A night like the one I enjoyed last night would tell you everything that you need to know why I enjoy living here in the Las Vegas area so much.  It was a beautiful, clear, and warm Friday night.  The Downtown area was filled with people experiencing all that First Friday had to offer.  A wonderful dinner at Triple George, quickly becoming one of my Downtown favorites. Then a short ride to the magnificent new Smith Center to see Chris Botti in concert.  And of course, the company of the lovely Theresa.

This is one of the reasons I love coming Downtown…it is just so convenient. Two minutes off the freeway we are literally at the valet parking in front of Triple George.  Reservations waiting and seated in the dining area that was full of people enjoying all that the restaurant had to offer.  I wanted to order the one last thing on the new vegan menu there that I had not yet tried…the Garden Chick’n Bruschetta…and it was marvelous.  A piece of Gardein Chick’n covered in diced tomatoes, onions, and basil in a balsamic reduction on a bed of fragrant basmati rice and surrounded by herbed carrots and green beans.  We had a house salad on the side and it was just about perfect.  

Triple George has to be a great option for you for having dinner prior to a show at the Smith Center.  We came out of the restaurant and our car was available immediately to us.  One block up to Ogden make a right and go a couple of blocks across Main to the underpass and a couple of blocks up and the Smith Center is right there.  Pull up to the valet there…it was maybe 5-7 minutes from the restaurant until getting out of the car in front of the concert hall.  It was a gorgeous night and we took a little stroll through Symphony Park before entering the concert.  Chris Botti was amazing.  His band including multiple Grammy winner Billy Childs, Billy Kilson, and Mark Whitfield is simply incredible.  And the vocals of Lisa Fisher (19 years singing with the Rolling Stones) and the violin virtuoso of Caroline Campbell just added to unforgettable experience. The beauty and acoustics of the Smith Center are something that we should be very proud and grateful to be able to enjoy here now in Las Vegas.  Perfect…indeed.