This was our designated "relax and enjoy the pool" day. We wandered downstairs and found ourselves looking for something a little more substantial than Starbucks for breakfast. We stopped to consider the menu at Red, White & Blue in part because there wasn't much of a crowd when we arrived there and we figured we could be seated quickly. This is the perfect place for any guest who wants typical, filling, tasty American fare - there's not much on this menu that can be characterized as weird and scary. It struck us a great place to have a good breakfast before heading to the pool. As an FYI to anyone who's interested in eating here, they're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offer restaurant / cafe seating as well as options "to go."
First up to help combat the dessert hangover from the previous night was some strong, hot coffee. We always add milk to our coffee, along with raw sugar whenever it's available. This was a very good cuppa joe and after just a few sips I could feel the sugar spun cobwebs from the night before melting away.
I opted for an omelet for breakfast, which is not something I usually do. But for some reason an eggy ham and cheese affair sounded really, really good. It came with potatoes that were just delicious - hot and fluffy on the inside, crisp and brown on the outside, and lightly dusted with salt and pepper. Mmmmm, mmmmm, good! The omelet, by the way, must have been made with pterodactyl eggs - it was enormous! If I had realized just how large the omelet was going to be I probably would have suggested to Jay that we share it.
Delicious omelet made with enormous eggs ...
Jason ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, which also came with tasty breakfast potatoes. I must admit ... after trying his eggs benedict I almost wished I had ordered that for my breakfast - it was really good and the salmon was a nice change from the usual Canadian Bacon. And again, the portion was huge ... I guess we can't accuse any restaurants in Vegas of skimping on the on the serving sizes while jacking up menu prices.
Monstrous huge eggs ...
Along with vast quantities of water, we ordered a fruit bowl to share in a token effort to maintain a healthy diet. The water was an absolute necessity because it was so damn dry in Vegas we would wake up in the morning with parchment paper skin. As for the fruit, we both like having it with breakfast, but never expected such a generous serving of it to be delivered to the table.
Strawberries...raspberries...bluberries...wow!
We left the restaurant quite pleased with our choice and we were ready to spend some quality time at the pool. I don't want to take a lot of time here talking about the pool, but let me offer you fine people some advice ... get there early ... like when the pool opens ... think of it in Disney World terms: any popular ride runs out of Fast Passes within two hours of park opening and the 11-acre pool complex at Mandalay Bay runs out of public lounge chairs less than an hour after opening. We arrived at the pool, which has a "guarded" entrance with theme-park like turnstiles and a little slot for guests to insert their room keys just like park tickets, about 9:45 AM and it took us more than 15 minutes to find two open chairs. The place was packed - it was totally insane. We stuck it out for about two hours or so and then decided that it wasn't really very relaxing or enjoyable.
When it came time for lunch Jay and I agreed that we wanted something light - we had big, piggish plans for dinner later in the evening. We ended up back at Red, White & Blue which makes sandwiches to order. You can select from a variety of hot and cold sandwich options, various breads, and all kinds of toppings. I did a little happy dance because they offered tuna salad and I requested it on country white with tomato. It was delicious!!
Tuna salad with plain old chips and ice tea for Brenda
The hubba decided to go with chicken salad on a ciabatta roll with all kinds of stuff ... he likes stuff on his sandwiches. We placed the order to go and took everything back to the room to have a cool, cozy carpet picnic.
Chicken salad with spicy thai chips and ice tea for Jay.
All in all we were very pleased with both meals at Red, White & Blue - standard American fare but it was tasty and filling. I'd recommend this for a no frills kind of meal in Vegas if that's what you're looking for during your visit.
8 comments:
Sounds like my kind of place B. Simple and easy.
And do I know my buddy or what? Before you even told me what type of sammy you had, I knew it. But I'm with ya on that. I loves me a good old tuna sandwich myself.
Particularly one made with Charlie Tuna. (wink-wink). :)
Brenda - Thanks for the info about the pool. As many times as I have been to Vegas we have never stayed at the Mandalay Bay but have always wanted to because of the pool area. I am happy I have never taken the "plunge" so to speak. Sounds like a big mess. Cute picture of you and Jay on the DIS! Can't wait for more reviews!
Thanks for the reviews, Brenda...I'm only 10 days away from my Vegas long-weekend and this is really hitting the spot!
We're at the Palms for two nights and MGM for Sunday night and were thinking of renting a cabana at the MGM all day Sunday...figured we might get away from the crowds that way. Doesn't Mandalay Bay have a lazy river?
I knew Mother Goose would like this installment! Something tells me that your Charlie Tuna is a different sandwich from mine ... ;-)
Chelsi - thanks for stopping by. I guess there are times when the pool at Mandalay Bay isn't as crazy as it was when we were there ... but Jay's aunt told us that hanging by the pool is what a lot of tourists like to do. If I had really understood that I might have gone ahead and spent the money for a cabana just for one day ... but you'd have to spend a lot of time at the pool for the money to be worth it in my opinion. And we're just not the kind of people who spend an entire day at the pool ... to restless I guess!
It's Hammertime! Oooooh, the Palms and MGM ... suhweeeet!!! I think renting a cabana would be the way to go - then you don't have to worry about the crowds because you'd have a reserved spot all day. And as long as you'd use it all day you'd get your money's worth (I think).
Yeah, Mandalay has a lazy river but it was too cold to get in the water and we didn't want to wade through miles of people to get there. They also have a wave pool that no one was using because it was too cold.
The sun felt good, though. ;-)
If I could get one more Vegas review posted before your trip what would you most like to see?
You can choose from Alize, Burger Bar, Le' Atelier, Breakfast at HoB, or Aquaknox. Lemme know!
YUMMMM!!! Omelets are AWESOME for morning after eatage!!! Those must have been some pretty darn big chickens though!!!
I absolutely heart carpet picnics!! Nothing like a big old sandwich, some salty chips and a handsome husband to make for lovely lunching experience!!!
YAY!! Can't wait to hear more!!
must get back to the Bachelorette...oooh lawd that girl should NOT be wearing dresses such as she's chosen so far. N-n-NO! Not HD TV friendly! :)
Carpet picnics with your lovey are the very best!
Have never watched the bachelorette ... she sounds like a hussy! ;-)
that's what Grimace would say!
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