The Hotel Guide Travel Blog

Hey all, Dale from The Hotel Guide writing to you from Lake Charles, LA.  Man, this has place changed..

I’m staying at L’auberge du lac, which is the newest hotel here - and I got to say, this place is pretty cool.  It’s a Las Vegas style hotel/casino - so no boats here.  The whole place was modeled after the Texas Hill Country and you really feel like you’re in a resort in Fredericksburg, Boerne or Kerrville.  LDL has a huge pool (in fact, there’s a weekly Party at the Pool going on right now with a couple of thousand people packed in there).  There’s even tubing at the lazy river.  Amazing restaurants, a cool bar or two - and where did all these good looking people come from?  They’re everywhere.

Dare I say - it’s like a mini-Vegas.

Well, fun time had to end sooner or later.  I’m now sitting in the Vegas airport - but still not ready to leave.

What really struck me this trip is how the economy is affecting Las Vegas.  Everyone I talked to - cab drivers, dealers, doormen, etc - all brought it up.  Thankfully, this weekend was actually a busy one (President’s Day holiday and two big conferences).  A lot of them told me this was the busiest it’s been in a few months.  Everyone was so polite this trip…not that people here aren’t polite - but they were ecstatic to have business. 

So here’s my advice - plan a trip to Las Vegas.  This is the perfect time to do it on the cheap.  Southwest Airlines has weekly specials.  Go sign up for Southwest’s email notices.  Sign up with Southwest on Twitter - they have other unannounced specials there.  Hotels are begging you to come out here.  Go sign up at all the different hotel web sites and get their email promotions.  Come out here to Vegas.  It’s the greatest city on earth.

So long from Sin City.

I once got into an argument with a friend who lives in Las Vegas.  I asked how he could justify never coming to the Strip.  He countered by asking me how often I visit the Alamo.  I told him never.  He replied with, “Well, there you go.  I have no reason to go to the Strip.  That’s unless someone wants to take me to Delmonico.”

Now I know what he was talking about.

Delmonico Steakhouse is in a great spot - in the walkway between two of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas, Venetian and Palazzo.  The design is very contemporary, very minimalistic.  Once you’re seated, a trio of waiters is there to provide some of the best service I’ve ever experienced.  From the advice to the help with the menu, it’s all there.  Plus, your glass never gets below half-full (or half-empty, depending on your outlook).

So let’s talk about the meal itself.

For starters, we had some delicious pulled pork with BBQ sauce.  I’ll be honest - I was a bit nervous.  Believe it or not, I’m from Texas and I’m not a fan of BBQ sauce.  But this dish pulled it all together.  It really was a very pleasant surprise.

Then it was time for the main event.  I ordered the house specialty - the Bone In Rib Steak.  Let me get this out of the way - I am one of the weird souls who orders a steak well done.  I know, I know.  Regardless, a few short minutes later, the steak arrived and nearly overtook the entire plate.  You can instantly tell why this is the specialty.  Every bite was mouthwatering and even though the steak was huge, I found myself looking for other bits of meat - just for that one last bite.

And it may sound trivial, but Delmonico also has the most delicious bread I’ve ever had in my life.

Then it was time for dessert.  Being a fan of whisky, I was immediately drawn to the Butterscotch Pudding.  That may not make sense - until you factor in the splash of Johnny Walker.  It’s a perfect mix.  The whisky really adds to the butterscotch flavor, without overpowering it.  And the brown sugar shortbread?  It literally melted in my mouth.

I should mention that someone else in my party ordered the dessert that chef/owner Emeril Lagasse is known for - the banana creme pie.  Believe me, it lives up to the hype.

My trip to Delmonico can be summed up in three words.

The service?  Impeccable.

The presentation?  Amazing.

The food?  Delicious.

Look, I’m not going to pretend to be a fine-dining guy.  I’m obviously not.  But I do know a great steak when I eat one.  And this was a great steak.

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