epg13

David: Thank you for the advice. I truly respect your opinioin. Given that this is a bachelor party, though, I'm looking for a "fun" meal more than a great dining experience. I don't expect the food at Pampas to be as good as I would get at Craftsteak (where I've eaten) or Cut (where I have not yet been). Having been to Samba once (albeit 3-4 years ago), I can confirm that the food is subpar, and I am very skeptical about rumjungle (and am not sure it's a true churrascaria as opposed to just a Brazilian-themed restaurant). However, the Pampas website and some of the on-line reviews give me some hope that it's a step up from those and perhaps close to my excellent experiences at Churrascaria Plataforma in New York. If it's anything close to that, I'll be very happy. Moreover, I have access to top-end steakhouses where I live now. So I think the churrascaria route would be more festive. With that being said, has anyone tried Pampas yet? If it's bad, I'll take a pass. But if it's even average, I'll probably go ahead.

I will be in Las Vegas next weekend for a bachelor party and would like to plan a dinner at a Brazlian rodizio/churrascaria. I was relatively unimpressed with Samba at the Mirage when I went a number of years ago. I am skeptical about rumjungle at Mandalay Bay. I see that there's a new place --- Pampas --- at Planet Hollywood that looks like it might be the best option. Can anyone chime in with their experience at Pampas? Should I reconsider Samba or rumjungle? Should I nix the idea altogether and go for a more traditional steakhouse. (I'd rather not go the steakhouse route, unless there are really no good choices for rodizio.) Thanks.

We are staying at the Bellagio, not the Hard Rock. I am a semi-regular to Vegas (twice a year on average), so I know my way around fairly well. But this is the first time for my fiancee, so I want to tailor the trip to her likes. Nobu will definitely be on the list, but your input will definitely make me feel more at ease about ordering non-fish items. Most of my trips to Vegas are either for conventions or guys-only trips, so my dining has been largely at the steakhouse and/or casual dining level. I'm definitely less familiar with the more up-market options. So... Where would you suggest for dinner before seeing "O" at the Bellagio? It's the 10:30 p.m. show, so we don't need to be restricted to the Bellagio itself, although I was considering Sensi based on the description on the Bellagio website. I can't find a sample menu on-line, though Also, where would you suggest for a late dinner after the Elton John show at Caesar's? Again, we're not restricted to Caesar's itself, but probably won't be in the mood to schlep all the way to the other end of the Strip. In general, we prefer more contemporary informal dining options (e.g., Olives is definitely more our style than Picasso).

How happy (or unhappy) would I be dining at Nobu if I don't eat seafood? I love Japanese food in general (primarily noodles) but don't like seafood in any form. I'm planning on taking my fiancee (who loves sushi and cooked fish) to Nobu and note that the menu includes a number of meat dishes, as well as vegetable rolls, vegetable tempura, etc. But I wonder whether the meat dishes are the same level as the fish dishes. (I'm planning on going either way for my fiancee's benefit, so no need to suggest alternatives. I'm just curious.) Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I am well aware of the difficulty to get reservations for that weekend and will urge them to make a decision ASAP. In response to some of your queries, I think it will probably be a party of 6. I wasn't told a specific budget, but it is obviously a special occassion, and I was told that they're thinking about Brasserie Perrier or Striped Bass, so that should provide a general range. By "American," I am thinking along the lines of Gramercy Tavern, Gotham Bar & Grill, etc. in New York, where I am more familiar with the restaurant scene. Although I haven't been, I've been told that Fork might be a comparable style (or maybe not?). What do you all think about Moshulu? Is it just a nice view, or does the restaurant itself qualify as a destination for a special occassion? Keep the suggestions coming... Thanks.

My girlfriend asked me for a recommendation for a restaurant in Philly to celebrate her brother's graduation from Penn. I think her family would prefer a French, Italian or American restaurant (preferably with good seafood choices), and they are currently leaning toward Brasserie Perrier. As I haven't lived in Philly in nearly 10 years, my knowledge is way out of date, but the two restaurants that immediately came to mind were Striped Bass and Fork. I'd appreciate any comments or other recommendations. Thanks.

The issue of whether 2nd Avenue Deli is "glatt kosher" is separate from whether they are open on Shabbat. "Glatt kosher" simply means that the lungs of the animal were inspected to ensure that they are without any adhesions. It has nothing to do with whether the restaurant is open on Shabbat. I am not sure whether or not 2nd Avenue Deli was glatt kosher or not. But you are correct that they were on open on Shabbat, which would preclude many Orthodox Jews from eating there.