Prime - Charlie Palmers and Commanders

[TheBoatMan]

Hi all,

Staying at the Bellagio (thanks to the company expense account) and was all set to eat at Prime, especially after seeing the segment on Bobby Flays food nation some time ago.

Anyway, after doing more research is Charlie Palmer's the better way to go? Just want the best steak possible not concerned about the atmosphere so much.

Also,commanders palace seems to get great reviews here as well. So was thinking of making charlie palmers and commanders our 2 splurge meals. Would we do better choosing commanders for lunch or friday brunch and someplace else for another dinner instead. Wont be around on weekend days. Thanks.

[bleachboy]

I'm not sure if there's a different Charlie Palmer restaurant, but Aureole at Mandalay Bay is very good. It's not a steak place, though. If you're at Bellagio, you're already there. Prime is the best steak place I've eaten at in Vegas. It's ridiculously expensive, but their steaks and sides are outta sight. Get the shellfish platter too, which is great.

[Schneier]

I disagree about Aureole in Vegas. I think it's overrated, by a lot.

I am so done with that resturant.

Bruce

[Foodie-Girl]

Bruce..while we may not agree on Fiamma I'm with you on Aureole. What a disappointment !

As for steaks...I'd go to Prime every time.

Yeah the seafood platter was great but you might want to check the price $$$$$

[Foodie-Girl]

Personally I wouldnt go to Commander's Palace for dinner. It's in a shopping mall and was just so-so for lunch.

I think you've got better choices right in the Bellagio.

[nightscotsman]

And be sure to stop by Palio (near the entrance to the art gallery) for a raspberry tart:

[Schneier]

Personally I wouldnt go to Commander's Palace for dinner. It's in a shopping mall and was just so-so for lunch.

I think you've got better choices right in the Bellagio.

In Vegas, every hotel restaurant is either in a shopping mall or in a casino. I don't think that's a strike against it.

But I agree with you about Commander's Palace; there are lots of better alternatives.

B

[Foodie-Girl]

I stand corrected...it wasn't really the shopping mall atmosphere that I most objected to...it was the mediocore meal and service.

[Schneier]

I stand corrected...it wasn't really the shopping mall atmosphere that I most objected to...it was the mediocore meal and service.

Did you get that touristy overbearing service, there the waiter recites half the menu with commentary? I found that so annoying. And when I tried to make it interesting by conversing with him, he got annoyed.

Bruce

[Foodie-Girl]

As I recall the server felt we needed explanation of half the menu items...as though we just fell off the bumpkin truck. I cut that off very quickly.

Most everything we ordered tasted as though the same sauce and spices were being used.

I just didn't like anything about it.

[Schneier]

As I recall the server felt we needed explanation of half the menu items...as though we just fell off the bumpkin truck.

I don't think it was bumbkin-truck-ness; I think that's the restaurant's sthick. They'd probably do it to a table filled with Brennans.

Bruce

[ChzHead]

After going to Charlie Palmer's three weeks ago, I'd try out Prime or Craftsteak. The service and food was good at Charlie Palmer's, but I don't think it was enough to bring me back. I guess that I was lucky when I had a great time at Commander's Palace. The place wasn't as crowded, and the waiter was from our hometown. Also, I find out that the sous working back in the open kitchen was from Austin too. It was a great experience for all of us, the brunch was good and the service was great.

I've also heard great things about Delmonico's at the Venetain. I'm not sure what your budget is for meals.

Cheers!

[Gary Tanigawa]

I also would NOT recommend Commander's Palace (at least for brunch). Ate there last year and it was good enough to try again last month. My main was presented without the fried oysters so there was some delay while the plate was taken back to the kitchen to be fixed, and then the poached eggs had yolks that were more like "boiled" in consistency. The bread pudding was worth the upcharge for dessert. Pacing of courses was leisurely, but I think that was intentional and I did not mind (the neighboring table was in a hurry and they seemed to become more frustrated as the meal progressed).

I second the Delmonico's recommendation, although I haven't eaten at either Prime or Craftsteak so can't make the comparison. Two lunches there were good.

[Foodie-Girl]

I've been to Delmonico's and Craftsteak...both were very good but for whatever reason I keep going back to Prime. It just seems a cut above the others.

Since you're on an expense account you may want to take a look at Le Cirque's menu (also in Bellagio). Also, it's one of the very few resturants in Las Vegas (as least to my knowledge) where you'll need to wear a sports coat.

[Schneier]

Since you're on an expense account you may want to take a look at Le Cirque's menu (also in Bellagio). Also, it's one of the very few resturants in Las Vegas (as least to my knowledge) where you'll need to wear a sports coat.

I've never been to Le Cirque in Vegas. I haven't actually avoided it, but it has never bubbled to the top of my list because 1) there are way better top-end restaurants in New York, and 2) New York versions are generally better than their Las Vegas counterparts.

Bruce

[Foodie-Girl]

I've been to LeCirque in NY once and, while very good, didn't come close to their LV outpost. I can say the same about Aqua (San Francisco). Just my opinion....

[colestove]

My wife and I ate at Circo (next to Le Cirque) a few weeks ago. We ate at Le Cirque a few years ago and I looked at the menu. They have gone to prix fix menu. $95.00 person (Icant remember if it was 3 or 4 courses with a choice of several selections for each course. When we ate there the food and service were outstanding. I haven't eaten in New York but this was very good. I haven't eaten at Aqua in SF either but Aqua at Bellagio (a few years ago) was the best seafood I have ever had.

colestove

[sand]

Since you're on an expense account you may want to take a look at Le Cirque's menu (also in Bellagio).  Also, it's one of the very few resturants in Las Vegas (as least to my knowledge) where you'll need to wear a sports coat.

I've never been to Le Cirque in Vegas. I haven't actually avoided it, but it has never bubbled to the top of my list because 1) there are way better top-end restaurants in New York, and 2) New York versions are generally better than their Las Vegas counterparts.

Bruce

Relative to other Las Vegas restaurants, Le Cirque and Aqua in Bellagio are among the best in my opinion. Both places really make an effort to maintain their namesake's quality and reputation (although one could argue that Aqua LV is really a separate entity from Aqua SF). There are plenty of "name" restaurants in LV that don't adhere to their higher "home" standards.