iPod Touch Versus Nintendo DS(i)

No, this isn’t a funded post.
I cannot count the “are you insane” looks of bewilderment and sometimes disgust when others discover that all my children have their very own iPod Touch. “Goodness, they’re spoiled!” “Are they old enough for that?” “That’s too expensive!” Has anyone really thought things over before they blurt out their opinions? Nope, don’t think so. Reality check: The iPod Touch is cheaper than a Nintendo DS. I truly believe this. And here’s why:

Nintendo DSi = $138 plus tax
iPod Touch = $199 plus tax

Each DS game costs at minimum $20 bucks, yes? Most kids usually have a selection of four to five games on average. That equals to….hmmmm….another $100?

I purchased about twenty different apps for the kids at $0.99 each AND downloaded another arsenal of FREE ones.
In addition to the mindless pocket tanks type of arcade games, there were also educational games sponsored by PBS and Nickelodeon that taught everything from Bible stories to reading musical notes. There were children’s books that can be downloaded with read-to-you or read-on-your-own options. To this date, my Sophia can recount the tale of David and Goliath and little Livy now knows her ABC’s. All for an added cost of $20 total.

Mister D and Miss Soph have built their own playlist of songs. Dylan has proven he has a very diverse taste in music…from classic rock (Tom Sawyer) to country to hip hop(clean versions of course). Sophia is currently obsessed with everything Taylor Swift (no skanky Miley Cyrus, thanks). Liv also enjoys the music feature as well with songs from Sophie’s playlists in addition to her preschool type ditties.

And did I mention you can convert DVD’s you currently own into it? Available memory provided of course. DVD Player Be Gone!

Given, I did purchase accidental damage coverage on the units (they are MY children, after all). The sweet thing is I am no longer paranoid that Liv will experience an off day and have a sudden urge to chuck it at her sister’s head and have it smash to pieces on the floor. It will be replaced with a brand new one if it breaks for ANY reason during the next two years. Plus covers and invisi-shields for the screens.

I love that once an app is downloaded into the family’s iTunes library, it can be applied to all iPod’s for no additional costs. No more fighting: “Well, I wanna play what HE is playing!”

No more cartridges that can get lost between the couch cushions. No more bulky protective cases. No more bickering. AND no more draining mom and dad’s iPhone batteries!

So where were we in the tallying?
Nintendo DSi--$139(unit) + $100(5 games) + $15 (case) = $254
iPod Touch --$199(unit) + $20(20 games) + $10 (case) = $229

You just can’t argue the numbers. The iPod Touch is so versatile. An MP3, video, and gaming system in one. Dylan’s is the only one with Wi-Fi enabled. The girls ARE too young for that part.

This palm sized jewel will be THE key to mine and all the other passengers’ sanity during our airplane flights cross country next month. Forget Nintendo. Apple is the way to go.

#82 of 101 Eat at a Michelin-Rated Restaurant

After obsessively researching a suitable candidate to fulfill this item on my 101 list, I finally came upon a review with matching menu that got me excited. EXCITED I tell you!



Background Info: I first heard of Joel Robuchon when watching the Top Chef reality show where he was introduced as the "Chef of the Century." With a title like that, who wouldn't be intrigued, right? He has a number of restaurants bearing his name around the world.



The Mister and I headed down to Las Vegas this weekend with friends (separate post) and we decided to go ahead and book a reservation for then.



Inside the MGM Grand, neighboring the more refined (and expensive) Joel Robuchon, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who confirmed our reservations and seated us at the bar.



The first thing that catches your eye is that the kitchen is OPEN. With our position from the bar, we can watch everything that goes on in the preparation of the dishes from the prepping, cooking, to plating.

The decor, which we only noted secondary to the spectacle of the ktichen, was bold and modern...reds, blacks, clean lines. One great thing I really appreciated....under the bar is a recessed cubby with a hook for my purse! Genius!

We ordered, Lou chose the Winter Tasting Four-Course Menu while I went for the gusto and selected the Discovery Tasting Menu: a nine-course meal intent on sending you to a plane of gastronomical heaven.

No ice water here. You have a choice of still or sparkling Perrier water or wine. ($8 per bottle)

Our waiter set a bowl of warm mini baguettes with a slab of French butter (yes, there is a difference and the French variety is by far superior). What a start. Many restaurants I've been to, the bread platter is almost an afterthought...something thrown onto the table to keep you quiet while the kitchen fires up your order. These baguettes have that perfect consistency...you hear the cripsy crunch when you break off a piece as you discover the soft warm center. I was trying to keep the bread consumption to a minimum as I did have nine courses yet ahead, but I seriously couldn't stop. Could-Not-Stop.

I did not get a picture of the first course: Amuse Bouche. It is served as a palate cleanser, to prepare your tastebuds for what is ahead. But I was stunned at the presentation...and too eager to taste it...I simply forgot.

Amuse Bouche: Served in a marble bowl, the size and shape of a large egg, sitting atop a slab of volcanic rock. One side of the concoction was a pink grapefruit coulis with bits of tart apple while the other was an avocado puree with cilantro. I had never ever imagined anything could taste like it. It was smooth, creamy, light, and refreshing.

Next came the king crab salad sandwiched between paper thin radish disks. The crab was seasoned lightly, the sweetness of the meat coming through unobstructed. W-O-W.

This was one of my favorites. I LOVE scallops. Usually, I eat them seared. This was poached in the shell, served with a helmet of micro-chives, white pepper, and butter. The smallest plate of them all, I almost didn't want to share half of it with the hubby. :-)

Next: white onion tart

What was in this thing? I was so excited to dive into it, I only half-listened to our gracious waiter who detailed every dish he set in front of us. The tart was so thin, it was transluscent, topped with asparagus spears and pancetta slices.

This was one I was very excited to eat. You watch all these cooking competition shows prepare dishes with foie gras (pronounced fwah-grah) and can't help but be curious. And the curiousity amps up especially when you learn it's actually a fancy name for DUCK LIVER. I am a fan of liver, I have to admit....but really, I couldn't understand why these people on TV were going berserk over a piece of perfectly cooked LIVER. Well, now I know why. Wowzah! It was delicately seared on the outside, and creamy and buttery on the inside. Definitely not the liver I'm used to! It sat alongside a sweet quince confit and garnished with yuzu sauce.

On to the next course: dover sole filet with baby leeks, crispy onion, and ginger. This had a bit of a Japanese kick to it, just like the foie gras. I think this may have been the largest of the portions that was served. The sole (fish) was tender and flaky with a slightly sea salty finish.

This was the one that brought me to this place. Monsieur Robuchon's La Caille. Free-range quail stuffed with foie gras with a dollop of truffled mashed potatoes. It was a mouthful of heaven. The quail skin was textbook crisp, the dark meat tender and complimented perfectly with the buttery foie gras. Those mashed potatoes were to die for!!!! It was earthy due to the black truffles, but rich and creamy (it's that French butter again).

Dessert...somehow I have managed to scarf this all down. Thank goodness the Mister was with me to help out. Hazelnut and Gianjuda Crunch with Chocolate Gelato (not ice cream, gelato, and again, yes, there is a difference). Topped with edible gold flakes. Let's just say this didn't last long at all.

I had another plate, a Passion Fruit in Coconut Meringue concoction. I think this may have been my least favorite...in part because I was about to bust out of my clothes from being so full and also because I am not a fan of coconut. Sorry no picture...it was very pretty.


The hubby's Winter Tasting Menu was also great. Unfortunately, I was too pre-occupied with my dishes, I practically ignored him. Ha ha ha. I do remember the creamy seafood chowder. Hubby is not too keen on shellfish...but this, he had to admit was excellent.

Another highlight....Joel Robuchon himself was in town and made the rounds and chatted (with his interpreter by his side) with all the diners. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle!" he beams at me.

And what do I do? I get flustered and let the sensation of being awestruck take over. Lou says I blabbered something incoherent about me being a fan...in English. WTF? Those four years of French have absolutely failed me.

Dining here need not break the bank, as it nearly did ours. But really, why would you want to pass up on the experience of tasting everything on that menu?

Raising a Jetsetter

We all know I have the travel bug. It is my mission to have my children acquire the same case of wanderlust and sense of adventure. I signed my little Miss Sophie up in this program through Little Passports. It costs $10 per month. The first month, she gets a package in the mail with the above pictured items: a mini suitcase, a mini passport, stickers, a world map, and a letter from Sam and Sofia.

The letter befriends the budding traveler and explains they have discovered a magic scooter that can take them anywhere in the world. For each country they visit (one per month) they will send a package to her with a little souvenir from that country, stickers for her passport, and another letter telling about their experiences.

She got her starter kit today and she already cannot wait until the next package arrives. With the map unfolded, she kept guessing as to what country she'll learn about first. Awesome awesome! I love it!!!!

Check it out and sign up your little traveller!!!