Just a Great Trip - Feb 20-24 at Cosmo

Why great? Just was. Relaxed. Fulfilling (at least filling). Fun. That's all we ask.

Z and I left Houston on Monday morning just as a huge storm system approached. We made it out shortly before the airport was shut down. First win of the trip!



Not going to do a day by day recap as I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be accurate, but here's a synopsis.

Limo. We used Presidential for airport pick up and drop off. As always, they were on time and personable. We stopped at a liquor store on the way to Cosmo for a few room supplies.

Uber and Lyft. Throughout the week we used both Uber and Lyft to travel from Cosmo to Wynn. Flawless. You can look on Cosmo's property map to see the designated area for pickup and dropoff.

Amazon Prime Now. We used this service after seeing a mention in a trip report. Brilliant. So handy. Before leaving Houston we set up Cosmo in our Amazon address book (me c/o Cosmo). Filled our cart with the items we wanted delivered (coffee pods, water, cocktail mixers, snacks). After arriving at Cosmo and checking into the room, we went downstairs to play and eventually placed the order. There is a two hour window for delivery and Prime Now notifies you that your order is getting close. You meet the driver at the front of the hotel. Items are delivered in closed up grocery bags. It was super easy and convenient.

Cosmo room. Love the Cosmo room. We have stayed here a number of times, usually splitting the trip between Encore and Cosmo. This time we stayed at Cosmo exclusively. Can't beat the view, balcony, soaking tub, spaciousness. Perfection. We bring a small Keurig for the room. And bath bombs for the tub. And mini bottles of booze for balcony cocktails (hence the mixers from Prime Now). Pack the mini bottles in a large ziploc wrapped in bubble wrap. No problems in transit. Also brought some fresh lemons and limes in a ziploc for cocktail garnish. We like to spoil ourselves. Mornings started with coffee in the room, a rehydrating soak in the tub, and good morning cocktails on the balcony.







Next up. Food.

 

Javier's. We promised ourselves we'd actually make it to Javier's on day one for margaritas. Last trip we planned to do so and, er, we were distracted by the flashy lights and ding ding ding in Cosmo. Pineapple jalapeño margs at Javier's were delish. Chips and salsa. I think we had queso fundido but can't be sure. Day one is almost always a blur. A happy blur, but a blur.



China Poblano. It was okay. We've eaten there before. It was okay then, too. I did try the salt air margarita and that was quite tasty.

Holstein's. It's a new Vegas tradition to pick up poutine and chicken wings to go. Eat them while soaking in the tub late night. Don't judge. Also had lunch here. A couple of burgers and fries. It was good. Cocktails were good, too.



Beauty & Essex. Absolutely gorgeous space. Gorgeous. Fantastically personable and professional bartender. Blonde gal from Minnesota (or was it Wisconsin). She was perfect. We always choose to dine at the bar. Less fussy and better service. Not to mention better for chatting. Food here was good, but not great. Oddly under seasoned. We weren't terribly hungry so just ordered the Caesar toast (which surprisingly was the highlight), tomato soup dumplings and onion rings. Cocktails were Pink Panther and Beauty Elixer (I think). Pink Panther was tastier. We'll go back, but it won't be top of the list.



View attachment 19976



Buddy V's. This is another tradition. It's solidly good every time. We had what they call fried mozzarella (essentially crispy grilled cheese sandwiches) and meatballs, followed by Nonna's lasagna (most of which we took home with us and had for breakfast the next day. Delish!)






Coming up, more food. Good food.

 

Jaleo. Brava! One of our favorite spots. Ate here twice for lunch. Great service at the bar from Nick. Nice fella. Best gin and tonic ever is the Hierba. Highly recommend. They had a thing going where you can get three tapas from a special menu for $25. Was a good deal, if you ask us. Over the two visits we ate pan de cristal, patatas bravas, the endive with orange and goat cheese (remarkably good), grilled steak with escabeche, some kind of salad with anchovies, a ham and cheese sandwich with a fancy name that I don't remember. Everything was top notch. Truly. And get a Hierba to-go.





















Coming up. The best food.

 

Bardot Brasserie. Oh man. Heaven. Culinary highlight of the trip. Worth every artery clogging moment. We ate here twice. Not only is the food and drink stellar, the space is beautiful. First visit was steak tartar and roasted bone marrow. Mmmm. Second visit we split a rib-eye and had french fries two ways. Yep. Black truffle fries to start the meal then whatever fries come with the steak frites. Let me say this. Best french fries of our lives. No question. We'll be back. Time and time again. Our second visit was national margarita day and there was a special drink menu. We partook. Turned out a fella from Casa Noble tequila was sitting at the bar and he bought everyone a round of drinks. Nice of him.












About that Bardot Brasserie cookie. It was that cookie (innocently named, Chocolate Macaron) that inspired us to try the place out. When we went the first night, we managed to leave without having experienced the cookie. We woke the next morning and realized our transgression, we knew we had to go back. It was sooooo worth it. Light and crisp cookies, velvety mousse, decadent but not too sweet chocolate sauce. Wow.

 

Gambling. It was up. It was down. Lots of slots and video poker (mostly Ult X). Z with a royal. Another one. She's ahead in the royal race. Dadgummit. Some bubble craps. Always fun and we left ahead. A little blackjack. Got my ass handed to me by a very nice dealer. Some rapid roulette. Good people watching opportunity. One spin of table roulette. One hand pay (on freeplay at Wynn). Bunch of big hits. We developed an intimate relationship with one machine at Cosmo. A $5 flaming sevens. Will always have a special place in our hearts. The new Heidi was good to us one morning. Great fun dancing around to the bier house band. Love hate relationship with Sharknado.

 

View attachment 19942

 

Gambling story. Both my parents are gone. They were married 60 years. When Mom was alive I'd always ask her what number should I play for her. She always said 17. Their wedding anniversary. After getting slaughtered at blackjack, I tipped the dealer and walked off with a lone green chip. I carried it around in my pocket the rest of the week, with an idea in mind of that green chip's destiny. Well last day of the trip was a lucky morning for Z and I. Charmed, even. So, I took my green chip to a roulette table. There were three fellas there who I don't think were just rising, I think they never went to bed. I asked if I could squeeze in for one spin (they took up a lot of space). One grabbed me and said, "Sure. Step on in here. You're going to play with us." "Nope. I just need one spin." Green chip on 17. It hit. I was euphoric. I explained the significance of the number to the fellas, tipped the dealer, grabbed my chips and ran to Z. I may never play roulette again. It wasn't the win, which was a nice $850, it was the moment. Thanks, Mom.

 

Host. While we were playing some rapid roulette at Cosmo on the penultimate day, a host approached. We've been approached a few times before but never felt the need to use a host at Cosmo. We do have a lovely host at Wynn. After chatting a bit, she asked if there was anything she could do for us. I said a late checkout tomorrow (4pm) would be nice. She said no problem. And, she took care of all room charges with the exception of gratuities. That was very kind. I reckon we have a host at Cosmo, now. By the way, the rapid roulette table is near the sports book at Cosmo. The men playing the ponies would visit our table now and again and provided free entertainment. I don't know where they were from, but they were classic. Like they stepped right out of the Sopranos or something. I love Vegas.

Thanks for a great trip, Vegas. See you soon.

 

Host is RJ. I did not come back ahead in cash, but Z did. She's a much more sensible gambler than I am. I did however come back with a lot more of my bankroll than anticipated, so that's a win. Good times and good memories makes everything worthwhile.

 

Thank you for the kind comments, Elf70. We love our Vegas.

 

Lucky providence?