Only in Las Vegas: The "Rock" and Bare

While the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas is getting a little tired (think Seigfried and Roy as the heyday) there are still some good reasons to visit next time you're in town.

A unique presentation in the hotel's wonderful "Japonais" Restaurant appears on the appetizer menu as "The Rock." It consists of raw, marinated, thinly sliced New York steak which you cook yourself. Accompanying the slices is a medium sized grey stone which has been heated to over 500 degrees. It sits on a thick layer of rock salt (presumably to insulate the plate); we didn't need to be reminded not to touch the rock. You take the marinated strips and lay them over the rock for 10-15 seconds and that's it! The rock stays hot for about 5 minutes. At $17 it is an interesting hot appetizer, which we enjoyed pre-show. Service was very good and the rest of the appetizers were tasty, too.

It was our second time seeing the Cirque du Soleil presentation of LOVE, which honors the Beatles music and the culture of the sixties. While I remember the music as a teenager, I was surprised to find that teens today all know the songs equally well. Spectacular acrobatics, antics and unexpected extras continue the Cirque tradition of great entertainment. I highly recommend the show; and, because the theater is definitely non-traditional, there is really no bad seat in the house.

The "Bare" European-style pool at the Mirage is one of the top 4 or 5 places to relax if you're not gambling. (If you are a hard core gambler, the European pool at the Wynn has gaming tables poolside in the Cabana bar). The European "style" has nothing to do with the design of the pool so much as the absence of most upper-body clothing. It brings a new meaning to "one-piece" suit.

PS. If you're looking for the famous Mirage Volcano outside the hotel, you'll have to wait; its being renovated. Try the Pirate Ship show at Treasure Island next door.

As mentioned in the previous post, the Henderson Executive airport is definitely the way to go. Hertz has minivans if you have a larger party and the fuel is literally half the price of McCarran. The only downside this trip was the traffic jam on the short stretch of I-15 just south of LV.

My final thought: "...What happens in Las Vegas...usually ends up on your credit card statement."

Las Vegas- Good Deal

No, its not the $3.95 all you can eat buffet; its the fuel prices at Henderson Executive Airport. For years, we flew exclusively into McCarran International Airport and used Signature Flight Support. Fuel was always a little higher, but it seemed close and the service was fine. The differential is now more than makes sense. At Signature, fuel last weekend was posted at $7.53, while the Henderson fuel was $4.59. I can't see paying almost $3.00 per gallon more. Signature charges $120 ramp fee if you don't take on any fuel.

Another issue with McCarran is that from Orange County Airport (John Wayne) and many other airports, there frequently is a gate-hold of as much as 30 minutes for an IFR slot. If you go VFR, you may be greeted 30 miles out with "...McCarran is closed to VFR traffic for the next 45 minutes; remain outside of Class B airspace and state intentions..." I heard this twice last summer. No such IFR or VFR restrictions exist for Henderson.

The rental car procedure (or free shuttle to the strip) is very convenient. It took 12 minutes to drive to Caesar's Palace using I-15 to the Flamingo exit, only slightly more than the trip from McCarran.

Friendly people, a brand new executive terminal, long runways and relatively inexpensive fuel make this the "new" regular spot for trips to Las Vegas.

Bob's Airport Cafe- Corona Airport

Step back in time at this great lunch spot located at the Corona, CA airport (AJO). From the aircraft memorabilia on the walls (including the obligatory Blue Angels autographed photo and the tail rotor from a UH-1 helicopter) to the clientèle, this hideaway drips with the nostalgia of hundreds of similar small town airport gathering places that are now long gone.

The waitresses call most patrons by name and know what they like to eat. The service is quick and the food is tasty. I had a friend who traveled the US for business nearly 100% of the time. He told me that his secret for good food in a unfamiliar city was finding that "hole in the wall" place in each town that the locals know. These places, he said, eschew fancy trappings for great food and hospitality. Bob's Airport Cafe is such a place.

The purpose of the trip was to have my plane's bi-annual pitot-static certification at Ross Aviation. Gil Ross does a very thorough job and the price is reasonable, about half of what a large airport avionics shop would charge. Gil loaned me the golf cart and off I went to the Cafe. An added surprise, while savoring my Ortega Beef sandwich with fries, was open access to the Internet courtesy of "Fly Corona" FBO next door. Not sure if they know their signal is accessible in the Cafe, but I, for one, would like to express my appreciation.