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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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

MAKE RESERVATIONS AT LOTUS OF SIAM if you go. Even the hottest concierge can't get you in there.

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.

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!