Big Weekend

After an amazing birthday celebration on Friday, who thought things could get any more fun and frolic filled?!? Well, they did when Cavemom called and invited us down to the Palm Springs area to continue the celebration. We headed out Saturday morning, making it in near record time, after a stop for the best early AM road-trip food ever made … McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin with Egg. Personally, I am no longer a big fan of anything the Golden Arches serves up, other than this little muffin wrapped bit of heavenly flavor. But, I digress.

We arrived to find that the woman who had given birth to me a mere half-century ago, and who was dealing with that fact with incredible grace and serenity, had created an incredible family luncheon for us to jubilate and enjoy. There were steamed artichokes with a basil dipping sauce, fresh sliced turkey breast, homemade egg salad, and my all-time fave – Cavemom’s Chicken Salad (hoping to get her to post that recipe soon). For desert, she had gotten this incredible Carrot Cake from Sweet Lady Jane’s. Oh my, was it good! Even with the bold reminder of my personal milestone.

The Cavekids and I blew out the candles and we put a flavorful finish on this fine feast. I opened a few presents, which included a couple of great cookbooks I’ll be perusing soon, and got ready to settle in for the rest of the weekend. But, Cavemom had other plans! She informed us that she and Cavepoppa would be taking care of the short-people for the next 24 hours while Cavewoman and I were to go enjoy an adults-only night at the 4-Diamond Agua Caliente Casino & Resort in nearby Rancho Mirage … including dinner at their renowned Steakhouse restaurant. After we swept our jaws up off the floor, we gleefully said our goodbyes and made tracks for our grown-up’s retreat.

To think that a few short years ago this was just a little Indian-reservation casino and has become a phenomenal destination resort is truly unimaginable. Our room, a standard pool-view type, was just stunning. Perhaps, the best “regular” room I have ever stayed in. Spacious, well appointed and, best of all, adorned with little chocolates on the pillows! A huge, two granite-sink bathroom with a stone shower, 2-person jacuzzi tub, flat screen HDTV, and separate commode were all very nice touches.

After a quick nap, we got gussied up and headed down for our 7:30 reservation. We were given a booth near the kitchen which was fun for us as we got watch how they ran things on both sides of the partition. The Cavewoman began with a wedge salad while I opted for their Steakhouse Salad – Butter Lettuce & Shaft Bleu Cheese in their Brown Derby Dressing. It was amazing, and I’ll be attempting to recreate and expand on it very soon. For the main course, we both actually ordered appetizers. My veg-girl went with Portabella & Mozzarella Raviolis (Fresh Cream, Rubbed Sage, Madeira Wine & Demi-Glace) which were fantastic, and I decided on the Fire & Ice Seafood Tower … for Two! Yeah, I know it was a STEAK-house … it says it right there in the name!! And, considering my Neanderthal lineage, red-meat should be a requirement. But, the Lobster, Shrimp & Scallop Brochettes, Ahi Poke with Crisp Wonton Chips, Fresh Oysters and King Crab with 4 Dipping Sauces, just called to me. Besides, anytime you have crustaceans and raw mollusks involved, you still get to retain your Caveman status. By the way, it was absolutely the right choice!

On a side note, I know I look absolutely plastered in the above photo. But, I swear that I didn’t have a drop to drink as we were planning on hitting the poker tables for a couple hours after dinner … and, I never play in a casino after imbibing. In case you are wondering, I ended up winning $140! Wooo HOOOOO!!!

Before we could traverse the casino floor to the rounder’s room, a “Little Birdie” (ie. my Mom) had told the restaurant folks that it was my birthday. They wanted in on the act, too, and gave us a complimentary Boston Cream Cake that was very good, but just needed a bit more cream inside, ioho.

After an incredible evening and a serviceable breakfast at the hotel’s WatersCafe, we headed back to reunite with the rest of the Caveclan. Before watching the Laker game, we went to the driving range to have some family golfin’ fun. Both, Cavegrandparents are excellent duffers, while Cavewoman and I hold our own. So, it’s only natural that the Cavekids have been bitten by the white-ball bug.

While many on and around the golf course often try to look the part, Caveboy actually has game! As evidenced in this photo, and by the fact that this six-year-old was stroking some sweet 100+ yard shots.

After the the Laker victory, we enjoyed some leftovers from Cavemom’s savory soiree the day before, packed up the van, and made our way back to the new Cave. We’ve been back a couple of days now, but the smile still hasn’t left my face. It positively was a birthday weekend worthy of a half-century celebration.

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.