Last night Brad and I ate dinner at the Switch restaurant in the Encore casino. This is definitely an upscale dining choice, with prices to match. We don’t usually eat at fancy gourmet restaurants. Not because of their prices since we would have plenty of comps to cover them, but because we like to eat simpler. Sticking mostly with buffets allows us a better variety of healthy foods, including lots of veggies. 

But we made an exception last night in order to help our close friends celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary. And we really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant atmosphere is very unique, with the changing (switching – get it?) décor every half hour. Not only do the walls change but the ceiling with its moving chandeliers does a magical switch as well. Novel and romantic! 

Although both couples have comps to burn, we opted for the Pre-Theater menu. This is a one-price option available from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. that includes 3 choices of appetizers, 3 choices for the main course, 2 choices for dessert, and a glass of sparking wine. Both couples are big on sharing so we did a lot of that. One ordered shrimp cocktail and the other a salad. We rarely eat beef anymore but Brad ordered the petit 9-oz filet mignon and I ordered chicken. I had filled up early on their wonderful nutty wheat buns and the shared appetizers, so I ate a few bites of Brad’s steak and brought the chicken home to eat today.  

Fortunately I was full when they brought the regular desserts so I only “cheated” on my sugar-free diet with a couple of bites of the luscious chocolate-peanut lava cake and Crème Brule. Then I went back to my healthier dish of mixed berries. 

For someone who isn’t using comps, this Pre-Theater menu is a frugal option, only $59, much cheaper than if you order the same items from the regular menu. 

I never restrict the word “frugal” to “cheap” choices. To me, “frugal” mean getting a good buy or extremely good value for your money. This was definitely a “frugal” option for gourmet dining.

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