Value priced meals in Vegas

[TopperMom]

Hi,

My husband and I are going to Vegas again next week. We enjoy fine dining and have been to many incredible restaurants in Vegas and elsewhere in this country and Europe.

We would like recommendations on where to find the best local food in Vegas (we are staying near the Strip, but have a car-and a GPS!). We are interested in Chinese, vegetarian and health food spots, Italian, or any other local gems.

We have been to Rosemary's and Raku. Lotus of Siam is on our list (although we don't know a lot about Thai food, so are somewhat intimidated by the vast menu!)

Any suggestions are appreciated. I have been reading a lot of the old posts, many of which focus on the Strip and fine dining with celebrity chefs. We will likely hit one or two of those places as well, but don't want that experience every night! (we will be there a week).

Thanks for your help.

[ScoopKW]

We would like recommendations on where to find the best local food in Vegas (we are staying near the Strip, but have a car-and a GPS!).  We are interested in Chinese, vegetarian and health food spots, Italian, or any other local gems.

In no particular order:

1) Pizza at Spago (Caesar's Palace Forum Shops)

2) The In-N-Out Burger at Tropicana and Dean Martin.

3) Binion's Ranch Steakhouse (quintessential old Vegas menu and prices).

4) The 24-hour $5 chicken-fried steak special at Longhorn Casino, Harmon and Boulder Highway.

5) The 777 Microbrewery at Main Street Station, Fremont.

6) The $2 shrimp cocktail at Golden Gate, Fremont.

7) Any Roberto's for their Mexican food. (They're all over the place.)

8) Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Paradise and Flamingo

9) Studio B Buffet at M Resort (way way South Las Vegas Blvd.)

10) Spend the $80 per person for Sterling Brunch at Bally's (The Strip, Sunday only)

11) Stock up on "in-room noshes" at International Market, Tropicana and Decatur (best foodie market in the valley).

12) Amazing pizza at Settebello, 1776 W Horizon Ridge, Henderson. (Certified by the Naples Pizza Cartel -- I don't know the name of the group. But only a dozen or so pizzerias in the US have this certification.)

13) After Settebello, go to the market next door, one of the few places in the US where you can get real Iberian jamon.

(Health food? In Vegas? It might exist, but I don't know where.)

Edited May 21, 2009 by ScoopKW (log)

[lgott]

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13) After Settebello, go to the market next door, one of the few places in the US where you can get real Iberian jamon.

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Are you referring to Valley Cheese & Wine (1770 W Horizon Ridge Parkway)? It used to be near Settebello, but Settebello moved some time back.

[David Ross]

..... Lotus of Siam is on our list (although we don't know a lot about Thai food, so are somewhat intimidated by the vast menu!).......

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The service at Lotus of Siam is every bit as good as the food--so I'd suggest you let the staff know that you'd like to try a variety of dishes that will give you a range of tastes and textures. That way you won't be intimidated by the menu.

They will most likely bring out a cold salad, a hot soup, a fried dish, a stew, a noodle dish, and a seafood dish.

To give you an idea of the dishes they serve at Lotus of Siam, (and some other delicious meals at reasonably-priced Asian restaurants in Las Vegas), you can go to this report.

[rjwong]

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13) After Settebello, go to the market next door, one of the few places in the US where you can get real Iberian jamon.

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Are you referring to Valley Cheese & Wine (1770 W Horizon Ridge Parkway)? It used to be near Settebello, but Settebello moved some time back.

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What lgott said. Settebello has moved to a shopping area called The District, near Whole Foods, on Green Valley Parkway.

10) Spend the $80 per person for Sterling Brunch at Bally's (The Strip, Sunday only)

I disagree. I'd rather spend about half as much and eat at the Bellagio or the Wynn Buffet. More variety, better quality (for a buffet), and not so cramped. When I ate there, there was only one server covering at least a dozen tables. Not a good dining experience.

TopperMom, As for Asian food, just drive along Spring Mountain Road and pick a place .... if you feel adventurous and lucky.

[TopperMom]

Wow--thank you all for your responses. We are anxious to get to LV!! We are likely going to Settebello one night and are still trying to pick from the many other choices. Fortunately, we are planning to come to Vegas at least once or twice a year, so we should (eventually) get to try them all.

Thanks all and we will offer our opinion on the places we go to.

Appreciate your help!!

[ScoopKW]

Are you referring to Valley Cheese & Wine (1770 W Horizon Ridge Parkway)? It used to be near Settebello, but Settebello moved some time back.

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I thought Settebello opened another place at the district. I didn't know they closed their original location.

Oh well...

Edited May 22, 2009 by ScoopKW (log)

[ScoopKW]

I disagree. I'd rather spend about half as much and eat at the Bellagio or the Wynn Buffet. More variety, better quality (for a buffet), and not so cramped. When I ate there, there was only one server covering at least a dozen tables. Not a good dining experience.

I'm still a fan of Sterling Brunch. (I've had the Bellagio buffet, but not Wynn yet.) I haven't experienced your service problems there (and I've been roughly six times this year.)

They pour Mumm champagne, the caviar is good, Key West peel and eat shrimp, good oysters, (small but tasty) Maine Lobster and all the other essentials. Every time I've dined there, I've gotten considerably more than my $80 worth.

Then again, I'm fairly well known to the staff, so that might make a difference.

Sorry for the double post -- I should have multi-quoted.

[jsmeeker]

Wow.. Lots of good recommendations.

It should also be noted that many restaurants are offering special priced Pre-Fixe menus. Seems like most places at MGM Grand are doing it, most every place at Wynn (including Alex), places at The Mirage, etc. etc.

[jsmeeker]

Speaking of "value priced" meals in Las Vegas, Joel Robuchon (the formal one, not L'Atelier) has announced 4 new pre-fix menus

$89

$115

$148

$195

Really trying to check this out when I am there in July. About the only that might prevent it would be dress code. My friends aren't too keen on packing and wearing a jacket in Las Vegas in the dead of Summer.

[ScoopKW]

Really trying to check this out when I am there in July.  About the only that might prevent it would be dress code.  My friends aren't too keen on packing and wearing a jacket in Las Vegas in the dead of Summer.

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You can throw a nickel in Las Vegas and hit someone selling discounted Italian jackets (or an Elvis impersonator).

Step 1: Buy $99 jacket.

Step 2: ?????

Step 3: Profit!

Seriously, you get a "Vegas jacket" and a meal at Joel Robuchon's for less than $300. Can't really go wrong. Besides, you'll find Las Vegas is a lot more fun if you're well dressed.

[jsmeeker]

I do have a sports jacket.

But I actually called out there to the restaurant and asked about the dress code. The response was "for gentlemen, jackets recommended but not required"

[jsmeeker]

just returned from Las Vegas. Bases on my experience, I will offer up my value meal suggestion.

Ping Pang Pong in the Gold Coast. Went there with 8 people on Monday. Had a lot of dim sum And 8 entrees from the printed menu. Some tea. Drinks (sodas). Worked out to $25 per person, total (tax, tip included).

What a steal.

[ScoopKW]

just returned from Las Vegas.  Bases on my experience, I  will offer up my value meal suggestion.

Ping Pang Pong in the Gold Coast.  Went there with 8 people on Monday.  Had a lot of dim sum  And 8 entrees from the printed menu.  Some tea.  Drinks (sodas).  Worked out to $25 per person, total (tax, tip included).

What a steal.

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I've been meaning to try Ping Pang Pong. If memory serves, you posted once that your taste leans occidental. I'm planning on taking some Chinese relatives there in the future (if the arrangements can be made). If it pans out, I'll post their opinion for comparison.