I’m just mad about Saffron

We’d planned to go to Asheville this past weekend.  It was going to be an amazing visit – prowling around Biltmore, tea at the Inn, and dinner at Mountain Magnolia Inn in Hot Springs (Madison County!).  We were going to hit another county on our way back too.  Everyone was predicting 2-4 inches of snow across the whole state on Saturday, so we cancelled our little trip.  I was very sad when it turned out that we’d cancelled for no reason, but we didn’t let the weekend go to waste.

We had dinner at Saffron, a yummy Indian restaurant in Morrisville.  We chowed down on samosas and chicken dishes (they have 2, so we each ordered 1 and shared).  I also tried an Indian beer they’d just gotten in that our server promised was very good.  I thought Royal Challenge was good – definitely a light beer (read: good for thirst quenching due to watery nature) but more flavorful than Corona.   ($9 for 22 oz bottle)  I just wish they had a buffet for dinner sometimes!  They have a great buffet during the week ($7?) and an even bigger one on the weekend ($11).

We also visited Daylight Donuts in Cary for breakfast.  Jason adores these doughnuts – they’re the yeasty kind and remind him of his aunt’s old shop.  I still prefer Krispy Kreme’s airy, so-sweet-they-make-your-teeth-ache doughnuts, but these are good too.   If you visit Fri-Sun, grab a sausage roll.  Yum.  This reminds me – I want to visit Fractured Prune again sometime soon (without Jason!  he doesn’t like their cake doughnuts with customized glaze and toppings); I vastly prefer those to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Pictures to be added later.

Vegas: Free Sights on the Strip

This is the last post on Vegas for a while.  A friend of mine is going to Vegas for the first time soon, and I thought it would be fun to compile a list of the sights on the Strip.  Here’s my list (from south to north):

1.  Excalibur’s Jesters Court features free variety acts throughout the day.
2.  Pay a visit to the big cats in MGM’s lion habitat. 
3.  Just off the Strip: Check out music memorabelia at Hard Rock. 
4.  Watch the dancing fountains at Bellagio.
5.  Admire the indoor garden at Bellagio.
6.  Just off the Strip: Catch beads at the Mardi Gras parade at Rio (you can ride in a float for a fee).
7.  Visit flamingos, penguins, and other birds at the 15 acre habitat at the Flamingo.
8.  Check out the Atlantis show at Caesars.
9.  Window shop in the upscale stores at Forum Shops at Caesars.
10.  See the “volcano” erupt at Mirage after dark. 
11.  Listen to the gondoliers sing at the Venetian.
12.  Giggle at the pirate show at Treasure Island (now featuring the story of the Sirens)
13.  Ogle the grandeur at the Wynn.
14.  If you want to brave Circus Circus, you can see clowns, aerialists, and jugglers.
15.  In downtown Vegas, catch the Fremont Street Experience, a special light and sound show beginning at dusk.

Cheap thrills:

1.  Ride the roller coaster at NYNY. 
2.  See Seigfried and Roy’s white tigers with the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at Mirage. 
3.  Go to the top of the Stratosphere.
4.  Ride one of three rides atop the Stratosphere.
5.  Drinks are free while you’re gambling (but don’t forget to tip the waitress).