Las Vegas in August

Ok, maybe it wasn't the best idea to spend a week in Las Vegas in mid-August.  After all, Sin City is known for being toasty at that time of year.  But we found a few places where we could keep cool, and even enjoy bargain food, drink and entertainment, which is not as easy as it used to be, especially on the Strip.

Here are four tips for getting the most of your entertainment dollar in Vegas.

1. Battista's Hole in the Wall.  This throwback Italian eatery boasts framed photos of celebrities with the owner, an amazing collection of miniature booze bottles, a wandering accordion player, and good food at reasonable prices.  Battista's is just off E. Flamingo Road, about a block from the Strip.  The menu is listed on signs on the wall, and complete meals run from $22 to $38, including soup or salad, garlic bread, a carafe of house wine and a cappucino.  Try the steak pizziola for $28, it was delicious!

2. Ellis Island Casino and Microbrewery.  Try a prime rib dinner with all the trimmings (including a 20-ounce microbrew or home-made root beer) for $12.99, or a steak dinner for $7.99 (not on the menu but ask the waiter.)  A block behind Bally's.  Microbrews, which some in light, dark and amber, cost about $3.  The casino is a bit smoky, but the restaurant is non-smoking.

3.  The Cosmopolitan.  One of the newest casinos on the strip, the Book and Stage lounge offers free, top-flight entertainment.  We caught a Washington, D.C.-based jazz combo called The Funk Ark (http://www.thefunkark.com/) while sitting in comfy leather chairs, each with its own footstool.  Just watch the bar tab; martinis run $16.

4. Tamba.  A great Indian restaurant tucked away off the Strip in the somewhat tacky Hawaiian Village shopping center, next to the Polo Towers.  Try the lunch buffet for $12.99, you won't need to eat again that day.  All manner of veg and non-veg entrees, along with delicious, fresh-baked naan bread.

Although this blog is geared toward travel with children, we parents have a right to get out once in a while, right?