Foodie alert - TAMV dinner to die for.

[Antiquehunter]

At some point during this TAM, I recommend checking out L'Aureole at the Mandalay Bay.

For those of you who were into great food and wine with the cruisers and/or in Ft. Lauderdale - and any others who may be interested, L'Aureole is as close to supernatural food woo I've ever experienced.

I mean - we're talking a STUNNING, fantastic meal. And a wine list to kill for. Literally. ($35,000 bottles of wine on the menu if you hit the jackpot.)

Dining at L'Aureole is not necessarily for everyone. First of all, you need to block off 2 - 3 hours. As such, its probably a pre-TAM or post-TAM event.

Price-wise, you can order a la carte, but the best deal is probably the table d'hote which runs $95 per person, 7 or 8 courses depending on the night.

They also offer wine pairings for the table d'hote at $65 - which is good value because they keep topping off your glass. Wine by the bottle which comes from their signature collection is available, but there are no bottles on the list under $150 a pop.

My proposal - anyone interested in a dinner at L'Aureole, I suggest Monday night is the best time to do it. The TAMV 'buzz' will have worn off, all time pressures to make it to forum events will be gone, and a wonderful relaxing meal will be in order.

PM me if you're in - I'll arrange the reservations. Lets say... 1900h?

[scotth]

We will be leaving early Monday after TAM. But, we'll be there all week before.

I am sure that you and I will find some time to hang out, though.

[Antiquehunter]

I'd be willing to go for Weds evening...

[scotth]

If you do, we'll probably join you.

1900 sounds like an excellent start time.

[Antiquehunter]

If you're buying the Chateau d'Yquem, I'm buying the Dominus...

[mumchup]

If your going on any night between Wed. and Sun. I'm in for that. Although it sounds like something that would be worth spending another vacation day for if it ends up being on Tue or Mon, what the heck I won't be spending much money on gambling.

ETA: I can't believe Geek Goddess hasn't found this thread yet.

[Badger]

If it's ok, I'd like to join you too!

[Hutch]

$95.00 for Dinner!! :eek:

I'll be across the street at Fatburger...

[rebecca]

$95.00 for Dinner!! :eek:

I'll be across the street at Fatburger...

Do they have veggie burgers? If so, count me in and I'll even spring for the bottle of Night Train snuck in in the paper bag.

[scotth]

Do they have veggie burgers? If so, count me in and I'll even spring for the bottle of Night Train snuck in in the paper bag.

veggie burger = eewwww.
Night Train = double eeewwwww.

[rebecca]

veggie burger = eewwww.
Night Train = double eeewwwww.

Or I'll just fast until you can pretend to go to the bathroom and bring me a baggie of rolls and wine (preferably two separate baggies) out of Areola.

[Badger]

Do they have veggie burgers? If so, count me in and I'll even spring for the bottle of Night Train snuck in in the paper bag.

Oooh! You busy Thursday?

[kittynh]

mommy want!

but....

I'll have to kill my husband to afford it!

future refrerence it's good to know!

Anthony Bourdain did a terrific show on Las Vegas. One of the fancy restaurants he HATED, and the other was a dream divine!

He also ate a deep fried twinkie.

[rebecca]

Oooh! You busy Thursday?

Yes, dumpster diving. Care to join?

[Hutch]

Do they have veggie burgers? If so, count me in and I'll even spring for the bottle of Night Train snuck in in the paper bag.

http://www.fatburger.com/menu/

[Badger]

Yes, dumpster diving. Care to join?

I'll even be a gentleman and hold the lid open for you!

[kittynh]

thinking on it, I'd rather do the rollercoaster with Hutch than eat a deep fried twinkie.

and I'll join you dumpster diving behind the Mandalay!!!

[scotth]

If you are gonna do a burger, might I recommend In-n-Out? It is a SoCal chain, but has recently opened a few shops in vegas.

[Hutch]

If you are gonna do a burger, might I recommend In-n-Out? It is a SoCal chain, but has recently opened a few shops in vegas.

I have dined at In-and-Out on several occasions and am at best moderately impressed. A cheeseburgers go, nothing special. IMHO

[scotth]

I have dined at In-and-Out on several occasions and am at best moderately impressed. A cheeseburgers go, nothing special. IMHO

Where did you have this 'only moderately impressive' burger? (geographically)

Your impression is certainly not the norm.

ETA: In fact a double double with grilled onions is nearly legend.

[Geek Goddess]

I'd be willing to go for Weds evening...

I was going to come in Thursday, but I'm thinking about changing my flight to Wednesday. If I do, I'd like to join in.

[scotth]

I'd welcome you, GG.

[BrianSI]

Where did you have this 'only moderately impressive' burger? (geographically)

Your impression is certainly not the norm.

ETA: In fact a double double with grilled onions is nearly legend.

Sorry Scott, I'm with Hutch on this. I've tried multiple times with an equally open mind each time (the company I work for has them cater 2 times a year), but I haven't seen what all the fuss is about. I know they use fresh veggies, but doesn't seem to improve what is in the end still a fast-food burger.

I can see how those with a huge appetite would appreciate that they'll stack any number of layers together you want, but my appetite is satisfied with a single most of the time. I do like their fries though, since they cut a real potato moments prior to frying.

It is rather humorous how often the In-N-Out burger fascination is satirized (/ mentioned) in movies though.

[rustypouch]

Where did you have this 'only moderately impressive' burger? (geographically)

Your impression is certainly not the norm.

ETA: In fact a double double with grilled onions is nearly legend.

I will by a taco for whoever finishes a 20x20 in one sitting. http://www.badmouth.net/in-n-out-the-20x20/

Plus we can enjoy the bible quotes on the packaging!

[scotth]

For the record, I love In-n-Out burgers.

ETA: I wouldn't count catered burgers as the real thing.

[BrianSI]

They brought a truck and made them right on the lot. I don't hate them, either. I just think they had been built up a bit too much in my mind before I had my first.

Heck, I'd join you for one in Vegas for sure.

[Boo]

*takes notes* I think my flight comes in too late to join you unless it's for dessert. I will note that this past weekend I did enjoy a pleasant meal at Top of the World in the Stratosphere. I think I gained 5 lbs in just that one meal.


Boo

[Antiquehunter]

Badger, GG, Scotth - Weds. evening looking good so far! Boo - bump your flight!

[scotth]

Badger, GG, Scotth - Weds. evening looking good so far! Boo - bump your flight!

Yes, even by a few hours... We'll pick you up on the way to the dinner.

[scotth]

If you're buying the Chateau d'Yquem, I'm buying the Dominus...

So.... that would mean that C d'Y is on the list, there? Possitively and without doubt? Hopefully, 750s rather than 375s.

I was planning on bringing 2 bottles in the car. 1 for the my bountry at the poker table. Another to open and enjoy with a few select people.

Obviously, you were gonna be one of those few select people. I could just bring the one bottle for bounty and bridge the gap at this dinner. I am assuming we will be meeting your partner no later than this dinner?


btw... google 'L'Aureole mandalay bay'. This thread is the top listing, ha.

[rebecca]

btw... google 'L'Aureole mandalay bay'. This thread is the top listing, ha.

I think that's because the name of the restaurant is actually Aureole.

See? I might look like a dumpster-diving hobo, but I know my hotspots.

[JamesM]

I went to Aureole with my girlfriend around Easter.

I suggest not spending the afternoon eating nachos and drinking various types of margaritas at the Hard Rock Cafe casino, or you may not be in the mood for dinner. Just a tip there.

Also, we tried some Israeli wine, in honour of Jesus. Alas, it sucked.

[Kitten]

Err... $95.00 is a two or three week food budget, for me...

Sounds delicious, though!

[rustypouch]

I think I may have to go through the budget and see if I can find some extra monies...

[mumchup]

I am prepared to skimp somewhere else, if required. My philosophy is that it's not too expensive if it's good food & drink.
We don't go out to really good places alot because Steve doesn't feel quite the same as I do. We eat really well at home though, I just don't let him know how expensive it can get. Deep down, he knows; I think he's engaged in a Don't ask, Don't tell policy.

[Boo]

I wish I could bump the flight, as is I'm cutting out of work early to make this one. Maybe somebody could save me a doggybag?:D


Boo

[Boo]

/slight derail/

During the weekend at the Riviera I made many attempts to locate a decent cup of coffee within the hotel and was unable to do so. Therefore I will be bringing my own coffeemaker and coffee. For those of you that understand and appreciate real coffee, contact me and we will work something out for TAM. I cannot go that long without decent coffee. /end slight derail/


Boo

[scotth]

/slight derail/

During the weekend at the Riviera I made many attempts to locate a decent cup of coffee within the hotel and was unable to do so. Therefore I will be bringing my own coffeemaker and coffee. For those of you that understand and appreciate real coffee, contact me and we will work something out for TAM. I cannot go that long without decent coffee. /end slight derail/


Boo

So, how early is too early to be knocking on your door? :D

[Boo]

So, how early is too early to be knocking on your door? :D

If you can't smell it from the hallway, don't bother knocking.;)


Boo

[Luciana]

/slight derail/

During the weekend at the Riviera I made many attempts to locate a decent cup of coffee within the hotel and was unable to do so. Therefore I will be bringing my own coffeemaker and coffee. For those of you that understand and appreciate real coffee, contact me and we will work something out for TAM. I cannot go that long without decent coffee. /end slight derail/
Boo

Boo, darling, we're soulmates. :D I don't function well without coffee in the morning. Or rather, I don't function at all. :re: So yeah, let's get together for real coffee.

[Antiquehunter]

Scotth: C d'Y - I'm 99.9% confident its there. With a complete range of vintages.

Probably in Magnums and Methusulahs and...well... everything...

[El_Spectre]

ETA: In fact a double double with grilled onions is nearly legend.

You're thinking of "Animal Style" (grilled onions, burger fried in mustard, extra veggies). It's on the "secret menu", along with protein style, and various other things.

In-n-Out is really common here. Nothing incredible, but a tasty burger.

[scotth]

You're thinking of "Animal Style" (grilled onions, burger fried in mustard, extra veggies). It's on the "secret menu", along with protein style, and various other things.

In-n-Out is really common here. Nothing incredible, but a tasty burger.

Don't forget that I lived right there for 8 years. I've tried Animal Style. I knew a lot of people who talked about Animal Style. But, I never really saw that many of being eaten. I am sure that plenty of them are/were eaten, just didn't seem like that big a fraction of the whole.

Maybe you had to live day to day on Marine Corps chow hall food for the true greatness of these burgers to shine through?

I know this, my favorite InO's were along I-10. Riverside and San Bern where the old stores that don't even have an 'inside' that customers can enter, still do a huge business.

[scotth]

Scotth: C d'Y - I'm 99.9% confident its there. With a complete range of vintages.

Probably in Magnums and Methusulahs and...well... everything...

I guess I'll plan it that way, then.... and just bring the one bottle for my bounty.

[CFLarsen]

Pssst......

The Official TAM5 Unofficial Activities List (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=67682)

:)

[Jas]

Count me in!

I'm also working on Something Super Cool re: Mandalay Bay (hint: it involves my work), but I don't know for sure yet the details, so assuming that it all goes well, then I'll post about it.

[Antiquehunter]

Are you going to clean the Shark Tank?!?!?!? Feed the sharks?!?!?!?? Make the sharks jump through burning hoops?!?!??!??

[Jas]

Are you going to clean the Shark Tank?!?!?!? Feed the sharks?!?!?!?? Make the sharks jump through burning hoops?!?!??!??

Thanks for ruining the surprise! :mad:

Ooh, one of our sharks is going to have babies! She's all lumpy!

[rebecca]

Will there be lasers attached to the noggins of said sharks?

[RSLancastr]

Wow, a restaurant named for the area around a nipple - I'm intrigued! :D

As for In N Out Burgers... I grew up in Baldwin Park, CA, which was home to In N Out headquarters. My high school was a couple of blocks away from the first In N Out in the universe, on Francisquito Blvd.

My fondest memory of In N Out is the bumper stickers they used to give away, which read:

IN N OUT
BURGER

But which were traditionally altered with scissors to read:

IN N OUT
-URGE-

In N Out being a Christian-owned business, they soon stopped giving away said bumper stickers. :(

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Are you going to clean the Shark Tank?!?!?!? Feed the sharks?!?!?!?? Make the sharks jump through burning hoops?!?!??!??

Could we feed Rebecca to the sharks?

[Zygar]

"You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Now evidently my cycloptic colleague informs me that that cannot be done. Ah, would you remind me what I pay you people for, honestly?"

-Me in an alternate universe

[Jeff Wagg]

I'm up for Dinner with the wine angels, but don't know if I can commit to Wednesday. For one thing, I have to pick up Boo at the airport.

So.. I guess I'm a tentative.

[Geek Goddess]

I'm up for Dinner with the wine angels, but don't know if I can commit to Wednesday. For one thing, I have to pick up Boo at the airport.

So.. I guess I'm a tentative.


Boo, food, Boo, food.

You chose...wisely.

[TJ]

I'd be down for Wednesday, especially if rustypouch is going.

Love the new avatar photo, rusty!

[rustypouch]

I'd be down for Wednesday, especially if rustypouch is going.

Love the new avatar photo, rusty!

Yeah, I am thinking I just might have to. It's only money, versus the chance to taste some wines I have only read about...

Thanks!

[VPescado]

Elizabeth and I are very interested - we need to make sure we can get the extra day off of work to come down a day early, but put us down at 80% likely.

Is it alright if I dine while doing the Human Blockhead trick?

[Antiquehunter]

Umm... you can dine however you like, but the restaurant is probably a little more accustomed to diners in nice clothes rather than diners with enormous metal spikes sticking out of their schnozzes.

I'm going to make the reservation in the first week of January - so let me know if you need two seats by the end of the year. Capiche?

-AH.

[VPescado]

Umm... you can dine however you like, but the restaurant is probably a little more accustomed to diners in nice clothes rather than diners with enormous metal spikes sticking out of their schnozzes.

I'm not an idiot. I was planning on dressing well and accessorizing with a tasteful 20 penny nail.

[scotth]

I'm not an idiot. I was planning on dressing well and accessorizing with a tasteful 20 penny nail.

Do you have anything in chrome or gold?

I could probably be talked into to gold plating a nail for you. (Really, gold plating is rather easy)

[VPescado]

Do you have anything in chrome or gold?

I said tasteful! I was thinking zinc (bright box).

I could probably be talked into to gold plating a nail for you. (Really, gold plating is rather easy)

Hmmm . . . On the other hand, it *is* Vegas. ;)

[rustypouch]

Sign me up.

I think I will go the 'cheap' route. Something tells me a bottle of '67 Chateau d'Yquem would be worth more than I make in a year, and quite possibly worth it.

[Antiquehunter]

Burns 'Excellent'... \Burns

[Jeff Wagg]

I'm in, and my parents are too.

[VPescado]

OK, we've worked out the details. Please count SkeptiKhatt and I as definites for the cookie restaurant.

[Antiquehunter]

OK - I'm about to reserve. Please CONFIRM with me in PM if you haven't done so already:

AntiqueHunter (2)
JeffWagg (3)
VPescado (2)
Jas (1)
GeekGoddess (1)
Badger (1)
TJ Stough (1)
RustyPouch (1)
ScottNH (2)

Looks like a table for 14.

I'll book under my REAL name, and once I have a time for our seating I'll post details / meetup location here.

Suggest dressy casual attire (I wore jeans and a flashy shirt and was mildly underdressed, but not terribly so.) Some people do get all tarted up to eat here, but I'm there for the food, not to be stared at. This means no rusty nails in noses for those who can perform 'Blockhead'.

ScottNH - Lets see if we can double the bill from Jackson's in Ft Lauderdale!

-AH.

[Boo]

Could somebody send desert in a doggy bag with Jeff when he goes to the airport to pick me up please? Thanks.


Boo

[TJ]

I'm in. I'm going to do the fine dining rather than P&T this trip.

I look forward to hanging out with you all!

[Antiquehunter]

OK Folks - reservations are made - waiting for confirmation on the actual time, but we have a private room booked for 14 at Aureole. (How cool is that!??!?)

The catch is - I had to give my credit card as deposit, and the bill is coming to me. (For parties, they require one person to take care of the bill.)

So - please be prepared to reimburse me, (based on the bill) in cash or by cheque as I can't personally take credit cards. MAYBE they'll split up the bill onto multiple cards, but I wouldn't bank on it.

I'd love to buy you guys all dinner, but...its not exactly Burger King. :)

Thanks!

-AH.

[CFLarsen]

Should I mark this event as "Closed" on the Unofficial List?

[Antiquehunter]

OK - Seating at Aureole is for 1900h. We have the 'Swan Court' reserved for our party.

I suggest we meet in the lounge at Aureole between 1800h and 1900h. The reservation is in my personal name, so PM me (if you don't already know it) and I'll let you know my true identity. Aureole is at Mandalay Bay for those who don't already know this. To find the restaurant, enter the casino area, follow the signs to the poker room. Go PAST the poker room (turning left along that wall) and carry on through outside the casino. You'll walk by a little bar/dancing area, and then you'll see the minimalist entry to Aureole.

I'll be leaving the Riv around 1730ish to head over to Mandalay Bay, and am happy to share a cab with whomever is around at the time.

Getting hungry.... :)

-AH.

[Antiquehunter]

Should I mark this event as "Closed" on the Unofficial List?

Umm... I guess I could squeeze someone in if they contacted me ASAP (I have an Email contact now at the restaurant, so I could modify the reservation as required). But we're basically closed, yes.

[CFLarsen]

Umm... I guess I could squeeze someone in if they contacted me ASAP (I have an Email contact now at the restaurant, so I could modify the reservation as required). But we're basically closed, yes.

Gotcha.

[Antiquehunter]

Bumperoo.

OK folks - since no one has PMed me looking for my real name (under which the reservations are booked), I assume y'all know it.

To re-reconfirm:

We have reservations for 14 and my credit card is being held for a deposit. So PLEASE don't jam out on us. Nothing in the 'dining agreement' I had to sign (No, I'm not kidding) suggested I'll be billed if we have no-shows, but lets all try and be there, yes?

I have been contacted by a couple of people to add them or to add to their party, so I'm going to ask my Aureole contact for a little flexibility on seating to accomodate up to 16.

Therefore - it is CRITICAL that we meet in the Aureole lounge area between 1800h and 1900h so we can finalize numbers for this gourmand extravaganza.

-AH.

[Antiquehunter]

Could somebody send desert in a doggy bag with Jeff when he goes to the airport to pick me up please? Thanks.


Boo

Aureole probably does 'sacs du chiens' more than doggybags, but we'll see what we can do. Do you prefer chocolately desserts or fruity desserts or ridiculously rich cheesecakey desserts? (Because there is usually one of each general variety on every day. Last time I ate there was a blueberry & white chocolate cheesecake which I'm sure will be the primary cause of my requiring an angioplasty and stent in the next 10 years.)

[scotth]

Hey AH!

Can't wait to see ya there! I've been scarce on the boards since about xmas as we've been moving into our new house (so much work). We're not quite done, but we depart for Vegas THIS EVENING!!!!!! (friday the 12th).

[Antiquehunter]

<---- Jealous. Wishes he was en route to Vegas now instead of Sunday...

[Frogberto]

I thought the fact that the original poster spelled it L'Aureole was hilarious. I guess adding a french prefix (abbreviated, no less) makes it even more fancy. I ate there once when it first opened and I love the place - it's a very innovative place with great food.