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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.

I know this is too late, but we recently travelled through Hot Springs as well. McClard's was certainly the talk of the town but we found it crowded and inconvenient (cash only??). Also we're from texas and the only BBQ choices were beef or pork with no other description, so we passed. However we did find Central Park Fusion Cuisine, which was exciting and delicious and inexpensive. I highly recommend it to any foodie travelling through the area.
http://www.centralparkfusion.com/

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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!

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.

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

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.

i'm in complete agreement. i've always found eating outside in manhattan a grueling experience.

however, on a walk in fort tryon park this afternoon, i came across the new leaf cafe. i didn't eat there, so i can't comment on the menu, other than it looks ambitious {and pricey} but the surrounding setting is just charming. i'd gladly while away an afternoon in their garden.