Eating in Vegas
We will be going to Vegas in January, any suggestions on where to have dinner? Are the "celebrity" chef places the ones to try? We will be there two nights.
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19 Comments:
I have two places I never miss on a Vegas trip: Mon Ami Gabi (at Paris) and Red Square (in Mandalay Bay). Try to sit on the patio at MAG and watch the waters at the Bellagio while you eat. Food is traditional French bistro and always exceptional. Russian themed Red Square is a must, even if just for a cocktail (the espresso martini is memorable). Todd English's Olives is also very good.
StripeyChef at 9:13PM on 11/01/07
Assuming you are hitting the strip.
I go to vegas three times a year and due to the sheer number of restaurants still have not been able to try them all. But everytime I go I hit Joe's Seafood at Ceasars Forum Shops (which I consider better than the original in chicago) or Bouchon at the Venetian.
I have had excellent meals at Gallagher (new york new york) and Alize (palm - the view is incredible).
For Buffets my favorites are Mirage and Wynn.
As for the celebrity - outside of the couple I mentioned (Bouchon, Alize) I found them not worth the money. Craftsteak wasn't any better than Gallaghers which was half the cost. And I absolutely refuse to hit anything Emeril. The rest weren't memorable enough for me to even remember their names (although I haven't tried Joel Robuchon yet.) Wolfgang Pucks in MGM is a good place to get pizza if you can deal with the awful service. You are going to find all sorts of restaurants for all sorts of budgets - its a fun place to explore food.
One warning - if you just happen to find yourself at the Riviera and you value your life and your sanity - avoid the Asian Restaurant at all costs. If you find yourself at Quark's bar at the Hilton - buy the overpriced "exotic" drink, get a star trek souvenir (borg bear is my favorite), and then go somewhere else to eat.
bravian at 9:14PM on 11/01/07
A big thumbs-up to Corsa Cucina at the Wynn, which has stunningly good Italian food. Breakfast buffet at the Mirage was fairly decent, but the Carnegie Deli was mostly a big diappointment. Here's what I blogged:
here and
here
lemons at 9:55PM on 11/01/07
Keep commenting! I'm in the same boat as mrsmoosie. My husband and I will be there for two nights at the end of December (the first time to Vegas for both of us), and appreciate the recommendations. We're staying at Mandalay Bay.
mrsbao at 8:32AM on 11/02/07
Bradley Ogden's restaurant at Caesar's Palace is so good. The Maytag Bleu Cheese Souffle appetizer is incredible!!
Cat at 1:00PM on 11/02/07
Hugo's Cellar in the basement of the Four Queens hotel is always a must stop for me in Vegas. If you haven't seen the "old" Vegas on Fremont street, it's definately worth a trip. Plus, some of the casinos on Fremont street have deep fried oreos and deep fried twinkies! I can feel my arteries clogging just thinking about them...
dmbfanmd at 2:30PM on 11/02/07
These are my favorite restaurants in Vegas in ranked order.
I haven't been to Joel Robuchon or Guy Savoy although I hear they are the two best in vegas now. I haven't been to Bradley Ogden either, but I know its good, as well.
1. Alex at Wynn (short ribs to die for, service is steller)
2. Picasso at Bellagio (amazing food and service)
3. Daniel Boloud at Wynn (I could eat here every night if I lived in Vegas, more laid back than the Alex or Picasso)
4. Spago at Forum shops
5. Bouchon at the Venetian
6. Postrio at the Venetian
7. Tableu at Wynn
8. Delmonico at Venetian (Emirl's I know, but solid food)
9. Fleur de lys (I didn't care for it for several reasons)
mtsod at 3:36PM on 11/02/07
I've been to all the cleb chef joints in Vegas, and most are good. But the best food in Vegas is Andre's. All the local foodies go there. More of a local spot than a tourist destination. Here's the wegsite: http://andrelv.com/original/home
Andre has two other locations in casinos but the original location is the best. Went there on my wedding night and have been back many times since. It will not dissappoint.
Paige at 4:46PM on 11/02/07
Try the kick-ass Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay
Hamburger America at 11:48AM on 11/03/07
It's not on The Strip (it's in a little strip mall about half a mile from the Stratosphere hotel/casino)but you have to go to Lotus of Siam. It is such a good Thai restaurant (Gourmet Magazine once said it was the best Thai restaurant in North America). They make great traditional Thai cuisine, but they specialize in Northern Thai food which is really delicious and unlike anything I had ever had. It's kind of in a sketchy strip mall, but its cheap and one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas in terms of food quality.
chasgoose at 12:25PM on 11/03/07
I've never been to Vegas myself, but how about Le Cirque at the Bellagio?
ag3208 at 2:49PM on 11/03/07
MAKE RESERVATIONS AT LOTUS OF SIAM if you go. Even the hottest concierge can't get you in there.
lemons at 2:58PM on 11/03/07
I echo the posters above, do not miss Lotus of Siam!!! Do not let the seedy surroundings or distance from the Strip bother you, it is worth the trip!! Make your acceptable spice level clear (we like a level 3 of 10) and order the sour sausage appetizer with crispy rice, the whole fish with tamarind sauce, and a lovely Riesling from the best -priced wine list in Vegas.
Other favorites are L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (at MGM - best potato puree ever), Mesa Grill (at Caesar's - the goat cheese fundido is fabu!), Nob Hill (MGM - for the lobster pot pie), Olives (which I recommend for lunch on the patio), and B&B Ristorante (Ventian - the mint love letters are not to be missed). If you have lunch free between Monday and Thursday, contact Commander's Palace to see if they are having their quarter martini lunch special where you can get up to four martinis for a quarter each with purchase of an entree.
For simpler pleasures, we always enjoy nachos at the bar at Margaritaville, pasta and the bread basket in the cafe at Spago (Caesar's), a fabulous chocolate dessert at the chocolate place at the Bellagio (I can never remember the name), and a burger from Burger Bar (Mandalay Bay).
A new place we enjoyed in the 'burbs on our last trip (we have friends who live in town) was Hash House a-Go-Go. The food was terrif, the portions were huge and the atmosphere was fun. Service was slow, but this was worth the trip in our view.
On the avoid list for me are most of the steakhouses (the prices will make your hair curl and the food has not impressed) and Postrio (lovely room, but pricey relative to what you get),
Mizbee at 11:14AM on 11/04/07
I like Alex over at the Wynn. Also Rosemary's, which isn't on the strip but is worth the drive. And, since I am from NYC, I like to go over to In N Out Burger at least once during my visit.
FoodBoy at 4:54PM on 11/04/07
I'll second the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay. You get to pick your meat and choose from a ridiculous amount of toppings including lobster and even foie gras for the adventurous.
Another hidden favorite is Ellis Island. It's an old casino off the strip but they have awesome bbq ribs for under $10 and they brew their own beer for $1/pint.
JWdude at 5:15PM on 11/04/07
Our dining experiences in Vegas have been vastly varied, usually requiring a bit of research prior to the trip and reservations much in advance at the more upscale "celebrity" establishments. If microbreweries interest you, Gordon Biersch and Tenaya Creek Brewing companies have superb beers and very upscale menus. They are way off the strip but well worth the trip. As already mentioned several times, Hubert Keller's Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay is not to be missed. The Rossini burger with fois gras and truffles is positively decadent and should be experienced at least once in a lifetime, but everything is just great. You absolutely can't go wrong dining at Thomas Keller's Bouchon at The Venetian and the service is stellar. A short list where the cuisine and service have been excellent for us - Valentino, Pinot Brasserie, Auereole, DB Bistro, Commander's Palace, Delmonico,and Craftsteak. Ellis Island Brewery is indeed a hidden gem with good pizza and great microbrewed beer. If dining at all upscale restaurants for dinner is not in the budget try some for their lunch menus. The food is just as good, you can say you've dined there and you can walk lunch off on the strip! Wolfgang Puck's Postrio is excellent and you can watch the gondolas go by - it's great fun. Everything at Border Grill in Mandalay is stupendous especially if you start lunch with one or several of their divine margaritas. So many tequillas, so little time.... Best advice I could offer is to check menus online several weeks if not a month in advance.( Don't hesitate making reservations well ahead.) That beyond anything else will assist in your dining decisions and you can also prepare emotionally and financially for your experience. Hope you have a wonderful trip full of gustatory delights!
frederika at 6:33PM on 11/04/07
I'm going to agree with some of the commenters above and recommend Lotus of Siam. I've known the owners since I was a little girl, and they owned a restaurant in Norwalk, California called Renu Nakorn. I'm in love with Thai food, and I can safely say that the best is from them. It's a hole in the wall type restaurant, far from the glitz and glamour of Sin City, but it's definitely worth straying from the Strip.
coinoperatedheart at 10:13PM on 11/04/07
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mbeths at 2:52PM on 06/19/09
Generally the food in Las Vegas is fair at best. Do not be swayed my the great meal you had in NYC and they chief opened a joint here, it won't be as good because they count a very low brow taste bud here. The best restaurant in town, hands down is Lotus of Siam the food is amazing the staff is great and the prices are cheap. You will need a reservation, s don't forget, because you won't want to miss this spot. I would also like to add that the new restaurants at Encore do not match the quality at Wynn, Sintra's was an hour long wait for the food, which was a big piece of tasteless meat on a plate when it finally came. Botero, only the deserts are worth touching and society is OK if you like Mac and Cheese.
mbeths at 2:53PM on 06/19/09