Where Cruise Ships and Reality TV Collide

It's still mid-August, it's still mid-August, it's still mid-August...I just want to try to hold onto it for another minute before it's suddenly Christmas. Minnesota has decided that it's fall already and even though I LOVE long-sleeves-no-jacket weather, I'd like to savor these few remaining weeks of summer before school starts again and the holidays start and we enter the tunnel of darkness known as winter here.

So, anyway, did you hear about the Top Chef Cruise? I think I might have actually jumped up in the air a little when I first heard. Not only would this put me on a boat with Tom, Gail and several of the cheftestants I adore, but it would accomplish two of my 40 by 40 items: take a cruise and eat key lime pie in Key West. And I really need to start knocking those list items off, as I've been neglecting the list lately.

Tickets just went on sale a few days ago and I've been agonizing over whether or not to do it. My supportive  husband is willing to indulge in my Top Chef obsession if it comes with a beach and an ocean, so we're good there. The cost is somewhat ridiculous for a 4-day cruise, but I'm willing to put it in the column of "priceless experiences," so that's the not the major hangup, either. I think my hesitation comes from knowing that even though it could be amazing and, sure, Gail and I could wind up having cocktails together and becoming BFFs and she could offer me a job as a taster on Just Desserts...it could also be really, really bad.

I'm picturing being herded into an auditorium like cattle to watch a completely scripted "Quickfire Challenge" with mildly-seasick cheftestants and a bored Tom Colicchio, whom I can only partially see because our seats are so far away. And a standard cruise buffet with little placards calling out ingredients used in past episodes of Top Chef ("Wasabi white chocolate sauce inspired by Richard Blais, Season 4!") vs. anything resembling an actual Top Chef meal.

Basically, I'm scared of being totally disappointed. Plus, I don't want to spend three times what a 4-day cruise should cost, only to find out that I'm on a regular 4-day cruise with a few TV celebrities.

None of this is to say that I don't still want to go, I'm just not sure it's worth the risk. If money truly were no object, I'd for sure do it just to see, but this would end up being our big trip for the year and that adds a bit of pressure...in fact, I think I'll start my own reality show, "Travel Booker," where traveltestants plan vacations on a limited budget and are forced to make split-second decisions. I will be the judge who takes all of their vacations and decides which one was best.

I think I'll bounce the idea off Tom while we're sipping mai tais at the pool.

To Hunt, or Not to Hunt

Last week, the Amateur Gourmet held a foodie scavenger hunt in NYC. It involved a list of iconic NYC food spots along with what to eat and/or do there for points. Participants (anyone could participate) then posted photos of themselves doing the things on the list and the winner was the one with the most points. The prize was two tickets to Tom Colicchio's upcoming charity event.

This got me thinking about my upcoming (June) birthday. I have a thing for treasure hunts. Scavenger hunts take a close second. (yes, there's a difference) For my 30th birthday, I spent weeks planning a "scavent" (scavenger hunt + event), which sent my loyal and surprisingly competitive friends racing through my hometown, solving clues and acting like maniacs. So fun!!!

And you might remember that I partook in the Great Urban Race last year. That's a for sure must do again (note to Gretchen: start working on our team name). 

So now I'm wondering if I should try to pull off another scavent of some sort for my birthday this year...which, of course, begs the question of whether anyone else even enjoys these things, or if I would just be once-again subjecting my friends to my whims. Now, part of me thinks that it's my birthday, so everyone can shut up and do what I want...the more mature part of me thinks it would be nice if everyone had fun. I mean, you don't really want people to start dreading your birthday out of fear of what they'll be asked to do next. 

Then there's the issue of orchestrating this grand event and not getting to participate in it. Inviting all of your friends over and then immediately sending them away on a race is kind of a bummer, even if the race is pretty entertaining to watch. 

Such a dilemma. And so commences the weeks of obsessing...oh well, at least this obsession is fun. 

Viva

This is where I'll be eating dinner tonight...because I will be in LAS VEGAS! I'm continuing my tour of celebrity chef restaurants with Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. Last trip, we hit Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak (it was awesome!), maybe next time we'll try one of Mario Batali's spots...or maybe that will be the trip I realize my dream of partaking in Joel Robuchon's 16-course tasting menu. Or maybe not.

Unlike most of my Vegas trips, there is no real itinerary planned for this visit to Sin City - in fact, our reservations tonight at Mesa are pretty much it. I'm tagging along on my husband's work trip and it's unclear how long his work days will be, so I haven't been able to plan much...this will likely result in me having endless hours to slot-hop...

All my friends should be on the lookout for a midday call announcing that I've tapped into my inner Hunter S. Thompson and will not be returning until the book is finished.

I debated bringing my laptop so I could blog about my solo adventures, but I figured it would be too tricky to balance my laptop and a cocktail while winning millions at a Price is Right slot machine, so you'll have to wait until I get back for a full report. However, there's a good chance that I'll photo blog from my phone over here. 

Viva Las Vegas!

Life is Sweet

This photo kind of sums up my trip to Vegas. So good, so sweet, so much…

This is what I ate for dessert last night (not just me). It was the final course in our surf and turf chef’s menu at Craftsteak. Yes, that's apple crisp...and molten chocolate cake...and bread pudding...and vanilla bean cheesecake...and fresh fruit...and (my fave) six scoops of homemade ice cream and sorbet. Thank you, Tom Colicchio for this gift. Six desserts at once? A rainbow of frozen goodness? It was a dream come true. Oh, and the other two courses were amazing too.

There is much more to be said about my fabulous trip, but I am exhausted and my squirrelly little boys are having trouble settling back into their own beds after their vacation to grandma's, so I will have to provide my recap in installments. Hope you don't mind. 

Vegas, baby

As predicted, it'll be a D vs. D showdown next week on American Idol. I am conflicted because while I want David C. to win, I feel like maybe he'd be better off not winning since winning American Idol doesn't really add to your rock cred...

Anyway, back to real life...tomorrow I am leaving for Las Vegas! You dedicated readers might be asking, But weren't you just there? Yes, it's true. I was there for St. Patty's Day. I should be clear: though I love Las Vegas (probably too much), I don't usually visit every two months -- or even every year. This was just kind of a happy (lucky?) fluke. 

Really, it couldn't come at a better time. I'd describe the situation with the teenager as being at a standstill, which isn't really good, but at least it's not going further downhill. However, the events leading up to this standstill have left me in need of a getaway. 

And so I am off to fun in the sun! 97 degree sun! Good thing those casinos are climate-controlled. Highlights from the itinerary include a dessert tasting menu (that's right, 4 courses of dessert, no dinner), seeing the Dropkick Murphys play poolside at the Hard Rock (I have no idea what we're getting ourselves into with that one), and dinner at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak. Not to mention all the laying by the pool and playing Price is Right slots. 

Expect a full report when I return. Viva Las Vegas!