Las Vegas - Must Eat In Vegas

So Im going to Vegas with the family, share some of your MUST EATS in Vegas. BUffets to Hot dogs lets see em all. THANKS in advance

Bellagio buffet as you know is well-rated.

The first time I ate there I was impressed.

This last time, we ended up going at the very end of lunch and stayed through their dinner service. That was simply how our schedule worked out, not trying to "game" the system as has been suggested in this forum.

All the dinner items were presumably fresh as it just started. We probably got our money's worth, but I cannot see paying $37 for that stuff.

I will suggest the Bellagio Cafe just beyond the conservatory. Very reasonable pricing, and good.

Generally speaking we were unimpressed with 90% of the meals we had.

Beware one thing: Bellagio Buffet and probably the others impose an 18% gratuity on large parties (at a buffet ???). Including tax you are approaching $50 to eat food baking under heat lamps.

...$50 to eat food baking under heat lamps.
I'm not much of a buffet fan, and I simply don't understand the fascination that others have with them. The buffets at the Aladdin and the Bellagio seem to get the most praise for quality. I've eaten at the Aladdin's Spice Market Buffet several times, and I'm not entirely satisfied with it every time. (But that's where my coworkers want to go sometimes, so I tag along.) It's not bad, but the same amount of money could've fed me with a much better meal elsewhere. Most frustrating on the Spice Market menu is that the house wine (and only wine option) is Vendange -- a wine that I detest.

A few places that I like are off the Strip: Panevino's off Sunset Rd on the south side of the airport. Roy's Hawaiian Fusion.

I like the food at some of the MGM Grand's restaurants: For some hard to find varieties of fresh seafood, try Seablue. Shibuya is excellent, but pricey. I sometimes stay at the MGM Grand on a promo rate that includes a $35 meal voucher, and that let's me afford a little extra.

When we had a lot of people in town recently, we enjoyed an evening at Marrakech on Paradise Rd for a six-course Moroccan dinner.

Some sushi favorites, though both are pricey: Nobu at the Hard Rock (best scallops that I've ever had). Little Buddha at the Palms.

I see lots of praise for Commander's Palace in Aladdin's Desert Passage, but I haven't eaten there yet.

We've had some great food at the Wynn, but I don't remember the names of their restaurants.

Hot Dogs:

Mermaid’s Downtown - $1.50 all beef, really good. Also try their fried Twinkies and Chocolate covered bananas. Tasty! Mermaid’s is right on the Fremont Street Experience next to the Club.

The Westward Ho closed – they used to sell a 1.25 pounder of gawd awful proportions for $1.49 (it used to be 99 cents). Trust me, you did not miss anything here.

The Gold Spike – in a really seedy area north of Fremont. Looks and feels like a third world country. 99 cents will get ya a 1 pounder dog and a soda. $2 will get ya a 40oz beer.

Buffets – Spice Market at Aladdin, Main Street Station (Downtown), or Sunset Station in Henderson.

Really good sit down 24-hour café at the Four Queens (Downtown). The name escapes me at the moment.

El Cheapo breakfast – The Klondike on the south Strip across from M-Bay. 2 eggs, 2 meat, hash browns, and toast for $1.49 (used to be $1.29 but the .......s raised the price). Special good 11p to 6a only. The best food does come in a shack and if you don’t mind 3” dust balls on the ceiling, it is really good. Don’t bother complimenting the waitress by telling her she has a nice tooth.

The best egg rolls I’ve had are at PT’s (a chain of bars around the valley).

(I’d type more but I’m limited for time)

For a great (and cheap) steak dinner, I recommend Ellis Island. It is located on Koval Rd behind Bally's. The steak dinner is a special not on the menu, you have to ask for it. With the steak you get potato, garlic green beans, salad & bread for $4.95.

El Cheapo breakfast – The Klondike on the south Strip across from M-Bay. 2 eggs, 2 meat, hash browns, and toast for $1.49 (used to be $1.29 but the .......s raised the price). Special good 11p to 6a only. The best food does come in a shack and if you don’t mind 3” dust balls on the ceiling, it is really good. Don’t bother complimenting the waitress by telling her she has a nice tooth.

Somehow I don't think that I'll be running into RoyalFlush during any of my dinners unless RoyalFlush decides to splurge for In N Out.

I liked the German food and beer at the new Hofbrauhaus across from the Hard Rock Cafe.

I hear that "Alex" at The Wynn is outstanding. I would expect both "Atelier de Joel Robuchon" and "Restaurant Joel Robuchon" at the MGM Grand to be outstanding as well.

Mix at the top of the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, great cuisine (try the Thai Lobster Green Curry or the Rainbow clams) ask for a table outside, yes outside on the 62nd floor! (they have heat lamps). Wonderful service, you will need a reservation on the weekend and at any time you want a table with a clear view.

Good luck!




T

actually the buffet at the Bellagio is good -- but you want to go to the buffet on the weekend for brunch and you can get a champagne buffet... Bellagio has a chef making any type of pancakes for you and a delicious desert selection -- tons of pastries and several ice creams and sorbets ....

paris also has an excellent buffet (village buffet) as well with a chef making crepes for you.

paris also has an excellent buffet (village buffet) as well with a chef making crepes for you.

The Paris is the only buffet I know of that carries a theme reasonably well throughout. Their breakfast is sublime, and if you time it right, you can enter for the tail end of breakfast, make a round, sit for a bit while they change over for lunch, and make a second round with a host of all-new offerings. Plus, the breakfast is cheaper by a couple of bucks.

As a local, my favorites are the following: For authentic sushi, popular with Nihonjin and gaijin alike, try Sushi Mon on S Maryland Parkway--10-30USD per person. For Thai, popular with Thai and farang, try Archi's Thai Food, on W Flamingo, west of Jones--8-20USD per person. For cheap Filipino fast food, try DJ Bibingkihan (spelling?) on Maryland Parkway, south of Sahara--4-7USD. It's very popular with Filipinos. There are a number of Buffet @ Asia, around Las Vegas, the best being on S Eastern. These are mostly Chinese food buffets, with pretty decent quality--8-20USD per person.

And...

If you don't have In-N-Out, in your hometown, you should probably visit one for the best fast food hamburgers, fries and shakes that I know of.

Bellagio buffet as you know is well-rated.

The first time I ate there I was impressed.

This last time, we ended up going at the very end of lunch and stayed through their dinner service. That was simply how our schedule worked out, not trying to "game" the system as has been suggested in this forum.

All the dinner items were presumably fresh as it just started. We probably got our money's worth, but I cannot see paying $37 for that stuff.

I will suggest the Bellagio Cafe just beyond the conservatory. Very reasonable pricing, and good.

Generally speaking we were unimpressed with 90% of the meals we had.

Beware one thing: Bellagio Buffet and probably the others impose an 18% gratuity on large parties (at a buffet ???). Including tax you are approaching $50 to eat food baking under heat lamps.

If your hometown doesn't have a Sonic Drive-In, they have one in LV on Pecos SE of the airport.

In & Out I usually grab a cab at NY NY to get there.
Fatburger on the strip
Delmonico at the Venetian
Coyote at MGM
Circo at Bellagio
Wolfgang Puck places at Venetian and Caesars
Bobby Flay's new place
Lotus of Siam Thai place off the strip

Anyone eaten at the crazy expensive champagne brunch at Bally's on Sunday? Worth splurging for?

Anyone eaten at the crazy expensive champagne brunch at Bally's on Sunday? Worth splurging for?

It's absolutely fabulous in an old-school way. Get someone else to pay.

QL

sorry about the previous entry. Didn't get to put my comments in.

We just came back from a two night stay at the Bellagio. Since we were already staying there, we made sure that we ate at the Bellagio buffet. My family (including my parents and kids) are big buffet people.
We were very unimpressed with the food, the quality and variety of the food.
First off, as "uninvited" though paying hotel guests, we had to wait in line for over an hour on a Monday night. My kids (11 and 7) also had to pay full price (26.95) for their meals.
I only eat chicken and there was not one piece of chicken to be found in the entire buffet. Sure, there was buffalo, prime rib, beef, goat, lamb, pork, etc..etc. but no chicken. Weird, I thought. So I ended up having fried rice and lots and lots of split crab legs. My husband thought that the sushi was not fresh, like it was made in the morning and had been sitting for a while. All in all, we were not happy with the money spent and the quality of the food.
We did eat at the Aladdin Spice Buffet the next night and our group totally agreed that it was the better pick between the two. The price was only $24.95 for adults and $16.90 for kids. There were lots of choices in terms of meats, sushi was fresh, and the dessert looked and tasted good.

My favorite (and my co-workers as well) buffet is the Bellagio, probably followed by Paris (but have not eaten there since Harrah's took it over).

We also frequent the Mon Ami Gabi in Paris (great if you can get an outside table with views of Bellagio fountains - weather permitting), and enjoy Samba at the Mirage. Good Mexican food (and great margarita's) at a reasonable price in the Venetian canal shoppes at Taqueria Cañonita's.

I LOVE food and I LOVE Las Vegas. That said, each and EVERY trip I take must include a Bellagio Buffet. There are two times that you can go and it's great. 1) Sunday Brunch. That's my favorite meal, but if I can't do that, then I do a 2) Dinner. Both are great. Much better than ANY other Las Vegas buffet, IMHO. Better than the more expensive and newer Wynn buffet, but I'm sure there are other who will disagree. Wynn food looked good and presentation was spectacular, but it was lacking in the taste department...everything was just mediocre and very few desserts.

If you like to do something touristy and not necessarily go for the food, then that Top of World at the Stratosphere is good. I like their prix fix lunch. I think it spins 360 degrees in one hour.

Other than that, the most of food in Vegas is good to great, but I haven't found a restaurant that I think is better than anything else in the world.

Grand Wok in MGM Grand - tasty variety of Asian foods, including fresh sushi, stir-frys, and noddles. Always a positive sign for authenticity when a good number of the patrons are Asian.

Bonjour Bistro in the Green Valley area south of the Strip (15min drive) - excellent French food in an informal atmosphere. Supposedly rivals the expensive fare offered at Bouchon and other strip French restaurants.

Another vote for In-and-Out Burger. My favorite is a Double-Double animal-style and extra-crispy fries.

I LOVE food and I LOVE Las Vegas. That said, each and EVERY trip I take must include a Bellagio Buffet. There are two times that you can go and it's great. 1) Sunday Brunch. That's my favorite meal, but if I can't do that, then I do a 2) Dinner. Both are great. Much better than ANY other Las Vegas buffet, IMHO. Better than the more expensive and newer Wynn buffet, but I'm sure there are other who will disagree. Wynn food looked good and presentation was spectacular, but it was lacking in the taste department...everything was just mediocre and very few desserts.

If you like to do something touristy and not necessarily go for the food, then that Top of World at the Stratosphere is good. I like their prix fix lunch. I think it spins 360 degrees in one hour.

Other than that, the most of food in Vegas is good to great, but I haven't found a restaurant that I think is better than anything else in the world.

I really like the Paris buffet. The stations, representing different regions of France and their respective French cuisines is a good and novel setup. There usually isn't too horrible a wait, service is good, and food quality is excellent. Plus, the room and decor trying to look like a French street scene is easier on the eyes then the sterile Bellagio room.

The Burger King in the back of O'Shea's is to die for (nothing like a Whopper at 6:30am on the way back to your room to catch a nap). :D

The Burger King in the back of O'Shea's is to die for (nothing like a Whopper at 6:30am on the way back to your room to catch a nap). :D

I agree, but make that a double whopper please :p

Bottom line, there are more good restaurants in Las Vegas than in any other city in the world. Bon Appetit!

QL

The Burger King in the back of O'Shea's is to die for (nothing like a Whopper at 6:30am on the way back to your room to catch a nap). :D

:eek: :eek: I could never even look at a Burger King or McD when there is an In and Out Burger within an hour's drive :)

Any In & Out Burger but the one on the west side of the Strip is the best

Commander's Palace for the 25 cent martini lunch. The food is fabulous

Emeril's Fish House at MGM & Delmonico's at the Venetian

Nero's at Caesar's Palace

China Noodle Shop at Monte Carlo (Great food at very reasonable prices) & don't miss the Brew Pub for a beer on the way in and/or out

And that's just a start

Just got back from Vegas and though not a buffet person was amazed by the quality of the buffet at the Wynn. Did dinner their twice thanks to some good comps but would have gladly paid. Great service and selection of items. Truly something for everyone. Nice little touches like a risotto bar (cooked to order) and an extensive seafood section. The dessert room (yep, it is its own space) was decadent! Definately woth a visit.

Join the Wynn Red Card (player's club) and the promotion was two buffets after 50 points and an additional 2 after 500 during your first stay. My partner and I ended up with 8 buffets between us for relatively normal play. After the 500 points it also included a line pass which came in handy on a Friday night dinner.

HTH.

I concur with the Wynn Buffet, something for everyone. Also a cheap favorite is the deli at NYNY, I think it's called Greenbergs (someone help me out if this is wrong, please). I order the corn beef sandwich hot which is delicious and huge! Have fun!

I concur with the Wynn Buffet, something for everyone. Also a cheap favorite is the deli at NYNY, I think it's called Grennbergs (someone help me out if this is wrong, please). I order the corn beef sandwich hot which is delicious and huge! Have fun!
Stay away from the buffets if you would like a drink with your meal. Mixed drinks are almost impossible to get at any buffet I've been to, even at the high end places.

Can someone tell me of any that have cocktail service, please?

For another crazy expensive experience, try Aureole at Mandalay Bay (http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/restaurants_aureole.aspx). The tasting menu was amazing (the service lacked towards the end, but that was made up by the GM being very good). They also have a "he!!a" cool wine list on tablet PCs and a very cool wine storage thing. The tasting menu is $95/person (I think), but it was worth the experience.

Stay away from the buffets if you would like a drink with your meal. Mixed drinks are almost impossible to get at any buffet I've been to, even at the high end places.

Can someone tell me of any that have cocktail service, please?

Had no problems getting mixed drinks at the Wynn Buffet...and the mix a mean Martini!

Just got back from LV and can't believe Bellagio's buffet is so highly rated. We went on Tuesday evening (~8pm) ... there was no wait, and I understand why. The buffet had a huge selection, but nothing was particularly good. We had much better eats for $30 elsewhere.

Postrio and Bouchon were the high points of our trip this time. I've been going to Postrio (in Venetia's canal shoppes) yearly for ~5 years to have their lobster club sandwhich and I still think it is good.

Bouchon (in the Venetian hotel near the pool) provided very impressive service. We had an infant with us who tends to drop his spoon on the floor, and waiters/busboys/staff were fawning over him, literally offering a replacement, presented on a cloth napkin, before his dropped one hit the floor. The food was good to, and you don't need a reservation like French Laundry.

We stayed at Paris (I had meetings at the Imperial Palace, yowza!) but didn't eat there much (wish we'd tried the buffet at Paris rather than the Bellagio), though my wife mentioned Le Notre wasn't as good as in Paris, and the sandwiches/crepes/bread weren't anything better than standard LV fare.

If you are looking for more of a classic Vegas feel try Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens. It is a bit kitschy but really takes you back to the old Vegas. Food is good and service above par. They have a fantastic salad cart that your waiter will toss to order and the meats were good as well. They mix some mean cocktails as well. Yes, downtown is still a bit worn but it makes for a fun experience.

If you can get in, the Foundation Room on the top of Mandalay Bay is my favorite. It is a private club, but the food is better than Aureole, and the view is breathtaking.
For steakhouse, Delmonico at the Venetian is my favorite.
If you like buffet, drive south to the new South Coast Casino. The Saturday brunch is $8.00 and it has more food than most dinner buffet on the strip. Stone crab, snow crab, peel off shrimp, Chinese stir fry, prime ribs, hams, BBQ, pizza, Mexican, Italian etc. It's like the Rio buffet with the old Vegas price. The lady in front of me get a "buy one get one free" coupon when she signed up the casino card. $8.00 (for two) is probally the tips they pay at Bellagio's buffett.

For a good (& huge) breakfast, try the Peppermill restaurant on the north end of the strip

Just got back from LV and can't believe Bellagio's buffet is so highly rated. We went on Tuesday evening (~8pm) ... there was no wait, and I understand why. The buffet had a huge selection, but nothing was particularly good. We had much better eats for $30 elsewhere.

Postrio and Bouchon were the high points of our trip this time. I've been going to Postrio (in Venetia's canal shoppes) yearly for ~5 years to have their lobster club sandwhich and I still think it is good.

Bouchon (in the Venetian hotel near the pool) provided very impressive service. We had an infant with us who tends to drop his spoon on the floor, and waiters/busboys/staff were fawning over him, literally offering a replacement, presented on a cloth napkin, before his dropped one hit the floor. The food was good to, and you don't need a reservation like French Laundry.

We stayed at Paris (I had meetings at the Imperial Palace, yowza!) but didn't eat there much (wish we'd tried the buffet at Paris rather than the Bellagio), though my wife mentioned Le Notre wasn't as good as in Paris, and the sandwiches/crepes/bread weren't anything better than standard LV fare.
I found Bouchon's food terrible, I ordered medium lamb, but it turned out medium well and doesn't have much taste. Overall the food was very mediocre.

This only demonstrates that restaurants or peoples perception of such can vary considerably.
We have dined twice at Bouchon and the first ocasion was very good, the second just fair. I suspect ( in my case) that ones second visit to any place has to overcome higher expecttions and if not overly impressive tends to be a let down.

That said the French Laundry its not.

mike

Edited add that personally I think the only good thing I believe Aureole has going for it is is the glass tower wine cellar.
Substandard service and mediocre food.
With the ever changing and iimproving choices in LV I predict their demise within two years

The buffet at TI was ok, a lot of pasta, asian cuisine and some country cookin. Dinner was $20 I believe. Prime rib, crab legs, etc were only served Friday and Sat for $26.

Any In & Out Burger but the one on the west side of the Strip is the best

Which one? There's one on Sahara and one at Industrial-Trop. I find the one on Sahara much less crowded.

Which one? There's one on Sahara and one at Industrial-Trop. I find the one on Sahara much less crowded.
I haven't tried the one on Sahara. The one on Industrial & Tropicana is the one I like, but it is very crowded. The longest I have ever waited was 20 minutes & it was worth it. I had number 42(?) that they called less than two minutes after I ordered. Turned out that they only go from 1 to 100 & then start over. I was actually (1)42 so it wasn't my order. Still, less than 20 minutes for over 100 orders is quick!!

This is the one that was rated as the "Best Burger Joint in America" a couple of years ago.

There's also one down by UNLV that's never very crowded & worth going to if you don't want the wait. ^

Which one? There's one on Sahara and one at Industrial-Trop. I find the one on Sahara much less crowded.

I'm sorry but what is the fascination with In 'N Out? You are in Vegas, there are so many great restaurants, with cuisines many can't find in their home towns, skip In 'N Out!!! Try something new. Or if you need meat, check out one of the great steak joints. :)

This hidden gem is one of the best French rest in the world, very romantic, res highly suggested. If you like good asain food try commercial center, lots of gems there and Sam woo's BBQ in LV Chinatown. Late nite NYC style pizzeria food, Boston Pizza by the Strat, sometimes they deliver. As far as buffets go, they can be hit or miss, Union town ya know, Circus Circus probally still the worst, if you guys really love the B, Bellagio, and if you gamble get a line pass from your casino host, remember, they have players cards like airlines, get them points and special offers, The Trop gives crazy deals for little play and its located by the New School South End. If you want the best advice, ask your cabbie, a source of info on everything, try the blue and white ones, they communicate well, i worked for them for 2 years, mostly American drivers and love to talk on them radios... The palms and the Hard Rock are the best places to eat and see celebs and before all these buffets had themes, the Rio was the one that took it to the next level ala The Dunes, and the cocktail waitresses wear thongs ^ . Late nite eats, Fremont street hotels $1.99 steak and eggs, also best place to gamble downtown area, try Golden Gate, oldest hotel downtown, lotta history on the walls. Sun, Tues, Fri nite seafood buffet at The Fremont, lobster claws and oysters when in season, shrimp cocktail, about $16 includes all, drinks fast service also...
bon appetit :-: :-: :-: :-:

I'm sorry but what is the fascination with In 'N Out? You are in Vegas, there are so many great restaurants, with cuisines many can't find in their home towns, skip In 'N Out!!! Try something new. Or if you need meat, check out one of the great steak joints. :)
It's not like I eat every meal in Vegas at In-N-Out! I'm typically there for 5-9 meals or so per trip, and I can't eat all of them at The Range and other fab filling/high-price joints. Plus, I only get to an In-N-Out when I have a rental car (read: staying at The Rio, Downtown, or off-strip).

Trekking to In-N-Out is not just something I do when going to Vegas; it's something I do with most West Coast destinations.

Stay away from the buffets if you would like a drink with your meal. Mixed drinks are almost impossible to get at any buffet I've been to, even at the high end places.

Can someone tell me of any that have cocktail service, please?

the bellagio has a bar in the middle the drink server will bring whatever you wont middle to top shelf
or walk up to it bartender will set you up

It's not like I eat every meal in Vegas at In-N-Out! I'm typically there for 5-9 meals or so per trip, and I can't eat all of them at The Range and other fab filling/high-price joints. Plus, I only get to an In-N-Out when I have a rental car (read: staying at The Rio, Downtown, or off-strip).

Trekking to In-N-Out is not just something I do when going to Vegas; it's something I do with most West Coast destinations.
Agree with you on In-N-Out. Living on the East Coast where they are not existent, any trip out west is a good excuse to go.
One other thing: I see your mention of the Range. I've been there 2x. Both times, I have been major league disappointed. Friends of mine swear by this place, but I've come to the realization that they just haven't been exposed to great steak. (Ie: The original Del Friscos in Dallas....or Peter Luger in NYC).
At the Range, the first time I had to send my medium rare steak back to the kitchen, when it came out well done....then the second steak was much more medium then rare.
On my second trip there, the NY strip had way too much fat on it., and was rather tough.
Needless to say, I have given them 2 shots...no more trips there for me.

I'm sorry but what is the fascination with In 'N Out? You are in Vegas, there are so many great restaurants, with cuisines many can't find in their home towns, skip In 'N Out!!! Try something new. Or if you need meat, check out one of the great steak joints. :)

Well...many of us can't get In N Out unless we travel to the West Coast. I am not really a huge hamburger fan but even I make it a point to stop at In N Out if I am somewhere that has one. :)

Hot Dogs:

The Gold Spike – in a really seedy area north of Fremont. Looks and feels like a third world country. 99 cents will get ya a 1 pounder dog and a soda. $2 will get ya a 40oz beer.
\
you do not know what a third world country looks like, do you..

you do not know what a third world country looks like, do you..

You do not understand hyperbole, do you?

You do not understand hyperbole, do you?
Just not crappy hyperboles.

And BTW, the gold spike is just really bland, smokey, uninspired, and full of some really neat characters. It's not dirty or dangerous. Having homeless people gambling at the blackjack tables while trying to bum a cigarette gives you the TRUE Vegas experience IMO.

Yeah, I guess it is a 3rd world country :D.

Well...many of us can't get In N Out unless we travel to the West Coast. I am not really a huge hamburger fan but even I make it a point to stop at In N Out if I am somewhere that has one. :)
I've traveled all over the country & have had burgers way to many times. The only one I would go out of the way for is In-N-Out. Every one I've been to has had exceptionally high quality & taste for a burger joint. I also like their "secret menu" for those who do a little snooping around. ^


BTW, every Sonic I've ever been to was the complete opposite. Very plain at best & just plain bad at worst. :td:

Delmonico's has already been mentioned, but let me add to the praise.

Also, Craftsteak at MGM Grand is worthy - and if you're there with 4 or more, try the tasting menu.

Isla at TI is growing on me - good Mexican (not Tex-Mex) food.

And as a resident of the South - I always try to make it to In 'N Out Burger everytime I'm on the West Coast. Never get to hit it in Vegas - but do get to everywhere else. Best burger chain I've been to.

And speaking of burgers - there are some great ones at the Burger Bar at Mandalay Place.

I'm sorry but what is the fascination with In 'N Out? You are in Vegas, there are so many great restaurants, with cuisines many can't find in their home towns, skip In 'N Out!!! Try something new. Or if you need meat, check out one of the great steak joints. :)

There are plenty of good places to eat in Vegas, however most of the restaurants are recreations of establishments on other cities or outposts for celebrity chefs. IMO none of them live up to the original. However the In-n-Outs in Vegas are every bit as good as ones in CA or AZ. When in Vegas last week, we hit Mix, Delmonicos, Joes Stone Crab and In-n-Out. Mix was flat out disapointing except for the view, Joe's was very good but not on par with the Chicago or Miami locations, Delmonicos was OK but no better than a steak I can get at home or in any city. In-n-Out was by far our most satisfying meal. I go to Vegas 3-4 times a year and always try nice and new restaurants. I really can't name one "must". However I definitely hit In-n-Out EVERY time.

Rosemary's waaaaayy out on Saraha.

Zagat's top rated Las Vegas restaurant.

A La Carte menu or 3 courses for $45.

Top notch service and food.

Bread rolls to accompany starters during my recent visit were Russian Rye Bread and White Chocolate and Pecan.

Must eats,

1. La Creperie @ Paris
Try the Bayone Crepe (Ham, Mozz & Basil) or the St. Louis (Prosciutto, Mozz & Bechemel Sauce). For dessert try the Nutelle crepe -- always stop here in LAS

2. Seafood Buffet at Rio
All you can eat Alaskan king crab legs, lobster, shrimp, etc

3. I will add my recommendation to visit In N Out (if you don't live near one)

4. All the damn free booze you can drink at any casino!

I always go to Mortons for a great steak, but i've heard from a few folk that the Circus Circus steak house is the best in town, would love to hear from anyone thats tried it...

I've tried it. The food is good. It's not the best in town. Try Luxor for old school, N9ne (Palms) for sceney, or Craftsteak (MGM) or SW (Wynn) for top-notch food and service and a creative menu.

QL

On a very cheap trip to Vegas with some friends in December we found the buffets to be very pricey for the quality of the food. We stayed at the Stratosphere and one night we at at their 50's style diner in the casino. The name of it is escaping me right now but the food was decent and comparativley well priced. We also had some amazing pizza northwest of the strip but I can't remeber the name of it right now. If anyone knows the name (they sell huge new york style pizzas, I think like 36") I would like to know.

This thread is wide open and I can't stand hearing about the buffets as special, nor would I consider waiting an hour (or even 5 minutes) to eat one.

I am staying in Bellagio next weekend, eating in Picasso and Le Cirque. I believe each restaurant represents outstanding quality and value compared to what one would expect in most other cities. Neither place is cheap, but I have been to both multiple times before and paid a fair price for a fantastic meal.

Please don't say they are overpriced, a similar meal in any other US city would be far more and probably not as good. Also, please do not mention any steakhouse as better than either, as quantity does not equal quality.

If you "must eat" a hamburger or buffet in LV, this is fine by me but please don't make a trip across the country for it. I will certainly not spend time in the invited guest line at the Bellagio Buffet BUT as always at FT, YMMV.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Lotus of Siam yet. The best Thai food I have ever had (and a really good and reasonable German wine list too)

I can't believe no one has mentioned Lotus of Siam yet. The best Thai food I have ever had (and a really good and reasonable German wine list too)

FYI, it has been mentioned a few times before,

a recent thread on this restaurant.... (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=505949&highlight=lotus)

My 2 favorites for quick food are the Deli in NYNY for pastrami or corned beef, with a beer or two from the Irish pub across the aisle.

The other is Lucille's Smokehouse in the strip mall just out the east door of Green Valley. (walkable) Huge portions, and pretty good microbrews too. ^

I am staying in Bellagio next weekend, eating in Picasso and Le Cirque. I believe each restaurant represents outstanding quality and value compared to what one would expect in most other cities. Neither place is cheap, but I have been to both multiple times before and paid a fair price for a fantastic meal.

Please don't say they are overpriced, a similar meal in any other US city would be far more and probably not as good. Also, please do not mention any steakhouse as better than either, as quantity does not equal quality.

If you like Picasso and don't blink at a three-digit prix-fixe menu and a 3.4 multiplier on wine, may I suggest you try Alex at Wynn Resort. Run by the former chef of Renoir, it is a beautiful room with wonderful food and service.

QL

Buffets are what they are. They are not typically really great value (particularly for those of us who can't eat as much as they did in their early twenties) nor is the quality superb. I just like going there for the variety so that I can have a little bit if this and that, almost like tapas. And even then, each buffet has a different theme and focuses on different food (Eg. You may or may not like the items at the Bellagio buffet.) so before going to one, it's important to do research on the standard stuff they serve (which may change on daily basis).

We love going to In-N-Out Burger anytime we're near one because there aren't any in the Pacific Northwest. They just taste so fresh. I tried out Fat Burger when one opened up in Vancouver and I still think In-N-Out is second to only home made burgers.

How about Battista's Hole in The Wall?

http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/

I went there in 1981 or 82 with a family group of about 10 adults, several of whom were making a return pilgrimage, and returned there for the first time just a few months ago with nearly 40 people ages 2 to 80 for an informal celebratory pre-wedding dinner. The very same little accordionist (his name may be Gordie) is still wandering around with his big grin and he just cracks me up. I slipped him twenty bucks and pointed out the soon-to-be bride and groom and he grinned even more and played about two bars of something completely unrecognizable and then segued into the next number - what a hoot!

Anyway, on both occasions, separated by a mere 25 years, it was cheap and fun and seems to be a good bargain place to take either a family with kids or a large group if you're going with the right attitude. On this more recent occasion, the groom comes from an Italian family and his parents and aunts and uncles enjoyed the food, wine and atmosphere as much as anybody else. ;)

Ciaio,
Fredd

Just back from Sin City with some restaurant reports:

Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas):
When we arrived at 7:25 PM for our 7:30 PM (Friday) reservation (made on Open Table), the line to check-in made many TSA security lines look good. That is, after about 15 minutes in line, we finally got to the hostess, only to be told there would be about a 10 minute wait. After 15 minutes, we got back in the checkin line, waited in line about another 5 to 7 minutes to ask about our seating. We were told wait right there. In a couple of minutes we were directed to a table in the bar right behind the hostess' check-in station. The normally "mild-mannered, don't make a fuss" ms. jmd001 ripped into the hostess regarding the unacceptable wait time for an unacceptable table. The next table was marginally adequate, but certainly with nothing that resembled a view.
My starter of French Onion Soup was outstanding; her butter lettuce salad was good, but nothing special. My pork porterhouse with potatoes was very flavorful, but the meat was a tad tough, even for pork. Her salmon special was overcooked and not particularly tasty.
Once we were seated, the service was OK, but the overall experience of the excessive wait time and so-so food definitely means we will never return.

Battista's Hole in the Wall (off Flamingo, behind the Flamingo hotel):
A really fun, throw-back Italian restaurant with funky, memorabilia type decor. The food was your basic, solid Italian fare (pastas, veal picatta, chicken cacciatore; excellent garlic bread); nothing fancy here; Italian comfort food, one might call it; well prepared, more than adequate quantities. All the house wine you can drink is included in the price of dinners. Good, efficient, helpful service. Would definitely return! (Also, see Fredd's post above!)

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (at MGM Grand): Saved the best to last! This restaurant is SO OUTSTANDING! I had their $125 9-course, tasting menu (sharing some parts of it with ms. jmd001, who ordered two "small plates"). All of the food was incredible!!! The flavors, the textures, the presentation. One might quibble about the small size of the portions, but -- hey -- it's a tasting menu, and there are 9 courses. Although there are some tables, the place to sit is at the counter where you can watch all the food preparation. Our server was very efficient and helpful. One of our most postively memorable dining experiences EVER.
Expensive? Most definitely ... but cheaper than the $215 prix fixe /pp dinner next door at "Joel Robuchon at the Mansion".

If you "must eat" a hamburger or buffet in LV, this is fine by me but please don't make a trip across the country for it. I will certainly not spend time in the invited guest line at the Bellagio Buffet BUT as always at FT, YMMV.

How dare someone feel satisfied with spending less than $100 for an entree? :rolleyes: :p For those of us who are card carrying members of the hoi polloi, visiting a buffet is just as much part of the Vegas experience as playing blackjack or seeing Cirque du Soleil.

Don't get me wrong, in general I am not a buffet person - you will never see me at Old Country Buffet or Golden Corral. But many of the buffets in Vegas serve good food - not spectacular - but good. I enjoy the Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin and the buffet at Bellagio. To me, being able to eat as many crab legs and pre peeled shrimp as I want makes it worth it.

In-N-Out!!!...well for us eastcoasters. I'm not comparing it to fine dining in Las Vegas but a lunch at In-N-Out is a must when you travel out to the west coast and there isn't one near you back home.

A poster mentioned Lotus of Siam...a bit disappoinment for me. I was so impressed by the reviews I read and thought this might be THE thai restaurant that I'd be talking about for a long time... While not bad, it really wasn't all that. Not in LV, but the Thep Phanom in SF is worth its reviews...the hole in the wall I was expecting of Lotus. Of course nothing beats having Thai food in Thailand!

I think buffets in LV are fun...especially watching some of the people eat...and eat...and eat. I thought the breakfast buffet at Paris was decent. My opinion is that if you specifically know what you want to eat then stick to non-buffet restaurants, since food and quality of service should be superior...and as for THE MUST restaurants, I'll leave that to other posts. I did find myself surprised by the reasonable prices at the restaurants, except of course the few famed-chef branded places.

If I happen to be at Hard Rock, I like the steak & shrimp special at Lucky 7's. It's an unpublished menu item available for $7.77, and you just have to ask for it. While it's not Joel Atelier, I like the place.

I also liked Commander's Palace last time we were out there. It's in the Desert Passage Shops at The Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.