Kristina and I decided to have a date night on Wednesday, December 15. The week between the National Finals Rodeo and Christmas is always slow in Las Vegas. It is the perfect time for locals to hit the Strip.
First stop: Pinball Hall of Fame
We started off at the Pinball Hall of Fame. This was our first visit to the new location on Las Vegas Blvd. It is now just south of Russell Rd.
I was happy to see all of my old favorites from the previous Pinball Hall of Fame location on Tropicana Avenue by UNLV. Eight Ball Deluxe had been mostly restored from the previous location. I had my best game on it since I was a teenager working at a restaurant with a pool hall. We played other older machines, including some themed after baseball.
I played two video games. Kristina and I tried some two-player Burger Time. Then I played Paperboy. Unfortunately, that machine has seen better days. The handlebars were about to fall off the machine. It was still fun.
Next stop: Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill
I had $200 in Diamond Celebration Dinner vouchers. We decided to have it at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill. We had never dined at this location. We had dinner at the one at Caesars in Atlantic City in May. It was great, so we tried the one here in Las Vegas.
It was exceptional. I had Beef Wellington. I got it as part of the three-course meal special. The onion soup was also great. It came with a toffee pudding dessert that was not something we would normally order. It was good, but we left some of the cake behind. Kristina had the short ribs, which she also enjoyed. We will definitely be back.
Next stop: Rio
We decided to head to Rio after dinner at Caesars Palace. Our goal was to play KISS mini golf. We stopped at the bar first. By the time we got to the mini golf entrance, it was closed early for a private function. We plan on trying again soon.
Rio was nearly deserted. Only 12 tables were open. There were few players. Craps, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, High Card Flush, and Crazy 4 Poker were $5. Double zero roulette and 6:5 blackjack were $10. Pai gow poker and tiles were $25. Baccarat was $50. No 3:2 blackjack tables were open, which seems like a normal thing at Rio these days.
We played a little at Rio but got bored. We decided to head closer to home.
Last stop: Rampart
After a couple of great experiences I’ve had at Rampart, it seemed like a good place to end our date night. The bar was too crowded for us to sit together.
Kristina and I played some nickel 10-play video poker on the casino floor. We went sideways after about 30 minutes. We did not see a cocktail server, so we thought that was a sign to call it a night.
