Why doesn’t anyone talk about Fremont Street?

 2010, U.S.  No Responses »
Oct 252010
 

{September 11th 2010} Everytime someone goes to Vegas, they talk about the food, the shows, the gambling and those weird Hispanic guys who slap the hooker flyers on their hands at you to get your eye contact. People will tell you about the 2 ft high Hurricane slushies that you can buy at the front of the Imperial Palace and about the dancing girls at the front of the Mirage. They’ll tell you about how great the Bellagio was and that the shopping in Caesar’s Palace is absolutely ridiculous.

What don’t ever seem to hear from people is that if you take a shuttle and head over to Fremont Street in “Downtown Las Vegas”, you can have a great experience at 1/2 the price of everything on the strip. Need souvenirs … head over to Fremont Street. Need $5 blackjack to waste your time away, then head over to Fremont Street. Need to see all the impersonators in full costume … head over to Fremont Street. Need that 2ft slushie Hurricane with a half a bottle of Everclear … well … don’t get that … I think my crotch hurt from that Everclear stuff. You get the idea!

I might have forgotten something else … it might have been a ridiculous fishtank …

Actually, I think I might have forgotten the Fremont Street experience in Viva Vision across the last 6 years. Over the last couple of years, things have gotten substantially better on Fremont Street. The staples like Binions, 4 Queens and Glitter Gulch are still there, but definitely I think you get a better run for your money at Fremont Street.

2005

2008

Even from 2010

You have to head to the Golden Gate casino. This was the first casino in Vegas. There are interesting historical notes inside the hotel like a piece of the first phone line to be built into Vegas. Just walking to the back of any of these casinos will give you a sense of how Vegas has changed over the decades. Ignore all the feedback about how it is a man made ghetto and the sense of desperation and blah blah blah … never let someone else paint your imagination.

Vegas 2010

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     Posted by rishiray at 4:59 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

    So you’re in St Louis and you’re in the mood for an awesome hot dog …

     2010, St. Louis Food, U.S., U.S.  No Responses »
    Oct 192010
     

    then there is only one place you go to … don’t stop, dont pass GO, do not collect $200, proceed directly to the “awesomeness” of Iron Barley. This fine establishment is definitely not the height of culinary excellence. They do not pretend to be anything more than what they are … a place that makes ridiculous hot dogs.

    Iron Barley is one of those places everyone has heard about but will get around to visiting “one of these days.” Well, “one of these days” is becoming less and less of an excuse, especially when the place has been on TV a couple times for their Monte Cristo hot dog.

    Our server Mark, embodied the apparent spirit of Iron Barley: casual, friendly, and humble. If you’re looking for cleavage or giggles over light beer, this is not the place for you yet our server was able to speak like the very accommodating owner of a house we happened to stumble into after smelling good food from the street.

    Now from the video is the real deal … I have to say that as a non cheese eater who really hates the smell of anything sweet, this hot dog was an assault on my senses, however our 98 lb Filipina test eater Faye was obviously up to the challenge. Note the size of the double hot dog to her body.

    Note in the picture below the relative sizes, there are no tricks of perspective – we used a very simple camera :)

    As for why is “Iron Barley” called “Iron Barley” … our server Mark mentioned that everything is cooked in Iron grilles and that they use no other cereal/grain than barley. For instance, take the Oak smoked double cut pork loin, with barley risotto … that barley risotto is cooked in pork stock, with tomatoes, peppers and two types of sugar, among the ingredients and it is phenomenal.

    Finally, the meal ended up with a Peanut Butter Chocolate cheesecake that had cumin and black pepper in the crust,  a habenero chili spiked whipped cream, floating in a strawberry habanero coulis.

    All in all .. one of the best places to drop by in St Louis.

    Iron Barley | 2010 | 19th October 2010

    • rishiray's photo
    • rishiray's photo
    • rishiray's photo
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     Posted by rishiray at 11:34 am  Tagged with: , , , , ,

    Bellagio in 5 hours ..

     2010, U.S.  1 Response »
    Sep 112010
     

    The hotels in Las Vegas are specifically built and engineered to keep you inside as long as possible, all in the hopes of extracting the maximum sum of money from your already endangered pockets.

    The Bellagio is one of the ultra posh hotels on the Vegas strip but it more known for its fabulous water fountain show on the Strip.

    The iconic fountain show helps the brand. The outstanding lobby, known for the gaudy and colourful hand-blown glass flowers peering from high above their spectacular ceiling stage. A lot of people like it, a lot of people hate it … but you can’t help but take a picture.

    As you walk through the hotel, I’ve always found that 5 things are must do’s at the Bellagio.

    1. Bellagio Lobby (15 mins)
    2. Chocolate Fountain (5 mins)
    3. Botanical Gardens (30 mins)
    4. Water Fountain show (15 mins)
    5. The buffet!!!

    I’ve always found that looking at a fountain of white and dark chocolate to be absolutely mesmerizing … maybe because I’ll never eat it, or I have enough fun watching other people watch the fountain.

    As for the Botanical Gardens, the display changes every season and is absolutely gorgeous both at day and night. At Christmas time, they have a fantastic Santa display.

    As for the buffet …

    So from total memory recall here’s how it went down:

    *-My Personal Favorites

    • Round One
      • Ceviche salad
      • Spicy Eggplant *
      • Smoked Scottish Salmon (very good quality, smooth and fresh)*
      • 3 X Spicy Tuna Hand Roll
      • Brussel Sprouts in garlic
    • Round Two
      • Prime Rib (small sampling)*
      • Chilean Sea Bass (two small pieces; tasted like butter)*
      • Smoked Scottish Salmon (two more smaller pieces)*
      • Alaskan Haddock
      • Fried Shrimp
      • Spicy eggplant
    • Round Three
      • More Chilean Sea Bass*
      • Seaweed salad
      • Smoked scallops*
      • 10 pieces of sashimi
      • Honey Cured Bacon *
     Posted by rishiray at 11:30 pm  Tagged with: , ,

    9 things Vegas is not …

     2010, U.S.  No Responses »
    Sep 112010
     

    after yet another weekend in Vegas … I have carefully analyzed the facts and determined that only certain types of people will enjoy Vegas.

    Vegas is not ….

    1. for people who don’t like to walk. Seriously! The strip is huge, the hotel are huge and if you do not bring comfortable running shoes, you will die. Ok maybe you won’t die, but you will have a miserable time and expensive cab rides.
    2. for people who don’t like crowds on weekends. If you come to Vegas on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a mass of humanity walking the strip, dragging their kids on strollers. They will bump into you, they will push you sometimes and the traffic on the strip is horrendous.
    3. for people who want to drive. Driving on the strip is akin to peeling off the skin off your face.
    4. for people who like to complain about the temperature. Vegas is in a desert. Deserts are natural formations that are either too hot or too cold. Deal with it.
    5. for people who have kids. It is not a family affair. Your children will be exposed to drunk frat boys, girls in overtight, ridiculously short dresses and grannies with no panties. Unless you want your young sons to be asking questions about why those boys are “different” or “why are those sisters kissing each other on the mouth”, for God Sakes, leave your kids with the grandparents or Social Services.
    6. for people who don’t gamble or drink. You tend to miss a bit of the “other” side of Vegas … but that is my opinion of course.
    7. for people who actually can shoot a picture. If you have done any photography in your life, be prepared to see every rule in photography broken, also coupled with people stopping at every sign, post, dead dog in the road to shoot a picture to “remember the moment”. Massive patience is required.
    8. for people with dry skin. Vegas is in a desert. Deserts are natural formations, that are always too dry, else it would not be called a desert. Bring tons of skin cream, lip balm and hand lotion.
    9. for people who can’t deal with tacky dance numbers, feathers and over the top “anything”

    Looking across the years, here are some comparative shots .. notice any differences

    2006

    2010

     Posted by rishiray at 8:44 am  Tagged with: , ,

    So you’re in Panama … and you want to get drunk …

     2010, Panama, U.S.  No Responses »
    Aug 282010
     

    no suprises, of course! There are three main touristy areas in Panama City that you could do, but only two places that will be absolutely thumping!

    1. Calle Uruguay is a neighborhood filled with bars and discos for wealthy Panamanians and foreigners. We went along the street twice in our three days and I would liken the scene to a “West Mall” thing in Trinidad or “Yorkville” in Toronto.
    2. Zona Viva (pronounced “Zohnahabeeba” .. all one word). This is an enclosed party district, guarded by the tourist police – you will need to show ID or your passport. I didn’t have my passport with me when I went and I almost didn’t get in … but trust your English speaking ability plus making a scene and holding up the line to get you in … but that is my trick – so take some picture ID with you.
    3. Casco Viejo – this is the old city. It is gradually being gentrified, and the buildings that have already been restored give a sense of how magnificent the area must have looked in past years. However, part of the allure of strolling along Casco Viejo’s cobbled streets is the dilapidated charm of the crumbling buildings, abandoned houses and boarded-up ruins. As for bars and restaurants, there are some nice places to go, but no where will compete for the thumping beats or energy of Zona Viva or Calle Uruguay.

    The reason I mention the three areas and not any others,  is because Panama City is a bit dangerous, if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re head. This is definitely not the city to be wandering outside the “known” areas. 

    Be careful in both Casco Viejo and the Panama la Vieja ruins area. There are a lot of tourist police in both neighborhoods but you have to have your wits about you and definitely if you’re a single female, do not wander too far in these areas alone (even in the day) and certainly not in the evening. Stay out of El Chorillo, Santa Ana, and San Miguel. Typical, drug gang infighting and there are reports of tourists have been kidnapped right off the street.

    When partying, definitely be careful when crossing the street! As I mentioned before,Panamanian drivers are notoriously aggressive when the traffic allows and will not slow down for you even if you’re lucky enough to find a crosswalk. There’s only one way to cross the road here. Wait for a break in the traffic and walk. Once you start, keep going. Drivers will stop(99% of the time……)

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