Since we had a long flight delay due to bad weather in Las Vegas, we had to rush to our dinner reservations after getting the rental car!
Fortunately, the Strip traffic was not too bad despite Labor Day setting records for the number of visitors to Las Vegas!
We had a little wait however at the Aria Valet. Since I am MGM Gold, I get free valet at any MGM property so we parked here.
We had a short walk over to the Cosmopolitan where our dinner reservations were.
I made reservations for us at China Poblano by Jose Andres! I was able to change into something nicer at the rental car center.
One can see the cooks hand roll the dumplings at China Poblano through a window.
Since we had some time before our reservation, I was able to get one of my favorite desserts, the cereal milk flavored soft serve with corn flakes at Milk Bar next door.
China Poblano had an unique decor. This face shaped statue had different images projected onto it.
There are some cool Asian and Mexican decorations behind my lovely wife here.
China Poblano is not fusion. The menu has both Chinese and Mexican dishes so people can mix and match what they want.
I am enjoying my Illegal Anejo Mezcal here. Chips and salsa were the first course in our tasting menu.
The young coconut ceviche was delicious!
Joy and I loved the chicken siu mai dumplings!
This is the octopus taco which was served in a blue corn tortilla made from scratch with corn from Oaxaca, Mexico.
The Twenty Vegetable Fried Rice is one of the favorites at China Poblano. I did not count, but there should be twenty kinds of veggies here.
We were able to get our keys at the VIP Lounge since I am MGM Gold. They have complimentary beverages and snacks there too.
This was our view from the room at Mandalay Bay. I did check out the lazy river and beach later that morning.
We walked to Eataly to get breakfast. Joy loves that place!
My crepe was delicious!
I love Gold Fish Feeding Time Slots, and the bonus is exciting!
We met up with my fraternity brother from college who is a doctor in Vegas for drinks at Urth Cafe and ice cream at Salt & Straw which is at the new Uncommons near Durango Station.
Seeing my nephew is the highlight of any Vegas trip! He loved all the gifts we got him including this tram from Lisbon.
Joy and I headed to Genting Palace at Resorts World next for our gourmet Chinese dinner.
Is Fiji water OK, Mr. Roy. This dining experience reminded me of that movie, Crazy Rich Asians. We were pampered well!
The amuse course was a pickled item. Note there are two sets of chopsticks. Joy said that is common at fine dining places in Asia.
I got an EH Taylor bourbon on a $4 ice cube that had RW etched in it for my beverage. The Roys are "crazy rich Asians" I guess. LOL.
The dumpling basket was amazing! The seafood black truffle dumpling was so good!
The Sichuan Hot & Sour soup was the best Chinese soup I ever had!
The truffle fried rice paired well with the shredded beef dish. One of the servers came over and said may I serve you the rice just like one would expect being offered to that guy Nick from the Crazy Rich Asians movie. LOL!
The hostess gave us this sesame ball as a thank you for dining with them when we were leaving. We dropped almost $200 on dinner that night.
After dinner, we saw Luke Bryan's Residency concert at Resorts World. He did a great job!
Joy thought it was the best concert she ever attended.
The stage was really cool with the moving platforms and light shows.
The fire on stage was really cool to see! He did pretty much all his major hits including "Rollercoaster" and "Rain Is A Good Thing."
He finished the concert on the catwalk above the lower level. We were in the first row of the balcony so we got to see him pretty up close!
Joy and I had lunch with my buddy Patrick at a Greek restaurant on Monday.
We got to dine with this little guy that night. He loves sushi so we went to a Japanese place.
On Tuesday, we went back to Cosmopolitan for brunch, but we passed through Aria and saw the fall decorations.
Cosmo is really neat!
The line at Egg Slut was not that bad this time, but we still waited a while for our food to be made.
The wait was worth it! I loved my Gaucho egg sandwich with Tri Tip!
We went shopping the rest of the day before our flight home. Both of us got stuff at Armani. We are Crazy Rich Asians after all. LOL.
As I was leaving Vegas, I got an email on my company iPhone to order our upcoming POA meeting gift which was a custom Timbuk2 backpack! My company gives us a nice gift for each meeting!
A few weeks after Vegas, I flew to Phoenix for my POA meeting. The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown upgraded me to a huge room! Check out the living room of my room!
This Renaissance was pretty nice, and guess what. The POTUS stayed here too while I was there. More to come on that....
We walked over to Centrico at this historic hotel next door for a great authentic Mexican lunch!
After a short one hour meeting, we took this AZLimo Executive Coach to Scottsdale for a fine dining experience at Eddie V's!
Eddie V's had us in a private room with a set menu. I got the 8 oz filet mignon. Also, I got the smokeless smoked Old Fashioned!
I was very impressed with the wine selection that night.
I got a little fresh air in the 100 degree heat on the pool deck in the afternoon during Day 2 of our meetings.
Since POTUS was staying at our hotel that night, a perimeter was set up around the hotel with only one entrance/exit, but our group was given special permission to leave through the back to catch the charter buses to our dinner event.
That evening, the company rented out the Pedal Haus Brewery in Downtown Phoenix for us!
The food was really good! The prime rib was awesome!
We had a full open bar, and ther was so much food! We also had an appetizer and dessert buffet too. I got Angel's Envy for my first beverage there.
The staff took good care of us, and they kept coming by to get us more drinks.
We walked back since we heard the hotel was on lockdown until POTUS got in. These are some of the secret service agents.
The Secret Service uniformed officers set up metal detectors at the main entrance since POTUS staying there.
I had a night cap at the hotel bar with some of my colleagues. This is IW Harper. It was crazy seeing all the Secret Service agents, bomb sniffing dogs, and other members of the President's team.
We saw the Presidential motorcade the next morning from the windows in the ballroom downstairs. I got a view of the BEAST (POTUS Limo).
Since my industry likes to do the Suburban car services like the high ranking government officials were in for the POTUS visit, I was glad they sent me an Audi A7 this time for my airport transfer so I was not confused. LOL.
I was able to see Air Force 1 as we got into PHX from the car.
This was a pretty neat meeting staying in the same hotel as the POTUS, but I am not a fan of his as one should know. LOL.
Joy and I went down to Las Vegas for Labor Day Weekend to catch Luke
Bryan's Residency Concert at Resorts World and also see my nephew,
Aakash! After a long flight delay due to weather in Vegas, we
rushed over to the rental car center to get our car so we could make
our dinner reservations at Jose Andres' China Poblano at the
Cosmopolitan. China Poblano is not a fusion restaurant, but the
menu features dishes from both Chinese and Mexican cuisines. We
did the tasting menu to get the full experience, and the mix of dishes
were a nice balance between Mexican and Chinese. For instance,
they started our culinary experience with chips and a delicious salsa.
We had chicken siu mai dumplings also as an appetizer.
There was an Asian inspired salad. The young coconut
ceviche was a Mexican treat that was unique since it had no fish.
We had two main dish items that were Mexican which included an
octopus taco and shrimp dish with special peppers. The twenty
vegetable fried rice ended the savory portion of the meal before a
churro with Oaxacan hot chocolate for dipping was served.
Overall, Jose Andres did not disappoint once again.
We stayed at Mandalay Bay this time. After dinner, we headed over to check in. The MGM Rewards app checked me in very early so I knew our number room. After having the valet take the car and the bellman take our luggage, we got keys at the VIP Lounge before heading up to our room.
The next day, Joy and I walked over to Eataly for breakfast. Afterwards, I checked out the lazy river and beach area at Mandalay Bay. The beach area is a hype since it is not as big as one thinks from the pictures. The lazy river was pretty short. Afterwards, we met up with a fraternity brother for some delicious treats at Urth Cafe and Salt & Straw ice cream which is known for very unique flavors including one which has actual cheese in the ice cream. We went over to my brother's place next to hang out with my nephew. He was very excited to see us!
We had tickets to see Luke Bryan on Sunday night so we decided to have dinner at the Genting Palace at Resorts World where the concert was. Genting Palace is a fine dining Chinese restaurant. As soon as we were welcomed by the hostesses, I could tell this was going to be a "Crazy Rich Asians" experience. The elegantly appointed restaurant had beautiful ming vases all over, and the staff was very attentive to us. I was charged $4 for the large ice cube for my EH Taylor drink. LOL. I guess Joy and I are Crazy Rich Asians (Indians) so it is only appropriate. Luke Bryan did a great show! We heard "Rollercoster," "Country Girl Shake It For Me," and "Rain Is A Good Thing" among his other hits. He also made fun of cancel culture and talked about how Tim McGraw's "Indian Outlaw" song would be targeted these days. He was right. Fuck the left! We will not bow down to them. I bought Jason Aldean's controversal song, "Try That In A Small Town" to support him against cancel culture.
The next day, we met up with my friend Patrick for lunch. Afterwards, we headed to my brother's place to have dinner with them at a sushi place. My nephew enjoyed going to dinner with his Uncle Anirban and Aunt Joy. He is so adordable!
On Tuesday, we enjoyed brunch at Egg Slut and Milk Bar before shopping all day. I got some stuff at Vineyard Vines and Armani! As we were leaving Vegas, I checked my work email on my company iPhone in the Club@LAS, and I saw that we were asked to order a custom backpack from Timbuk2 as a gift for our upcoming meeting in Phoenix. I love my company! They appreciate us a lot!
Speaking of meeting, I flew down to Phoenix a few weeks after Vegas for the POA Meeting. My usual car service picked me up at my house that morning and took me to SMF for my 8:45 AM flight into the Valley of Sun. The meeting was at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown. When we checked in, we were notified of a security event going on the following day and Thursday. So, we were wondering what it was about since they said all but one entrance would be closed, and they would have metal detectors set up too. I was wondering if it was POTUS, but I was like no he can not be staying here. LOL. The hotel was nice, and I got a great upgrade to a large room with a huge living room since I am BonVoy elite. However, I did not think the POTUS stayed in hotels occupied by others.
We only had about an hour of meetings on Tuesday since it was a travel day. Then, we were taken to a private dining experience at Eddie V's Prime Seafood in Scottsdale via AZLimo's Executive Coach. I helped plan this since I am a foodie! The dinner was great! We had a set menu, and I got the eight ounce filet. Eddie V's is known for a smokeless smoked Old Fashioned which has chocolate bitters so I ordered that. We also had great wine!
On Wednesday, we had a full day of meetings, but it was cool. Then, at night both my company and our partner company for our biologic rented out the Pedal Haus Brewery in downtown Phoenix for us. The Secret Service had already set up a perimeter around the hotel for the POTUS so we were given special permission to exit the hotel from the back entrance. The charter bus company escorted us out beyond the blocked street access to the buses to take us the short distance to the brewery. It was walking distance, but the company wants to keep us safe always. Pedal Haus welcomed us with margaritas and other drinks. The full bar was open to us too. On one side, they had a buffet of great appetizers. The other side had a buffet of great main dishes and sides including beer can chicken and prime rib. I ordered an Angel's Envy to start that evening. The great staff kept coming by to bring us more drinks. My second drink there was a Woodford Double Oaked. We also had a good dessert selection.
Since we got word that POTUS was coming in which meant the hotel was on lockdown for sometime, we walked back and saw news crews and more barricades. By the time, we got back, the entrance to the hotel was open so we went through the metal detector and hung out in the lobby drinking more. All we saw was lots of plain clothes and uniformed secret service agents as well as bombing sniffing dogs in the lobby. It was crazy! I felt proud that our POTUS is guarded so well. It shows how much money our country has! I do not like Biden, but it is great to see the institution of the POTUS this up close. I think I slept in the most secure place on Earth that night!
The next morning, we only had a few hours of meetings before it was time to leave. We saw the Presidential motorcade getting ready to leave from our meeting room, and I saw a glimpse of the BEAST (limo). It was pretty cool. Before the motorcade left, they had agents with a dog sweep the area for explosives. Also, there were so many motorcycle police in front of POTUS. After he left, the streets were open so my Audi A7 airport transfer was able to come get me and take me to the airport where I saw Air Force 1. This was one interesting meeting!
We stayed at Mandalay Bay this time. After dinner, we headed over to check in. The MGM Rewards app checked me in very early so I knew our number room. After having the valet take the car and the bellman take our luggage, we got keys at the VIP Lounge before heading up to our room.
The next day, Joy and I walked over to Eataly for breakfast. Afterwards, I checked out the lazy river and beach area at Mandalay Bay. The beach area is a hype since it is not as big as one thinks from the pictures. The lazy river was pretty short. Afterwards, we met up with a fraternity brother for some delicious treats at Urth Cafe and Salt & Straw ice cream which is known for very unique flavors including one which has actual cheese in the ice cream. We went over to my brother's place next to hang out with my nephew. He was very excited to see us!
We had tickets to see Luke Bryan on Sunday night so we decided to have dinner at the Genting Palace at Resorts World where the concert was. Genting Palace is a fine dining Chinese restaurant. As soon as we were welcomed by the hostesses, I could tell this was going to be a "Crazy Rich Asians" experience. The elegantly appointed restaurant had beautiful ming vases all over, and the staff was very attentive to us. I was charged $4 for the large ice cube for my EH Taylor drink. LOL. I guess Joy and I are Crazy Rich Asians (Indians) so it is only appropriate. Luke Bryan did a great show! We heard "Rollercoster," "Country Girl Shake It For Me," and "Rain Is A Good Thing" among his other hits. He also made fun of cancel culture and talked about how Tim McGraw's "Indian Outlaw" song would be targeted these days. He was right. Fuck the left! We will not bow down to them. I bought Jason Aldean's controversal song, "Try That In A Small Town" to support him against cancel culture.
The next day, we met up with my friend Patrick for lunch. Afterwards, we headed to my brother's place to have dinner with them at a sushi place. My nephew enjoyed going to dinner with his Uncle Anirban and Aunt Joy. He is so adordable!
On Tuesday, we enjoyed brunch at Egg Slut and Milk Bar before shopping all day. I got some stuff at Vineyard Vines and Armani! As we were leaving Vegas, I checked my work email on my company iPhone in the Club@LAS, and I saw that we were asked to order a custom backpack from Timbuk2 as a gift for our upcoming meeting in Phoenix. I love my company! They appreciate us a lot!
Speaking of meeting, I flew down to Phoenix a few weeks after Vegas for the POA Meeting. My usual car service picked me up at my house that morning and took me to SMF for my 8:45 AM flight into the Valley of Sun. The meeting was at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown. When we checked in, we were notified of a security event going on the following day and Thursday. So, we were wondering what it was about since they said all but one entrance would be closed, and they would have metal detectors set up too. I was wondering if it was POTUS, but I was like no he can not be staying here. LOL. The hotel was nice, and I got a great upgrade to a large room with a huge living room since I am BonVoy elite. However, I did not think the POTUS stayed in hotels occupied by others.
We only had about an hour of meetings on Tuesday since it was a travel day. Then, we were taken to a private dining experience at Eddie V's Prime Seafood in Scottsdale via AZLimo's Executive Coach. I helped plan this since I am a foodie! The dinner was great! We had a set menu, and I got the eight ounce filet. Eddie V's is known for a smokeless smoked Old Fashioned which has chocolate bitters so I ordered that. We also had great wine!
On Wednesday, we had a full day of meetings, but it was cool. Then, at night both my company and our partner company for our biologic rented out the Pedal Haus Brewery in downtown Phoenix for us. The Secret Service had already set up a perimeter around the hotel for the POTUS so we were given special permission to exit the hotel from the back entrance. The charter bus company escorted us out beyond the blocked street access to the buses to take us the short distance to the brewery. It was walking distance, but the company wants to keep us safe always. Pedal Haus welcomed us with margaritas and other drinks. The full bar was open to us too. On one side, they had a buffet of great appetizers. The other side had a buffet of great main dishes and sides including beer can chicken and prime rib. I ordered an Angel's Envy to start that evening. The great staff kept coming by to bring us more drinks. My second drink there was a Woodford Double Oaked. We also had a good dessert selection.
Since we got word that POTUS was coming in which meant the hotel was on lockdown for sometime, we walked back and saw news crews and more barricades. By the time, we got back, the entrance to the hotel was open so we went through the metal detector and hung out in the lobby drinking more. All we saw was lots of plain clothes and uniformed secret service agents as well as bombing sniffing dogs in the lobby. It was crazy! I felt proud that our POTUS is guarded so well. It shows how much money our country has! I do not like Biden, but it is great to see the institution of the POTUS this up close. I think I slept in the most secure place on Earth that night!
The next morning, we only had a few hours of meetings before it was time to leave. We saw the Presidential motorcade getting ready to leave from our meeting room, and I saw a glimpse of the BEAST (limo). It was pretty cool. Before the motorcade left, they had agents with a dog sweep the area for explosives. Also, there were so many motorcycle police in front of POTUS. After he left, the streets were open so my Audi A7 airport transfer was able to come get me and take me to the airport where I saw Air Force 1. This was one interesting meeting!