Las Vegas - Need Some Formal (Swank) Dinner Suggestions For a Group...

I belong to a large website for widows/ers ~ one of the annual events is a Get ToGether (GTG) in Las Vegas. The long time organizers (a couple that met through the website and married ~ lovely story, but OT :p ) moved to Kentucky and ask me and some other 'western US/Canadians' to step up to organize the 2007 Vegas GTG.

The format includes a formal dining option on Saturday night for about 20 +/- people, in the past we have gone to Lupo @ Mandalay Bay; Emeril's @ MGM and Eiffel Tower @ Paris... all were awesome, and appealed to most of the participants. I am looking for ideas, suggestions, recommendations for 2007 ~ I have to get working on it NOW, the GTG is March 16/17/18!

Thank you in advance.

Its very dependant on how swank you would like to go ;-) I just got back from vegas and had an amazing dinner at Prime Streakhouse (the restaurants chef partenaire is New York Superstar of Alsacian cuisine Jean-George Vongrichten). This restaurant is in Bellagio, if you get a windowside table there is an amazing view of the fountain show! I remember seeing a glassed-off room there not sure if it was a private dining area or a smoking section. It did face the fountain though! (i think they would be more than happy to make arrangements!) As a New Yorker who has been lucky enough to experience many amazing meals I would also suggest looking at Guy Savoy's Restaurant at Caesars Palace (visited one of his restaurants in paris, france... AMAZING). I would also look L'atelier Joel Robuchon or the more swanky Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand. Also Thomas Keller's Bouchon at the Venetian! I eat lunch at the "less swanky" bakery style caffe in NYC but also this is the man behind the Dining bohemoth of Per Se, French Laundry and Bouchon in New York and Yountville, CA and all these restaurants are solid 28/29's in zagat and earn top ratings with other critics!

Hope this helps! Hope your event is a great success (sounds like it always is!)

Happy travels!

I'd recommend Bradley Ogden, Nob Hill, Michael Mina, or Alex.

QL

Bartalotta's at the Wynn is great

Exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for ~ keep 'em coming and "THANKS!" again.

How about Flemings, I know it's off the strip but the steaks and sidedishes are great and that lava cake desert is amazing.^

I'd take any suggestion QL makes.

I liked Commander's Palace at Desert Passage, but I dunno if that's up to the level you're looking for. We don't usually go for the really high end places. I know there's the nice place at MGM (Joel Robuchon? at the Mansion) but can't say anything about it -- I've just walked by.

Some suggestions: you might consider Bouchon in the Venetian; excellent food, and they do have a private room or might consider reserving you a large portion of their patio. We have never been disappointed in a meal there. You might also check out ENVY...it's a steakhouse at the Renassaince, slightly off strip, but very nice and with a good sized private room, if you are interested in that. Delmonico's at the Venetian gets consistently great reviews, but I've never been there. Joe's Stone Crab in the Forum Shops is very good and has a pretty varied menu, not just seafood. We also really like Okada in the Wynn...very pretty room and they do lots of food besides sushi.
I don't know your budget, but I think unless you REALLY want to splurge, Joel Rubichon at the Mansion might be a bit pricy. It's supposed to be terrific but it is one of the two highest priced places in LV (with Guy Savoy at Caeser's).
If there is a particular type of cuisine or location you are interested in, please say....if you are all staying at one location and would rather stay close to it, for example....

Bradley Ogden is good.

I'm not going back to Nob Hill after they gave my friends food poisoning and then blew us off the next day when we went back to complain. MGM sent them a FU form letter six weeks later in response to the complaint saying, "We have determined that we're not responsible for your loss." I guess the "loss" in question was the lobster pot pie that the three of them were vomitting up for the next several hours.

The list of restaurant's below could all be considered (Swank). This list of tasting menu pricing is from today's question of the day posted on the Las Vegas Advisor website: http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/qofday.cfm

The Las Vegas Advisor is a great resource for regular Vegas visitors. I highly recommend that you subscribe. They offer short term subscriptions for the occasional visitor. Their website and monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on everything going on in the city. Today's (Jan. 7, 07) question of the day includes information on all of the restaurants in town that offer tasting menu's.


André's (downtown)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $95
With Wine Pairing: $140
Availability: Nightly 6 pm–10 pm
Website: www.andrelv.com/original/menu

Michael Mina (Bellagio)
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $175
With Wine Pairing: $250
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10 pm
Comments: In addition to their traditional tasting menu, they also have a seasonal tasting menu for $145 per person ($220 with wine pairing) and a vegetarian tasting menu for $85 per person ($160 with wine pairing).
Website: www.michaelmina.net/michaelmina_bellagio/menus_cookbook.html

Picasso (Bellagio)
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $105
With Wine Pairing: $158
Availability: Nightly 6 pm–9:30 pm
Comments: Menu changes daily according to the reflect the freshest produce on the market.
Website: http://www.bellagio.com/pages/frameset_flash.asp

808 (Caesars Palace)
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $82
With Wine Pairing: Not available
Availability: Nightly 5 pm–11 pm
Comments: They have two tasting menus, one is seafood and one is shellfish, featuring the same number of courses and for the same price.
Website: www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/808-detail.html

Bradley Ogden (Caesars Palace)
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $115
With Wine Pairing: $210
Availability: Nightly 5 pm–11 pm
Comments: They also have a 7-course menu for $135 ($230 with wine pairing) and a 9-course option for $150 per person ($245 with wine pairing).
Website: www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/bradley-ogden-detail.html

Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace)
Courses: 10
Cost Per Person: $290
With Wine Pairing: Not available
Availability: Wed–Sun, 5 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: They also have a 4-course tasting menu available for $190 per person
Website: www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/restaurant-guy-savoy-detail.html

Commander's Palace (Desert Passage)*
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $89
With Wine Pairing: $132
Availability: Nightly 5:30–9 pm
Comments: A cocktail pairing alternative to the wine version is also available for the same price, with a different libation served with each course, including an espresso martini with dessert.
Website: www.commanderspalace.com/las_vegas/menus.php
* Commander's Palace will be closing Jan. 16th for redevelopment, so strike soon if you want to sample this one!


Nobu (Hard Rock)
Courses: 6
Cost Per Person: $100
With Wine Pairing: Not Available
Availability: Nightly 6 pm–11 pm
Comments: They also offer a 7-course menu for $135 per person.
Website: www.hardrockhotel.com/party_eat_nobu.php


Aureole (Mandalay Bay)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $95
With Wine Pairing: $160
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: This is also available in the Swan Court for $105 per person or $170 with wine pairing. In both instances, the tasting menu is limited to the entire table.
Website: www.aureole.com/cuisine.html#celebration


Craftsteak (MGM Grand)
Courses: 9
Cost Per Person: $90
With Wine Pairing: Not available
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: The courses consist of 4 starters (2 appetizers and 2 salads) and 4 entrées with sides and dessert. They also have two different kobe beef "Surf and Turf" tasting menus for $115 and and $135 (the latter features braised Maine lobster in place of Chef's selection of fresh seasonal fish.) Limited to parties of four or more.
Website: www.mgmgrand.com/dining/craftsteak-steak-house-menu.aspx

Joel Robuchon (The Mansion at MGM Grand)
Courses: 6
Cost Per Person: $215
With Wine Pairing: Not available
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: They also have a 16-course version available for $350.
Website: www.mgmgrand.com/dining/joel-robuchon-at-the-mansion-french-restaurant-menu.aspx

Nobhill (MGM Grand)
Courses: 6
Cost Per Person: $115
With Wine Pairing: $170
Availability: Nightly 5 pm–10 pm
Comments: They also have a 5-course foie gras tasting menu available for $115 per person, $170 with wine pairing, $200 with premium wine tasting. The also have a 5 course "Cookbook" tasting menu, which includes an autographed copy of the book, available for $165 per person ($220 with wine pairing or $250 with premium wine pairing).
Website: www.mgmgrand.com/dining/nobhill-californian-restaurant-menu.aspx

Pearl (MGM Grand)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $68
With Wine Pairing: $123
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Website: www.mgmgrand.com/dining/pearl-chinese-restaurant-menu.aspx

Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $98
With Wine Pairing: Not available
Availability: Nightly 5 pm–10:15 pm
Website: www.eiffeltowerrestaurant.com/tasting.htm

Carmel Room (Rampart)
Courses: 6
Cost Per Person: $65
With Wine Pairing: $80
Availability: Nightly 5 pm–10 pm
Website: www.rampartcasino.com/carmel.htm#

Rosemary's
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $65
With Wine Pairing: $110
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10 pm
Comments: They also have a beer pairing instead of wine for $95.
Website: www. http://www.rosemarysrestaurant.com/rosemarys_restaurant_menus.htm

Valentino (Venetian)
Courses: 5
Cost Per Person: $130
With Wine Pairing: $175
Availability: 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: This is for a black truffle tasting menu, they also have an 8-course menu for $100 or $145 with wine pairing.
Website: www.venetian.com/dining/valentino tastingmenu.cfm

Alex (Wynn)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $175
With Wine Pairing: $305
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Website: www.wynnlasvegas.com/

Fleur de Lys (Wynn)
Courses: 3
Cost Per Person: $74
With Wine Pairing: $124
Availability: Nightly: 6 pm–10:30 pm
Comments: They also have a 4-course version available for $82 per person, $142 with wine pairing, and a 5-course menu for $94, $164 with wine pairing.
Website: www.wynnlasvegas.com/

Tableau (Wynn)
Courses: 7
Cost Per Person: $115
With Wine Pairing: $195
Availability: Nightly 5:30 pm–10 pm
Comments: Vegetarian tasting menu also available for $85 or $165 with wine pairing.
Website: www.wynnlasvegas.com/

I'm not going back to Nob Hill after they gave my friends food poisoning and then blew us off the next day when we went back to complain. MGM sent them a FU form letter six weeks later in response to the complaint saying, "We have determined that we're not responsible for your loss." I guess the "loss" in question was the lobster pot pie that the three of them were vomitting up for the next several hours.

I've been to Nob Hill 20 times and never got sick. But then, I don't order lobster, because I always get sick when I eat lobster.

QL

I've been to Nob Hill 20 times and never got sick. But then, I don't order lobster, because I always get sick when I eat lobster.

QL

Nob Hill used to be a favorite. The last two times I have eaten there I have been VERY disappointed. Prices have gone up and quality and service way down.

Stay away!

Thanks to everyone -- the suggestions and comments are bang-on for my needs.

We are voting on 4 right now:

Craftsteak @ MGM
Tableau @ Wynn
Alex @ Wynn
Bouchon @ Venetian

Bellagio (Prime Steakhouse & Michael Mina) didn't seem interested in accommodating such a large group... maybe I just got a cranky person on the other end of the phone? I will try again early next week... I love the Bellagio!

I've been to Nob Hill 20 times and never got sick. But then, I don't order lobster, because I always get sick when I eat lobster.

QL
Practically every restaurant is eventually going to get someone sick at some point. I didn't fault them for that so much as for not offering some kind of a remedy (e.g. a refund for the tainted food). It's not like we're talking about a mom and pop operation here.

Instead, they got an MGM security guard involved who took a report and told my friends that the restaurant absolutely did not make them sick (apparently the security folks are also experts in that field, too). And to add insult to injury, MGM's insurance people sent the aforementioned blowoff form letter.

(We were certain that it was the lobster, as all of us had spent the entire day together and eaten the same food together, except that those who got sick had the lobster, and those who did not did not. After they got sick it occured to me that the bite of the lobster I did have did have had a taste like another poisoned dish I had encounted on a different occassion.)

Thanks to everyone -- the suggestions and comments are bang-on for my needs.

We are voting on 4 right now:

Craftsteak @ MGM
Tableau @ Wynn
Alex @ Wynn
Bouchon @ Venetian

Bellagio (Prime Steakhouse & Michael Mina) didn't seem interested in accommodating such a large group... maybe I just got a cranky person on the other end of the phone? I will try again early next week... I love the Bellagio!

Either of the Wynns are highly recommended.

Some suggestions: you might consider Bouchon in the Venetian; excellent food, and they do have a private room or might consider reserving you a large portion of their patio.

I was going to suggest Bouchon as well ^