Where's the Glamor?

So Jason and I celebrated Valentine's Day last night. I know, I know, it's a few days early, but Jason's parents are coming tomorrow night and staying through Sunday. Yesterday was really the only day we could have a little time as a couple. And we definitely needed that after him being gone for almost 3 weeks.

We went to Elements Steakhouse and Grille in the River Spirit Casino here in Tulsa. Jason heard they had a special going on for a steak and lobster dinner for $20 per person, and he'd never had lobster before. I've always heard that casinos have very good food for cheap. I have to say that was the case here. It was a very nice restaurant, the service was great, they cooked our steaks just like we ordered them, and it was overall a very pleasant dinner. Plus, all nonalcoholic beverages are free, so for a nice meal, you can't hardly beat it. We had great conversation, which comes pretty naturally for us. I always have so much to say to Jason, and vice versa. It's nice never to get tired of each other's company. Then we stopped off for a coffee or "coffee" in my case since I'm pregnant. Mainly, it was just to have a little more time together as a couple. Thanks Jason for a wonderful evening. Happy Valentine's Day.

I have have to say though, this was my first experience ever seeing the inside of a casino. I guess I was expecting more of a Casino Royal atmosphere, where it's sort of glamorous, which would make me see how people would be drawn to going in the first place. However, excluding the restaurant, I felt it to be very white trash. The first thing I noticed was the smell of cigarette smoke, the bells and whistles of the machines, and tacky decorating style in a building that's only, what, a year and a half old? And, to get to the restaurant, we had to walk across the entire building. I do understand that's kinda the point so they can make some money, but it certainly was a mood killer from our otherwise romantic evening.

So where is the glamor in casinos? I mean, if you're going to practically give your money away to them, surely they would make it feel a little more luxurious and stylish. I never would ever have gone to a casino to gamble before, and after actually seeing the inside of one, my mind is still very firm on that point. I was disappointed after all the hype.

These are just my thoughts on casinos and in no way took away from the wonderful dinner and time I had with Jason, my Valentine of 10 years! :)

My food topic for the day......Balsamic Butter. They had some at the restaurant we ate at to go with their bread. It was delicious! I will be searching for a recipe. If you have one, please, please give it to me!

Oh! And I made homemade pesto a few months back and froze some. Wasn't sure how that would turn out. If you just heat it in warm water (don't microwave!) until thawed, it tastes about as good as fresh. At least Owen and I thought that today for lunch.