Royally Flushed

Have you checked out Amazon.com today and the phenomenal deals available on what is now called Cyber Monday? I’ve got the Amazon “Lightning Deals” page minimized on my desktop while I write a couple of articles I have due for the next issue of Casino Player magazine.  I simply hit on the tab and check out each hour’s deals (Right now I’m waiting to see the price on an upcoming deal: the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 10.1-Inch Netbook.)  This is way more fun than trolling the malls looking for deals plus I’m getting some work done at the same time I’m doing my holiday shopping.

I can't wait to use this pretty red and gold Mikasa Parchment dinnerware on Christmas Eve.

In addition to the hourly deals, there is a whole section of all-day Cyber Monday sales also going on at Amazon.  I picked up this Mikasa Parchment Red 40-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8 for the holidays for just $130.  That’s 78% off the regular list price of $580!

I’m also getting this Wusthof knife — Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku. The Santoku is made in such a way that the blade cuts through food with less drag and allows for thinner slicing of almost anything. (Caution: This includes your fingertips!) The lowest price I’ve seen on this particular knife is $89 so this is a fab deal, especially for cooks like me who first became a fan of the brand back in culinary school.

(And, yes, I know this post has nothing to do with Las Vegas or gaming but I just felt that my readers would love getting a good deal(s) as much as I do!)

Bally's Las Vegas features big, comfy rooms, a great center-Strip location and more at discount rates.

Several years ago (and, no, we’re not saying how many) when we first started taking frequent trips to Las Vegas  we got a recommendation for a hotel from an unlikely source: our dentist. The topic of “favorite hotel in Vegas” came up during one of those routine visits — the type where you can still talk during the appointment — and our fav D.D.S. (who is a native of Phoenix) told us he traveled to Vegas quite a few times each year for both vacation and to attend dental conferences. His hotel of choice on the Strip: Bally’s Las Vegas.  Now here’s a guy who could stay pretty much anywhere — and had — yet he chose Bally’s time after time.  He gave us a bunch of reasons so we decided to give it a try and ended up agreeing with a lot of what he said.

Since that conversation and first stay, we’ve hung our hats at Bally’s a number of times not only because we use our Diamond status in Harrah’s Total Rewards® club to get free rooms but also because we actually like staying at Bally’s. Is it the fanciest hotel on the Strip? No, not by a long-shot but it may be the best budget hotel on the Strip! (more…)

Fourth of July fireworks explode in the sky between The Bellagio and Caesars Palace during 2008's display.

There’s still plenty of time and great hotel deals available if you want to spend this Fourth of July in Las Vegas.  P.B. and I usually spend three or four days at one of the resorts on The Strip hanging out at the hotel pool; sampling any new restaurants and ice cream joints (thinking Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace this year;) and just relaxing over the lazy holiday.

This year we’re going to head for Fremont Street for at least one evening and check out the downtown’s “American Pie 4th of July” celebration which starts Friday, July 3 and goes through Sunday, July 5. The popular Fremont Street Experience has been running a “Summer of ‘69″ event featuring the Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie,” so we’ll see that plus enjoy one of the weekend concerts. Headliners this year include Janis Joplin’s original band, “Big Brother & The Holding Company,” on Friday with “The Grass Roots” playing on Saturday. The evening of the 4th also promises a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy.  Get more info here – Fremont Street 4th Celebration. (more…)

Looking for something cool to do with Dad this Father’s Day?  Check out a couple of creative Father’s Day restaurant promotions taking place in Las Vegas this month.

We love the Spanish-influenced menu at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in the Fashion Show mall (not to mention the very yummy sangrias and specialty cocktails!) so we really dig their fun Dad’s Day deal — the perfectly named “Tapas for Papas” breakfast happening this Sunday.  Dad can nosh on goodies like Eggs Benedict with Spanish Ham and Hollandaise or the homemade Waffle with Bananas and Cream from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. plus all Dads dining that day will receive a $25 gift certificate good for a future visit! (more…)