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LIZ HEATHER

December 10, 2022

Trip To Las Vegas

by Liz Heather in Food, Travel


View from the Rio Hotel, Las Vegas

View from the Rio Hotel, Las Vegas

Back in September, I took my third trip to Las Vegas and I’m finally recapping it now, forgive the lateness. The first time I went was when I was 21 and it was beyond depressing, the second time I went I did way more things that I wanted to do (and wrote about that time over here) and this time was even better.

Baby Dog poolside at the Rio, Las Vegas

Also, Baby Dog went to the west coast! If that doesn’t seem insane to you, well, it should. She’s a tiny little dog who was abandoned and now she’s strutting through casinos - a success story for the ages. Nathan was doing shows at the Rio for the week, so we made a trip out of it. Tip: a week in Vegas feels like a month, the ideal time to stay is 3-4 days max. Highlights below!

“I’ve made it.”

I went to The Sahara to have dinner at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés. I got the patatas bravas, the spanish meatballs and the cotton candy fois gras. Everything was delicious and perfect. I. love that man’s food. Later that night I headed to The Palms to get a drink at Ghost Bar on the 55th floor. And yeah, the view is nice but it wasn’t anything too special.

View from atop Ghost Bar, Las Vegas

The next day we went to see David Copperfield (who was wonderful) and then I went to see Nathan’s show at the Cellar, which was great. And then we played some KISS mini-golf inside the Rio, which you definitely should do if you’re anywhere near the Rio.

David Copperfield statue

Nathan, pre-Copperfield

KISS Mini Golf, Las Vegas

I also got to eat at Martha Stewart’s new restaurant The Bedford, which was good but definitely overhyped. Of course my expectations were high because 1) I love her and 2) she’s never opened a restaurant before. The servers are extremely well trained (which is wonderful, I love this detail) they have even been taught to say “cheers” in Polish. The attention to detail on the decor of the individual tables as well as the entire space is perfection, even the temperature was just right. However, there had to be cons. All burgers should have round buns, what reason is there to mess with that simple fact? The smashed potato (which is smashed table-side) is an incredibly stupid idea and almost seems like a joke on the white people who would actually enjoy it. Small side orders of sauces should absolutely never cost $9, that’s ludicrous. The fries were wildly overcooked in overused oil (how does one mess up french fries?) and the prices, sure, they were outrageous but that fact tracks since it’s in Las Vegas. The homemade mustard was really tasty (maybe because you never come across homemade?) and her béarnaise sauce was perfect. The oysters Rockefeller were good, if only a little bit chilly. All in all, it was an experience. One that I’ll happily never have to have again. (The Times has a great piece on it, if you care about all things Martha.)

Oysters Rockefeller at The Bedford

Burger at The Bedford

The real highlight of the trip was going to The Neon Museum, which features signs from old casinos and other famous Las Vegas businesses displayed outdoors. I took the nighttime tour and I promise you - this is the tour to take. Almost all of the signs were lit up in all their glory and it was incredible to see. I talked about it in way more length on this Instagram highlight reel.

The Neon Museum, Las Vegas

The most beautiful sign at The Neon Museum

Some things I would maybe want to do on my next visit:

  • Eat at Capriotti’s and get The Bobbie again (it’s a Thanksgiving turkey sandwich that will melt your brain, it’s so good)

  • Find the art-o-mat (takes $5 bills) at The Cosmopolitan

  • Brunch at Eggslut

  • Eat at Giada’s at The Cromwell

  • Find Wayne Newton’s star on the walk of fame outside The Paris

  • Get the steak frites at Mon Ami Gabi (or white chocolate bread pudding)

  • Go to the Shelby Heritage Centre to see old cars (free)

  • Visit The Golden Nugget again and The Plaza (this is the inspiration behind Biff’s Tanner’s Pleasure Paradise in Back To The Future II)

  • Visit Red Rock Canyon (this is a MUST)

  • Visit a pawn shop

Also the view from the plane ride back home was breath-taking. I was glued to the window.

The view from the plane as we left Las Vegas

And a tiny small sidenote? I love that there are still thriving TCBY stands in airports across America. Goddamn, it really is the best frozen yogurt out there.

Such a great trip!

TAGS: Las Vegas, Nevada, Vegas, Liz Heather, David Copperfield, The Bedford, Martha Stewart, oysters rockefeller, burgers, TCBY, Stardust Hotel, Stardust, The Neon Museum, Moulin Rouge, casinos, KISS, KISS mini golf, Rio Las Vegas, Comedy Cellar, Nathan Macintosh, Baby Dog, Ghost Bar, Ghost Bar Las Vegas, Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres, best of Las Vegas, Rio, chihuahua, desert


March 1, 2022

February Feats 2022

by Liz Heather in Beauty, Best of NYC, Food, Ideas, Links, Movies, Music, Personal, Products, Recipes, Television


The partially frozen fountain at Bryant Park, February 2022

The partially frozen fountain at Bryant Park, February 2022

My favourite month has arrived! Spring is coming and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

  • You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

  • I compiled my favourite tweets about love for Valentine’s Day.

  • I read and review Elvira’s new memoir.

  • I know that it’s older, but I’ve kept the song Gypsy by Lady Gaga on repeat for about two weeks now.

  • I made garlic confit and I’ll be real with you - it looks way better than it tastes. And that’s coming from someone who adores garlic. By cooking it down, it actually makes the garlic flavour quite mild so it’s truly not worth making again. I put a boatload of it on some toast and it was beyond lackluster. One more con? Expect to be gassy as hell if you eat this stuff.

  • I tried a sample of this Tata Harper (christ that name) cleanser and it was really good. Thankfully there are cheaper, better options out there (literally anything in the tea tree line at The Body Shop), but this was great to try.

  • I was getting pretty sick of the Spotify commercials in my (free) account, so I made to the movie to Apple Music to try their three month trial. We shall see how it goes. (That goddam Stone Cold Steve Austin & Ice-T commercial may have been the final straw to leave Spotify.)

  • I went to Sarabeth’s for their Restaurant Week lunch menu and it was extremely good. I love blue cheese and pear together in a salad, why can’t that be as common as caesar salads? And the mussels and fries were heavenly.

  • I have been in such a funk with nail polish lately, every colour seems to look disgusting. I got a short, red, gel manicure recently and had to remove it within a week, it was so repulsive to look at. What is my problem? …What’s that? You don’t care? Hahah. Honestly, same.

  • I finally tried SLT (it’s one of the options when you try ClassPass for a free month trial), and what even is SLT? It’s like if spin classes + pilates classes had an obnoxious baby. And you know what? NOT FOR ME. I think I hate any pilates class that uses a machine.

  • In love with the larger citrus green tea candles that just came out from Trader Joe’s. Fucking love a wooden wick.

Citrus Green Tea candle from Trader Joe’s, February 2022

  • Two new things I made for the first time this month? Risotto and scallops. It’s well known how annoying risotto is to make yourself since it’s such a long process, but I didn’t fully grasp that concept until I did it firsthand. And it wasn’t even that amazing, so that was a letdown. As for the scallops? Very fast and extremely easy.

  • Had dinner at the extremely cute French place La Petit Joie in Brooklyn with Diana. Love any place that does oysters rockefeller every night of the week. Also, can more restaurants bring back BYOB? It’s so thoughtful to even offer.

  • I tried out this Ulta eyeshadow palette and it came off with hand soap. The quality of makeup these days is just wild. And the prices keep going up, WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?

  • Went to The Independent in midtown and their mussels and harvest salad were truly memorable. Great place to go if you’re in the area seeing a show.

  • Tried the new french toast soft serve at Milk Bar and yes it was good, but not as good as their apple pie soft serve.

  • I have found my new favourite hair mask: AG Hair Colour Savour Mask. I’m not sure if it’s for all blondes or just dyed blondes, but I love it. You’d think the bubblegum scent would repel me, but I find it whimsical. Of course it’s made by a Canadian company.

  • There was a beautiful, pre-spring day so I took Baby Dog to Central Park and just look at this mug.

Baby Dog in Central Park, February 2022

Baby Dog in Central Park, February 2022

  • I bought some gorgeous new address labels from Zazzle. Are you doing this? You really should. Don’t you want to be better than everyone else?

  • So I went to Suprema Provisions finally and look the burger was good, but not nearly as good as the burger at Sparrow Tavern in Astoria (or even The Spaniard). Their mushroom pasta was saucy and great. And I never thought I’d say this, but I think it’s time to retire burrata from all restaurant menus. It is always the same. Always uninspired. We need to move on with ours lives, I think.

  • Okay, so I bought some eucalyptus to hang from my shower head (pardon me for being DEEPLY ORIGINAL) and unlike every Pinterest pin that encourages you to do this, I fully recommend NOT EVEN BOTHERING. It’s pointless. There is no smell. There is no point. And I think it might attract moths (!), but that last point is unconfirmed. Instead, if you’re really obsessed with this idea, just buy a can of this eucalyptus shower mist. You spray it into the hot water and it does actually make it seem like a steam room for the length of your shower.

  • Went to Van Dam diner in Queens with Irene and it’s like you fell into 1983, loved it.

  • Truly sorry for telling you about this, but if I had to hear about it so do you: lip blushing. One more reason that this world hates women. If I had any real money, I’d buy up as much ad space as I could and just have signs that tell women, “Hey you! You’re good! You don’t need to buy anything to be better! Relax!”

  • And speaking of buying things to make you feel better, I just bought these strappy black heels and they feel so lovely & I can’t wait to destroy anyone in my path the first time I wear them.

  • I also bought these Steven Madden heels online and does that man hate women? Or just their feet? The most uncomfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. Returning as soon as possible.

  • I was in Harlem so I went to Oso for their happy hour (good guacamole, I want to go back mainly to try the cake place next door) and then to Lido for their happy hour, which was fantastic. I love when a happy hour menu gives a fuck. Definitely want to go back to Lido for a meal.

  • What I watched this month:

    • Tried rewatching The Mindy Project and while the first few seasons are pretty good (Morgan is the best character by far), I just couldn’t get into the entire series again for some reason. I think I stopped around the episode where she talks about how she doesn’t like men seeing her naked ever. Some things are just better as a memory, I guess.

    • I’m rewatching old Sex and the City episodes to get the AJLT taste out of my mouth and they’re all pretty hit or miss. Samantha is so much funnier than I remember, which was been great. Also, you know when Carrie is with Aiden and he has his dog Pete with him - did you ever notice that this dog is NEVER excited to see Carrie when she enters a scene? I get that it’s not real life and he’s just a dog on a set, but it made me laugh so much that this dog just does not fucking care about her. Pete was right all along. Also, for all the credit that this show gets for the outfits, good god are there a lot of terrible wardrobe decisions. But I guess that’s part of the good thing about it maybe? Like not everything has to be your taste or even look good - it’s more important to be fun and confident and have these characters wear what they think looks good? What side am I even on?? Do I hate the show or not?? Look, even I don’t know.

    • The John Mulaney SNL: Why did I watch this one specifically? Who knows. I don’t think I even like him, but it was a really good episode. Makes zero sense, but I was dying at the monkey sketch.

    • The Worst Person In The World: I liked it! Not as much as I thought I would given how highly praised it is, but it was nice to be in a theatre. (And that chocolate peanut butter pie slice at The Angelika? Oof. Always worth it.)

Chocolate peanut butter pie at The Angelika, NYC

  • I made this sesame garlic chili oil noodle dish that suhuuuuuucked. I think I need a moment away from Half Baked Harvest. So many misses lately.

  • Recipes I want to make this month:

    • Tuscan Kale Salad with Gorgonzola Croutons - I always forget how much I love blue cheese.

    • Truffled Garlic Bread with Ricotta - okay, this looks maddeningly incredible. I could either make this myself OR I could visit any North Italia restaurant where they have it on the menu… which is just a two hour drive from me to the Pennsylvania location… mental note…

    • Hummingbird Cake Scones with Mascarpone Glaze!! Christ!!

    • Prosciutto, Peas & Orzo - my love affair with orzo has not ended.

    • Banana Sheet Cake with Walnut Streusel and Rum Glaze - can sheet cake come back in style already? Fuck.

    • Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad - love new ways to ingest caesar dressing.

    • Lemon Almond Pudding Cake - pudding CAKE? This must be the future.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I won a lottery ticket to see Harry Potter on Broadway this coming week, obviously I want to find and drink the space Coke, I really want to try the happy hour at Bistro Les Amis (the poutine looks Canadian), the second season of Stanley Tucci’s Searching For Italy starts on March 13th, my best friend Harmeet is coming for a visit (!), I found a place in NYC serving Steak Diane (!!!) so that’ll likely be my birthday meal, I got a ticket for opening night of the Broadway play Birthday Candles with Debra Messing on the 18th, and I will most certainly go get my free birthday gifts from The Body Shop, Sephora, and Ulta. (And I mean… should I drive two hours purely for some amazing garlic bread? I’m thinking I should? That sort of tracks with who I am as a person? Also it’s my birthday soon? And the world is slowly but surely burning? And garlic bread might solve everything? And by “might” I mean “definitely will”?)

If you have any interest in reading what went on in January, come on over here.

TAGS: Liz Heather, February Feats, February Feats 2022, monthly roundup, monthly post, Gypsy Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga, garlic confit, recipes, garlic, Tata Harper, facial cleanser, Spotify, Half Baked Harvest, How Sweet Eats, Apple Music, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ice-T, music, Sarabeth's, Sarabeth's NYC, best of NYC, NYC, NYC restaurants, mussels NYC, blue cheese, spring recipes, spring recipes 2022, nail polish, beauty, SLT, pilates, fitness, ClassPass, spin, Trader Joe's, citrus green tea candle, citrus green tea candle Trader Joe's, TJ, candles NYC, risotto, scallops, La Petit Joie, Brooklyn, Brooklyn restaurant, French restaurant NYC, oysters rockefeller, BYOB NYC, Ulta, Ulta eyeshadow, The Independent NYC, french toast soft serve, Milk Bar, Milk Bar soft serve, AG Hair, AG Hair Colour Savour Mask, dyed blonde, Canadian company, Baby Dog, Central Park, Zazzle, address labels, Central Park winter, Suprema Provisions, best burger NYC, The Sparrow Tavern, The Spaniard, burger NYC, mushroom pasta NYC, eucalyptus, eucalypus shower mist, Van Dam diner Queens, Queens, lip blushing, women, feminism, strappy black heels, ASOS, ASOS heels, Steve Madden, high heels, Harlem, Oso, Lido, happy hour, happy hour NYC, good happy hour NYC, The Mindy Project, Ike Barinholtz, Sex And The City, And Just Like That..., And Just Like That, dogs, dog, John Mulaney, SNL, John Mulaney SNL, the monkey sketch SNL, The Worst Person In The World, The Angelika, chocolate peanut butter pie, sesame garlic chili oil noodles, best recipes, tuscan kale salad, gorgonzola croutons, truffled garlic bread with ricotta, North Italia restaurant, hummingbird cake scones with mascarpone glaze, prosciutto, orzo, peas, banana sheet cake, grilled asparagus caesar salad, lemon almond pudding cake