Conquering Las Vegas - Sweet & Elite

LAS VEGAS, NV

There is plenty that can be said about good times in Vegas, and over the years it has definitely changed to become not just a playground for adults, but for families, too.

However, as I am but 27-years-old and with no children of my own, I can really only tell this one from my standpoint, eh?

As Summer 2009 is winding down, I can honestly look back on my trip to Vegas in July and remember all the great delights all around. It was my second trip, and there was a definite difference from the first time as opposed to the second time around.

One could say that the recession in our great country took its toll on everything one saw: crowds were thinner, merchandise in stores was downsized, even the Bellagio Hotel seemed to decrease the number of fountain shows(as was made apparent by the hot, hazy wait-time we experienced). One got a big picture into the cash dent Vegas was having ...

However, despite all these there were still the upsides for us tourists ;) plenty of 2-for-1 deals around for summer, the 4th of July Fireworks display @ Caesars Palace, and of course, tastiness everywhere.

Of course, Vegas can get undoubtedly expensive, however there are the little things around that you can indulge in without running dry by the end of your stay. We'll start with an Elite Treat (for the lovely 21-and-over folk):

First!! there are *drumroll please* ...

Amongst the hundreds of bars in Vegas, there really is only one that I enjoy the most. This would be the hotel mini-bar @ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, located right in the skywalk entrance to New York York Hotel & Casino on the 2nd Floor.

What makes this one so special, you ask?

Here it is: $2 JELLO SHOTS & THE ABSOLUT PINK MARGARITA

Where jello shots may have gone out the window in your young, whippersnapper houseparty days, the window can now be shamelessly re-opened at the price of $2 for a tasty lil cup. Offered at another 2-for-1 deal for the time, we noshed on a few flavors: Cherry, Kamikaze, Boysenberry, Lemon, and the flavor of the week, Peach Rum Vodka (IT WAS LETHAL!!!)

I normally don't like too many drinks, but for me to say I love one and traveled far in 103-degrees from our hotel to MGM for an Absolut Pink margarita is a stretch in itself. The mini-bar offers plenty of options for margaritas, but this one is literally a smooth, DELICIOUS twist on Pink Lemonade over ice. Very, very delicious.

However, if Jello Shots and Margaritas aren't your bag, they offer up beer of course, however in a LARGE quantity cup (courtesy of Cirque De Soleil's show 'KA' in the hotel) for the price of $7. Trust me, it will be more than enough beer for your belly and then perhaps even enough to convince you to buy a round of jello shots!

That said, with the grown-up fixes come the fixes for all .. and Vegas does have its Sweet Treats. Two of my personal favorites:

La Creperie @ the Paris Hotel offers up hot crepes fresh off the grill, and the nutella crepe is a hearty handful (definitely big enough for 2). They were sweet enough to give me a lil birthday candle too (thanks, guys). A nice lil dream snack for down time.

Or if you're in the mood for something on the colder side (or just in the mood to feel a lil posh)here's one that never fails:

Cafe' Gelato right near poolside balcony in the Bellagio Hotel. Sit down, relax, and indulge. I gotta say, this place had some of the most refreshing, delicious gelato & sorbet I've ever had. They do serve tasty panini sandwiches with lil jars of jam, jelly, n' honey on the side, however as the sandwiches are a bit on the pricey side, I suggest diving into the hordes of the cold stuff in front of you.

Really, you can't go wrong here. I'm a classic chocolate gelato girl, and it was some of the creamiest, eye-rolling faboosh stuff chocolate has to offer. Between the lemon and berry sorbets, you'll find yourself here with more urges to spend bits of cash than you would at rounds of roulette!

Of course, the treat-trail won't stop at alcohol and sweets. For us carnivorous beings of the world, we need our meat fix ... next up, a Meat Treat and more for the senses, continuing in Sin City.