Denny’s…..Yes, I said Denny’s!

Denny’s
8000 W. Sahara
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 948-8382

Up and out early to get the car serviced and pick up a loaner. No sooner did I start my morning of fun when they text the car is ready. Part of that was treating myself to a  breakfast. A quick survey and I see a Denny’s sign. Having been to a Denny’s before I know if I stick to the basics for breakfast, I’ll be ok. I walked in, walked out to see if I was in fact at a Denny’s and walk back in. The place is adorable and beyond clean. A first for me. Upon inspection of the front door, I notice that this Denny’s is a franchise and independently owned and operated. It shows. The place is modern in decor but has that old diner feel.

Victor, my waitperson, was polite and quick with my order. That brings me to the menu. Some really great choices at $2, $4, $6 and $8.

 

 

I did not get past the $4 Everyday Value Slam. OMG. Two eggs, buttermilk pancakes, bacon or sausage. Victor brought me one bacon and one sausage so I could taste test both. Sausage wins. The coffee was fresh, plentiful and served just the way I like it. Coffee with milk. The total breakfast was $6.92. I truly enjoyed my delicious breakfast in such a delightful setting, The local papers were there for me to read and I was able to get a few work things done. If you are in the area or even exploring Las Vegas, this is worth checking out.

Monday, Monday.

Tap House
5589 W. Charleston Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV  89146

(702) 870-2111

It’s Monday and we are going out to promote the Bae’s upcoming shows in the Las Vegas area. We walk in through a side door and I am transported back in time to my youth. This was like many of the taverns of Long Island I frequented. Locals acknowledging other locals. Names held the card tables of those not there yet. The seats come pre-stained. The crowd is of varying ages. The lovely and hardworking waitstaff get me my wine and we settle into a card table set not reserved.  Ned Mills is our friend and he is playing keyboard tonight and at two upcoming shows with the Bae. He is part of Tap House All-Star Band. A guy with a great shirt enters. I make note of the shirt.

The band starts, the great-shirt guy takes the stage, and the place comes alive. A couple, a decade or two older, are cutting a rug to put someone half my age to shame. The shirt belongs to Mark Giovi from NJ, living in LV fourteen years, singing in LV for thirteen. Mark was a vampire singer in “Bite Las Vegas” at the Stratosphere Theater and then took the show to Greece for six weeks. “ The hardest part is trying to sing with vampire teeth“, he told me. A voice not to be missed, you can see Mark on Monday’s at Tap House and Thursday’s and Saturday’s at Trattoria Reggiano in Downtown Summerlin.

Couples on date night, girls night out or just friends out to hear good music, have a few drinks and a quick bite. Tap House is the place to be on Monday. Upon visiting the Ladies Room I discovered that Tap House is the backroom of a well-known deli, pizza, and wings restaurant and those orders were being enjoyed at Tap House. Ordering those next time.

Who knew Mondays could be this much fun.

 

Hotels: The Bellagio

I have always heard, like an urban legend, that Las Vegas was “Sin City”.  I’m from New York.  How bad could it be?  My parents went in the late 60’s, early 70’s and had the best time of their lives.  My mom confessed they stayed up for 48 hours straight and then collapsed.  Good story.  Somehow, Las Vegas had always eluded me or was just not on my bucket list.  Atlantic City, been there, done that.

We checked in to the Belaggio’s private VIP/Concerge area.  There was butler service for cocktails and soft drinks and juice.  Snacks of different verietys all day long. I saw families feeding their children before their flights!  I have to admit, the private entrance and VIP lounge was very nice!

The hotel grounds are always beautifuly adorned with holiday decorations made entirely  of plants and flowers against a ceiling back drop of Chihuly Glass Flowers.  Every year is more imaginative and magnificent. On Christmas Eve we had dinner at Picasso, a two Michelin star restaurant and watched the water fountains dance to Holiday music.

The next night we had dinner with friends who extolled the benefits of living in LV.  We were convinced Las Vegas was the place for us.  “This going to be your first summer?” I was constantly asked.  “Ever live through a New York City blizzard?”  As we say in New York, “Same difference”.

My First Blog Post

Hello and welcome to my first blog post. After years of reading other people’s blog posts and watching youtube videos, I have decided to try my hand at maintaining a website and contributing to the world of Blogs!  I am living in Las Vegas, NV.  A transplanted New Yorker who has made Summerlin my home. As a person of a particular age I feel I can cast an alternate perspective on travel, fashion, food, and entertainment.