamb chops was great, and the fish was soft with crispy skin.
On our last night, I went to Scarpetta (Italian) with my husband. We loved everything we had there. We had scallops with grilled cauliflower (nice and light start), duck and fois gras ravioli (very rich flavor), veal chops (cooked very well), and ended with a hazelnut cake with lemon curd and meringue (a tart dessert instead of sweet).
Oh! We also got pastries at Jean Philippe Patisserie, which was very inspiring to me. I love making desserts, and the pastries at Jean Philippe looked so… so perfect. We bought 4 of them, and they had good flavors and perfect textures. The chocolate cheesecake was rich and fluffy, the cupcakes were moist, the key lime dessert was tart and light – just amazing.
Overall, this was a great trip, but I am glad to be back. Being in Vegas does get kind of tiring XD;; Now to catch up on all the blog posts I missed!
haha I was like “nuuu!!! Vegas for work?!” But your hubby flew in and you two had two extra days to have fun ^___^ That’s wonderful!
When I was in vegas… my feet bloated from all the walking. I know, it isn’t lovely… haha but wow, so many lights :D I didn’t get to eat yummy food like you though …-goes off to eat now-
OH MY GAWD!!!!! It’s 11 PM at night, and my mouth was salivating the whole time scrolling down. That tuna taco with habenero sauce…looks bomb. When I read habenero my ears perked. I love spicy! Sea bass looks bomb. I’m so hungry!! :9 That pastry display….I want to cry because it looks so cute and pretty. *stares* It’s too pretty to eat! I want to try some. :(
It looks like you had a lot of fun in Vegas! And it was really nice of your husband to join you! When I go there, I’m coming back to this post for places to eat. :D
Btw, how much did you spend on food while there?!
A lot! It was pretty expensive ^^;; Border Grill and Mesa Grill were about $35/person since we were there for lunch. The dinner places were about $70-120/person. Our most expensive meal was Craftsteak, which came out to $230 for the 2 of us.
Geez! So…I kind of want your life haha.
My job also has a convention “thing” that takes place in Las Vegas every year as well. I just never went because, as HORRIBLE and embarrassing as this sounds, I’m not confident in flying alone because I’m afraid I might mess up and not find my gate in time. Things like that haha.
Wow, all of these photos are absolutely wonderful. It’s so awesome that you guys got to meet Penn and Teller, I’ve always wanted to go to their shows.
As for the food pictures, I can’t even pick a “favorite” one because they all look equally exceptional!
Two of the many reasons I love Vegas: amazing food and great shows. Looking at your food pictures makes me want to fly to Vegas right now and eat my heart out. I’m especially loving the pastries, they look so dainty and scrumptious!
OMG this is so awesome. What exactly do you do for the company? And I’m super jealous of you getting to meet Penn & Teller. I love how “smart” they are… their documentaries and tv shows are always much more than just magic. Hmm… Penn’s looking a little old, though. eh? As for the remainder of your blog, that was torture. I’m trying to diet over here!!
I’m a programmer, so they asked some of us to demo the product and answer questions at the booth :)
I love Penn & Teller :) I try to catch their shows on TV when I can. Did you know Penn is 57, and Teller is 64? I was surprised when I looked it up!
You’re killing me with all this food!! I don’t think I have ever EVER eaten anything as fancy as what you guys had while in Vegas. Color me jealous as fuck.
Wow, lucky you, going to Las Vegas for work! :D I would have loved to be there.
I think that having some kind of expo is good for getting a product or service out there – you tend to find out more and find out new things. And it’s pretty interactive too. Hopefully you did pick up some new users!
I love all the food. So jealous right now, haven’t had breakfast and the ravioli looks so good. I absolutely love the Mexican stuff too, and the hot chips look so tasty with the seasoning. Droooooool! Glad you had a good time. :)
that’s so cool you got to meet penn an teller! Lol i remember watching them on tv back in the day hahahah when i was bored or something and flippin through tv channels. guess they’re still doin’ what they do best at vegas! awesome stuff.
ouuu those tuna tacos look absolutely delish. i quite like southwestern food lol
lmao tempting photos… the dinner pics look so cool!! sounds like you both had a lovely time! glad to hear that~ expos are always fun as i hear from friends. spending 2 extra days just chillin with your loved one is a great time to destress~
keep in touch <3
-Joyce
carouselstreet.com
Wooooooahhhh Look at that food!! Although you went there for work, it seemed like you made pretty good use of the trip.
The food looked delish! Which one was your fav?
The pastries…. be still my heart <3
Hard to say! It’s a close one between CraftSteak and Scarpetta. Both were amazing :D
Yummeeehh fuuud!!! The fancy dishes, the pastries. Hnngg. I am jelly. :<
That's the good stuff about work having these kinds of perks. You're working, but it doesn't feel like it. :P Glad you had fun in Vegas. Maybe you should come back again soon for a real vacation. :D
first of all — you look so young!!! and wow i’m so jealous, going to vegas for work but still~~~ looks like you had fun too! and i’m glad the expo was a success too!
AND OMG THE FOODDDDDDDDD OMONONONOOMMMMMMATHON!!!! super jelly right now. *stomach growls*
The food looks so good!! And amazing that you got to meet Penn&Teller!!
That looks and sounds amazing! Can’t believe you got paid for hanging out with a t-rex in Vegas – where do I sign up?!
Haha, even if you did go to Vegas for work, at least you got a mini vacation out of it :)
FOOOOD! All of it looks amazing! I got hungry just looking at the photos, and I ate like an hour ago D: And those desserts look so pretty, glad that they also taste good too! :)
this is one of the things why I totally miss Vegas..
The T-Rex mascot looks so cute.. haha good thing it’s not an alien or any of that sort.. There are lots when ive last been there.. lol
The food looks so yummy.. You’re making me starve so much.. But I totally agree with everything you posted.. I really miss vegas now
OMFG everything looks so delicious!
I TOTALLY want to go….
PS he looks like a Digimon character (your mascot)
are you going to akon or onicon this year?