Tag Archives: Las Vegas

Sip Trips #252: Sinful Secrets

Posted on by
Reply

Amongst all the chaos of September, Mrs. Sip and I managed to squeeze in a trip to Las Vegas, celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday. Here’s what we got up to in Sin City:

Our trek began with a delayed flight out of Vancouver, which allowed us to enjoy a drink and snack at Romer’s Kitchen & Bar. I ordered the Steamworks Flagship IPA, while Mrs. Sip and I split some Truffle Fries.

Finally arriving in Vegas late at night and after enduring a long check in process at our Resorts World Hilton accommodation, we journeyed to the nearby Peppermill & Fireside Lounge. By the time we got there, the late night (11pm-2am) happy hour was in effect, so we shared the Nachos Nachos Nachos with Al Pastor, which we liked as there wasn’t nacho cheese sauce on the dish, making the nachos soggy. To drink, we had the Atomic Duck IPA and Mango Drop Mango Wheat Ale, both from Able Baker Brewing. We liked this funky place, sitting on the Fireside Lounge side, heckling the 70s and 80s music videos that were playing.

The next day was our food tour, through Secret Food Tours. We paid $96 US each, after taking advantage of the company’s 20% discount offer during the summer. I opted for the Downtown tour over Strip tour, as more tastings were offered for a cheaper rate. One upside of the Strip tour is they go to a couple celebrity chef locations, if that’s your thing. The Downtown tour focuses on hidden gems and favourites of locals.

Our guide Katrina was fantastic and we lucked out with a private tour, as no one else booked for that day. To begin, we were taken inside the California Hotel and Casino, which despite its name has many Hawaiian-themed elements and offers travel packages to Hawaii residents. As a result, the Aloha Specialties Restaurant is a favourite of visitors and locals alike, and where we dined on Teriyaki Chicken and Spam Musubi. Both dishes were very good, with the teriyaki sauce being a highlight. I wanted to hook it to me veins!

Up next was some chocolates (Red Velvet Truffle, Almond Butter Krisp, milk and dark chocolates) from Ethel M. Chocolates. Due to an issue our guide was having with paying for items due to Aloha Specialties system being down, a stop at Lappert’s Ice Cream was added to the itinerary. There, we had large scoops of Hawaiian Salted Caramel and Coconut Pineapple ice cream.

We then travelled to the Circa Resort & Casino, where we visited Saginaw’s Deli for a shrimp cocktail. Shrimp cocktails are a Vegas staple, particularly in the long history of the Downtown area, so it was neat to try this version.

From there, we continued to walk through Fremont Street and ended up at Dirt Dog. Here, we tried the Elote Dog, which was loaded with Mexican ingredients, such as corn and cotija cheese. We also grabbed our first beverage of the day, with Mrs. Sip wanting to try their Get Trashed cocktail, complete with tequila soda, watermelon Red Bull, soju and a chamoy rim.

Up next was Evel Pie, an Evel Knievel-themed pizza joint. I’ve always been fascinated with the stuntman, so visiting the eatery was a cool experience. Our Hog Heaven pizza slice was delicious and I loved checking out all the memorabilia that adorned the walls.

The Container Park then summoned us, as we popped into Bin 702 for their Lobster Crudito sandwich. With happy hour on the horizon, we got servings of the restaurant’s Bin 702 Blonde Ale and North 5th IPA.

The final stop of the tour was Sorry Not Sorry Creamery, where we put some icing on the cake with bowls of Blackberry Basque Cake and Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll ice cream. I’d say my only complaint of the tour was that two servings of ice cream was a lot, although we appreciated that the one earlier was a add on.

With our friends now arrived, we were off to Area 15 for an evening of entertainment. Unfortunately, our late start meant that many of the attractions we wanted to see with our Level 3B pass (two day passes for $135 each) were already booked up, while others were closed for private events/maintenance. As a result, we’d have to return the next day. Our main event on this night was checking out Universal Horror Unleashed, the closest thing Mrs. Sip was going to get to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios parks. We enjoyed the four-house exhibit, getting spooked a few times along the routes.

Following the walkthrough, we went over to the main Area 15 building for some food and drinks at The Beast. Mrs. Sip and I split the Bavarian Pretzel, while I enjoyed the Firestone Hazy IPA. We also nibbled on our friends serving of nachos, as all dishes are so much larger than we get at home.

Back to Area 15 the next day, we started at the John Wick Experience, which is a cool escape room type activity, where some stellar actors lead you through getting out of The Continental assassin safe zone. We really enjoyed our pre- and post-event cocktails here, trying the Fortune Favors the Bold (mezcal, peach liqueur, lemon juice, honey, firewater bitters) and The Mother F*cking King (bourbon, peach puree, Thai chili syrup, thyme).

Prior to heading back into the main Area 15 building to experience Dopeameme, Wink and VR games, we grabbed some grub at The Beast food truck. Mrs. Sip and I shared a trio of Queso Tacos, one each of beef, chicken and pork, along with a tall-can of Able Baker Signal Mango Wheat Ale. Then a wild windstorm picked up and we ran for refuge inside.

Our main event this evening was two-fold. We began with a spectacular feast at Herbs & Rye, an old school steakhouse off strip. I loved how their cocktail menu was broken up over different eras, with my selections being the Lion’s Tail (bourbon, all spice dram, bar syrup, lime, bitters) and Weekend at the Waldorf (rum, orange curacao, lime, strawberries). To eat, I went with the Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, while we got a flight of various sauces to go with the meats. Best of all, the restaurant offers happy hour pricing on all their steaks throughout the day, so it was very reasonably priced. My friend and I both celebrating September birthdays were given complimentary desserts of chocolate chip cookies skillets, completing our absolutely amazing meal. That was followed by a trip to the Sphere to watch some DJs our friends were interested in. While not my type of music, per se, I appreciated the unique experience and was happy to finally see what all the hype is about when folks talk about the venue.

Day three offered us a chance to check out the Strip and we took full advantage. We began with lunch at Ole Red, after striking out at both Beer Park (long wait for seats) and Bottled Blonde (no servers approached out table, so we left after 10 minutes). At Ole Red, Mrs. Sip and I split the Triple Decker Club, paired with Loaded Tots and a side of Cornbread. My beverage of choice was the Elysian Space Dust.

From there, we walked to the nearby Fuel Bar, a favourite spot of mine and Mrs. Sip, for a pair of Lynchburg Lemonades to enjoy as we continued walking. Speaking of walking bevvies, a couple others I particularly enjoyed on this vacation were the Smirnoff Ice Red, White & Berry and Clubtails Long Island Iced Tea. In our travels, I also picked up a unique Twix Snickerdoodle chocolate bar that was very tasty.

Our walk led us to the Arte Museum, where we checked out the immersive exhibits for a bit. We also made a point of visiting the Chef Food Truck (from the movie Chef), splitting a very good The Chef Cubano between our group.

We then started making our way back to our resort, with stops at The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) for their rare Verbena Cocktail and Yard House (LINQ) for the Firestone Cali Squeeze Blood Orange, which one of our group really wanted to get their hands on.

Still on our trek back, we popped into a pair of speakeasy locations. First up, was The Count Room at The Flamingo, where I enjoyed the Revision Vegas As F*ck IPA. That was followed by Here Kitty Kitty at Resorts World, where we used our $100 food and beverage credit for staying at the hotel. My drink of choice was the Walk of Shame (mezcal, lemon juice, ginger syrup, coconut water).

The next morning, Mrs. Sip and I sadly had to check out, but luckily our friends were staying another night, so we were able to store our stuff in their room. We made our way back downtown, beginning with brunch at Broken Yolk Café. There, I had the Pucker Up Lemonade, combined with the Biscuits and Gravy.

One more speakeasy was on our friend’s must visit list and that was The Underground at The Mob Museum. This was an awesome place, feeling as close to a real speakeasy as you could find, complete with a password that changes each day. The memorabilia found around the room of this place, documenting the prohibition era, was fascinating. To drink, I had the Moonshine Mayhem (moonshine, pineapple, tea, cardamom), while Mrs. Sip – at my suggestion – went with the Banana Anna (cachaça, banana rum, pineapple, lime, walnut bitters, egg whites). Once a QR code for a secret menu was found, Mrs. Sip had to get the Bath Fizz (basically a Sloe Gin Fizz), served out of a mini bathtub.

Continuing on, we got a ride over to Beer Zombies, where Mrs. Sip and I got pints of the Punktoberfest and Silence of the Haze Imperial IPA. Another ride took us to The Stray Pirate, which was an amazingly themed bar, making you think you were sailing the seas. I ordered the Robbing the Gulf (tequila, watermelon, lime, jalapeño, italicus, tajin), which hit the spot.

Retuning to our resort, we had a parting drink at Allē Lounge on 66, which provided a spectacular view of the Strip. I drank the Chuckie (whiskey, apricot liqueur, pecan bitters, lemon juice, ginger beer), while we reminisced about all the wonderful experiences we’d shared.

The only thing we didn’t get to do, was travel the strip in one of the driverless vehicles now offered. The wait to take one was just too long and Mrs. Sip and I needed to get to the airport. While waiting and hoping our vehicle would arrive, I did grab a serving of College Street Big Blue Van Blueberry Wheat Ale from one of the nearby bars. This brew was yummy and a good way to end the debauchery.

As we waited for our flight to board, I purchased a bottle of Bacardi Caribbean Spiced at the Duty Free (aka Dufry, as if shortening the name by three letters and a space was necessary). The rum blends Caribbean spices with pineapple and coconut, which I’m looking forward to trying in the future.

That ends another very successful trip to Las Vegas. The city always changes and we’re happy to embrace those variances. On this occasion, we spent more time off Strip than on, which was different than most of our sojourns there. October will be an interesting month and you’ll hear all about it here – same Sip time, same Sip channel!

Cocktail Corner – Money Maker

Posted on by
Reply

One of the greatest thrills in life is finding money. Sure, that means someone else has carelessly lost that same cash, but let’s celebrate the wins, rather than the losses. Here are some of the Sip Advisor’s memorable stories of coming into money:

Toy Story

When I was younger, I collected pro wrestling action figures. This led to many trips to toy stores, particularly when travelling in the U.S., where more variety was available. Anyhoo, on one shopping stop at KB Toys, as I went to pay for my haul, what did I find in the impulse bins by the cash register, but a crisp $20 bill. I had to retrieve the money in covert fashion, so as not to alert the cashier to it. Yes, a teenager Sip Advisor was already quite crafty.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Nugget Dinner

On my first adult trip to Las Vegas, I had just cleaned up pretty well at the electronic poker machine – you know, up a whole $60 because I’m the highest of rollers! – and on my walk back to our room to grab a drink, I happened across a $20 bill, just lying there in the middle of the hall. With currency conversion, finding American money was like winning the lottery.

Found Money

A Walk to (Sort Of) Remember

There’s nothing better than a fun night out with friends… until you find some cash on your walk home. Sure, it was only a fiver, but I celebrated the occasion like I’d won a sports championship. After all, that covered half of one of my brews (thanks Vancouver pricing!). This was among many great memories that came from the time in our lives when Jimmy’s Taphouse was our preferred local watering hole.

Yacht Clubbing

Friends of ours were members of the Vancouver Yacht Club when we were all living wonderful childless lives. As we partied one night, I stumbled across a bill sitting on the ground, but this was no ordinary piece of currency. No, it was 20 Swiss Francs, which translated into $50 Canadian when I went to exchange it. This was a fantastic way to end one of our many evenings along the water.

Cocktail Corner: Money Maker

Money Maker

  • 1.5 oz Gin
  • 0.5 oz Orange Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Limoncello
  • Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry

I once thought the Sipplings would never get to experience the high of finding money, what with the general elimination of cash and coins, but we have found the odd nickel, dime or quarter when out and about. What are some of your memorable found money moments?

Cocktail Corner – Cold Comfort

Posted on by
Reply

We all have memorable stories of being sick. They become part of our own folklore. The tales can be sad, inspiring, funny or combos of many feelings. Here are some of the Sip Advisor’s most unforgettable illness anecdotes:

The Bad Kind of Shot

To get immunized against Hepatitis B, students in my neck of the woods received a series of shots in grade six and again in grade nine. Following each of the shots delivered in grade six, I became very ill. We’re talking delirious dreams, high fever, chills, the whole gamut. The family theory is that my undiagnosed kidney issue was to blame for times when my body was also working through the immunizations. After having my failing kidney removed in grade seven, I never experienced any issues during the grade nine treatments.

Double Hatty

On another occasion, I was feeling sick enough to not go to school, but missing sport commitments was another thing. That season, I was chasing the league lead for goals and points in roller hockey and nothing could stop me from suiting up that night. In the end, I managed to score six goals, pushing through all the symptoms that were affecting me. Following our game, it was back to bed rest, completely spent.

Hat Trick

Travel Troubles

One of the worst times to get sick is while travelling. When Mrs. Sip and I were in Egypt in 2008, I fell ill on the day before our week-long tour was set to leave. I spent the rest of that day downing water and sleeping, trying to flush whatever ailed me out of my system. It mostly worked, but I spent the rest of that trip being apprehensive about what was safe to eat and always cognizant of where the nearest bathroom was located.

What Happens in Vegas…

In a similar vein, when Mrs. Sip and I spent New Year’s Eve 2009 in Vegas, I caught a case of food poisoning that hit when I arrived home. Somehow, I survived the plane ride back, but knew something was up. Both ends were affected by this bug, which was made all the more funny/embarrassing when I discovered late at night, while trying to switch bathrooms, that I wasn’t alone in my parent’s home, as I had originally believed, my brother and his girlfriend also at the abode.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

In 2010, Mrs. Sip and I were celebrating our first Christmas while living together. It was going to be that much more special, as I had planned to ask her to marry me on Christmas morning. One problem: we both felt terribly sick with colds on Christmas Eve. We retired to our bedroom early that night, taking doses of various medications. This was during the brief time we had a TV in our room and decided to watch Babes in Toyland. You want to talk delirious dreams!? I considered bumping my proposal, but everything was already set in place, so I soldiered ahead. By the end of the day, which included telling both our families of our big news, Mrs. Sip had completely lost her voice and we were both running on fumes.

Christmas Engaged

More Than All-Inclusive

Sadly, I’ve become ill on a few of our all-inclusive getaways and not from over-indulging. In Cabo (2013), the Dominican Republic (2014) and Mayan Riviera (2023), something did not agree with my system and I was forced to spend a day or more recovering. A true highlight of these occasions, was when I arranged for a special romantic multi-course dinner to celebrate Mrs. Sip’s 30th birthday, but was unable to eat any of the amazing food offered to us. When I raced to the railing of our gazebo setting to be sick, our server thought I was simply suffering from heat stroke and dumped a pitcher of cold water over my head. It was hilarious and humiliating all at the same time!

Covid-iot

2020 saw a great change to everyone’s lives, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. The Sip Advisor was finally afflicted by the disease in July 2021 and man did it knock me on my ass. Mrs. Sip and I were to attend an adult waterpark event the first day I felt ill and in an attempt to get my body right, I cracked open a vodka soda after my work day finished. Well, not even that could cure what ails me, so Mrs. Sip suggested I take a Covid test. Sure enough, it was evident very quickly that I was positive. I missed four days of work, completely glued to the couch. Even when I returned to work, I needed midday naps to get me through the shift.

Cocktail Corner: Cold Comfort

Cold Comfort

  • 1.5 oz White Rum
  • Splash of Lime Juice
  • Dash of Honey Syrup
  • Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Thankfully, I’ve never suffered from any serious illnesses, kidney removal aside. Hopefully this trend continues for your friendly neighbourhood Sip Advisor!

Sip Trips #226: Sip-Tember Celebrations

Posted on by
Reply

September is always a crazy time, filled with numerous birthdays and at least one getaway. This year, was no different. Here’s how it all played out:

The month began with a trip to Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, Washington, where we let the kids run wild at Playdate, as we took turns doing some shopping. Our drinks at the cafe included the Terramar Amber Ale and Stemma Hazy IPA. I still maintain there should be more places like this, where kids can play, while adults enjoy a beverage.

Following a friend’s wedding over the Labour Day long weekend, the Sip Family had lunch at Firecrust Pizza, a place Mrs. Sip had long wanted to check out. We ordered the California Club and Prosciutto Arugula pizzas, as well as a side of Mozza Bread for the kids. For dessert we all split two of their Epic Shakes in the Kit Krush and Candyland varieties. While I personally wouldn’t need to do the shakes again, I know the kids won’t allow that. My California Club pizza was delicious.

Pizza

More shopping occurred early in the month, as we geared up for birthdays and vacations. Following one trip, we had dinner at White Spot, where I had a Legendary Burger with Caesar Salad, paired with a Vancouver Island Beachcomber Hefeweizen. This has become my go to meal there over the summer and it’s quite satisfying.

As part of my 40th birthday celebrations, we hosted a Sip, Chip and Dip party, where guests were asked to bring their favourite sip, chip and go for a dip in Ma and Pa Sip’s pool, if weather permitted (and it did!). I was generously gifted a number of treats from family and friends, including many liquor bottles, beers and other items. The chip buffet went over very well and I hope to make this event an annual tradition on the social calendar!

The next day, after meeting with another family at the Museum of Surrey, we had a meal together at Hawthorne Beer Market. For drinks, I enjoyed the Twin Sails Could Crush Watermelon Wheat Ale and Bridge Get to the Choppa IPA, while Mrs. Sip and I shared the Nachos Callejeros. I hope to return to this restaurant in the future to try more items from their extensive menu.

Birthday

Later that week, prior to our performance of Little Shop of Horrors at The Stanley Theatre, we ate at the nearby Cactus Club. My dinner consisted of the Ugly Wheat Ale and Chicken Tenders and Fries, which was solid as usual.

For my actual birthday, we took the Sipplings for a game of bowling at Lucky 9 Lanes. This was followed by lunch at Monkey 9 Brewing, where I capitalized on the free birthday flight I was emailed, compiling the El Jefe Hefeweizen, Guava Loves Mango IPA, Chimp and Dales Hazy IPA and Mizaru Brown Ale. To eat, I had the Pork Belly Rice Bowl.

With the kids dropped off at Ma and Pa Sip’s place for a sleepover, Mrs. Sip and I attended the House of Comedy to see Josh Blue perform. My two item minimum was used on the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Fries and a tall can of Steel & Oak Royal City Ale. The show was good, but there was a weird vibe with the crowd, with patrons constantly disrupting the show.

Stand Up

The next morning, we set off for our Vancouver to San Francisco cruise. This was the first time we ever bought the drink package aboard a ship, as it came with so many other perks (free internet, gratuities paid, premium desserts, etc.), it was really the best route to go. My mission for the voyage was to have 40 different cocktails and I finally finished the feat a few hours before we disembarked the ship. Some drinks, ordered through the Princess Cruises app, don’t even tell you what ingredients they include, but simply that they contain alcohol, so those were always a fun adventure!

Once off the cruise, we did a day excursion that ended with us all being dropped off at the airport. A highlight of this tour was the Sip Family walking across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, which took about 45 minutes to traverse. Lunch on this outing took place at the Ferry Building Marketplace, where we combined El Porteno Empanadas (Jamon, Champinion, Acelga) with a tall can of Bike Dog Dog Year’s IPA.

While the Sipplings, Ma and Pa Sip and Cousin Sip’s family all returned home, Mrs. Sip and I travelled to Las Vegas for the next leg of our 40th birthday vacation festivities. After checking into our awesome room at The Vdara (complete with kitchen amenities), we were off in search of a late night dinner. I wanted to go to Shake Shack, where I had a ShackBurger and shared some Bacon Cheddar Fries and Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake with Mrs. Sip.

Vegas

The next morning, we continued to settle into Sin City, making our way to Gordon Ramsay Burger for lunch. I had a fantastic Stout Burger (complete with mushrooms and crispy onions), while we split a 32oz serving of Mother Earth Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale. The Truffle Parmesan Fries here were also very good.

Our main event for the first full day in Vegas was visiting Lost Spirits Distillery. I had learned about this attraction prior to one of Mrs. Sip’s girl trips and given the awesome time they had, Mrs. Sip vowed to share the next experience there with me. We purchased the package that offered four rum tastings (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [bought bottle at end of the night], Pineapple, Creme de Cerise and Navy Style), along with four cocktails between us. We really enjoyed the whole outing, constantly entertained by acrobats and dancers, while savouring our sips. We lucked out by deciding to go mid-week, as not only were ticket prices cheaper at $99 each, but attendance was around 200 people, compared to 500 folks on weekends.

During our walk on the night we arrived, the sign for Scottish brewery BrewDog caught my eye and we made a reservation for their outdoor patio. This is an element I love about the city, as you often go with some places planned out (old favourites and new destinations) and just walking around and having a keen eye can pad the rest of the stay. We hit BrewDog for their happy hour, which offered $10 cocktails, $7 beers and two-for-one appies. To eat, we shared the Wood-Fired Flatbread and Bang Bang Chicken, while each trying a beer (Crimson Amber Ale and Hazy Jane Guava NEIPA) and a cocktail (Whiskey Sour and Elvis Paloma [made with Elvis Juice IPA]). Combining the chicken and flatbread was into one bite was a great move on my part.

Happy Hour

From BrewDog, we walked down the strip to Fuel Bar, where we’ve enjoyed many drinks together. Using their 2-for-1 coupons, we ordered a pair of The Bizz (Dragonberry Rum, Coconut Puree, Cranberry Juice, Citrus Sour) and watched some of their flair bartending displays.

Continuing our journey, we ended up at The Venetian to inquire about their Atomic Saloon show. The guy running the ticket desk said he could get us into the next show at a discounted rate, so we made impromptu purchases of front row seats and 45 minutes later were encompassed by the chaos of the wild, Wild West show. Given our seats, we became part of the action, with three different characters using me as a prop, while we were pelted at times by dinner rolls, ping pong balls and even some sugar glass! For the performance, I ordered the Where There’s Smoke cocktail (Tequila, Chipotle, Peach, Cinnamon, Lime).

The next day, we targeted the Arts District for a brewery crawl. We began at Able Baker Brewing, which has a very cool theme. I drank a pint of the Ententanz Oktoberfest, while Mrs. Sip’s flight consisted of the Class A Detonator Doppelbock, Mango Calutron Girl Hefeweizen, Of Balloons & Unicorns Hazy IPA and Our-Cha-Tah Cream Ale. We also split some Pulled Pork Tacos, which were very tasty.

Brewery

Next up was Nevada Brew Labs, which was just a block from Able Baker. I had the Ariana Rye IPA, while Mrs. Sip put together another flight, this time having the Hefeweizen, Brulee Dunkelweizen, Oktoberfest and Blood Orange Hefe.

After that, we went next door to HUDL Brewing, where we combined our beers – Toasted Pecan Ale for me, High Hatter Hefe on Pineapple for Mrs. Sip – with some amazing Disco Fries (BBQ spiced fries with cheese sauce, pulled pork and giardiniera) from Soulbelly BBQ, which is also housed on the property.

Stop number four was SerVehZah, where I tried one of the bottle shop and tap room’s own brews, the Nueva Esperanza (Mexican Lager), complete with Tajin rim. Mrs. Sip got a taster of the Bad Beat Japanese Lager with Hibiscus. Our final visit of the crawl was Hop Nuts Brewing, where we split a Papa’s Red Ale, before returning to the Strip.

Tajin

Once back among the bright lights, we popped into Ocean One in the Miracle Mile Shops. This place offers much cheaper food than your typical Vegas locales, along with three-for-one cocktails at $12. To eat, I had a very good Honey Dijon Chicken Club (only $10!), to go along with a set of cocktails, including a Long Island Iced Tea, Tom Collins and Moscow Mule. Mrs. Sip got her own trio, which I helped her finish, so I was feeling pretty loose by the end of the night!

We began the next day going for a long walk to the Pinball Hall of Fame. Here, we enjoyed a number of the classic arcade games at 25-75 cents per play. We spent close to two hours here, with the only downsides being a number of games being out of order and there being no bar on site. Still, I would recommend this place to anyone interested in a respite from the Strip.

On our journey back, we got martinis at The Chocolate Bar in New York-New York. I went with the decadent Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel Martini, while Mrs. Sip had the equally yummy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Martini.

Pinball

For dinner that night, we returned to the Miracle Mile Shops and tried Flights, where most menu items are served in trio flights – food and drinks – and there is a fun overall travel theme. The featured drink flights change throughout the day, as some take off, while others land. Over our sitting, we had the Mule Flight (Moscow, Kentucky, Mexican) and Mojito Flight (Classic, Watermelon, Strawberry). For eats, we had the Mac N’ Cheese Flight (four-cheese, crispy bacon mac and cheese sticks, truffle) and Tacos Flight (steak, chicken, carnitas). The dessert cheesecake flight also looked good, but we were quite stuffed already.

The following day, Mrs. Sip wanted to have afternoon tea at Petrossian in The Bellagio. While there, I had a Franziskaner Weissbier and picked at some of the scones offered to Mrs. Sip.

Our late dinner that evening was at Vanderpump à Paris, where we were seated at the exact same table we had been at for the restaurant’s soft opening in March 2022. To drink, I had the Tickle Your Fancy cocktail (tequila, Cointreau, white peach, lime, pink peppercorns, orange bitters, firewater bitters), while we split the Truffle-Stuffed Vanderpump Baguette, Ratatouille Frites and Boeuf Wellington-Style Sliders. This was a delicious meal in a unique setting.

Appetizers

On our final day, we attended the Immersive Disney Animation exhibit, which we hope eventually makes its way to Vancouver, so we can take the Sipplings. The one-hour show, includes great art, music and special effects, to really make you feel part of the Disney world.

After a brief rest, we went to our dinner at Superfrico, stopping briefly into the Ski Lodge speakeasy that adjoins the restaurant. At Ski Lodge, we had a pair of cocktails in the Devil’s Dimples (mezcal, genepy, grapefruit, celery, agave) and Sticky Pajamas (vodka, lychee, grape, lemon, coconut honey) drinks. The theming of this hidden bar – somehow only the first true speakeasy the Sip Advisor has ever visited – is very cool and everyone seems to get into the spirit.

Our feast at Superfrico took on a whole new life when I pointed out to Mrs. Sip that there was a Chef’s Menu. For $149 each, we received a nine course meal, including gem salad, tuna, carpaccio, meatballs, scallops, butternut squash, chicken parm, Brussels sprouts, and cheesecake for dessert. Mrs. Sip got the wine and cocktail pairings (white, red, Poolboy, Espresso Martini), while I had a pair of beverages in the Make It Snap Pea (gin, snap pea, lime, aquavit, white miso) and emMa-ReNAe (bourbon, sherry, ginger, lemon, toasted coconut honey). We left the place feeling full and impressed by the spread.

Speakeasy

Before returning to our hotel, we hit one more speakeasy in Ghost Donkey, where I had a Smoked Corn & Coconut Manhattan. We tried to complete the Cosmopolitan speakeasy crawl, but The Barbershop was closed for a private party… or so that’s what they said!

Upon flying back to Bellingham, we went for a meal with the Sip Family at Buffalo Wild Wings. I liked my Southern Chicken Sandwich, paired with a Wild Herd Kolsch (brewed by Goose Island). Ma and Pa Sip, along with Boy and Girl Sip, also enjoyed their meals and we will be back in the future.

Well, that wraps an intensely busy September. October, by comparison, is looking much lighter, even as we dive into the school and kid activity calendar. There will also surely be many Halloween activities to keep us busy!

Sip Trips #225: Voracious Vegas

Posted on by
Reply

Well, August flew by, thanks to various travels and spending half the month trying to entertain Boy Sip as best as possible, while Mrs. Sip and Girl Sip were off the France. Let’s see how the Sip Advisor survived the spell:

Out one day in Langley, early in the month, Mrs. Sip and I were both in need of a washroom, so decided to drop into the nearest brewery. We ended up at Five Roads Brewing, where I ordered the Leprechaun Museum Irish Red Ale. We also split Tater Tot Poutine and Pork Al Pastor Tacos, with the poutine being particularly good.

In the middle of the month, the Sip Advisor enjoyed a Las Vegas bachelor party weekend. Our adventure began with lunch at Browns Socialhouse at the Bellingham Airport. Here, I paired a Widmer Hefeweizen with the delicious Sesame Ginger Gyoza appetizer. I loved the sauces accompanying the dumplings and now crave this dish. A round of tequila shots was also had, as a good start to the guys’ getaway.

Gyoza

After arriving and settling into our hotel, The Mirage, we walked over to Gilley’s at Treasure Island for some dinner. I had the Pulled Pork Sliders, while our crew shared a bucket of beers. Collectively, this wasn’t among our favourite stops of the weekend.

The next day, following hitting a gun range and prior to hopping into the resort’s pool, we had lunch at Diablo’s Cantina at The Mirage. I enjoyed my Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad, along with a massive 32 oz serving of Elysian Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale Ale. We also did some jello shots from an outlet across the way from the restaurant and I still don’t understand why these have ever gained any popularity.

For dinner that evening, we went to Best Friend at Park MGM. There, we had the Chef’s Menu ($69 per person), which featured items such as Kogi Tacos, Slippery Shrimp, Kimchi Fried Rice, Garlic Chicken, and others. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t remember many details about this meal (like which beverages I ordered) after a full day of drinking, but I’m sure I enjoyed the Korean-Mexican fusion spot.

Memory Loss

The next day, we hit the Fremont area of the city, spending some time at the Circa Resort sports book and doing some gambling. I had my second meal ever at White Castle, looking to get some food in my tummy before massive beers and rum and cokes, and I just don’t get the appeal. This is how I felt the first time around in 2013, but thought a second chance was deserved. The meal was very meh.

We next made our way to the Sahara resort. Prior to our dinner, we had drinks and a snack at Uno Mas. There, I had a tasty Michoacan Margarita (818 Silver Tequila, Tanteo Habanero Tequila, Bols Watermelon, Cantaloupe Syrup, Lime Juice).

Our dinner was at Bazaar Meat. We began by sharing the scrumptious Vittore 1950 Carpaccio. My main for the meal was Thai Lobster, which melted in my mouth. Side dishes for our table included mashed potatoes, carrots and Brussels Sprouts, all perfectly seasoned and presented. For drinks, I had the Nitro Caipirinha and an Enriched Tom Collins, which I really enjoyed. We were even given a dessert platter on the house, in celebration of the stag.

Lobster

Following our feast, we ventured to the Rio’s Comedy Cellar, where we saw a very funny show. My favourite comedian of the night was Dustin Ybarra, who may be best known for his appearances on the TV show Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. I had a cocktail at the performance, but didn’t note what it was and the venue has no drink menu online for me to verify.

Once back at home, we were on the road again, as Mrs. Sip had court in Kelowna. On our way there, we stopped at Empty Keg Brewing, a favourite break spot of ours, on drives to and from the Okanagan. There, I had the Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale, while we snacked on Taquitos and very good Soft Pretzels. We learned any local outside food (even fast food options) is allowed at the place, which is a cool policy.

Upon arriving in Kelowna, we visited White Spot for their annual Adult Pirate Pack Day. I had the Legendary Burger option, paired with a Spot Size Nat’s Pale Ale. Everyone left happy, following servings of ice cream and a chocolate coin.

Chocolate Coins

The next day, we had lunch at Vintner’s Grill, the restaurant for our hotel. We had another good German Pretzel here, while my meal of the Prime Rib Burger with Caesar Salad was incredible. It reminded me of how good a similar burger used to be a The Keg restaurants.

That evening, we went to Unleashed Brewing, hoping to partake in their Music Bingo. Unfortunately, a wildfire had broken out in nearby West Kelowna and folks who usually run the bingo were understandably preoccupied with potentially having to evacuate their home. We decided to stick around for some drinks, with my selections being the All Dogs Go to Hefeweizen and Fuggley Dog Irish Red Ale, while Mrs. Sip went with a flight, which was cleverly served in a dog bowl. It was fascinating and a little scary to watch the wildfire grow over the course of the night and we were a little relieved to head home and out of any danger the next day.

On our journey home, we stopped at Old Yale Brewing’s new Abbotsford location. I had the Tropical Fruited Hefeweizen, along with the breweries Sunset Slider Trio (pulled pork, cheeseburger and hot fried chicken). I liked being able to try all three sliders, so I know what to perhaps get a full order of on our next visit.

Bingo

Towards the end of the month, Boy Sip and I picked up Ma and Pa Sip from the airport and were treated to dinner at White Spot for our efforts. After years of contemplating changing my traditional order at the restaurant, I finally pulled the trigger and tried The White Spot Club. It did not disappoint and going forward, I will have a difficult decision to make when perusing the menu. Complimenting the sandwich, I had a Spot Size Vancouver Island Beachcomber Hefeweizen.

Finally, out in Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge for a kid’s birthday party, we dropped into Foamers Folly for a pint. I really enjoyed my Zesty Slice Key Lime Pie Ale (Nitro), while Cousin Sip tried their Barbie Flight, which featured three pink brews and a hard seltzer.

September promises to be its usual level of crazy, with so many family and friend birthdays taking place during the month. Among them, the Sip Advisor’s big number 40 occurs, so there will be much celebrating to document!

Best of 2022

Posted on by
Reply

The year was full of milestones, resulting in many memorable moments. Here are 10 highlights from the Sip Family’s 2022:

South of the Border

In February, the Sip Family finally travelled internationally again, enjoying a 10-day stay at a Mayan Riviera all-inclusive. The drinks flowed and the food filled, but playing with the Sipplings around the resort are the memories that remain.

Viva Las Vegas

To celebrate our 20th dating anniversary, Mrs. Sip and I spent a few days in Las Vegas, where we enjoyed some of our old favourites in the city and weaved in a bunch of new experiences. Vegas is always evolving and that’s the way we like it.

Vegas

Bachelor Blitz

One of my closest friends got married in May and prior to that party, was the stag in Summerland. Our group had a large home on a winery for the weekend, which was filled with lots of drinks, a couple games of golf and other shenanigans.

Down Mexico Way

In June, we returned to Mexico, this time to the west coast town of Puerto Vallarta for another all-inclusive week. Pool time for the Sipplings was balanced with drink time for Mrs. Sip and me. PV has become a favourite getaway stop for the Sip Advisor.

Four Seasons Playground

I was in the Okanagan a total of four times in 2022 and each vacation had it’s own merits for being included on this list. On this excursion, we celebrated Canada Day in the region, finding new breweries and other activities to share with the Sipplings.

Road Trip

Beantown Beauties

Along with a milestone dating anniversary, Mrs. Sip and I also celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. To do so, we journeyed to Boston for a few days of brews, baseball, amazing food and history. Best of all, nearly everything we did was walkable.

Floating Away

My and Girl Sip’s birthdays were celebrated onboard a Princess Cruises voyage from Vancouver to Los Angeles. While on the ship, we spent a fair bit of time with the Sipplings at the Kid’s Club, which was offset by beverges and other treats.

The Happiest Place on Earth… Finally!

Following the cruise, we spent a week at Disneyland, at last fulfilling a trip that was supposed to happen in 2020. It was a magical time, seeing the park through the eyes of Girl and Boy Sip, as well as getting to entertain our own inner child.

Disneyland

Brewingham

For the Remembrance Day long weekend, the Sip Family spent the break in Bellingham, Washington, where we took care of some Christmas shopping, had some great food and drink and best of all, got to spend some important time together.

‘Tis the Season

From early December, all the way through to New Year’s Day, there was little time for rest and relaxation. As is the case most years, we were booked pretty solid throughout the “holidays”… and I don’t regret a minute of it.

And that’s only the top 10. Many other nights out or in with friends and family were amazing times and I thank everyone who played a role in another amazing year!

Sip Trips #208: Vegas Bound

Posted on by
2

To end March, Mrs. Sip and I entered the U.S. for the first time in over two years, which is a gap I thought I would never experience, unless I moved to another continent. We selected Las Vegas as the perfect place to celebrate our 20th dating anniversary and it was a journey full of good food, drinks and an adventure or two.

All the fun started at the Vancouver Airport, where we had a relaxed breakfast/lunch at the Canucks Bar & Grill. Their All-Dressed Poutine was one of the best poutines I’ve ever enjoyed and went really well with my mid-morning Stanley Park Wheels Up IPA.

Airport Drinking

In Vegas, we stayed at The Palazzo. Mrs. Sip booked us a Prestige Club room, which gave us access to the Prestige Lounge. We arrived just in time for happy hour on our first day, which featured free drinks from 4-7, along with delicious appies starting at 5. The staff at check-in and in the lounge were all fantastic and we would definitely recommend the Prestige experience.

For dinner that night, we had a reservation at Mon Ami Gabi. Mrs. Sip and I have enjoyed many meals over the years there, but our usual order of the Chilled Seafood Platter was sadly no longer on the menu. We adjusted and went with the Small Seafood Platter, along with the Escargot. All paired with a bottle of wine, we were even given a free dessert for our anniversary celebration.

The next day, we made the journey to the off-strip Ellis Island Hotel & Casino, home to Ellis Island Brewing. At The Front Yard restaurant, we enjoyed a couple $3 beers in the Amber Ale for me and Hefeweizen for Mrs. Sip. I also had a Bonfire Rauchbier for $5, while Mrs. Sip did a flight of the Hefeweizen, Wit, Belgian Tripel and Dubbel Trouble. To eat, we had an amazing CBR Flatbread, comprised of citrus garlic sauce, bacon, shredded chicken, pico de gallo and jalapeño cream.

Flatbread

Returning to The Venetian, we hit up happy hour at Trustworthy Brewing, which was my 200th brewery visited! There, I had the A Year in the Making American Amber Ale, while Mrs. Sip switched things up and drank a Southern Peach Smash (bourbon, peach nectar, ginger syrup, mint, ginger ale), as she is getting more into whiskey and bourbon cocktails of late.

Given we could also access The Venetian Prestige Lounge, we had happy hour there, allowing us to compare the two options. After another set of cocktails, we returned to The Palazzo side, where I squeaked in two more beverages for the road, enjoyed as we got ready for another night out.

While at The Paris the night before, Vanderpump à Paris caught Mrs. Sip’s eye, so we made that our destination for dinner. The restaurant had only been open for a couple weeks when we tried it and we had a fantastic experience. We ordered Bouef Wellington Sliders, Mini Monsieurs and Baked Brie En Croute to share, while Mrs. Sip had a glass of wine and I tried the Louvre At First Sight cocktail, which came in its own smoker shaped like the infamous Louvre Museum glass pyramid. The drink is called ‘A Smoked Work of Art’ and includes Gracias a Dios Mezcal, prickly pear, lemon, jalapeño honey, orange bitters, aquafaba and hickory smoke.

Cocktails

Our main event of the evening was supposed to be checking out the Omega Mart immersive art exhibit by Meow Wolf, which had caught the eye of both myself and Mrs. Sip. Sadly, once we got out to the Area 15 location, we learned the facility had been evacuated due to a fire alarm and the Omega Mart had been cancelled for the night. We still checked the Area 15 building out and had overly expensive drinks at its bar – seriously, $15 for an off-strip Spiced Rum and Coke??? – but the air had kind of come out of my sails with the Omega Mart debacle.

For our anniversary day, we did what good couples do best and went our separate ways for the day. While Mrs. Sip enjoyed some rest and relaxation poolside, I had a need to walk the strip and explore, since I hadn’t been to Vegas since March 2018. Along the way, I grabbed a few road beers, had a very good lunch from Dave’s Hot Chicken (which is apparently opening a couple locations in the Lower Mainland soon) and took care of buying some snacks and souvenirs for the family, along with our booze to bring home, in the form of bottles of Jameson Orange Whiskey and Bacardi Dragonberry Rum.

We reconvened to unfortunately have to race out and take care of our COVID antigen tests, which needed to be done as we returned on March 31, and the whole need to get this done in Canada was being eliminated on April 1. While Mrs. Sip inquired about changing our trip to avoid this, Air Canada (after many hours on hold to speak to an agent), said we couldn’t change anything because we had booked a vacation package. #BoycottAirCanada

Air Canada

Following our negative tests, we enjoyed a final Prestige Lounge happy hour at The Palazzo, toasting our 20 years together. We weren’t able to go too crazy on the hors d’oeuvres, though, as we had a big night out planned. That began with dinner at Picasso, my first Michelin Star restaurant experience. In fact, Picasso is ranked at two Michelin Stars and is thought to be one of the best restaurants in the U.S.

So, what did I think of the meal. Overall, I was a little disappointed, to be honest. Nothing really blew my mind and I’ve had $14 burgers make me lose all my bodily functions. The price of this meal was absurd… like, I won’t even print it absurd. I did leave overly stuffed, which Mrs. Sip says is rare for Michelin Star restaurants, since portions are usually doled out to perfection, so eaters get just enough and are comfortably full by the time the feast is finished.

Upon arrival, I ordered the Greyscale cocktail (Earl Grey-infused gin, orange oleo saccharum, fresh lemon juice and a splash of soda). I went with the Menu Dégustation (Tasting Menu), which included four courses plus dessert (Maine Lobster Salad, Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat Scallop, Sautéed Steak of “A” Foie Gras, Prime Petit Filet Mignon). Mrs. Sip did the Prix Fixe Menu (Warm Quail Salad, Sautéed Crispy Gnocchi and Sautéed Medallion of Fallow Deer) with wine pairings. The desserts were fantastic, but Mrs. Sip didn’t even get a wine pairing with hers. Part of the draw of the restaurant is the many Picasso paintings that adorn its walls. Since I’m not an art guy, I preferred to watch the Bellagio fountains from our table, but the music accompanying the fountains was hard to hear, so that detracted a little from the shows. As we left, we were given boxed chocolate, which Mrs. Sip and I still have to eat.

Michelin Restaurant

To end the evening, we attended the Absinthe show at Caesar’s Palace, which was as wild and raunchy as advertised. Going into the performance, Mrs. Sip and I shared an Absinthe Hallucinator cocktail (vodka, pomegranate, blood orange, lemon, absinthe), which helped get us into the spirit.

The next day, with mere hours before we had to checkout and head to the airport, we tried to get to The Chocolate Bar at New York New York, but it was closed when we arrived, despite online sources saying it was supposed to be open. Dejected, we hurried back to The Palazzo to check out and finally enjoy the welcome bubbly we didn’t have at arrival, since happy hour was afoot.

It was amazing being back in Las Vegas, especially after what the world has gone through the last couple years. I will say, though, I was feeling my age a little on this getaway, as I was in bed each night by about 1 a.m. and my feet were done long before that each evening. Maybe I just need to “train” better in advance of the next trip!

Best of 2018

Posted on by
Reply

Weddings, birthdays, travel, moves and babies. These are some of the themes that make up the Sip Advisor’s annual look back at the best nights from the year that was. Without further ado, here is the Sip Advisor’s top 18 of 2018:

Winter Wedding

The year started off with a bang, as we spent an early January weekend celebrating the wedding of very close friends. With Mrs. Sip a bridesmaid and yours truly delivering a speech, we were busy, but also made ample use of the reception’s open bar. This was Baby Sip’s first wedding and she took in the craziness with her usual charm.

Down Mexico Way

San Diego has an amazing craft beer scene and that has spread across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. While we were staying in nearby Escondido, we booked a tour that would take us across the border for the day, visit a few breweries and then return us stateside in the evening. Our guide was very good and I recommend checking out places on both sides of the boundary.

Riding High

Baby Sip and I joined Mrs. Sip at the tail end of her annual girls trip to Las Vegas and one definite highlight was riding the High Roller, while inside one of the attraction’s Happy Half Hour (Open Bar in the Sky) cabins. For 30 minutes, we enjoyed the sights of the strip, while consuming as much booze as our bodies could handle in such a short time.

open bar

Mamma Mia

To celebrate Mrs. Sip’s first Mother’s Day, we flew to London. Okay, the trip was already planned with saluting Mrs. Sip’s efforts being a happy coincidence. To mark the occasion, we enjoyed an afternoon tea, complete with bottomless bubbly. We finished the day with a stop at the East London Liquor Company for a couple craft cocktails.

French Kissing

While in Lyon, France, our group enjoyed the Les Fleurs du Malt craft beer bar; a Beaujolais wine region tour; drinking in a park along the Rhone River; and an epic feast of McDonald’s goodies, paired with French craft beer. That’s my kind of culture!

Portuguese Pleasing

Next up was Porto, Portugal, memorable for the Food & Wine Tour Mrs. Sip found. After our afternoon of indulging, we explored the city, visiting the Calem Port Museum and Sandeman Cellars for Port tastings and cocktails. Lisbon and Sintra were also neat cities.

Satisfying Two Food Groups

In Brussels, Belgium, the Chocolate & Beer Tour we booked was absolutely decadent. Following a few stops at some of the finest chocolatiers in the city, it was time to get our drink on and enjoy a seemingly endless lineup of brews. After the tour wrapped, we ventured to the Delirium Café for even more beverages.

chocolate and beer

On the Battlefield

The only thing better than a good craft beer event is one that comes with free entry. Scratch that, Mrs. Sip and I were practically paid to attend Cask Wars at the Portside Pub, as entry included one free beer. Sure, once inside you paid for tasting tickets, but even that was at a very reasonable price. The competition saw 11 breweries work to drain their cask the quickest and earn a tap at the bar.

Wedded Bliss

What happens when you pack an entire wedding into a four-hour cocktail reception? A fury of fun… and drinking. Best of all, the rest of the day before and after the nuptials is yours to enjoy. When at the wedding, you can be solely focused on the party and that’s exactly how this went down, with Mrs. Sip calling it a night once we got home.

Maritimes Marriage

With friends tying the knot in their native Nova Scotia, Mrs. Sip and I (along with Baby Sip) made the cross-country trek to Halifax for a weekend of fun. While touring the city’s craft beer joints and devouring as much Atlantic seafood as we could get our hands on, we also took in some east coast culture in the form of a food tour and visiting some museum exhibits.

Adios Apartment

With just days remaining before we had to be out of our Downtown Vancouver apartment, Mrs. Sip and I decided to throw a final bash at the ol’ place, collecting our finest drinking buddies, with the hopes of depleting our liquor collection and having less bottles to pack and transport. Everyone brought their A-game to the festivity and we ended up retiring numerous bottles.

moving out

Return to the Battlefield

The next day, Mrs. Sip and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary, enjoying a rare (my very first) night away from Baby Sip to attend the Battle of the Brews event in Surrey. The rain couldn’t dampen our merriment – or inebriation – and we ate and drank our way through as many tents as we could.

Cruise Control

Even with Baby Sip in tow, Mrs. Sip and I managed to live up to our cruise reputation as we travelled from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Giant margaritas, wine tasting and cocktail hours were enjoyed throughout the voyage, along with all the fine dining one stomach can handle.

Day in Disneyland

While I prefer longer visits to the Disneyland Resort, with only one day to spend at the happiest place in the world, we did pretty well with our stay. There to get Baby Sip her first taste of Disneyland and attend Mickey’s Halloween Party, we began with a trio of beers in the California Adventure park, launching us into the second half of our day, trick-or-treating with Mickey and the gang.

Brew Birthday

The Sip Advisor’s birthday, which should be a national holiday, celebrated across Canada, was at least celebrated in style by a select few of us, attending Trading Post Brewing’s Oktoberfest event. We honoured my German heritage with an impressive drinking exhibition and continued the party at our new home with friends and family.

birthday-beer.jpg

Bash for Baby Sip

While I didn’t drink as much as expected for this momentous occasion (I mean, I did create a small menu of cocktail delights to serve to guests), it is still a highlight of the year. First, the day meant we somehow managed to keep a kid alive for a full year and second, watching the sheer joy in Baby Sip’s eyes as everyone focused their attention and love on her, is something I won’t soon forget.

Open House

To show off our new abode, we hosted an open house wine and cheese party that stretched from midday to the early hours of the next morning. We had dozens of bottles on hand, as well as more food than has ever been in our fridge before or since. Guests flowed in and out through the day and at the end, we were just happy it went off without a hitch.

Christmas Day

The moment the Sip Family arrived at Ma and Pa Sip’s place for Christmas dinner, the drinking began. I can’t recall how many Dark N’ Stormy beverages I had over the stay, but my precious bottle of ginger beer was drained. At the end of the night, I passed out to Christmas episodes of my favourite animated comedies… a merry Christmas, indeed!

That wraps up another trip around the sun. I’m not entirely sure what 2019 has in store for this site, but I hope to bring back the Cocktail Corner and Love & Hate segments to this site. I’m also working hard to put together a much bigger project for 2020, so stay tuned!

Sip Trips #131: Strip Show (Part 2)

Posted on by
Reply

Part two of our travels to Las Vegas began with the holiest of drinking days: St. Patrick’s Day! I’ve actually celebrated the holiday in Dublin, Ireland, but being in Las Vegas was sure to be unique in its own way. We began the day with cracking open a few Guinness Nitro IPAs from the six-pack I bought at Walmart as we were out the day before. The beers were an interesting blend of a smooth and non-carbonated, yet hoppy ale.

Our first stop of the day was Ketchup Premium Burger Bar, to use the Groupon we had purchased prior to our trip. Our $10 got us $20 worth of food and drinks. With beverages already in hand (and more chilling in Baby Sip’s stroller!), we elected to go with a few food items, such as their Bacon Cheese Fries, Pretzel Bites and Crunch Dog. I was particularly fond of the fries, while Mrs. Sip enjoyed the hotdog.

As we travelled around the Miracle Mile Shops, we passed Sin City Brewing, which was serving up green beers to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Since this was something Mrs. Sip and I wanted to check off our list for the day, I grabbed us a pair of 24oz German Weisse Beers, which was a great way to enjoy the odd tradition.

Green Beer

After some more exploring, we had a late dinner Dick’s Last Resort in the Excalibur. This restaurant boasts servers that will treat you with contempt, as well as an eclectic food menu. Using a dining credit we had for staying at the resort, we ordered their Wicked Gator alligator bites, BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos and Crabby Balls with fries. To drink, I selected the Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale. The alligator bites were particularly awesome and it’s no wonder the chain is known for this menu item.

The next day, we snagged last-minute tickets (through StubHub) to the Vegas Golden Knights game versus the Calgary Flames. We had always hoped to attend this contest, but when we first saw tickets for only $45 each, we hadn’t taken Baby Sip to a hockey game yet and weren’t sure how she’d handle the experience. Once we knew she’d be okay, prices to Golden Knights games had drastically risen, thanks to the team’s success. So we bided our time and when seats popped up for only $40 an hour before puck drop, we jumped. The 4-0 Vegas win, hat trick by William Karlsson and shutout for Marc-Andre Fleury made for one hell of a contest. All NHL teams should study the Golden Knights in-game experience, which is something I will never forget.

While we didn’t indulge in any drinks at the game, as we were returning to our hotel, we passed by the Pour 24 bar in New York New York, with Mrs. Sip spotting an ad for their own Golden Knights Game-Day Beer. This ended up being a delicious 16oz serving from Hop Nuts Brewing, which I believe was their The Golden Knight Belgian Golden Strong Ale, but I could be mistaken.

Golden Knights Bandwagon

As we ventured out into the night again, we had to pick up some more formula for Baby Sip. After all, she’s allowed to enjoy some beverages just like mommy and daddy. As we shopped, I picked up another walking beer, this time a pint of Oskar Blues Brewing Dale’s Pale Ale. At the checkout, Mrs. Sip spotted a bottle of Kona Longboard Lager for only 99 cents, so we added that to our basket, as well.

We enjoyed these beverages en route to PBR Rock Bar. No Vegas vacation is complete for me and Mrs. Sip without a stop here. Sadly, the Doritos Crusted Mac N Cheese that I have raved about in past Sip Trips is no longer on the menu, replaced by Bacon Mac & Cheese Balls, which are equally delicious. Our other favourite menu item, the Bucking Bull Fries have also been adapted, now including a fried egg. This may be the best serving I have had of these fries, thus far. To drink, I cashed in a 2-for-1 offer Mrs. Sip had picked up earlier to receive a couple servings of Hop Valley Citrus Mistress IPA. The large serving was very tasty and lasted for a while.

After having such a good meal last time we were in town, we next made our way to The Cheesecake Factory for some dessert. Mrs. Sip ordered the Fresh Basil, Tomato and Cheese Flatbread for a small bite, while we agreed we had to try the Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake. This delicious and decadent treat features caramel, peanut butter, Butterfinger bits and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Cheesecake Love

For a nightcap on the evening, we popped into the Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan, home to a drink I just had to try after hearing about it. The Verbena Cocktail is a hidden menu item that just has to be tried by anyone who fancies interesting drinks. It is by far the most interesting beverage experience I’ve ever had, as my entire mouth was first number by chewing on the Sichuan flower. The drink then changes in taste and flavours as your taste buds are incredibly sensitive and feel like they’re actually growing back. I will be back to try it again, despite the high price when converted into Canadian dollars.

Sadly, the time to return home had finally come, but we had time for one more great experience at Lilia’s Mexican Cuisine & Cantina in Bellingham, Washington. My order of Tacos Al Pastor was wonderful. Just as fantastic was my beer selection of Iron Horse Quilter’s Irish Death Dark Smooth Ale, which was on special for just $4.

In closing, my main goal with this vacation was to disprove an article we read prior to our trip where a mother proclaimed that people should not travel to Las Vegas with babies. Sure, the trip could have been different, perhaps even easier, but I wouldn’t trade in the time we shared together for anything.

Sip Trips #130: Strip Show (Part 1)

Posted on by
Reply

Well, it’s back to reality after our recent trip to Las Vegas. The town is definitely a little different with Baby Sip in tow, but we still managed to have an amazing time. Here is part one of our experiences from the strip and beyond:

Mrs. Sip was already in the city, having left a few days before me for a girl’s trip. That meant I was flying solo with Baby Sip for the first time and while she was pretty well-behaved on the flight, it was still an exhausting experience. When I arrived, I was in desperate need of a drink and Mrs. Sip must have read my mind. As we met up, she had a bottle of Victory Brewing Golden Monkey Belgian Tripel in hand for me. At least I had a limited edition New York Cheesecake Kit Kat Chunky to surprise her with, in return.

Kit Kat Chunky

Next up was grabbing a walking beer, which I enjoyed as we dined at Il Fornaio within New York New York. Following dinner, we visited The Chocolate Bar for some dessert cocktails. I selected the Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel Martini, while Mrs. Sip chose the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Martini. Both drinks were pure decadence and very boozy. We were feeling pretty buzzed after these beverages, but the night wasn’t over yet.

One girl from our group had money to be used at Nine Fine Irishmen, so she ordered as many drinks as would cover the credit. From this collection, I picked out a pint of Blue Moon, which I then enjoyed while watching the dueling pianos show from outside the Bar at Times Square. A fine way to end my and Baby Sip’s first day in Sin City.

As the girls went off to enjoy their last night together, I took Baby Sip back to our room, stopping for a road beer along the way. I didn’t get to immediately enjoy my New Belgium Brewing Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, thanks to my aforementioned fatigue and Baby Sip needing to be put to bed, so it made for a great first treat the next morning.

Tired Dog.jpg

The beer was enjoyed as Mrs. Sip and I went to ride the High Roller in one of their Happy Half Hour (Open Bar in the Sky) cabins. Mrs. Sip’s girl group had done this a few days earlier, but one of their crew chose not to use her ticket. That ticket was then given to me, with Mrs. Sip picking up another one for herself through Expedia for $35. This made our experience very reasonable when split between the two of us.

As for the ride itself, it was a lot of fun. Our bartender was very personable, although with the constant drinking and chatting, I had to remind myself to take in the view, as well. Mrs. Sip had consumed five drinks during her first ride, so my goal was to top her personal best and I did so with six beverages. These were all simple mixes, such as rum and cola and gin and lemon-lime soda, but we were also allowed one shot each, with the bartender serving up a round of tequila-Chambord shooters. Wine and beer was also available onboard, as well as a variety of sodas and juices, covering all the bases. Riders were allowed to leave with one drink at the end of the revolution.

As if we hadn’t drank enough already, we rejoined the girls – who were looking after Baby Sip because she wasn’t allowed to ride with us – and popped into the Fuel Bar, home to amazing flair bartenders and boozy 2-for-1 cocktails. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the place was packed with a bunch of guys smoking in the small space. As I waited outside with Baby Sip, the girls grabbed drinks, with Mrs. Sip selecting a pair of Mai Tais for us. The rest of the afternoon was spent riding the wave of our buzzes, while I added to mine with a pint of Founder’s Brewing All Day IPA Session Ale, as well as working on a bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka the girls hadn’t finished, implementing a variety of mixers.

Water and Vodka

For dinner that night, we visited Mon Ami Gabi, figuring we’d be able to get a fancier meal in while Baby Sip napped in her stroller. No such luck, as she has a habit of waking up as we’re about to eat. Luckily, we had a very helpful and understanding server, as well as restaurant manager. We split the restaurant’s Chilled Seafood Platter (lobster, jumbo shrimp, oysters, and salmon), paired with a bottle Vidal-Fleury Viognier. The meal wasn’t cheap, but it was nice to treat ourselves on this special occasion of Mrs. Sip being able to have the platter again, which she couldn’t do when we last visited Vegas while she was pregnant.

To prove we here at The Sip Advisor are not all about getting hammered, we spent our third day travelling to the Valley of Fire State Park (via rental car) to do the scenic drive the area is famous for. We weren’t able to do any of the small hikes, as Baby Sip fell asleep and we didn’t want to disturb her, but the sights were amazing and the drive was a nice break away from the strip. Part two of our travels will look at St. Patrick’s Day spent in Las Vegas among other shenanigans!