I hope that by now you’ve read the first two parts of my recent thirty-six hours in Vegas. If you missed them, and want to get caught-up, you can read my review of One Queensridge Place here: http://itsnotaboutme.tv/news/vegastravel-vegas-trip-part-i-one-queensridge-place, and my review of dinner at Cantina Laredo here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/vegasdiningtravel-vegas-trip-part-ii-cantina-laredo.

But now we come to the juiciest part—the road trip! If you heard the Jaws music playing in the background just now, you’ve got it right.

GETTING THERE

I had taken another road trip to Vegas several years ago, with two blondes. So that might give you a clue as to what’s coming. They turned the basic, straight-shot drive, that should have taken four hours, into practically the movie Vanishing Point, (or some film like that,) with us on the road for eleven hours! And that wasn’t for any fun stops along the way, trust me! [Note: I’m still in touch with one of them, but hadn’t seen the other since that strange sojourn until…this past week-end! And the first thing she mentioned was that trip! She even acknowledged that they went wrong because they didn’t listen to me, so at least I have that.]

The two blondes I had done this trip with several years ago!!! If only it had also been in that gorgeous car!

That particular story requires an entire column unto itself, so I’ll tell it on a slow news day, but the reason I’m mentioning it now is this: just as I was about to tell Lauren this story, I noticed that she and I were on the wrong freeway! I absolutely could not believe it was happening again. But at least she would listen to me, and we corrected that mistake with losing only about twenty minutes of drive time.

But that was the last time she listened to me on directions. She decided that she had to use the idiotic “Siri” on her iPhone, who’s wrong more often than she’s right. So, guess what? Siri had us go on the wrong freeway into town, and exit at the wrong place, by about a mile. I knew something was amiss when she told us to park in the middle of nowhere and “walk to” our destination! In the middle of the desert!!!

The majestic scenery on the road between Cali and Vegas. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I told Lauren to go to a gas station and ask someone, or let me go into the only building in the area, that we had pulled-up in front of, but she was insisting on listening to Siri, and trying to figure out the map on the phone. I called my friend Lori, who lives right near the condo we were headed for, and also the reps from the condos, both of whom know the directions to where they are, but Lauren would not listen to any of us. So, despite exiting the freeway in the wrong spot, we could have corrected it in ten minutes, but because of stupid Siri, (and my pal’s stubbornness,) we arrived at our destination forty-five minutes after we got off the freeway!

The trip took us an extra hour and a half! In no traffic!

RETURNING HOME

The trip home was not quite as eventful, knock on wood. I know that Lauren is cellphone-obsessed, so rather than fight it on a long trip, I decided to not say anything if she had to talk business on the phone, and I brought a pillow and blanket to rest while she did so. Good thinking, eh? Not so fast.

I must commend her because she totally held herself back on the entire round-trip, and we just caught-up with each other, which is what people are supposed to do when they’re together. I never have phone time myself—I’m always living my adventures, or writing about them—so I talk to only the people I’m spending time with, as a rule.

I was so exhausted on the way home that I was actually hoping that Lauren would take some phone calls, so I could rest, so when an important business call came through that I knew she had to take, I told her that I was going to close my eyes while she talked, but she should make sure to look-out for the next freeway.

Can you guess why I took this picture? Give up? Because the truck looks like it has a happy face, of course! Photo by Karen Salkin.

Famous last words. About two minutes into her call, I heard her yell an expletive and say, “I just missed the 210!” I seriously could not believe it! But, thank goodness she at least noticed while it was happening, as opposed to that previous trip with the blondes, who just went about four hours out of our way while my eyes were closed for a few minutes. (By the way, Lauren is a blonde, too. A natural one!)

We just went to the next town to turn-around, and figured we might as well take bathroom breaks at the same time. Lauren went first while I stayed behind to guard the over-stuffed rental car. I told her to not return the key to the bathroom, and just bring it out to me because I was going next, and that I’d return the key to the clerk.

So when she walked towards me, texting all the way, of course, I asked for the key to the restroom, and she handed it to me, telling me that only the men’s room worked. So I went into the building, and as I approached the men’s room, I saw that it was already open, so I didn’t even need the key. When I came out, there was a guy waiting to go in, so I asked him if he wanted the key. He looked very confused and just shook his head no. So I went over to the guy behind the counter, to give him his restroom key back. He was helping someone else, so I just put it on the counter and told him I was “returning the key,” and started walking out.

I heard him say to the woman he was ringing-up that he didn’t know what that was! So I walked back over and asked, “Isn’t that the key to your restroom?” And he said he never saw it before! So I finally looked at it, and you’ll never guess what it was—the key to Lauren’s rental car! Do you see what texting does to one’s brain?!

But, after that, we made it back to Los Angeles without incident. And without running into traffic, either, until semi-close to my house! And we had left Vegas at around 2PM! That’s pretty amazing. Almost as amazing as the fact that we never even attempted to gamble during our entire twenty-four hours in Nevada! So, as Mr. X says, we went to Vegas and broke even. Maybe I should teach classes in how to do that. Or classes in Driving Directions…For Blondes!

Recently, my friend from New York, Lauren, and I took a quick overnight trip to Vegas. (Without gambling even once!)

If you missed Friday’s story of where we stayed there, the beautiful condominium building, One Queensridge Place, you can read about it here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/vegastravel-vegas-trip-part-i-one-queensridge-place.

Now we get to what I’m always the most interested in—a restaurant review!

(The juicy story about our actual time on the road will be published tomorrow, so please don’t miss that one.)

One of Cantina Laredo’s interior spaces. Photo by Karen Salkin.

We had just that one night in town, so of course, I always want to know where locals would recommend to eat. My friend Lori is not only a local for the past decade or so, but she also lived in L.A. for a very long time, and worked in Beverly Hills, where we used to go to lunch together often. So she’s someone whose opinion I really respect when it comes to restaurants. She and her boyfriend, Rob, said that one of their very favorite restaurants in Vegas is Cantina Laredo, so that’s where the four of us went.

It turned out to be right down the block from One Queensridge Place, in the tony Tivoli Gardens outdoor shopping center. It’s sort of a smaller, classier version of L.A.’s Grove, but with free, easy parking, no less!!!

The beautiful tree lights on the patio. Photo by Karen Salkin.

This was such an upbeat dinner at what Lori tells me is a trendy eatery.  I enjoyed the perfect low-key lighting, and a highlight in that category for me was the brightly-colored lights on the trees that are on the popular patio.  I’m sure the patrons appreciate that they have such a variety of areas to sit in, and the bar looked very happening, too.  I’m so glad that there was such a fun, hip restaurant so close to One Queensridge Place.  It made our stay there even more buttery.

You know that when I visit a new eatery, I have to try as many dishes as possible, so thank goodness Rob came to the rescue in that arena. Lori eats like a bird, (hence, that’s why she has the greatest body I’ve ever seen,) and Lauren and I were way past hungry at that point, (read my story of our harrowing road trip there tomorrow,) so the three of us ladies just took bites and then foisted our leftovers on Rob. Good thing he’s a manly man and could take it!

Speaking of men, we were treated well by new manager, Matthew, (who had been there only three weeks, at the time; it will only get easier for him after cutting his teeth on our party!,) and informative server Eric, also known as Leche, (leaving me to crave milk for the entire meal.)

We were far from a party of drinkers, but Lauren insisted we try at least one alcoholic beverage to tell you about because their drink menu was so inviting. Cantina Laredo features more margaritas than I have ever seen in one place before, so, even though it was a tough choice, we finally settled on the Mango Pepper Rita, which is made with blood orange liqueur. As I said, Lauren was the only one who had a few sips, and she said it was quite delicious, while we were all in agreement that it looked quite festive!

Tableside guacamole presentation. Photo by Lauren Bennett.

As recommended by everyone we had met that day, we began with their signature guacamole, which they mix up fresh for you, table-side. Not only was it delicious, but it was perfect for our group because I didn’t want spicy peppers in it and Rob did, and Lauren shuns onions and I need them. So, after Eric mixed the basics, he gave us each a little dish of the extras we wanted, so the whole group was satisfied. As Lori put it, they “accommodated our individual tastes,” while I was saying that they “accommodated our nuttiness.” I think she said it better, don’t you? Rob declared it to be “awesome and super-delish,” while Lauren chimed-in with “creative.”

I’m really a wimp, so outside of the specially-mixed guacamole, everything, including the basic cilantro-lime rice, (that the other three described as “zesty and tangy,”) was too spicy for me. I should have thought of ordering my chicken dish with no spice to begin with, but Matthew was kind enough to have it re-made sans sauce, and it was perfect.

So, here are the rest of the highlights of our meal, in the order that we ate them:

The mango and chicken salad, with the chicken on the side, the way we ordered it. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Rob said the ceviche was “great, tangy, and robust,” and Lauren added that it had a “hearty flavor.”  All four of us loved the Ensalada De Mango Y Pollo, which is salad with mango and chicken.  Lori’s a vegetarian, so we had the chicken on the side, which I can tell you was grilled just right.  Rob put it at “the top of the list,” and lauded the honey vinaigrette for it’s “subtle taste.”  He and I also enjoyed the “perfect amount of sweetness” of the tropical dressing on the Ensalada De Camaron Con Miel, along with the “fresh slices of mango.”  (The shrimp on it was a tad too “smoky” for the three of us who tried it, though.)

Lori loved her vegetarian Enchiladas De Avocado, which carnivorous Rob even deemed “hearty.” It’s one of their favorite dishes at Cantina Laredo.

For the true spice lovers out there, (like Rob,) there was the slow-roasted brisket Tacos De Barbacoa. Rob appreciated the “authentic Mexican flavors and aromas.”

The grilled steak. Photo by Lauren Bennett.

Lauren, who was a bit too tired from our road trip to Vegas to eat much, enjoyed her grilled steak special, which is one of their signature dishes. She kept encouraging me to try it because the steak was “so tender,” but I had just started on my specially-made sauce-less Camarones Escondidos, and didn’t want to change tastes.

This is the story on that chicken dish: it normally comes with a chipotle-wine sauce, which, as I mentioned before, was too spicy for me. So I asked Rob to eat it, because I can’t bear to waste food, and he said it was “very tasty,” and he really liked the “good, smoky flavor.”

The shrimp-stuffed chicken breast, minus the sauce and rice. Look at its simple beauty. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Then I got to try the new one they made me, minus the sauce, and I absolutely loved it! It was a combination of ingredients I never would have thought of, and they worked perfectly together. What it is is a grilled chicken breast that’s stuffed with the tastiest baby shrimp ever, and topped with sautéed spinach. Much healthier than that you cannot get, especially in such a flavorful dish.

We were finally ready for the desserts which were prepared table-side, a presentation we all enjoyed.

Shockingly, I sat them out because I couldn’t eat another morsel at that point, so it was mainly Rob trying three of the four. The funny thing was that Lauren rarely eats desserts, and Lori tastes sweets even less than that, but they both took bites, and loved what they tried!

The sizzling Mexican apple pie. Photo by Lauren Bennett.

The consensus favorite was the Mexican apple pie, which was truly sizzled in Mexican brandy butter, and topped with cinnamon ice cream. It did look luscious. Lori said it’s “unique,” and “not to be missed.”

They moved on to the Mexican brownie, which was also served on a sizzling skillet with the Mexican brandy butter and vanilla ice cream this time. Lauren loved it and said it was “great,” while Lori piped-up that it was “moist and nutty,” and then added, “And who doesn’t like moist and nutty?” She might have a point there.

Cantina Laredo’s Tres Leches cake, which is just about mandatory in Mexican restaurants nowadays, had a fun twist; it came with a mango cream sauce. Lauren said it “looked cool on the plate,” and she positively swooned over the strawberry that was served on top of it, declaring it “divine.”

We were having such a good time that we practically closed down the place. With Cinco de Mayo coming up in a little over a month, I just may feel another visit to Cantina Laredo coming on, even if I do have to endure another road trip to Vegas to do so!

Cantina Laredo
  430 South Rampart Blvd. 
 Las Vegas  702-202-4511  www.cantinalaredo.com

Last week, I had a fabulous, upscale thirty-six hours in Las Vegas, so I must share the tale. And laud myself, and my travel companion, for being perhaps the only two people to ever visit Las Vegas and not gamble for even one minute! She tried to get me to cave on the way out of town, at a gas station, no less, but I stood my ground. So, as Mr. X spun it when I returned, I went to Vegas and broke even!!!

Photo by Karen Salkin.

My friend Lauren was here from New York, and planned to go to Vegas because an acquaintance of hers had invited her out there to stay in a private “casita” at perhaps the most beautiful condominium building ever, One Queensridge Place, in the west end of town. Being the good pal I am, I accompanied her so she wouldn’t have to go alone, but wound-up having an excellent time myself.

The location of One Queensridge Place is perfect because it’s away from the hubbub of the strip, yet close enough to that area to easily visit when one wants to.

My friends, Lori and Rob, who live right there, recommended Cantina Laredo for us to eat dinner at, as it’s their favorite restaurant in town. So the whole visit was a success, (even though Mr. X has been making fun of me for spending such a short time there; he and I have been known to spend ten days in a row in that happening city!)

First I must tell you about One Queensridge Place today, and then on Monday we’ll get to the fun restaurant review. And on Tuesday I’ll tell you about the actual road trip, so please check-back next week for that horror show.

ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

The magnificent lobby. Photo by Karen Salkin.

This stunning edifice contains equally beautiful condos, with a few still available for purchase, I believe. It includes so many amenities that living there must feel like being in a beautiful hotel, one in which strangers can’t stay. The artistic touches are too numerous to mention, but if you’re looking for a place to live in Vegas, I’m sure the amiable Sr. VP of Sales and Operations, Randy Char, will be glad to show you around. The stories of the tile inlays in the floors alone are enough to wow you!

We stayed in one of the Casitas; they’re virtually one-bedroom houses that are on the premises for guests of the condo owners. [Note: “Casita” actually means “small house,” but I found that out after I’d been describing it that way to everyone, so good for me.] Each consists of a full kitchen with a dining area, a living room with a couch that pullouts to become a bed, (although it was comfortable enough for me to sleep on without even pulling it out!,) a bedroom with what Lauren said is a very comfortable bed, and a wonderful bathroom and closet area that are bigger than some of my friends’ apartments! The kitchen is fully-equipped enough that you could live there for months at a time, and be very happy, (although I don’t think they’re available for that,) and the bathroom includes the same amenities that you would find at an upscale hotel, plus animals fashioned from towels, which you all know was my favorite part of the entire experience!

The living room in the Casita. Photo by Karen Salkin.

We were lucky enough to get a guided tour of the entire premises courtesy of the aforementioned Randy and a lovely woman named Nikki. It was one highlight after the other, (media room, anyone?, complete with freshly-made popcorn,) but I’m glad they saved the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it Penthouse, the likes of which I’ve rarely seen outside of movies like The Great Gatsby, for last! In all my years of having the good fortune to visit some of the most fabulous places in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, and Newport, Rhode Island, I’ve really never experienced anything quite like this place before.

The majestic whirlpool. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I’m sure that many visitors to the area will be interested to know that One Queensridge Place has two hundred holes of golf within a five mile radius of the property, but I was more keen to discover the on-site spa! It’s beautiful!!!

There are, of course, separate men’s and women’s areas, with one long lap pool in-between. (By the way, there’s also an outdoor pool and whirlpool over-looking one of the golf courses, but, due to the high winds during my visit, the staff encouraged me to use the indoor facilities.) I was happy to go for a long swim, and can tell you that the water was the perfect temperature, length, and depth. I could have stayed in there all day.

After breakfast (which I’ll tell you about in a second) and swimming, Lauren and I luxuriated in the palatial indoor whirlpool, and then she chose the sauna while I opted for the steam room. With the fresh fruits, healthful snacks, and cantaloupe-flavored waters on-hand, we could have spent the entire day in that area. But, alas, we had to get back to L.A.

Just some of the many fun snacks that are offered from early morning til afternoon. Photo by Karen Salkin.

But not before we paid our second visit of the day to the fun snack bar! They have all kinds of daytime-appropriate foods flowing from 7AM-2PM daily, and every tenant is invited. A lovely girl is on hand to whip-up smoothies and coffees, and toast the assorted bagels. They also have several varieties of muffins and breads, (like banana and zucchini,) gourmet oatmeal “kits,” and Greek yogurt, among other items.

When we stopped back there on our way out, we were treated to bowls of freshly-cut fruit, healthful chips and hummus, and pistachios nuts. How much better is that for getting fueled-up for our many-houred drive back to LA than grabbing something at a drive-through along the way?

We left Vegas, and One Queensridge Place, relaxed, refreshed, and invigorated. That’s a lot for a condo building to do for its guests in just one day!

One Queensridge Place   9101 Alta Drive, Las Vegas   www.oneqrp.com

[Note: I took literally at least a hundred pictures of the property but, obviously, we could show just a few here. So I beseech you to check-out their website for much better images than I could ever take.]