A Night at Encore Boston

This week is our 41^st wedding anniversary and we decided to use our complimentary night at Encore Boston and go to the casino. Whenever we head to Boston, we like to find a lunch spot we wouldn’t otherwise go to. We live on the South Shore of Boston, so we like to try something on the other side of Boston. We tried Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop this time.

Belle Isle Seafood

We’ve been to the old Belle Isle Seafood in East Boston that was just over the bridge from it’s current location (since 2012) in Winthrop. The old restaurant was just a little hole in the wall. Now, the restaurant is much bigger. It is set in a warehouse type building with a large bar that runs half the perimeter. There is table service, and the tables have views across to the Boston skyline looking across Logan Airport runways. There is also patio seating in the warmer weather. FYI, this is a cash only restaurant but does have an ATM machine on the premises.

Our waitress was very sweet and seemed to enjoy working there (which you don’t see much anymore!). We ordered a side of fried clams, stuffed clams and a lobster roll, all to split. Everything was exceptionally good and fresh. We over did it a bit, especially knowing we were going out for dinner. Oh well. You only live once (YOLO). After eating, we walked along the pier that outlines the parking area and watched for planes coming and going. It was a quiet day for that.

Encore Hotel and Casino

The entrance to Encore is enchanting, with gardens and flower sculptures. There is a giant ferris wheel of flowers as well. Very pretty. The hotel rooms at Encore are spectacular. They are extremely clean and well maintained. The décor is modern and the lights, television, temperature control and curtains are all run by a tablet. The bathroom is huge with a soaking tub, large shower stall, double sinks and separate room for toilet.

Neither of us are big gamblers, Keno when out or an occasional scratch ticket. We always assume we are going to donate to the casino when we go, so we don’t like to bring a lot of money. With that mentality, “Why go?” you may ask. Because it’s fun while you are there. Typically, our money goes up and down, and then down and down some more. So, we only go when we have a free room and spend what we would have otherwise spent on the room. We decided to bring $400 based on that calculation. It does go quickly when you’re not winning, but we paced ourselves by agreeing to only use half before dinner and the other half after.

The casino is small compared to Foxwoods Casino or anything in Las Vegas. There is not a lot to do other than gambling, eating or drinking. Once in the casino, the lights and sounds take over. It is hard to know where to begin. The slot machines are located all throughout the middle of the floor and the table games and sports betting are around the perimeter. There are also some restaurants right on the casino floor while others are away from the casino hubbub. Each slot machine has its own noise and visual effects making it a wild, chaotic place. We walked around first to get our bearings and see the different levels of machines. We like the penny machines because contrary to what they say, you can end up wagering $8 dollars (800 pennies) per pull if you don’t understand what buttons to push. There are some bars scattered throughout. Upstairs, around the edges are higher money table games and slot machines. We stayed downstairs, lol.

Fratelli

We lost our first half well before dinner, so we went for a cocktail at Fratelli while we awaited our reservation at Rare, a high end steak house. We have eaten at Fratelli before, and it was awesome. They have a “Rush Hour” special every Monday-Thursday which is a soup to nuts prix fixe menu for $65 per person – a great deal. We had terrific meals when we used this special in the past, but we were here on a Sunday night this time. We opted for a cocktail and sangria at the bar. Our bartender, David, was great. He asked if we were celebrating a special occasion with which he proceeded to surprise us with a dessert, a bowl of vanilla gelato and accompaniments for our anniversary.

Rare

Next, we went to Rare for our dinner. Our reservation was at 6pm. This place is the real deal steak house. Beautiful white linen tablecloths, floor to ceiling windows and a soothing atmosphere. The kind of place when one of us got up to go to the restroom, staff came over and refold our napkin.

The menu here is incredible. We chose to eat from their Sunday special prix fixe tasting menu for $75 per person. Our waiter, Xavier, warned us that this was small portions compared to their regular menu, but we didn’t want to overeat like we did at lunch, so we stuck with our plan. This allowed us to splurge on a $90+ bottle of champagne, something we would not have done if we paid regular restaurant prices.

We started with our choice of Caesar salad or lobster bisque – we got one of each so we could try everything. I love lobster bisque, but I wasn’t a fan on this one. I think it had curry in it which is my least favorite spice. The salad was small but tasty.

For the entree, we could choose from filet or salmon – again, one of each. Both were delicious and the size was fine as I said, we didn’t want to eat into uncomfortableness. Dessert was apple cheesecake which was to die for. Because I let them know during the reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary, they came with chocolate placards saying Happy Anniversary.

Rare is a great date night place or for a special occasion. I simply have trouble spending that kind of money knowing I can go enjoy somewhere else just as much for probably at least half the price. Especially now that we are both retired!

Back to the Casino

It was time to break into the second half of our annual donation to Mr. Wynn, so we watched a few rounds of blackjack first, then I tried my hand at it. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but with Jim coaching and the lady beside me giving advice, I didn’t do too badly. I played with the $40 I initially put down for an hour before walking away empty handed. I have to say, though, the amount of money I see people betting with makes me a little nauseous. Over the hour I played with my $40, a gentleman lost upwards of $500. I can’t even imagine working so hard for money and then blowing it on an outside chance to win big. I do know some people who have hit for a few thousand, but in my opinion, the casino always wins in the long run.

Once I realized that I was not going to be the next big card shark, we went back to the slots. Jim had no luck this visit where last year, I was the big loser. It all balances out – kind of like marriage and life. Playing was fun as long as there are some wins to go along with the losses. I was able to play for a couple of hours on the money I had left, but as usual, I didn’t cash out when I should have, eventually leaving as a loser. We made it a fairly early night.

Cheese Meet Wine

In the morning, we went to Cheese Meet Wine for a breakfast sandwich and a latte. This little restaurant has a handful of tables and some counter seating. In the morning, they have counter service for breakfast sandwiches, coffees and small pastries. In the evening, they offer charcuterie boards or menu selections to build your own as well as wine and beer. We didn’t do the charcuterie in the evening because we had other plans, but this is right up my alley. I would rather do this than go to an expensive dinner. Next time!!

Back at the Casino

After breakfast, we went and checked our Wynn Rewards and between the two of us we were gifted $60 of free slot play. I would never leave without spending “free” money, so off we went to play. Again, Jim had no luck, but I played for another hour before we hit rock bottom again. We also had accumulated points which can be spent like cash ($22.00 total). Because it expires in 6 months and I doubt we will be back before then, I went to the little store near the lobby and got some candy and treats for the grandkids.

Things to note at Encore

• Make sure to apply for and activate your Wynn Rewards Card. We didn’t realize this before, but nurses and first responders, with an ID, qualify for a “Hero” level card which has a few more perks than the basic card – 15% off at some restaurants among others. We upgraded to this card on arrival.
• Once you have your card, it is important to swipe it each day and register for specific contests and promotional giveaways during your stay. Last time, we got towels. This time we entered into some drawings that will take place later in the month and I got $10, and Jim got $50 free slot play.
• Depending on how much you end up playing, you will get offers in the mail and email for free rooms. After last time we were here, Jim gets them, but I didn’t. This time I think I will, and he won’t.
• There is a parking garage, so you can self-park, but there is also free valet, which is what we do.
• Bring all the cash you want to gamble with, with you because the ATMs at the casino charge $8.99 per transaction – highway robbery if you ask me.
• Lastly, only spend what you can afford to lose and pace yourself!!! There is nothing more boring than being at a casino which is very stimulating and not be able to participate!

Remember, anytime you see yellow writing, click for the link or video.

Hope this helps you enjoy your next (or first) trip to Encore Boston!

Patti and Jim