Upscale Dinner recommendations
 

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I tried a quick search and it didn't bring up anything relevant, so my apologies...

I'm looking for recommendations for a great meal when I'm in Las Vegas at the end of the month. Bonus points to places that will accomidate a single diner without any hassle. To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, I'd like to keep it under $75 (including tax & tip, not alcohol), but I'm not opposed to spending more if it's a great place. I eat everything (well, I'll try it once!), but I prefer seafood, Asian, etc. over steak (unless it's a top-notch filet!). A place with an excellent chef's tasting menu would be great, as I can try a few things. A much lower priority is "name appeal," (e.g. somewhere like one of Wolfgang Puck's places, or a really trendy/hot place) that I can brag about and people will know what I am talking about. ;) Proximity to the strip (or a close cab ride) is another niceity, since I won't have a car.

I had dinner at Emeril's Fish House last time I was in Vegas, and really enjoyed the food there. I wouldn't be opposed to going back there, but I'd like to try someplace else.

Thanks for your suggestions!

what about Bradley Ogden's? we've eaten there once and thought it was terrific. If you are wanting to go off the strip, two possibilities are Table 34 and Rosemary's. table 34 is relatively close in, while Rosemary's is a bit more of a drive to the west. Both very good, though.

If you like Thai food, you can't miss Lotus of Siam. It is a short drive east of The Strip on Sahara (inside the Commercial Center strip mall). They don't offer a tasting menu, but you can do really well by picking a few dishes and asking them to pair wines for you. They have a great wine list heavy with German Rieslings that go incredibly with the meal.

Lotus of Siam
http://www.saipinchutima.com/
953 E. Sahara Ave. #A-5 (in the Commercial Center Mall)
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 735-3033

http://www.offbeattravel.com/siam.html
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2004/05/06/cover.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3752271/

I also like two of lvnvflyer's suggestions (I haven't been to Table 34).

Bradley Ogden is incredible. It isn't cheap, though.

Bradley Ogden

Rosemary's is really a fun place. And it is very reasonably priced.

http://www.rosemarysrestaurant.com/

Nob Hill is Michael Mina's place in MGM Grand. I really like it.

http://www.mgmgrand.com/pages/dining.asp

Commander's Palace in the Aladdin shops is always good.

http://www.commanderspalace.com/las_...neral_info.php

And I could suggest some other great places without a tasting menu.

I haven't been to Alain Ducasse's Mix (yet), but it may be worth checking out (though you'd probably need to double your price target).

Mix info

Craft Steak at MGM has great steak, innovative side dishes, attentive service, and takes excellent care of single diners.

Lotus of Siam has been called the best Thai restaurant in the US. I've only eaten there once, but was quite impressed. I don't think it would be considered an upscale place, but the food is excellent. The biggest problem is its location. It's in a very old shopping center with, shall we say, an eclectic mix of tenants (swingers clubs, gay bathouses, restaurants, bars, etc.). It's not really walking distance from the Strip.

I'll second the suggestion of Commander's Palace. The other/original Commander's Palace is in New Orleans and often makes those "Ten Best Restaurants in the World" list. It's excellent New Orleans food without having to go to New Orleans.

clark

Rosemary's

Nobu

Craftsteak

All places that I think you would thoroughly enjoy. :)

Nobu is outstanding, but my bill is usually $300-$400 for two.

With or without drinks?

I understood Mark to be looking for $75 not including tax/tip/alcohol.

I've gotten out of Nobu for that easily.

Aqua at Bellagio is outstanding.

That is a tasting menu & mid-priced small bottle of sake, for two, and includes tip & tax. No other drinks.

It's not Aqua anymore - it's Michael Mina, but still outstanding - same menu - love that Lobster potpie! And the bar's comfortable to sit at. As much as I love Lotus of Siam, really going by yourself would be a downer - can't order all those fabulous dishes to share. But if you love Thai, don't miss it.

Bang for buck and attentive service: Rosemary's....well off the beaten path, however, 8125 W. Sahara; #110. Tel: 702.869.2251

For a seafood meal, the correct answer is, as others have said, Michael Mina's at Bellagio. The tasting menu there is nonpareil. However, you should call ahead and see if they will do it for one.

QL

I eternally and once again stand by Michael's at the Barbary Coast...Definitely not a fancy casino, but does host Las Vegas's best restaurant, hands down. I've eaten at Aqua and Nobu, and neither compare.

LV Review-Journal's Best Restaurant in Las Vegas award a few years ago, AAA 4-diamond, Zagat's best in LV a few years ago, DiRona rates it high. Food is fabulous, service is even better (I have NEVER had better service anywhere)...Huge portions of perfectly prepared food. I see celebrities in there quite frequently, and it is Las Vegas' best-kept secret. Unfortunately, it's going to run a little more than the budget of the post, more like $80-$100 a person (before alcohol and tip).

Menu here:

http://www.barbarycoastcasino.com/re...aels-menu.html

Not mentioned is a fabulous exotic relish tray that one could make a meal of alone...Repleneshed upon request. Fine hand-dipped chocolates at the end--huge strawberries, kiwi, apricots, figs--several of each plus hand-made petit fours, also replenished upon request. That being said, something to begin--soup, salad, OR appetizer; main course and shared side dish is MORE than plenty (and not appeared to be going cheap, as regulars know that the baked potato is the size of a football and the generous asparagus portion, despite being tree-trunk sized is tender and delicious). So, for example, for two:

Cream of Tomato Soup: (honestly best soup I ever had and I don't really even like tomato soup) $18.00

Shrimp Cocktail: (well-presented in a lighted sculpted ice bowl): $24.00

Filet of Salmon: $54.00

Lamb Chops (to die for) or Filet (HUGE): $68.00

Shared order of asparagus: $10.00 (heck, throw in a baked football) $10.00

$174.00 before taxes/tip/drinks.

Splurge and get the flown-in Carnegie Deli Cheesecake, the Black Forrest Cake, or the Tiramisu, and you're still under $200.

In-season, they also fly in Joe's Stone Crab daily from Miami...No need to even tell you how fabulous that is. Downside is that there's not a ton of variety or creativity--menu is somewhat limited, but everything they do prepare is fabulous.

Some reviews here:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/db/dini...l?pid=3130&s=1