Monday was our last day in Vegas and our last chance to pack in the last of our “must-dos”. On that list was: The Burger Bar, Outlet shopping, The Shark Tank @ Mandalay Bay, Tao and a Limo tour of the strip.
That was a lot to fit in one day but we did it.
We started with the Shark Tank @ Mandalay Bay. This is a pretty cool exhibit and worth a visit if you ever get the chance. They have a few interactive displays that allow you to pet stingrays which is always pretty cool. They also have some pretty awesome sharks. I had never seen a saw-shark so that was pretty awesome. They also had a few really large sea turtles.
We then headed to the Burger Bar, it was just opening so we got to walk right in. This place is generally packed so we definitely timed this perfectly. The Burger Bar is amazing and allows you build your own burger and best of all has the option for Kobe beef. My burger went as follows:
- Kobe Beef Patty
- Sesame Bun
- Jack Cheese
- Jalapeno Bacon
- Grilled Pineapple ring
It as awesome. We all went together with the sides so we had – skinny fries, thick fries, sweet potato fries, cheese sticks, zucchini sticks, macaroni and cheese wedges. Insane but oh so good. Suffice to say, we were pretty stuffed after this meal. Good thing shopping was up next and we really needed to walk it off.
We grabbed a cab to the Premium outlets at the north end of the strip. For some reason, I was just not feeling it that today so only picked a few items. The others were much more successful. I did however, pick up a wonderful pair of Cole Haan loafers that I love as well as a few Christmas gifts. I found these outlets to be more store than outlet and I was looking for deals.
After shopping we headed back to the Vdara to relax for a bit before getting ready for dinner. Vanessa highly recommended Tao, an Asian fusion restaurant at the Venetian. We were not disappointed. This one of our best meals which is saying something.
The waiter offered us the option to give him a price point and allow him to choose our menu. This intrigued Gina, Julia and I so we agreed while the guys ordered off the menu. Our appetizers were pork pot-stickers with a chime sesame sauce glaze and a lovely yam maki roll with Serrano peppers. Very very nice. This was followed up with a amazing Chinese fried rice unlike any I have ever tasted before along with roasted Thai Buddha Chicken, Sea bass and a wasbi encrusted Filet Mignon with tempura onion rings. It just kept getting better and better. My favorite was the sea bass, it was like butter in your mouth.
Dessert was a huge almond fortune cookie with vanilla custard on one side and chocolate on the other. Delicious! We all had fortunes as well but Jay had the best – “Tip well, we know where you live.” LOL.
We ended our last day in Vegas with a 2h 30 Limo tour of the strip. The Limo picked us up after dinner and we were off. It came with a bottle of Champagne and a bottle of bourbon so happy night all around.
Our first stop was the Las Vegas sign…no trip to Vegas is complete without it. We had been looking for a chance to get a picture in our Running Rooms shirts so this was the perfect oppurtunity…if a little cold.
We also got to see both the pawn store where Pawn Stars is filmed, the Chapel where The Hangover filmed. We also got to have some time on Fremont St (Old Vegas), it was a chilly night so unfortunately there was no light show but it was still really cool to walk down and see the older casinos like the Golden Nugget.
Ending the tour with the Bellagio foundations was perfect, they do an amazing job and although we had seen them Friday night from the hotel, you really need the accompanying music to really get the whole affect. What a fantastic way to end our trip.
The race had a few ups and downs but the trip itself was pure awesome. Thanks to Jay, Julia, Gina and Shaun for being such amazing travel companions and letting me “organize” without locking me in a closet – I know you must have been tempted.
so…..where we going next?
