This weekend, we and everyone we love traveled to Vegas to celebrate my sister Amy’s 30th birthday in grand style. My husband and I felt so happy that our siblings were all together to party and live a carefree weekend together.

For us, Vegas is always about the food. Before each Vegas trip (we go about 4 times per year), I discuss and decipher and research and suggest and decide and make reservations. I can’t really comprehend going to Vegas without planning each meal and having reservations, but I’m sure some people do it.

Coordinating a large group (~20 people) can be intense, but we all went with the flow and did what we wanted to do. We stayed at the Palms. I love that hotel because it’s so small. You don’t have to walk miles just to get to the elevators.

The main bday party was at a MAJOR suite at the Wynn. From the windows we could see the lake show on the ground. I didn’t realize it was so elaborate and whimsical.

Now on to the food…! I only took a few photos because I’m kind of over taking multiple flashy photos in restaurants nowadays. But you will get the gist.

First, our standby - Olives at the Bellagio. My husband is obsessed with their Maytag Martini made with Junipero gin. Handstuffed olives and a twig of rosemary add to the indulgence.

For the first time, we were seated on the patio adjacent to the fountains with an extensive view of the strip. This was wonderful until the wind changed and we had to duck and cover our food from the fountain water. It was so intense that they even had to bring out one of those “Piso Mojado” yellow signs for the floor. That is definitely a bad hazard of eating on the patio, as lovely as it was.

We also ordered a starter of Foie Gras and Duck Tenderloin, as well as the Tuna Tartare ($17) with cucumber, julienne, ginger glazed rock shrimp. Here they are:

At Amy’s suite party, her BFF Alex provided a delicious cake from a local Vegas bakery called Freed’s that apparently the New York Times said is the 3rd best bakery in the country. Everyone loved the cake! And it was so cute and Vegas-themed. Rumor has it that if you fill the plastic slot machine with water, it sprays when you pull the handle. Nice touch!

The next night we got a lovely private room at Prime at the Bellagio (yes, we might as well just start staying there since we end up there every night for their restaurants!). We sat at a gorgeous round table for 7 and an exquisite Lichtenstein tapestry adorned the wall behind us.

The starters were phenomenal - to this snacky girl, they were the most memorable part of the meal. This is the Steak Tartar and Carpaccio Plate which we also enjoyed when we ate at Prime last December.

I ordered the most amazing short ribs with a “spring roll” of grits. The portion was about 4 times what I would have expected it to be and I felt horrible about not being able to finish all my food. But I did the best I could!

Everyone in our party ordered red meat. Most people got the filet special which came with blue cheese truffled mac n’ cheese. Wow.

And here’s how we marked Amy’s birthday at Prime:

Mmmmm! I love chocolate!

So that is Amy’s amazing 30th birthday weekend as seen through the eyes of our meals. Viva Las Vegas and many more healthy, happy years to my little sister!

~Beth

Raw as a rainbow…

I went to a raw food restaurant in Hillcrest today. It’s called Cilantro Live! Have you seen it? It’s right there in the heart of Hillcrest on 5th next to the Starbucks.

I was a raw restaurant virgin. I never would have gone there (in about a million years) if it weren’t for my deliciously healthy and in-the-know sister-in-law Anisa.

She runs. She detoxes. She wanted to have lunch with me there, so I’m glad it worked out for us on a post-heatwave Thursday.

Anisa told me that Cilantro Live is famous for their Heavenly Tacos, so that’s what I got. Heavenly tacos are: “Two tacos served with Mexican wild rice. Folded green tortillas filled with nut-meat, avocado, salsa fresca, lettuce and sour cream.”

And I also ordered their Cleansing Cocktail of beet, carrot, apple, celery and a hint of parsley. Next time I would have them add a little fresh lemon juice to brighten it up. The juice tasted really earthy and grassy, but I was willing to put up with it since I knew it was good for me.

Inside it is very green.

As for the tacos, I pretty much ate every bite. I liked the nuttiness of the “meat” and the dish overall had a zesty, full flavor. Again, if I got such a dish at a “regular” restaurant, I would have found it lackluster and odd. But since I knew that it was fitting into the raw, vegan concept, I ate it up heartily and counted it as my good healthy karma for the day. (Okay, month…)

(Anisa has tried a lot of the menu items at Cilantro Live. Besides the juice blends, she favors the Nopalitos, Thai Salad, and the Cilantro Live Guacamole.

It felt weird to eat so healthy. Quite unnatural, actually. And eating raw seems like a helluva lot of work. I’m not sure I’d go back to Cilantro Live! on my own, but not because they aren’t doing their particular thing well. I guess I just am not a raw girl (except when it comes to sashimi).

Anyway, it’s good to know that raw food can be done creatively and conveniently in central San Diego. I bet there’s a whole big group of people who are beyond thrilled about this addition to the SD food scene.

What do you think of raw food restaurants? If you’ve never been, are you totally opposed?

~Beth