Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

[Cook456]

I'll be going to Vegas over the Columbus Day weekend. Will be there from Thursday thru Monday.

I know one place that most people talk about is the Buffet at the Bellagio, so that takes care of one night. I'd like to plan on one more" not too expensive" place and two nice dinners.

I was there a few years back and dined at at Olives, Aureole, and Circo.

Also need a suggestion for a good show...Been to Danny Gans and "O", and this time will be catching Celine Dion's show on Friday Night. Another less expensive one would be great. Need to have some money left to gamble .. :-)

[mantee]

Please try to go to Lotus of Siam, 953 E. Sahara Ave. #702-735-3033. I have spent some serious eating time in that city, what are you looking for?

[Cook456]

Do you have any favorite dishes?

[Chris Cognac]

Cheap, but good food at Ellis Island casino just off the strip...I was going to upload a photo I had on imagegullet prior to the new .org site, but cant get to it! There is a shot on my web site though...

[nightscotsman]

Hi cook456 - I assume you've already checked out some of the other threads on Vegas dining such as:

Fair-priced decent eating in Las Vegas

Nov. in Vegas

Some details might help us to help you. What is the size and age range of your party? What kind of food do you like? Do you want to stay on the Strip or venture farther out? What hotel are you staying at?

[Cook456]

Hi cook456 - I assume you've already checked out some of the other threads on Vegas dining such as:

Fair-priced decent eating in Las Vegas

Nov. in Vegas

Some details might help us to help you. What is the size and age range of your party? What kind of food do you like? Do you want to stay on the Strip or venture farther out? What hotel are you staying at?

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Hi nightscotsman,

Yes, when I saw egullet had moved me, I spent last night combing the other threads.

It's just two of us who are doing this trip. We'll be staying at the Alladin, and my friend has left the dining places up to me.

Looks like Lotus of Siam is a must !! I haven't limited my choices to any specific cuisine. Here's the group that interests me the most, so far:

Bouchon

FIX

Bradley Ogden

Nobhill

Rosemary's ( on Sahara)

Michael Mina

Aqua

Aquanox

Someone also mentioned the seafood buffet at the Rio, and Emeril's Fish House.

Would love to have your opinion of these places, and add another if you think it might be a better choice.... Maybe checking out the menus would be a next step...

The tickets for Celine are for Friday Night...Would you suggest the Bellagio Buffet for that night..or is the waiting time too unpredictable?

[Foodie-Girl]

I know one place that most people talk about is the Buffet at the Bellagio, so that takes care of one night. I'd like to plan on one more" not too expensive" place and two nice dinners.

I was there a few years back and dined at at Olives, Aureole, and Circo.

Also need a suggestion for a good show...Been to Danny Gans and "O", and this time will be catching Celine Dion's show on Friday Night. Another less expensive one would be great. Need to have some money left to gamble .. :-)

FIAMMA at the MGM is sort of middle-range price (hard to know what your spending parameters are) and really good Italian food. Not quite so good as Circo but I've enjoyed it a few times.

For the 'nice dinners'...how about telling us your preferences....French, Italian, Steak, Eclectic Tasting Menu...and a ballpark of what you'd expect the meal to cost....

Based on the the shows you've seen I think you might enjoy Penn and Teller (I think they are at the Rio but not sure) or Rita Rudner (NYNY).

If you're familiar with George Carlin's work and he's in town you might consider....though be fore-warned...his material (though hilarious) is not for those who require G-rated entertainment.

Those three shows are not terribly expensive...but anyone like Elton John or the other Cirque shows get quite pricey.

[Foodie-Girl]

I haven't limited my choices to any specific cuisine. Here's the group that interests me the most, so far:

Bouchon

FIX

Bradley Ogden

Nobhill

Rosemary's ( on Sahara)

Michael Mina

Aqua

Aquanox

Bradley Ogden: One of the best...but VERY $$$$$$$$$

Rosemary's (if you have a car) is long drive ($40 roundtrip in a cab!) so that's something to consider.

Never had anything but great seafood at Aqua/Michael Mina

Nobhill was good but didn't knock my socks off

[nightscotsman]

Of your list, I've only eaten at Michael Mina (formerly Aqua) and Fix. Michael Mina was upscale, sophisticated, and very good, but I have to say I wasn't blown away for the price. Fix is much less expensive (and less ambitious), but very good (we make their desserts ). Fix is currently running a pre-show special: 3 courses for $40 with two or three choices for each course, served 5:00-6:00 pm.

If you do make it to Lotus of Siam, do NOT leave without ordering the mango with sticky rice for dessert if it's available. It may not sound like much, but it's one of the best desserts I've ever had. Be warned that the food can be very spicy. At most Thai places you can order dishes on a hot and spicy scale of 1-3 stars. Lotus of Siam goes up to 10 with 1 begin hot.

[Cook456]

Of your list, I've only eaten at Michael Mina (formerly Aqua) and Fix. Michael Mina was upscale, sophisticated, and very good, but I have to say I wasn't blown away for the price. Fix is much less expensive (and less ambitious), but very good (we make their desserts ). Fix is currently running a pre-show special: 3 courses for $40 with two or three choices for each course, served 5:00-6:00 pm.

If you do make it to Lotus of Siam, do NOT leave without ordering the mango with sticky rice for dessert if it's available. It may not sound like much, but it's one of the best desserts I've ever had. Be warned that the food can be very spicy. At most Thai places you can order dishes on a hot and spicy scale of 1-3 stars. Lotus of Siam goes up to 10 with 1 begin hot.

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Thanks for the inside info..

Looks like so far it is:

Thursday Lotus of Siam

Friday Bradley Ogden or Mesa Grill

Sat Bellagio Buffet

Sun Nobhill or Fix

I think we'll be happy with any of these choices, if all the info I've rec'd here is on the mark. Thanks!

[sand]

Thanks for the inside info..

Looks like so far it is:

Thursday        Lotus of Siam

Friday            Bradley Ogden or Mesa Grill

Sat                Bellagio Buffet

Sun              Nobhill or Fix

I think we'll be happy with any of these choices, if all the info I've rec'd here is on the mark.  Thanks!

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Bradley Ogden might be the better choice over Mesa Grill, since Mesa Grill will still be in its very early opening stages of operation.

I can't remember where I read it, but I believe Fix offers a "pre-theater" prixe fixe ($40ish) dinner for the "O" crowd. Might be worthwhile to look into, especially if you're going to a show. By the way, if you've never seen a cirque de soleil show, consider Mystere at Treasure Island.

[Foodie-Girl]

Bradley Ogden might be the better choice over Mesa Grill, since Mesa Grill will still be in its very early opening stages of operation.

I could be out of line, but I'm envisioning Mesa Grill along the lines of Coyote Cafe?? (yeah, I know different chefs) where Bradley Ogden is eltremely sophisticated fine dining....

[Cook456]

Bradley Ogden might be the better choice over Mesa Grill, since Mesa Grill will still be in its very early opening stages of operation.

I can't remember where I read it, but I believe Fix offers a "pre-theater" prixe fixe ($40ish) dinner for the "O" crowd.  Might be worthwhile to look into, especially if you're going to a show.  By the way, if you've never seen a cirque de soleil show, consider Mystere at Treasure Island.

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Thanks for the suggestion. That just might be a choice.

Last trip to Vegas we saw "O". Fabulous!

[iriee]

if you go to the old vegas,,,try hugos celler in the 4 queens. its been there forever and its old school french. everything tableside and is very entertaining. not cheap and not the best food in vegas,,,but its a real blast from the past. enjoy vegas!

[sand]

Thanks for the suggestion. That just might be a choice. 

Last trip to Vegas we saw "O".  Fabulous!

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A lot of split opinions about which is the "better" show, O or Mystere. They're both great. For mystere, you actually don't want to sit too close to the stage (unlike O), since there a number of things going on above your head.

[Helena Robinson]

We were in Vegas for one weekend three years ago and had two dinners. The first was at Rosemary's, which is not on the Strip (Did they ever open the one in one of the casino hotels?); the other was at Aureole at Mandalay Bay.

We had a WONDERFUL time at Rosemary's (great food, wine, and service) and a disappointing time at Aureole (where we were pretty much ignored).

If you can convince a cabbie to take you to Rosemary's, do it. It's nine miles off the strip, and Vegas has a rush hour; so keep that in mind if you get an early reservation. Ours was scheduled for six because we had a reception to attend back at the strip.

Needless to say, if we ever get back to Vegas, we're making sure one of our dinners is at Rosemary's!

[Foodie-Girl]

Last I heard it's in the Rio but (supposedly) not quite as good as the original.

Adding the $40 + for the roundtrip cab ride kinda spoiled an otherwise perfect dinner.

I didn't care for Aureole either. Amazing, I don't think I've heard/read any good review of that restaurant....

[Chris Cognac]

I think I am going to Vegas in the morning for some soul searching and eating...thinking of Mesa Grill, but also some others...Will report back...Still debating low roller trip vs high roller trip..

[Foodie-Girl]

I do all my soul-searching at the Red Square (mandalay bay) bar...((-:

Hey, Chris..why not do a little low and high roller trip?

[nightscotsman]

Last I heard it's in the Rio but (supposedly) not quite as good as the original.

Adding the $40 + for the roundtrip cab ride kinda spoiled an otherwise perfect dinner.

I didn't care for Aureole either.  Amazing, I don't think I've heard/read any good review of that restaurant....

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Rosemary's was at the Rio, but is now closed. $40 for a cab ride? Might as well rent a car - then you could take a nice side trip to Red Rock Canyon (only about 20-30 minutes from the Strip), or Hoover Dam.

All the reviews I've read of Aureole say the food is very good to wonderful, but that the service is rude and neglectful. You'd think they'd get the message.

[Foodie-Girl]

$40 for a cab ride? Might as well rent a car - then you could take a nice side trip to Red Rock Canyon (only about 20-30 minutes from the Strip), or Hoover Dam.

***Well yeah if I'd only known.

This was awhile ago and the concierge at YOUR hotel said it was a short cab ride. Well it was $20 each way....LOL

Live and learn.

[Chris Cognac]

I just did the low roller trip and wrote an article that will be out the 7th....I might roll high, but am still guessing, I dont even have a room and its 5 pm....I am going to be by myself, but with camera.....I will look for some inspiration!

[nightscotsman]

$40 for a cab ride? Might as well rent a car - then you could take a nice side trip to Red Rock Canyon (only about 20-30 minutes from the Strip), or Hoover Dam.

***Well yeah if I'd only known.

This was awhile ago and the concierge at YOUR hotel said it was a short cab ride.  Well it was $20 each way....LOL

Live and learn.

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Well, I guess at MY hotel they assume everyone who stays there is rich, so they probably thought you were slumming by not taking a limo.

[Foodie-Girl]

Well, I guess at MY hotel they assume everyone who stays there is rich, so they probably thought you were slumming by not taking a limo.

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***The limos were all busy that night...taking people to Lotus of Siam...LOL

In truth I think the person helping me was probably unfamiliar with some of the restaurants off the strip and just knew it required a cab ride.

OH and since you're so enthused about FIX we're going to have to find a way to squeeze it into our schedule when we visit next month. Aquaknox may have to be the sacrificial lamb.

[South Jersey Epicurean]

I've gone to Las Vegas 7 straight years in February.

1) Carman is absolutely right: Lotus of Siam for Thai food is the bomb (& rated the best thai restaurant by Gourmet magazine). It's in a giant strip mall (Commercial Centre) on E. Sahara Ave. Make sure you have Salmon with panang curry sauce & starter of green papaya salad with peanuts & chicken

2) The Bellagio buffet is very good, BUT you should go there for lunch. Better price & way less crowded. Now the best buffet in terms of hoards is at the Rio. I've been to the regular one 4 times but NOT the seafood one which opens at 3 or 4PM--$32.00 a person but includes Alaskan King Crab legs, lobster, as much as you want

3) There is a cool seafood restaurant (very FISH oriented & eclectic cuisine) with awesome bar and decor. It 's in the Rio Suites hotel near their "coffeeshop."

4) My new favorite is the RUM Jungle in Mandalay Bay. The Rodizio is $40 a person, but unbelievable. All of the meats (top grade filet mignon--kobe beef?) & sushi grade tuna is paired in a sauce usually concocted of a fruit & chili pepper (think mango/ancho pepper for example). The chopped salad & sides make this an INSANE meal!!! The rest of the menu is very funky--caribbean, cuban, maybe mediterranean of some sort.

5) AVOID the following places:

Bouchon in the Venetian (review is being posted)

Aqua in the Bellagio (Way, Way overpriced & not that good)

Emeril's Steakhouse in the Venetian (Delmonaco's); very ORDINARY menu; not creative at all like Emeril's in New Orleans; & very expensive for not a lot of food which he DOES NOT skimp on in New Orleans

If you want more details, let me know!!