Unfortunately, we did not win any money, actually. we lost money, but coming out on top is just an added benefit, not the requirement of a successful casino trip.
Borgata - 7/13 thru 7/14 !
Weather was fantastic, company even better, food was great, gambling so so.
Headed down Sunday morning around 8:30 AM, an absolutely beautiful day. No traffic, arrive at Borgata around 9:45, no line at check in. We do not expect the room to be ready at this early hour but always check in anyway, get dibs on a high room with a view.Lo and behold they had a fiore suite ready for us on the 26th floor !
Surprised to learn they had a fiore suite with a bay view on a high floor ready for us, Yabba, Dabba, Dooo !
Headed to B&B for breakfast, shared the cinnamon swirl French Toast, delicious as always, then up to the room. As we approached we saw the " Tidy Up " sign on the door, ut oh. Told Fran the maid had probably forgot to remove it, upon entering the room we saw that was not the case, it was a mess. I just wanted to leave the suitcase in the room, call the front desk and have it cleaned, was anxious to start gambling. Fran wanted no part of this, " I'm not going to use that phone until its cleaned ".
Lug the suitcase back down to check in, now its mobbed !
Marcey to the Rescue !
As we get in line we see Marcey is now working, " please let us get Marcey " we chant, our first win of the trip, we get Marcey. She immediately takes care of the problem, puts us down for a high room with a suite and bay view, talk about " The Contest " and how much Nancy is looking forward to the weekend, Marcey was not sure if mom had elected to Play On or quit, we told her Nancy had played on !! ( Sorry Nancy, did not mean to reveal any family secrets, glad you made the right decision ! ) Marcey looked radiant in her middle trimester by the way !
We finally get to gamble !
Now that we know we will have a lovely room we head to the B Bar for some VP. Our 2 favorite Daytime Bartenders, Luke and Amy are on call, a good start. Fran has a rough start ( actually, she had a rough trip ) but I'm doing ok. Soon familiar faces sit to my right, the entourage begins. A very nice couple, Pat and Frank, whom we've played with at xhibitions at Harrahs has joined us. They are also upset by the 10 credit max bet at exhibitions and have migrated to Borgata. Soon our Vegas companions, Mike and Jean, join us. Jean has recently made diamond and was upgrading to Black label. My entourage has now dominated the .25 side of the bar. Early afternoon I go to pick up our room key. When I return I see AC1 and his lovely wife D have joined the party. AC1 had made a special trip to the Borgata just to give me my contest winnings, now that's service above and beyond the call of duty. As AC1 can verify, the money never touched my hands, went right into Fran's vault. Our son is getting married this year and my daughter is planning a trip to London, we have been setting aside a portion of our winnings ea trip ( when there are winnings ) to help finance the honeymoon and daughters trip. We have always given them some of our winnings in the past, now we just tell them we lose ea trip so we can surprise them in the fall, they probably think we're blowing their inheritance is AC.
Dinner at Amphora, Mike and Jeans 1st, it was excellent as usual, Mike did not want to leave. After dinner we said our goodbyes and returned to the B Bar for the night, held our own and went to bed around even for the day.
Monday
headed to Harrahs around 10:30 AM to have lunch in the pool bar. Stopped in xhibitions 1st for a " free " cocktail and some VP. Our " free " cocktail cost us a 100 bucks each, plus tip.
Enough of this, into the pool for lunch, placed our order for the pool burger and spa salad which we had enjoyed before. Waited around 45 min, still no food, our waitress finally comes over and apologizes, the computer crashed and the kitchen never received our order. The food arrived shortly and as I was paying the girl I heard a southern drawl " Any lucky VP players around ? ", yes, Linda from NC was in the house. It was great to finally meet Linda and her sister, she sends her best Helen, Linda was having a pretty good trip when we spoke, can I hear a Wheel of Fortune ? Hope your luck continued for the remainder of your trip linda !
After another great lunch Fran and I headed out, there was some blue sky breaking through so we took the walk over to Trump Marina. Had a cocktail on the Deck Bar and enjoyed the Marina as we watched a " Monday Afternoon Lady of the Day ? " at work ( won't let me type *%$%!%, what I'm trying to say is looker spelled with an h, talk about censorship ) looked like she had some business too.
Back to the b Bar for some more VP, I had a decent afternoon, Fran did not. Up to the room to shower and have dinner at izakaya, the new Japanese restaurant
After looking at the menu on line I had some doubts about this restaurant, Fran and I do not eat Sushi and there were no real entrées on the menu. We were there on comp dollars so figured what the heck, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
We had a Fabulous Meal !! Will return next trip it was so good.
We started out with a couple of their specialty drinks, I had the something sour, Fran the saki sidecar. Both were excellent.
It's a different dining experience, for us anyway, you order various items on the menu, they are served on the middle of the table and you share. We had a great waiter, followed his advice and he did not let us down. First we tried the Crispy Rock Shrimp, this is a must have item if you go and the Edamame Dumplings, also excellent.
Next we ordered the King Crab Robatayaki and the Kobe beef strip steak, both were to die for.
We had a Crab and Shiso Rice side, delicious, and the waiter talked us into trying a ½ carafe of Saki. I had never had Saki before, Saki is GOOD ! And it only cost $12 for the ½ carafe.
For desert we shared their version of strawberry shortcake, light and delicious, Fran tried the gree tea which she now loves, I had a cappuccino, excellent for a Japanese restaurant. Total bill was $175 and worth every penny. Can't wait to go back.
After dinner back to the B Bar ( where else ) where I had a good VP session but Fran got killed. She did however find her new favorite cocktail. If your at the B Bar at night and Maurice is working ask him to make you his " Bananas Foster " Martini, it's a drink he developed for a bartenders contest, taste just like Bananas Foster, it was delicious.
Tuesday
Count the money and we are down for the trip but not too bad. It's a beautiful day so we check out and head for the boardwalk Breakfast at Café 24 again, it is mobbed but there are empty seats at the counter so we bypassed the line. The counter is very comfortable and you get great service, another good breakfast at Café 24.
After breakfast we go to TP's new video poker Bar, this is where things took a turn for the worse. We both got killed. Left with our tails draggin between our legs, our losses had grown.
A brief walk on the boards on a beautiful day and a stop at the Candy shop in the Pier and our spirits were uplifted. You can't win all the time and we really did have a fun trip. Even got on the road early and beat rush hour traffic in Philly.
In 3 weeks we will return again to once more do battle with the machines ( and drink some more Saki ! )
EdB



Always having fun !
....EdB ( photo credit : Bruce from NJ )





sounds like
this one was more entertainment than actual hitting on you tho...phewwww!!


