10/25/08-Baci Grill, Cromwell, CT

Yay for Kirstin giving me a gift certificate to a place NOT on my blog so we could try it! Tom and I went here about 7pm Saturday night (it was pretty dead.....is this usual or just another sign of the times?!) and had a lovely dining experience. We were seated immediately and given water and very tasty garlic bread with roasted garlic infused oil for dipping. Tom ordered the special--Prime Rib and au jus with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes--overall a little tough but enjoyable. I had the Black Angus Sirloin Steak with aspargus and garlic mashed potatoes with a balsamic demi glace--very tender, cooked to order and the demi glace really made the dish. To round out our meal, we had Chocolate decadence for dessert--whoever came up with this is a godsend--warmed chocolate with ice cream scoops and whipped cream. Simply amazing.

Great experience, would reccomend to anyone looking for a nice dinner out.

www.bacigrill.com

10/20/08-ESPN Zone @ NY, NY, Las Vegs, NV

Stopped at the bar on my way back from seeing Criss Angel at the Luxor (Hey Criss, you suck. Try to hide the cables next time.) I had a margarita and a BBQ chicken sandwich. Ahh yes, it hit the spot. Nothing fancy about any of it. Nice bartenders, highlights of the MNF game on the TV, just a nice, relaxing dinner. Talking to the bartender, she remarked how dead the restaurant was--yet another sign of how the economy is taking a toll on everyone--even in Vegas, the city of decadence!

www.espnzone.com

10/19/08-Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas, NV

Usual touristy kitchy stop while on vacation (sadly, best place we ate at.....sigh my family is so unadventerous when it comes to food). I started with the Waborita (sensing a pattern of drinking? me too...though not as much as I'd like) then the Hickory smoked BBQ beef brisket, Mom had the herb-grilled chicken breast, Dad had the Hickory smoked pulled pork sandwich and Lauren had the Famous Fajitas. And of course, no visit to the Hard Rock would be complete without a stop to the store after dinner! We then went to the Bellagio to see "O" by Cirque du Soleil, which genuinely rocked my world and made me feel as if I'm wasting my talent on dispatching when I could be a part of a production as amazing as that was. Anyone have connections? I'm an excellent stagehand!

www.hardrockcafe.com

10/18/08-BLT Burger @ The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

After-show dinner (the Beatles "LOVE" by Cirque du Soleil! what a cute show!) at the Mirage. I started with a spiked milkshake called Night Rider (Kahlua, Chocolate Liqueur, Oreo Cookies and Chocolate Ice Cream) and Lauren had the Black & White (Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Syrup). Then we split the kobe sliders, sweet potato fries and waffle fries while Dad had The Classic and Mom had the Salmon burger. Although not the best burger place ever (ahh yes, Catsup, you still hold that place in my heart!), it was pretty damn good.

www.bltburger.com