Treasure Island has hit the jackpot with its new sushi, sashimi, sake restaurant: Social House. My Sis and I just had one night in Las Vegas and a burning desire to eat, drink, see a show, pop into a nightclub, and spot a few celebs, so we were in a complete tizzy. However at the Social House, we managed to do all that and more in one fell swoop.

First, we were whisked up a winding staircase by an extra-tall brunette poured into a black Suzie Wong slit-to-the-heavens sheath and shown to our patio table. We had lucked out and scored a warm balmy evening, just right for dining alfresco while watching the hustle bustle of the strip. Our table also offered the perfect vantage point for viewing the “famous” outdoor Treasure Island show where the sexy Sirens go to battle with the frisky, and decidedly hunky, renegade Pirates in Siren’s Cove below. We joined the other guests to ohh and ahh over the clash between the damsels and the bad boys of the sea while our efficient waitron cleverly timed our food courses so as not to interrupt our free show.

We had high expectations for our dinner since we found out that Executive Chef Joseph Elevado (formerly Executive Chef at Nobu Las Vegas) was at the helm. Trying to choose dishes to share from the enticing menu separated into pages on Cold dishes, Hot dishes, Sushi, Noodles, Skewers, etc was next to impossible since my big Sis always comes with many “issues.”
“Why would I order sushi when the “real” NYC Nobu is right by my apt? Hmmm, I’m really not in the mood for sake tonight. Do you think they could make this spicy beef dish with out any onions, garlic, peppers, hot sauce ……?”

Thankfully, our waitron appeared just before we came to blows, and said, “If I may make a small suggestion, why don’t you leave it all to me and I’ll take your taste buds on a nice little culinary journey. Just tell me if you have any food allergies.” My big city distrustful Sis glared at me when I quickly replied, “No allergies. Sounds wonderful-let’s go for it!” But after one nibble of the impeccably fresh yellowtail sashimi with delicate spirals of deep-fried jalapenos, she instantly came around-even to letting him select her (many glasses of) sake from the extensive list.

Just a few of our favorites following the sashimi: the Kobe beef drizzled with wasabi crème fraiche, a beautifully presented Seared Tuna and Snow Crab salad, a delicate citrus peel Miso Cod, a scrumptious pan seared Scallop and Eggplant dish- and I don’t even like scallops- and our waiter’s clever version of surf’n’turf: flavorful slow-braised Tamarind Short Ribs nestled up to a half grilled lobster dripping garlic butter.

For dessert we shared a most unique sweetie ending: Crispy Corn Ube—vanilla ice cream rolled in crisped pieces of corn garnished with a purple ube sauce. Although one bite was enough for me…I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw my picky sister scarfing down every last niblet!

More genius lies in the interior design. The AvroKO group, a red hot firm responsible for the fabulous interior, also designed two of our favorite New York City restaurants, Public, and the Stanton Social. With the Social House, AvorKO, known for their interesting, fashionable yet relaxed interiors, more than lives up to their rep. This well planned restaurant offers several intimate dining spaces, each seamlessly flowing into another, as well as numerous sushi bars and liquor bars thoughtfully interspersed throughout.

Our waitron suggested we go downstairs after our dinner to check out Tangerine, the newbie hip, hot, TI nightclub with a strip view. Generously, he told us he’d stamp our dinner receipt so we wouldn’t need to pay a cover. That works. We tottled downstairs hoping to get a glimpse of some of the VIP’s. When Mark Steele, the extremely affable GM for Social House had dropped by our table to check that all was well ( it was!) he dropped oh so casually, that Scarlett Johannson, Damon Wayans, Kevin Dillon,
Haylie Duff, Dennis Rodman, Gene Simmons, and Slash of Guns and Roses had been known to ‘’come round” Tangerine.

Mission accomplished: in four hours we had seen a show, got a bird’s eye view of the Strip, enjoyed some stellar food and drink, and gone clubbing. And I don’t care what my know-it-all Sis says… I think it really was
Brad Pitt who bumped into me on the dance floor!!!

We all have them. Those lists. The lists of: “Designer shoes you want to own,” “Places you want to visit,” and the somewhat-unattainable “Amazing people you want to meet.” One of my peeps on that list was the “Boss” of Travel, Peter Greenberg. You know him as the Travel Editor on the Today Show, and now I know him as Peter the sailor and part time fireman.

After his book signing in San Francisco, I caught up with him with one of my dear friends and producer at ABC. We shared a fabulous dinner at Slanted Door and I sat in amazement as Peter talked about his knowledge of world history and numbers. This man is brilliant. He walked us through a few math problems, and as we sat there stumped, he could recite all our numbers with sharpshooter accuracy. Honestly, I could barely keep track of the numbers in my own head!

He was in San Francisco promoting his latest book: The Complete Travel Detective Bible. Some of the information he shares in the book is very important (even though he forgot to mention TangoDiva.com!). From booking hotels to dealing with airlines, it’s all in his 1-pound book. There are a few points we disagree on. He thinks that women don’t want to be catered to differently at hotels, and I disagree. Women are more concerned with safety than men, and we are not big fans of eating alone.

So, now that I met the “Man of my Dreams,” I can look forward to meeting the next person on my list. Watch out Oprah, here I come!

Aficionados of Argentine wine will soon be seeing green with the release of the CUMA organic wine brand from Michel Torino. The renowned winery, located in the ecologically focused Cafayate Valley of northern Argentina, will formally launch three CUMA varietals in October. A pioneer of organic viticulture, Michel Torino is committed to a pure and clean environment – as well as to making great organic wine.

Beginning with the 2007 vintage, the line will include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Torrontes.
CUMA means “clean and pure” in the language of the Aymara, who occupied the lofty elevations of northern Argentina prior to the Inca and have long since migrated throughout South America’s Altiplano (high plains). The CUMA name also expresses Michel Torino’s commitment to preserving the environment of the Cafayate Valley in the province of Salta. The viticulture and the winemaking process of CUMA follow strict and certified organic guidelines, while the spirit of CUMA reveals the winery’s commitment leaving a better world for future generations.
 
A leading organic brand in Argentina, CUMA is currently sold in fifteen countries on four continents around the world. Come October, American oenophiles can look forward to:
 
CUMA Malbec: Crimson evolving to black in the glass, with distinct aromas of fresh plum and spicy notes of rosemary and eucalyptus. Exuberant blueberry on the palate, with mint and spicy character of tarragon and rosemary. ($12.99)
 
CUMA Cabernet Sauvignon: Deep ruby with vivid purple sparkles. Blackcurrant aromas, paprika and raw leather and wildflowers. Lots of cassis and firm leather in a rustic style, and a meaty center-palate, with black olives and pepper at the finish. ($12.99)
 
CUMA Torrontes: Bright green-yellow with pale tones and gold sparkle. Floral scents, roses, jasmines and orange skins on the nose. Peach flavors with fresh, floral notes on the palate, and a bitter lemon finish with easy-going acidity. ($12.99)
 
For more information on CUMA wines of Michel Torino, contact Frederick Wildman and Sons, at 1-800-REDWINE or visit www.frederickwildman.com; or www.micheltorino.com.ar.
 
Known locally as Bodega El Esteco, Michel Torino has long capitalized on the exotic location, lofty altitude, benign climate, impressive soil and parsimonious planting area of the Cafayate Valley in Argentina to create world-class wines that are a step ahead of the competition. The winery won its first honors in 1929 in Seville, Spain, and today employs the most advanced techniques throughout more than 1,700 acres, including “zero-farming” on two vineyards that were recently certified organic. The Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa, a luxury Starwood property located onsite at the Michel Torino vineyards, uses wine-based products in all spa treatments. Michel Torino is imported exclusively by Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York. 

Riviera Maya Huge Sale!  All-inclusive Deluxe Riu Playacar $649

Your Package Inclubes:
Roundtrip airfare, roundtrip transfers, 5 nights at the Deluxe Rui Playacar, all meals, drinks, tips, and non-motorized water sports. 

Price:
$649 - Washington D.C.
$699 - Newark, JFK-New York, Albany, Boston, Bradley, Buffalo, Knoxville, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Richmond, Rochester, Portland, Providence, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham, Roanoke.
$709 - Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus.

Departure Info:
November 4, 11, 14, 15, 25, 26, & 28.
December 2 & 7. 

Terms: Price per person based on double or triple.  Rates do not include hotel charges typically paid by the customer directly to the hotel (e.g., room service, telephone charges, etc.), government imposed international travel taxes of up to $110.90, airport passenger facility charges of up to $18, the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per person and federal excise taxes of $3.30 which will be imposed on each domestic segment.  A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing.  Other conditions apply.  Total Vacation Package price will always be clearly displayed to you prior to purchase.  Limited time offer is subject to (i) change without notice; (ii) availability (advance reservation is required As Always TravelByJen.com Brings you the nest Deals Price is only valid until it selld out! 

Wooo-ha-ha-ha…it’s that time of year again, boys and ghouls, so make this Halloween a fright to remember! Let’s start with my own terror-filled tale. Just click to read about my recent trip to Transylvania!

*Poe Museum: If that doesn’t boil your delicious blood, perhaps a trip to the Edgar Allen Poe Museum will. Although it should be located in a fearsome monicker like Lynchburg, it’s actually found in Richmond, VA. With a plethora of programs includng Unhappy Hours, and a Poe’s Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, October 27th from 1 - 5 PM, this is a great way to kick off what may be your last season. Literary Divas will want to follow a romp in the punkin patch with the Masque of the Red Death Halloween Party that night. Quoth the Raven, "Get your ass to Richmond!"

*Haunted Houses: Do you love Haunted Houses? Why not check out this list of 13 Haunted Houses That Will Make You Wet Your Pants in 2007. Hmmm…catchy title. And Haunted Attraction Magazine’s current issue goes behind the scenes at Salt Lake City’s Nightmare on 13th. Are you a voyeur? Do you like to watch freaked-out folks traipse LIVE through a haunted house via hidden cameras? Of course, we all do! Then click on "Experience the Nightmare" to get the full affect…from the safety of your couch!

*Elvira: You know what gets me in the mood? Oh, stop, you know what I mean. I have been riveted to the best reality tv show ever invented–Elvira’s The Search for the Next Elvira. Now I am not a Fox fan, believe you me, but I have adored Miss Cassandra Peterson’s work for decades, and if she is wearing the scarlet letters of Fox on her ample bosom, then what can this poor fan do? 

*Haunted Historic Hotels: Now America ain’t exactly the oldest country on the block, but we got our fair share of spectres and spooks. Our National Trust Historic Hotels has over 50 bone-rattling tales for you to check out and then check in to, if you dare! From the Menger Hotel in my home town of San Antonio, TX, to the sumptuous Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, ghostly encounters are de rigeur. Do you have the nerve to visit the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Georgia? The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas? Or the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee? Not me, sister. Not me!

*Haunted Museum, NYC: I was just watching a show about haunted New York (check it out for listings like Beardslee Castle in the Mohawk Valley, and the Billup House on Staten Island!), and I was fascinated to learn about a perfectly preserved brownstone-turned-museum a bone’s throw away from my old stomping grounds—Merchant’s House Museum at 29 East 4th Street at Bowery. It’s celebrating its 175th birthday this year, and this Halloween will be a hit with events like candlelit ghost tours, cemetary tours and a Halloween Open House. Fa-boo-lous!

*Haunted B&B’s: Bed and Breakfast.com have spared no US region to bring you a complete list of the hottest haunted properties. In their words, "Great Places to Sleep With a Ghost!" Now, I like my undead to buy me dinner first, but you may have your own policy. Maybe they’re taking a cheap shot at your lover? How should I know? But I suspect that they are laying out their most fearsome four posters for your mortal enjoyment, encounters with the likes of the old gold miner, Lyle, at the Groveland Hotel. Or brave a spot on the Haunted Hoosier Trail in Indiana (loved that movie). And even bust ghosts in America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, FL. For great seasonal deals, check out the website’s Halloween Happenings.

I hope I haven’t SCARED you too much. Aren’t you just DYING to check out these terror-ific Halloween happenings?  

(PS: Do ya ever feel like THIS when you’re flying the commercial skies? On the horrors of flyin’ these days, check out this funny Opus cartoon on Salon!) Ha!

Even better, let’s put our money where our mouths are, and support these often unsung heroes, by snapping up these waay cool Italian leather “Totes for Teachers.” DHL and Zac Posner partnered up to bring us these colorful, messenger-sized, expandable sporty bags that can hold your cell phone, make-up kit, power bar, with plenty of room left over to bring an apple for the teacher.

But the best part is that for every one of these limited-edition Zac Posen totes sold, DHL will donate 100% of the proceeds to TeachersCount, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a permanent culture of teacher appreciation.!

Price: $400
Dimensions: 12” wide by 14” tall
Quantities are limited. All sales are final and non-returnable.
To learn more, please visit teacherscount.org.