Urth Caffe, LA

Home this weekend doing major Fall cleaning (somehow I missed the Spring cleaning thing), I'm dreaming of a roadtrip. My lovely sister-in-law brought to my attention a cool, organic cafe in LA called Urth Caffe... in addition to a cozy atmosphere it offers only ethical and organic coffees and teas... awesome, right? It's definitely on my wishlist of things to do the next time I'm in the City of Angels. Has anyone visited Urth Caffe? Or do you have another favourite coffee/tea shop? Please do share!

LA Eats: Broaster Kitchen

Happy Halloween from Lovely Las Vegas!!!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas (cute paintings at an art gallery in the Venetian)

Lovely Las Vegas would like to wish everyone a:


Happy and Safe Halloween!!!

And a Happy Nevada Day!!!

Dia de los Muertos, Las Vegas

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that is about celebrating and colourfully honouring departed loved ones. Falling in November, Dia de los Muertos is soon upon us.

Las Vegas is doing its own spin on the day, with several Dia de los Muertos-inspired activities:

1) Luxor's Tacos & Tequila, Sunday, 1 November 2009, 12pm-5pm. Partake in a Deadliest Dressed competition and feast on a special brunch and holiday-appropriate drinks. Mechad Brooks from True Blood is hosting this party.

2) Springs Preserve, Sunday, 1 November 2009, 3pm-9pm. With general admission to the Springs Preserve, one can enjoy cultural entertainment and food, as well as decorative Dia de los Muertos altars.

3) Vosges Haut-Chocolat at the Forum Shops, Caesars Palace. Be enticed by Day of the Dead Skulls in solid white, dark, or milk chocolate. Sweets are a part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and these Vosges versions are special treats with eyes made to glitter through the use of black sea salt.

District Halloween Decor

Halloween is in the air... at least at The District in Henderson (the twin city of Las Vegas!)

The hip little shopping mecca, adjacent to Green Valley Ranch, is getting into the mood with ghosts floating about between the palm trees (do you see them?!?!)....
Plus, an enormous (and friendly) ghost and his companion jack'o'lantern hanging out in the main plaza... I don't think I've ever seen a ghost stick out his tongue... have you?

And finally, reems and reems of spiderwebs have somehow encased the shrubs all over the District. It was a nice surprise walking along the promenade with all this festive decor around. What types of Halloween-esque decorations are popping up in your neighborhoods?

Photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Palazzo Fall Decor

My last post was about the atrium at the Bellagio being all decked out for the changing seasons. So I thought it would be nice to continue the theme with some Fall images from the Bellagio. Fall in Las Vegas always seems to short (does anyone else feel that the transition from Summer to Winter happens in an instance?), so I just can't get enough of the cozy displays around town.

Fall decor at the Palazzo,
cascading from the ceiling.

This is definitely not a seasonal display, but I love the shimmer of the tiles juxtaposed against the shimmer of the coins. Unexpectedly lovely! What do you think?

Images by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Fall at the Bellagio

As per the request of Theresa C, here are some shots from the Bellagio's Fall Theme at the Conservatory/Atrium. Unfortunately, they are a bit blurry, so I hope you can feel the festive vibe despite the poor quality. I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the beautiful Fall weather here in Las Vegas this weekend, but domestic drama defined my Friday through Sunday! The water heater burst a leak and flooded the garage and part of the house! So it was lots of work and no play for me this weekend. C'est la vie, right?!?

Hope everyone else's weekends were much lovelier : ).

Photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Fountain at the Bellagio

Chocolate dreams streaming down!!


Guinness Book of World Records: World's Largest Chocolate Fountain! Here at Jean-Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Decisions, oh the delicious decisions! Some one must do it.

Tempting treats await!

Lovely crepe-making process. I'm in the mood for something sweet. And you?

Happy Wednesday and last day of September from Lovely Las Vegas!

All Photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Bellagio Bella

Some pretty images from the Bellagio:

Colourful carpets.

Fancy florals.

Cascading water foundations.

Glowing globes.

Larger than life glass flowers.

Bella Bellagio, no?

A Happy and Beautiful 9/9/09 to everyone!!!

Have a SWEET Weekend!!!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Yummmmm, right? Well truth be told, I wasn't a big eclair fan before this lovely one at the Bellagio last weekend. My husband found it at the little gelato shop in the conference/museum corridor. While I was across the way at the little cafe divulging into our delicious pizza fresca (basically a fresh tomato/mozzarella/basil salad over pesto-topped flat bread) ... my husband decided to stop by at the gelato store.

I assumed he was coming back with some cold Italian ice cream. Anyhow, he surprised me with this beauty. Not only was it eye-candy, it was the best eclair I've ever had (and I've been to France a few times in my days). Hehe, maybe (most probably!) I was just in need of some sweetness, but definitely, I'll return and have a second go at that lovely dessert.

Happy weekend, everyone!!! Hope you find at least a little sweetness over this week break.

Frugal Friday: In-n-Out Burger

Possibly more expensive than other "fast food" places (I don't know because I only have eyes for In-n-Out!), but still a great deal... especially considering the freshness and quality of ingredients. Do you agree?

Evidence: exhibit A (french fries and a standard cheeseburger)

Evidence: exhibit B (quick devouring of this California classic)

I was so anti-fast food... and then I met In-n-Out. An import from California, this is a Las Vegas favourite for freshly made french fries and a simple, but unexplainably good hamburger (cheeseburger). The menu may not seem to offer enough, but trust me, this place is so good at their grub, that those few options really are just right. However, for those craving a little something different from the standard In-n-Out fare, there is a secret menu... So give it a try and ask for the protein wrap (hamburger sans bun... and wrapped/held together with two leaves of lettuce) ... or the animal fries (an interesting, indulgent form of fries).

Enjoy!!!

All photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Las Vegas Wish List: Maryland Parkway

One weekend ago, I was driving by UNLV along Maryland Parkway and noticed this cute little shop! Inside was a nice little treasure trove of comics (hehe, obviously). I was really excited to find Persepolis, a Iranian comic based on the other's perspections of growing up in Iran. I've wanted to read it for a while. I didn't buy it this time... but maybe I can make some hints to my love and get it as a surprise sometime, hehe ; ).

Isn't it cute? I want to return!!

And when I return, I want to test out this youthful Japanese restaurant - Yoshinoya. I've heard good reviews about it (a more fast food atmosphere than fancy schmacy place), and believe it is an import from Japan. What great finds!

Photo credits: All photographs by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Persian Las Vegas: Habib's Persian Cuisine

Welcome to Habib's Persian Cuisine. Nestled in the back of the Sahara Pavillion, it may be hard to find. But it is definitely worth the effort. In addition to the restaurant, they have a eclectic store attached with food and unique home good stuff. Very fun to stop by and pick up a few things after your meal.

The freebie appetizers (breads, butter, onion, radish). This time we were on savers mode and didn't add any hummus or other delish-sounding dish to our-pre-dinner dining... but the offerings always looked very nice. Another time we'll splurge!

My grilled chicken. It was quite yummy, along with grilled tomato and rice. My favourite Persian grilled chicken was at Yaz in Kensington area, London... haven't found one exactly like that, but Habib's always satisfies my palette! And it is a great place for Persian food in Las Vegas.

A grilled red-meat entree.

And a lovely atmosphere!!!

Photography credit: all photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Habib's Persian Cuisine

Sahara Pavillion

4750 W. Sahara, Suite 24

Phone: 702.870.0860

Happy Weekend from Lovely Las Vegas!!!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas - Park in Summerlin area (August 2009)

Last weekend brought rain droplets to the Las Vegas Valley... will I be as lucky this fin de semana (I do love rain!)? Here's wishing for overcast skies and cooler summer days!

How about you? What are you wishing for this weekend?

Pretty Palazzo Parasols

Isn't this a serenely surreal scene?... Pretty parasols floating above the atrium at the Palazzo. What a whimsical image for summertime in Las Vegas!

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Photo by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Asian Las Vegas: Ay-Chung Cafe

This Ay-Chung Cafe is located on Spring Mountain Road, a few blocks away from the main ChinaTown plaza in Las Vegas... however, the original cafe is actually back in Taiwan.

They have plenty of offerings... but I've only tried the drinks so far. This visit I had the papaya milk drink (right) which is "all-natural" -- no syrups are added and I was told the only ingredients are milk, papaya, and sugar. It was the best papaya drink I've had (rich and creamy but no hint of artifical flavors)! My compadre had the milk green tea with grass jelly bits. It was good, too, but I'm not sure if it had any artificial additions to it.

Here is a pic of one of the soups available at Ay-Chung Cafe (chittling noodle soup). There are many Taiwanese soups, entrees, etc. made at this little cafe. For me, this visit was just a drink run, but hopefully I can return again and test out some of their dishes.


Photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Video Footage of Siameze

Here's a video clip from Siameze's pre-concert session... before his performance, several groups of talented dancers from California and Nevada got their groove-things on to the music of Michael Jackson. This clip is from the end of the choreographed performances, where all the different groups gathered together and showed off their talent, freestyle. Included in the list of gifted dance crews were the Alley Catz and the Sweet Infiltrations.

Las Vegas Talent: Siameze

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

This past weekend I spent Friday night rocking out to local talent Siameze. I had heard rave reviews about him and was curious to see him perform in person. So when I heard about his all-start tribute to Michael Jackson at the Las Vegas Hilton, I jumped on the opportunity to attend...

As for thie concert, all I can say is that "The Godson of Rock & Soul" did not disappoint! His essence (style, stature, etc.) reminded me of Prince, yet, as he sang original songs to classic music spanning the rock and soul genres, I could sense an emerging talent and style that is all his own. From his voice range to his energy, Siameze as much to offer to the music world. So keep your eyes and hears open for this rising star!

Las Vegas Nature: JW Marriott

Waiting in the JW Marriott's Rampart Buffet queue... [All you can drink champagne and all you can eat crab (in addition to everything else!) are quite worth the wait on a Sunday morning].

But after indulging a bit on seafood and drink and spending a few hours couped up inside the resort, I was ready to get outside...

Luckily, the JW Marriott offers some beautiful outdoor areas... So serene and green!

Urban nature in Las Vegas... a nice (re)treat in the desert, no?

All photos by Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas.