If you took me to the airport and told me I could take a plane anywhere tonight, I would fly to Vegas and eat at Mesa Grill. There are three primary reasons for this…

• First: Every meal I have had there has been the BEST meal I have ever eaten.
• Second: I’m not willing to leave the contiguous 48.
• Third: Wheel of FORTUNE!

Every since my first trip to Vegas with my husband, we have gone to Mesa Grill. The picture above is from out last trip and I seriously had the most amazing dinner. I always start with the Tiger Shrimp Roasted Garlic Tamale…because you HAVE to! I never liked tamales, until THIS tamale. You can win any tamale hater over with this appetizer!

For dinner I had the Grilled Lamb Porterhouse Chops with preserved serrano chile sauce, mint chimichurri, and plantain tamale. My husband had my second favorite entree…New Mexican Spiced Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with bourbon ancho chile sauce and sweet potato tamale.

I can’t remember the actual name of the dessert, but it was definitely a chocolate, caramel and chile molten chocolate cake of sorts.

Mesa is a staple for us, but so is Wheel of Fortune. I don’t know why, but ever since my very first trip to Vegas with my sister, Lia, I have been addicted. It is a slot machine with the option to “spin the wheel.” This past January, I got the opportunity to spin on my very first bet. The result…$400! I cashed out and headed to the black jack table…my second love!

It is definitely difficult to replicate Vegas in Illinois, but I have to thank my husband for giving it a try. My SECOND favorite slot machine is the “sparkly” Triple Diamond. Thanks to him, an actual “sparkly” Triple Diamond from Vegas sits in my office. Look who was the big winner tonight…

I can’t imagine a better evening than a great meal at Mesa and gambling. That would be my choice EVERY time. So if you dare to ask, you already know the answer…

VEGAS BABY!