BUFFET IS A BUST

After much badgering, the old geezer got Alan to take to a buffet.  The thinking was, at least on my part, the the wide selection of food would provide a change to the rather bland diet followed these past two months.

Alan is ever so clever.  He knew that a buffet would be a bust and tried to talk MOI into some sort of different dining experience.  The old geezer's mind was made up and nothing was going to change the plan.

The Peppermill Casino has a rather lovely buffet, and with 'comp' dollars to spend, it was not going to be an expensive meal.  The old geezer was ready to dive in...

Sadly, walking round the many offerings did little to excite the palate.  Chicken has become too dry to deal with, pizza boring and most meat held little appeal.  Slowly, the plate had some items added.  There was a little tomato salad, a few Swedish meatballs, and a bit of fish.  There was also a bowl of bean soup.

With effort and no taste, the food was tried.  Feeling put out by the lack of enjoyment, another trip to the counter was made.  The choice of some pork was huge mistake.  Was right depressing...

Alan on the other hand tucked into his meal with gusto.  There is nothing wrong with his taste and he cleaned off his plate.  Alan was looking forward to a visit to the desert island and he made sure that he filled his plate.  There was a wicked looking chocolate desert, a mouth watering slice of cheese cake and other pastries.  Alan told MOI that he was a bit off groceries, as he did not completely finish all of the deserts.  Mind, the plate looked licked clean when he was finished.  The old geezer had some slices of watermelon.  No taste but it went down well...

Were that it be true, the snap featured would have been grand.  Walking out of the buffet was not with much effort, as the old geezer did not eat much.  One the other hand, Alan seemed to be in another place, with the look of total satisfaction on his face.  Went so far as to tell MOI that the Peppermill did not lose any Cash on him that night.  Too right...

My diet is rather plain.   Lots of soups and dry sandwiches with a few micro meals.  The trip to the buffet was an attempt by the old geezer to add a little zest to meal time.  It did not work out that way.  The trip left MOI more than a little depressed.  What I would not give to be able to taste some of the foods was mad for in an earlier life.

It was a pleasure to break bread with Alan.  He tries to add a little spice to me boring life.  Just know now that meals will have to be less complicated in the future.  Pray forgive the old geezer his depression over food taste loss.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - SPLASH OUT AT CASINO

Peppermill Casino - Reno

Last night, Jack, my new BFF was gracious and invited me to dine with at the casino located less than a mile from where we hang our hats.  It is located less than a mile down the road.  Mind, it would seem that casinos are quite near to one and all but this casino has the reputation of being quite an adventure.  How could one refuse so grand an offer to enjoy a lovely meal in a new venue?

We arrived just past 6pm and Jack wanted to sit at the Sports Bar and try his luck at a Video Poker Machine.  It also helped that given one is 'gaming' one could have a cocktail 'one the house' whilst trying one's luck.

Truth be told, this old geezer in not fond of poker, it is like watching paint dry, but it was not my cash and Jack told that if I were to be with, they would give me a cocktail for FREE as well.  They did and my evening of vicarious thrills was set into motion.

Jack is quite clever and seems to know just what to hold.  The game played was 'Jacks Or Better', meaning if one got a pair of Jacks, one won.  Sounds ever so simple.

Jack was playing for a $1.00 a bet and would select his hand and allow me to click the button to produce results.

The first thing one must mention about Jack is that he is quite demonstrative in sharing his delight at winning a bet and equally demonstrative in wishing for good results from the click I was providing.  There were others in the Sports Bar, all seemed to be following a game of football being played, but the squeals of delight from Jack were infectious.  Even the Barkeep thought Jack was showing the proper spirit of the place.  One would have thought every winning click was a great family fortune, to hear Jack.

Truth be told, I was gobsmacked at the good fortune Jack was having.  He had parleyed a $20.00 into a much larger sum and it never seemed to go below a certain level and bit by bit grew larger.

After an hour, and a considerable amount achieved on machine, hunger won out and we headed to the restaurant.  Not before I asked if it were possible to get another Gin and Tonic, to replace the one I had nursed.  One had to have a beverage for dinner.  No?

Romanza Ristorante Italiano

Jack is a most gracious host and told that we could go to a restaurant close or journey further into the casino and dine at his favourite.  I opted for his favoured place.

What strikes one about the Peppermill is it's flashy decor.  Everything, and I do mean everything, about the Peppermill is 'over the top'.  The carpet under foot is quite plush and in all directions one can see something that takes one aback.  Very Posh.

The Romanza Ristorante Italiano was our place to dine.  Just from the entry it looked as if the Emperor Nero had been allowed to run riot on the decor, it was so very eye filling.  One was struck by the lighting that seemed to be subdued, as if one were in a courtyard of a villa dining by candle light.

Jack had good choices to recommend for dinner and the old geezer went with completely.

We started with 5 cheese soup, served with an organic salad and the main course was a Monte Cristo Sandwich complete with chips.

There was also a lovely bread basket with a spread to nibble on before the starters arrived.

Directly in from of me was a massive telly that displayed video images of scenes from the Mediterranean.  Like I said, very over the top...

I will tell true, the 5 cheese soup was the Pièce de résistance of the evening for this old geezer.  That is not to say that other parts were lacking, just that it was so very good that one longs to return and have again and again.  I will tell that I had had a Monte Cristo before but never prepared as it was last night.

Needless to say, the meal was so filling that there was never any serious consideration given to afters.  It would have been gluttonous to have attempted.

Having dined, we wandered through the casino taking in the sight and sounds.  Jack cashed out one of his winning tickets and was ever so grand in giving me a bit of cash to play with.  Jack was in no mood to depart and there just might be another video poker machine with his name on it.

Throughout the casino there are Penny fruit machines and quite near the place Jack was to play, I sat down and started clicking the buttons on a machine I had no clue worked, other than it had a bonus feature and multiple lines to place with wilds.

It turned out that the right machine was picked as it kept giving me the bonus feature and in short order had given up a sum that was much greater than started with.  Was quite pleased with self and took the amount and ran...

Jack had found himself another machine that fortune was smiling on and again had managed to collect a grand sum for his efforts.  No small thing when you consider that one does not always win.  As before, joining Jack got the third cocktail of the evening for FREE.  I was over the moon and starting to feel the warmth of the beverages.  The old geezer is not a massive drinker and three was one past limit.  It was fun...

Jack is very responsible, in gaming and drink, and was well capable of not getting carried away.  Mind, his luck was greater at this machine.  Cashing out, we headed to the door or so I thought.  There was one more machine to try and that produced a winning amount that was the topper of the evening.  Lovely.

I will tell true, $1,00 machines are too grand for this old geezer but not for one minute did I feel that the few pennies played were less than fun.  Multiple lines had given up a sum one could be quite pleased with.  The point being I had FUN...  Fancy that...

Truth be told the vicarious thrill of clicking the buttons of the $1.00 machine and the sharing of Jack's thrill of winning was truly a night to remember...