We headed for the gaming tables, Lou to use his Players Club pair of table vouchers (if you bet $10, you can double the bet with a chit) while I opted for the slots. I couldn’t get past the cream puffs and the chocolate fountain - until I found the chocolate truffles.

Served with drawn butter, every mouthful was delicious.ĭesserts were endless as well: crème brûlée, opera cakes, tortes, bread pudding, pies, you name it. These were primo, with huge claws that spilled off the plate. The big draw is the seafood spread: lobsters, crab legs, clams, oysters, mussels, shrimp and sushi.

Its theme is a tour of the world, with Mexican, Asian and Italian fare as well as an All-American carving station with prime rib and turkey. I had a glass of Chardonnay Lou groused that there were no local brews on tap and settled for a bottle of Pacifico. We moved to one of the casino’s newer venues, Black & Blue Steakhouse (Juanita raves about its steaks and baked potatoes), and had a drink in its chic lounge. When a well-dressed gentleman (he stood out most folks were in sweats or jeans) in a dapper suit, black hat and shades sat down next to us and lighted up a giant stogie, I hit my limit. It doesn’t have, say, Pechanga’s range of eateries or nearby Harrah’s Rincon lineup of touring bands and comedians.īlues singer Missy Anderson was good, but the cigarette smoke was bothering me. In many respects, Valley View is a second-tier casino. The small Main Stage Bar offers the only entertainment. We decided to celebrate our first “win” with a drink. Join the Players Club and get a free buffet.Īfter waiting in line 20 minutes to sign up for the club, which also offers gambling rewards, I asked, “How long is the wait for the buffet?” Relax, clerk Ryahn Spece said, hotel guests get to use the much-shorter VIP line.

Valley View touts its lobster buffet and “Certified Loose Slots” (they have 2,000 machines). I waded into the back half, which was only 4 feet deep.Įnough lollygagging, it was time to get down to business - eating and gambling. I plunged in - make that stepped in the first half of the pool is only 10 inches deep - and screeched: The water was freezing. There’s no need for private cabanas everyone gets cushioned rattan lounge chairs, and large umbrellas give plenty of shade. It was hot, so we headed to the stunning infinity pool. The house-brand toiletries were nothing special, but the towels were as plush as those in any luxury hotel.

The bathroom’s marble and granite surfaces were neutral yet classy a glass-enclosed shower had its own room.

Valley view casino lobster buffet