Las Vegas Trip Report! Part 2 - The El Cortez - Post F
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From: Edward King on 16 Oct 2009 19:06 Monday 14th September, Continued... So after the Deuce drops me off, I walk on down Fremont towards Main. I enter first the California. And what meets my eye, but that rarest of gems, 10/7 Double Bonus! http://www.flickr.com/photos/81169512(a)N00/4017348073/ I note it for later. I head up the escalator and through the upper floor towards the bridge across to Main Street Station, and down through the casino to the 777 brewpub. Get seated relatively quickly, it's two minutes into the first quarter as God's own team, the New England Patriots take on
From: Walt on 16 Oct 2009 21:50 In article <t0uhd51onj7kueu99nac11gpl4hq27v3a7(a)4ax.com>, Edward King <me(a)privacy.net> wrote: > Monday 14th September, Continued... > > So after the Deuce drops me off, I walk on down Fremont towards Main. > I enter first the California. And what meets my eye, but that rarest > of gems, 10/7 Double Bonus! > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/81169512(a)N00/4017348073/ > > I note it for later. > > I head up the escalator and through the upper floor towards the bridge > across to Main Street Station, and down through the casino to the 777 > brewpub. Get seated relatively quickly, it's two minutes into the > first quarter as God's own team, the New England Patriots take on And? And?? Please, don't anyone give away the ending.
From: Big Mikey on 17 Oct 2009 08:50 God's own team? Last I heard he was on vacation in Denver...and then coached the Broncos defense... M .. "Edward King" <me(a)privacy.net> wrote in message news:t0uhd51onj7kueu99nac11gpl4hq27v3a7(a)4ax.com... > Monday 14th September, Continued... > > So after the Deuce drops me off, I walk on down Fremont towards Main. > I enter first the California. And what meets my eye, but that rarest > of gems, 10/7 Double Bonus! > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/81169512(a)N00/4017348073/ > > I note it for later. > > I head up the escalator and through the upper floor towards the bridge > across to Main Street Station, and down through the casino to the 777 > brewpub. Get seated relatively quickly, it's two minutes into the > first quarter as God's own team, the New England Patriots take on
From: Edward King on 17 Oct 2009 11:50 On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:06:19 +0100, Edward King <me(a)privacy.net> wrote: Hit the send key too early... >Monday 14th September, Continued... > >So after the Deuce drops me off, I walk on down Fremont towards Main. >I enter first the California. And what meets my eye, but that rarest >of gems, 10/7 Double Bonus! > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/81169512(a)N00/4017348073/ > >I note it for later. > >I head up the escalator and through the upper floor towards the bridge >across to Main Street Station, and down through the casino to the 777 >brewpub. Get seated relatively quickly, it's two minutes into the >first quarter as God's own team, the New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough... Interesting, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the ALF, both teams as founder members are wearing their original uniforms. It's nice to see Pat Patriot, the snapping minuteman again; the original Boston Patriots logo beats the hell out of the current one. The original Bills logo is pretty lame, as are the officials' outfits. I order up an appetizer of fried mozzarella sticks and also, a beer. Also, during the MNF party, the beers are $2 each. Result!: BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 HIGH ROLLER GOLD Style: American wheat beer Not bad, but the taste expected of a wheat beer is surprisingly weak. Didn't taste as I would have expected a wheat beer to do, but outside of this, a perfectly acceptable beer. 6/10 -- End of the first quarter and Brady's not exactly setting the place alight. We are introduced to the first part of the Main Street Station MNF party. All in the place get tickets which will be used in draws later on. There are various prizes. The host asks for fans of both teams to cheer... we Pats fans seem to be somewhat outnumbered... Time for something more to eat, so I order a burger, and a beer: BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 ROYAL RED LAGER Style: American amber There's a hoppiness to this beer which fades then into a mild malty taste. Perfectly acceptable beer. I could drink this all night. 6/10 -- Heading to the half, we're now 14-10 down. We can pull this back, once Tom remembers who he is; completing passes to the other side's defense is NOT a winning strategy... Back at the MNF party, the first draws don't produce anything for me, but we're introduced to our first special guest... the Balloon Girl. Her name's Keri, and she first learned to make balloon models for her daughter. I'm skeptical at first, but her balloon models go a LONG way past the "dog" and "snake" most of these artists make. It also doesn't hurt that she has a great bubbly personality and, err, she's also quite a looker ;-). She's on Facebook as the Crazy Vegas Balloon Girl; give her a look and if you're in Vegas try to catch an event she's at. Also up is the Shot Girl, she's handing out $1 shots of Jack Daniels. Not my drink really but I get one because she's really cute, which I guess is the point... Third quarter's up, and there doesn't seem to be much happening for my poor Pats. The Bills kick a field goal and we enter the fourth 17-10 down... I need a beer: BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 BLACK CHIP PORTER Style: Porter There's the taste of dark malt and the chocolate notes you'd expect from this style of beer, but there just isn't the body behind the taste. This could have been great if it had backed up the initial taste, but as it is, it's just OK. 7/10 -- It's coming down to the wire; we kick a field goal, but the Bills respond with a touchdown! We're 24-13 down, needing two TDs to pull this back. Can Tom Brady rediscover his pre-injury form and lead us out of this hole to victory? Yes. He. Can. And unlike the other guy who uses that slogan, he actually delivers. Touchdown, two-point conversion is good! And near the death, YES, ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN! Again, we try for the two so even if there's a field goal by the Bills we'll be in overtime... incomplete! Fortunately, our rookie defense steps up and the rugby playing Bills are stopped short after a fumble. PATRIOTS WIN!! And all is right with the world. Next part of the double-header sees the Chargers visit the Raiders in a California derby. This doesn't look promising, surely the mighty Chargers with L(d)T and Rivers at the front will crush the feeble Raiders?... First quarter is up, and... TOUCHDOWN! Oakland?! Well, that's worth a drink. I hoist a glass to the Silver and Black Attack... BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 MARKER PALE ALE Style: American pale ale I'm not hopeful, but this beer more than exceeds expectations. Rather than being merely a BudCoorMiller replacement, this beer actually has flavor! There's an initial faint taste of hops, giving way to a sweet maltiness and finishing with a yeasty, lemony taste. I like this; why can't all American pale ales be like this? 8/10 -- It's half time and it's all square at 10 apiece. There's another prize draw and despite the fact that practically everyone who's left has dropped their tickets on my table, I come up with nothing. Balloon Girl and Shot Girl are still working the room, though our host announces that Shot Girl will stop soon... Third quarter kicks off, so maybe another beer? First of the specials: BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 BLACK CHERRY STOUT Style: Stout Excellent stout taste with the slightly burnt taste of the brown malt to the fore, but it pretty soon gives way to the flavor of cherries, merging in with the chocolate aftertaste of the malt. An absolutely excellent beer, if somewhat unusual. If this is on when you go, try it! 9/10 -- Shot Girl sits next to me! Well actually, at the next table to mine but hey! We exchange pleasantries and the guys at her table buy her some food. No score in the third, so I order up the last special: BEER REVIEW TRIPLE 7 BELGIAN IPA Style: Belgian IPA I've never had a Belgian IPA before; didn't know they went anywhere near India... There's a reasonable but not overwhelming taste of hops, with a touch of sweetness and a strong hint of spices towards the end. Very unusual beer, very strong but it doesn't taste like it. 9/10 -- Fourth quarter comes to a close and the Chargers edge it with two TDs versus one TD and a field goal. I thought the Chargers were good and the Raiders sucked? Still, any given Sunday... At the end of the game comes the last draw and, finally, I win a prize... a sort of cushiony thing with a Jack Daniels logo on it. Ah, well. I pay one more visit to the mens restroom to pay my respects to the Berlin Wall, then head out across Main through Fremont back to the El Cortez. I enter the casino and go to the elevator. Pressing the button for the fifth and sliding in my room card isn't working. I walk on to the reception desk to enquire. Remember my first post about the ElCo, and that there were two entries under my name? I'd altered my booking initially from Fri-Mon to Fri-Tue, and guess what? Both bookings were in the system and when I initially booked in, they picked the shorter one. Once the clerk realises the situation she re-authorises my key and assigns me a security guard to escort me back to my room. He's from Eastern Europe and we have a good chat as we move up to my room. Everything's in place, fortunately, so I bid my escort adieu and head in to sleep for my last night at the El Cortez. Tomorrow, I'm heading down to the Strip for the last segment of my trip, at the Excalibur... Edward
From: Joe J. on 17 Oct 2009 12:15
I'm totally enjoying the beer reviews, Edward. A much more discerning palate then mine. -- Joe J. in LV "Edward King" <me(a)privacy.net> wrote in message news:85vhd5l71fsb7sljia44spv9f2ghb9c9ev(a)4ax.com... > On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:06:19 +0100, Edward King <me(a)privacy.net> > wrote: > > Hit the send key too early... > >>Monday 14th September, Continued... >> >>So after the Deuce drops me off, I walk on down Fremont towards Main. >>I enter first the California. And what meets my eye, but that rarest >>of gems, 10/7 Double Bonus! >> >>http://www.flickr.com/photos/81169512(a)N00/4017348073/ >> >>I note it for later. >> >>I head up the escalator and through the upper floor towards the bridge >>across to Main Street Station, and down through the casino to the 777 >>brewpub. Get seated relatively quickly, it's two minutes into the >>first quarter as God's own team, the New England Patriots take on > the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough... > > Interesting, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the founding > of the ALF, both teams as founder members are wearing their original > uniforms. It's nice to see Pat Patriot, the snapping minuteman again; > the original Boston Patriots logo beats the hell out of the current > one. The original Bills logo is pretty lame, as are the officials' > outfits. > > I order up an appetizer of fried mozzarella sticks and also, a beer. > Also, during the MNF party, the beers are $2 each. Result!: > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 HIGH ROLLER GOLD > Style: American wheat beer > > Not bad, but the taste expected of a wheat beer is surprisingly weak. > Didn't taste as I would have expected a wheat beer to do, but outside > of this, a perfectly acceptable beer. > > 6/10 > -- > > End of the first quarter and Brady's not exactly setting the place > alight. We are introduced to the first part of the Main Street > Station MNF party. All in the place get tickets which will be used in > draws later on. There are various prizes. The host asks for fans of > both teams to cheer... we Pats fans seem to be somewhat outnumbered... > > Time for something more to eat, so I order a burger, and a beer: > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 ROYAL RED LAGER > Style: American amber > > There's a hoppiness to this beer which fades then into a mild malty > taste. Perfectly acceptable beer. I could drink this all night. > > 6/10 > -- > > Heading to the half, we're now 14-10 down. We can pull this back, > once Tom remembers who he is; completing passes to the other side's > defense is NOT a winning strategy... > > Back at the MNF party, the first draws don't produce anything for me, > but we're introduced to our first special guest... the Balloon Girl. > > Her name's Keri, and she first learned to make balloon models for her > daughter. I'm skeptical at first, but her balloon models go a LONG > way past the "dog" and "snake" most of these artists make. It also > doesn't hurt that she has a great bubbly personality and, err, she's > also quite a looker ;-). She's on Facebook as the Crazy Vegas Balloon > Girl; give her a look and if you're in Vegas try to catch an event > she's at. > > Also up is the Shot Girl, she's handing out $1 shots of Jack Daniels. > Not my drink really but I get one because she's really cute, which I > guess is the point... > > Third quarter's up, and there doesn't seem to be much happening for my > poor Pats. The Bills kick a field goal and we enter the fourth 17-10 > down... > > I need a beer: > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 BLACK CHIP PORTER > Style: Porter > > There's the taste of dark malt and the chocolate notes you'd expect > from this style of beer, but there just isn't the body behind the > taste. This could have been great if it had backed up the initial > taste, but as it is, it's just OK. > > 7/10 > -- > > It's coming down to the wire; we kick a field goal, but the Bills > respond with a touchdown! We're 24-13 down, needing two TDs to pull > this back. Can Tom Brady rediscover his pre-injury form and lead us > out of this hole to victory? > > Yes. He. Can. And unlike the other guy who uses that slogan, he > actually delivers. Touchdown, two-point conversion is good! And near > the death, YES, ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN! Again, we try for the two so even > if there's a field goal by the Bills we'll be in overtime... > incomplete! Fortunately, our rookie defense steps up and the rugby > playing Bills are stopped short after a fumble. > > PATRIOTS WIN!! > > And all is right with the world. > > Next part of the double-header sees the Chargers visit the Raiders in > a California derby. This doesn't look promising, surely the mighty > Chargers with L(d)T and Rivers at the front will crush the feeble > Raiders?... > > > First quarter is up, and... > > TOUCHDOWN! > > Oakland?! > > Well, that's worth a drink. I hoist a glass to the Silver and Black > Attack... > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 MARKER PALE ALE > Style: American pale ale > > I'm not hopeful, but this beer more than exceeds expectations. Rather > than being merely a BudCoorMiller replacement, this beer actually has > flavor! There's an initial faint taste of hops, giving way to a sweet > maltiness and finishing with a yeasty, lemony taste. I like this; why > can't all American pale ales be like this? > > 8/10 > -- > > It's half time and it's all square at 10 apiece. There's another > prize draw and despite the fact that practically everyone who's left > has dropped their tickets on my table, I come up with nothing. Balloon > Girl and Shot Girl are still working the room, though our host > announces that Shot Girl will stop soon... > > Third quarter kicks off, so maybe another beer? First of the > specials: > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 BLACK CHERRY STOUT > Style: Stout > > Excellent stout taste with the slightly burnt taste of the brown malt > to the fore, but it pretty soon gives way to the flavor of cherries, > merging in with the chocolate aftertaste of the malt. An absolutely > excellent beer, if somewhat unusual. If this is on when you go, try > it! > > 9/10 > -- > > Shot Girl sits next to me! Well actually, at the next table to mine > but hey! We exchange pleasantries and the guys at her table buy her > some food. > > No score in the third, so I order up the last special: > > BEER REVIEW > > TRIPLE 7 BELGIAN IPA > Style: Belgian IPA > > I've never had a Belgian IPA before; didn't know they went anywhere > near India... There's a reasonable but not overwhelming taste of > hops, with a touch of sweetness and a strong hint of spices towards > the end. Very unusual beer, very strong but it doesn't taste like it. > > 9/10 > -- > > Fourth quarter comes to a close and the Chargers edge it with two TDs > versus one TD and a field goal. I thought the Chargers were good and > the Raiders sucked? Still, any given Sunday... > > At the end of the game comes the last draw and, finally, I win a > prize... a sort of cushiony thing with a Jack Daniels logo on it. Ah, > well. > > I pay one more visit to the mens restroom to pay my respects to the > Berlin Wall, then head out across Main through Fremont back to the El > Cortez. > > I enter the casino and go to the elevator. Pressing the button for > the fifth and sliding in my room card isn't working. I walk on to the > reception desk to enquire. > > Remember my first post about the ElCo, and that there were two entries > under my name? I'd altered my booking initially from Fri-Mon to > Fri-Tue, and guess what? Both bookings were in the system and when I > initially booked in, they picked the shorter one. Once the clerk > realises the situation she re-authorises my key and assigns me a > security guard to escort me back to my room. He's from Eastern Europe > and we have a good chat as we move up to my room. Everything's in > place, fortunately, so I bid my escort adieu and head in to sleep for > my last night at the El Cortez. Tomorrow, I'm heading down to the > Strip for the last segment of my trip, at the Excalibur... > > Edward |