What You Need to Do in Vegas

If you followed me on Facebook, you may or may not have caught a few status updates complaining about feeling exhausted from Las Vegas -- beginning halfway through the trip and ending two days after I got home. I was there for work for the International Builders' Show, which is the most important week of the year for our group of magazines because the amount of people, products and story ideas we have access to. That means days begin at 8 a.m. and work committments wrap up around 10 or 11 p.m. Throw in a couple celebratory drinks -- if I can last that long -- and I end up running on five or six hours of sleep. Good times!

But oh, there were good times! Here're actionable items for you for your next trip:

1) Stay at Encore if you can. Scan for deals, try to negotiate a price, do what you can to experience these rooms: creams and beige fabrics with a balanced amount of nearly black wood made you feel as if you were held in a lap of luxury. Flat screens, a bed I wanted to buy, a view that's elongated by mirrors in the sitting are and a doorbell remind you why Steve Wynn makes the money he does. Just don't examine the "Adult Pleasure Kit" box for longer than 60 seconds if you're curious -- you'll be automatically charged. The restaurants are good (enjoy the truffly oil at Society), and stores like Swim and Taste of Wynn make it too easy to drop a paycheck. (I rationed myself but came away with some good, uh, investments). 

2) Eat at Sage. If you read this blog, you know I'm a fan of Shawn McClaine's restaurants in Chicago. Sage -- which he moved his family to Vegas for -- is more of the same good stuff from him. He carried several of the crowd pleasers (albeit updated versions) over from his restaurants here in Chicago (the octopus from Custom House, the barrumundi and hot chocolate chaser from Spring), and the menu is distinctly him -- no surprises, which makes sense, given it's at Aria. Aris is gross. It's cold, dark and steel-like, and even if that's your thing, I don't see how anyone can deny it's  so incredibly generic in color and design that it won't look outdated next month. Seeing Shawn's work and style thrown into this abomination of generic decor is just weird, consideration the cleaner pallette he generally follows (even Custom House, a hotel restaurant, is better) but the food's wonderful. Order the Tin Rose cocktail (or something like that).

3) Drink at Peppermill. Ah, Peppermill. Everyone loves it! You know what a casino bar is like, you know what a club is like, but do you know what a kitschy Vegas lounge with fruity drinks and a fire pit is like? OK, there are pry a few of 'em out thattaway, but there's only one Peppermill. My friend Cynthia found this place the first time we did Vegas, and I dragged my coworkers there, who all agreed it was one of the highlights of the week. I may or may not have been really drunk already by the time this dreamy-eyed photo was taken. Note the pink plush couches, faux greenery and mirrors in the background. It's not loud, and the couple times I've been there, never crowded. Seriously, folks. Do yourself a favor and have the experience.

4) Do not get in any cabs that approach you unsolicited. I needed a cab and was amazed that this one happened to pull up at the right moment. He was taking a gamble, hoping I was a "party girl," which he asked me about several times. No cab number, company name or badge inside the cab either. Thankfully I made it to the hotel, and before I could turn around to get details off the side of the car, he was speeding off.

Those are the highlights. If you go or have been to any of these places, let me know what you think.