Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

[rjwong]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll try Shibuya. It'll be a nice change from the other places I'm going to:

Settebello

Bartolotta

Memphis Championship Barbecue

Robuchon at the Mansion

If I don't overdose on food, back to JP Maury Patisserie and maybe to Bouchon for some quiche (I don't do mornings ...)

Full report, with photos ...

[rjwong]

My full report with photos can be found in the April in Vegas thread, including Shibuya. Thanks for the recommendation, everyone!

The culinary research in Las Vegas will continue, once research funding has been secured ...

[joiei]

What are the 3 best places for BBQ in Las Vegas? I want to be ready and I love BBQ. I know there are top flight places and I want to taste bbq.

[Philanthrophobe]

What are the 3 best places for BBQ in Las Vegas?  I want to be ready and I love BBQ.  I know there are top flight places and I want to taste bbq.

←

We really like Memphis Championship Barbeque! (But don't you live closer to the real deal?)

[rjwong]

What are the 3 best places for BBQ in Las Vegas?  I want to be ready and I love BBQ.  I know there are top flight places and I want to taste bbq.

←

Here's the discussion thread link to Memphis Championship Barbecue. They have three locations in the Las Vegas area. They have a cookbook that got nominated for a Beard Award. Unfortunately, the book didn't win. But the ribs are great!! And they don't boil their ribs, thank God!

joiei, it sounds like you are very focused on one thing, ehh?

[Philanthrophobe]

What are the 3 best places for BBQ in Las Vegas?  I want to be ready and I love BBQ.  I know there are top flight places and I want to taste bbq.

←

Here's the discussion thread link to Memphis Championship Barbecue. They have three locations in the Las Vegas area. They have a cookbook that got nominated for a Beard Award. Unfortunately, the book didn't win. But the ribs are great!! And they don't boil their ribs, thank God!

joiei, it sounds like you are very focused on one thing, ehh?

←

Thanks, rjwong!--especially since my link is screwy!

John Curtas, the food critic for our local NPR station, thinks they're the best in the city. I think he's right.

[Malaclypse]

I'm headed to Vegas in mid August and know I am going to Bouchon (prally multiple times) and mebbe Nobu. Any other 'must eat' places that I should hit.

[rjwong]

Welcome, Malaclypse!

Las Vegas in mid-August? Make sure you bring along some cold water with you.

I suggest that you first go to the Las Vegas Discussion Thread Index and read through the various discussion threads listed there. Everybody has their favorites.

What kind of food are you looking for? And at what price range? Where will you be staying? Will you have a car? How many of "you" on your vacation? As you read through the different threads, Las Vegas has a lot to offer, on and off the Strip.

On the affordable "must eat" or "must do" list:

Jean-Philippe Maury Patisserie at the Bellagio. We're talking world-class pastries and made-to-order crepes.

The Fountains of Bellagio. I know it's not an eating place, but if you can have dinner somewhere nearby with a clear view of the fountains at night ...

Lotus of Siam. Thai restaurant located on Sahara Blvd., east of the Strip.

These are just a start, Malaclypse. I hope this helps.

[Chris Cognac]

Dont forget Ellis Islands brew pub for great bbq with a view of the strip as well as hand crafted beers for $1

[Malaclypse]

thanks RJwong and Chris. As for price range, I'll be doing a few splurge dinners but not too many as I'm on a line cooks pay scale! I'll be staying with friend and will have a car. Not sure how many folks are coming. not that it matters, I'm going where the good food is!

[arugula]

The best parts of my first trip to LV last month were the dining experiences away from the Strip:

Faustos Mex-Grill -- the hint was the 5 a.m. opening time. Definitely a local's hangout before heading off to work. Egg-chorizo burritos the size of your forearm for $3.50. 2654 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy.

Rosemary's -- a neighbourhood restaurant that pays special attention to dining and diners. On Sunday's, all bottles of wine (except one specific label) are half off.

On the Strip, Burger Bar, Boulud and Envy provided some interesting fare. The wine lists for all these were pretty impressive too (though none had the snazzy PC tablet version they hand you at Aureole).

[lgott]

I second the vote for Rosemary's. During the week, there's a great prix fixe special: appetizer, entree and dessert for $20. According to the web site, you have to present a coupon to get this special (click here for info and coupon link). However, all I did was ask for it.

[IamQuidam]

Hey there wonderful world of eGullet!

My sig. other and I are headed to the fantastic sin city known as Las Vegas for 3 or 4 nights in April. Its sort of a vacation/celebration of various promotions and raises he and I have gotten in the last few months, and I must say, I am SUPER excited!

Being that neither of us gamble (I know, we're going to Vegas and we don't gamble, its crazy!), it gives us a much bigger budget to spend on hotel, food, and shows. We've decided that the Luxor will be the place to stay (Pyramid Spa Suite), and the 3 shows we cannot miss are Penn & Teller, Circ, and Elton John (Ok, that one is more me then him, but god that man can sing!).

One thing I know very little about is the dining in Vegas. I have read through this thread, and so far, it has given me some GREAT ideas....Too many I think!

I am much more adventerous in my food choices then my sig. other, who is a very picky eater. But if there is chicken or steak on the menu somewhere, we are probably ok. I love almost all food, minus anything very spicy or anything with mango (damn allergy). Also, we would like to basically stay on or close to the strip.

Places mentioned in this thread so far that are of great interest to me; The Buffet at the Bellagio, Mesa Grill and Circo. We'll have a decent budget, and will probably eat mostly lunch and dinner.

Thanks so much for any help!!!

[Cook456]

Hey there wonderful world of eGullet!

My sig. other and I are headed to the fantastic sin city known as Las Vegas for 3 or 4 nights in April. Its sort of a vacation/celebration of various promotions and raises he and I have gotten in the last few months, and I must say, I am SUPER excited!

Being that neither of us gamble (I know, we're going to Vegas and we don't gamble, its crazy!), it gives us a much bigger budget to spend on hotel, food, and shows. We've decided that the Luxor will be the place to stay (Pyramid Spa Suite), and the 3 shows we cannot miss are Penn & Teller, Circ, and Elton John (Ok, that one is more me then him, but god that man can sing!).

One thing I know very little about is the dining in Vegas. I have read through this thread, and so far, it has given me some GREAT ideas....Too many I think!

I am much more adventerous in my food choices then my sig. other, who is a very picky eater. But if there is chicken or steak on the menu somewhere, we are probably ok. I love almost all food, minus anything very spicy or anything with mango (damn allergy). Also, we would like to basically stay on or close to the strip.

Places mentioned in this thread so far that are of great interest to me; The Buffet at the Bellagio, Mesa Grill and Circo.  We'll have a decent budget, and will probably eat mostly lunch and dinner.

Thanks so much for any help!!!

←

This is not about food, but since you mentioned you were going.. I was dissapointed at the Penn & Teller show. I know they are strange but it was just weird.. I would instead go see 'O"..

I've eaten at and can recommend Olives, Restaurant X, Mon Ami Gabi, Mesa Grill, the Buffet at the Bellagio and at the Alladin..and Circo. I would go with eating breakfast and dinner..

[rjwong]

Hey there wonderful world of eGullet!

My sig. other and I are headed to the fantastic sin city known as Las Vegas for 3 or 4 nights in April. Its sort of a vacation/celebration of various promotions and raises he and I have gotten in the last few months, and I must say, I am SUPER excited!

Being that neither of us gamble (I know, we're going to Vegas and we don't gamble, its crazy!), it gives us a much bigger budget to spend on hotel, food, and shows. We've decided that the Luxor will be the place to stay (Pyramid Spa Suite), and the 3 shows we cannot miss are Penn & Teller, Circ, and Elton John (Ok, that one is more me then him, but god that man can sing!).

One thing I know very little about is the dining in Vegas. I have read through this thread, and so far, it has given me some GREAT ideas....Too many I think!

I am much more adventerous in my food choices then my sig. other, who is a very picky eater. But if there is chicken or steak on the menu somewhere, we are probably ok. I love almost all food, minus anything very spicy or anything with mango (damn allergy). Also, we would like to basically stay on or close to the strip.

Places mentioned in this thread so far that are of great interest to me; The Buffet at the Bellagio, Mesa Grill and Circo.  We'll have a decent budget, and will probably eat mostly lunch and dinner.

Thanks so much for any help!!!

←

IamQuidam, Welcome to eGullet!

And congratulations on your upcoming celebration!

Here's the link to the Las Vegas Discussion Thread Index. After you read this, I think you'll be overloaded with great ideas ...

Is this your first time in Las Vegas? If so, the Strip can be quite the sensory overload. And where you'll be staying at the Luxor, that's located way at the south end of the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.). I hope you all have a car, or else have fun walking. BTW, even if you don't gamble or maybe play the 5-cent slot machines, sign-up for the player's card. You can get great bargains through that card (all the casinos are owned by the same people).

Please let us know what you're looking for: price range ($50 per person? $100? $200+?), types of cuisines (ethnic, French, steakhouses, real high-end, local places off-the-Strip) ...

Personally, my favorite casino is the Bellagio. So many different choices: the Buffet, J-P Maury Patisserie, Sensi, Prime ...

[pansophia]

Hubby and I are planning our first trip to Vegas for March 5-8. We'll likely gamble a little but on a very low and set budget, more for the experience than the money. He's from England and my parents think Vegas sounds boring so I am starting from scratch on planning.

This trip is kind of my treat to him before he goes back to college. We'll have three nights and most of four days. (Unless we stay someplace cheaper and can afford a 4th night.)

First question (not food related) - are we better off spending money to stay someplace nice (I found a GREAT deal for Bellagio, Paris, or Wynn) or stay someplace okay (New York, MGM Grand, Mirage) and have more money for food and entertainment? With the package I found we could do three nights at Bellagio for about the same as four nights at MGM Grand.

We have to get tickets to The Amazing Johnathan at the Sahara and maybe Penn and Teller.

Foodwise I'm leaning towards the following:

-Breakfast at Bouchon

-Lunch or dinner at Lotus of Siam

-Lunch Buffet (Bellagio or Spice Market?)

-Dinner at L'Atelier

-Dinner at FIX

-Lots of other goodies like crepes at the Jean Philippe Patisserie

We're pretty adventurous when it comes to food and prefer to spend a lot on a good meal once in a while than eat crap frequently. Provided we don't spend much on wine, is it realistic to think we can get out of L'Atelier (tasting menu) for about $300? How about FIX?

This whole trip is a splurge for us but we have earned it!

Thanks,

Kate

[Elrushbo]

Hubby and I are planning our first trip to Vegas for March 5-8.  We'll likely gamble a little but on a very low and set budget, more for the experience than the money.  He's from England and my parents think Vegas sounds boring so I am starting from scratch on planning.

This trip is kind of my treat to him before he goes back to college.  We'll have three nights and most of four days.  (Unless we stay someplace cheaper and can afford a 4th night.)

First question (not food related) - are we better off spending money to stay someplace nice (I found a GREAT deal for Bellagio, Paris, or Wynn) or stay someplace okay (New York, MGM Grand, Mirage) and have more money for food and entertainment?  With the package I found we could do three nights at Bellagio for about the same as four nights at MGM Grand.

We have to get tickets to The Amazing Johnathan at the Sahara and maybe Penn and Teller.

Foodwise I'm leaning towards the following:

-Breakfast at Bouchon

-Lunch or dinner at Lotus of Siam

-Lunch Buffet (Bellagio or Spice Market?)

-Dinner at L'Atelier

-Dinner at FIX

-Lots of other goodies like crepes at the Jean Philippe Patisserie

We're pretty adventurous when it comes to food and prefer to spend a lot on a good meal once in a while than eat crap frequently.  Provided we don't spend much on wine, is it realistic to think we can get out of L'Atelier (tasting menu) for about $300? How about FIX?

This whole trip is a splurge for us but we have earned it!

Thanks,

Kate

←

Go for the less expensive place and enjoy the food. MGM or NYNY would both be excellent places to stay-I'd rather stay at MGM and have all those restaurants right there! It would be fun to dress up, go down the elevator, and have a short inside walk to your restaurant. I've heard that with the ala carte, you can get out for well under $300 for two, I believe the discovery menu is $139 pp, so you'd have to go a little over to do that, but, if that's what you want, just do it, cause it sounds like it might be a while before you can do it again. With FIX, you can get out of there for $75pp easy if you have no more than a cocktail each and skip or split a dessert.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Elrushbo (log)

[rjwong]

Hubby and I are planning our first trip to Vegas for March 5-8.  We'll likely gamble a little but on a very low and set budget, more for the experience than the money.  He's from England and my parents think Vegas sounds boring so I am starting from scratch on planning.

←

pansophia, congratulations. I hope you enjoy Las Vegas. Vegas, boring??

This trip is kind of my treat to him before he goes back to college.  We'll have three nights and most of four days.  (Unless we stay someplace cheaper and can afford a 4th night.)

First question (not food related) - are we better off spending money to stay someplace nice (I found a GREAT deal for Bellagio, Paris, or Wynn) or stay someplace okay (New York, MGM Grand, Mirage) and have more money for food and entertainment?  With the package I found we could do three nights at Bellagio for about the same as four nights at MGM Grand.

What Elrushbo said. I've stayed at the MGM Grand and it's nice. Sign-up for their player's card. They have a package deal which includes a restaurant credit, as well as a discount on their spa services to work off the food, uhh ... if you so choose ... Or you could walk it off by going through all the major casinos along the Strip (at least an hour).

Foodwise I'm leaning towards the following:

-Breakfast at Bouchon

-Lunch or dinner at Lotus of Siam

-Lunch Buffet (Bellagio or Spice Market?)

-Dinner at L'Atelier

-Dinner at FIX

-Lots of other goodies like crepes at the Jean Philippe Patisserie

Those are great choices. Try the Bellagio Buffet. It's really good. I personally don't know about the Spice Market. There are other places if you want to go off the Strip, like downtown (Fremont St.) and Henderson.

We're pretty adventurous when it comes to food and prefer to spend a lot on a good meal once in a while than eat crap frequently.  Provided we don't spend much on wine, is it realistic to think we can get out of L'Atelier (tasting menu) for about $300? How about FIX?

I've heard good things about Fix. The tasting menu at L'Atelier costs $129 when I went there late Oct. 2006. Check the Robuchon discussion thread for details.

If you hit it big, go ahead and splurge at Guy Savoy in Caesar's Palace. That way, you can compare Savoy with Robuchon. And if you have any more questions, just let us know. And please ... give us a full report afterwards, okay??

[Elrushbo]

RJ-I've got a question for you. I'll be going to Vegas either in May or Oct(depends on wife's ability to get time)with a group of six all together, and we'll probably stay at MGM...we usually do a steak place and one other 'nice' restaurant. I'm leaning towards Stripsteak for steak...I'd like to know what you think of Craftsteak, though. And...I'm leaning towards Fleur de Lys, Bartolotta or Michael Mina for the second. Should I be looking at Le Atelier? I might be able to talk everyone else into it if it's really going to be a step above the other places I'm looking at.

[pansophia]

Okay, well we're booked for three nights at New York, New York and will have most of four full days. I have to say, if you have a Costco membership be sure to check out the Travel link on their website. I tried a dozen or so travel sites and saved a couple of hundred by booking through them. Whoda thunk it!? More money for food!

We've got a reservation at L'Atelier for the night we arrive, show tickets on night two, and I just called Bouchon and they don't take breakfast reservations so we will just have to get there early. As if we'll be going to sleep!

Next up, reservations for FIX and track down an old school Vegas showgirl act. Cheesy but a must do! (And hubby will be happy so long as it's topless)

Thank goodness our own Chris Cognac's Vegas show is available On Demand!

[percyn]

Should I be looking at Le Atelier?

I know you were looking for RJ's input but thought I would share mine by saying that L'Atelier Joel de Robuchon is a great place, as is Fluer de Lys (I have eaten at their SF restaurant, not LV) and you won't go wrong with either. However, I found the dishes at L'Atelier to be a bit more original and hit higher notes than those at FdL.

We've got a reservation at L'Atelier for the night we arrive, show tickets on night two, and I just called Bouchon and they don't take breakfast reservations so we will just have to get there early.  As if we'll be going to sleep! 

If you go on a weekday before 9:30am for breakfast, it should not be a problem. They are also open for Lunch on the weekend.

[nightscotsman]

Next up, reservations for FIX and track down an old school Vegas showgirl act.  Cheesy but a must do!  (And hubby will be happy so long as it's topless)

Jubilee at Ballys is a good bet. Way over-the-top sets and costumes, see the Titanic sink and Samson pull down the temple with singing and dancing - and of course, boobs. You can also buy tickets to a backstage tour led by one of the showgirls. Maybe they'll let you try on one of the outfits!

[nyokie6]

Agree with the recommendation for the buffet at Bellagio, another good choice is the buffet at Wynn. We tend to go for a late breakfast or an early lunch and follow with a late dinner. Most days that is plenty, and if its not lots of great places for candy or cake. We loved both our dinner at L'Atellier(Oct 06) and Guy Suvoy(Aug 06) but the price difference is 300+ vs 900+.... so it needs to be a big win!(and its not winning that built LV) If you don't mind buses, you can get 24hr or multi day passes to go up and down the strip. We use a combination of feet, bus and taxi. If you have the time and don't care where you sit, use the discount ticket places for the showgirl show, and you can also sometimes find two for one on the internet.

Circo is lovely for lunch, sitting and watching the fountains while eating. Sensi also does lunch, as well as dinner. Bartolotta at the Wynn is currently our overall favorite. Last trip we went once for the fish and then returned a few days later for the hen and a meat based meal. But if you like wine be careful of the first recomendations they make, I turned them down after being dissapointed in the past, made some counter suggestions of my own- received good assesments of my choices and ended up with much better wines.

[rjwong]

percyn, thanks for chiming in!

Elrushbo, if you can get everyone in on this, L'Atelier has the most innovative & creative dishes around in Las Vegas. And that's not a snub against Guy Savoy or Alain Ducasse (Mix). In terms of food, I have to give my nod to Robuchon.

As for Craftsteak, I have not eaten at that place. In fact, I'll have to catch-up on my steak "research" in Vegas: Craftsteak, Delmonico's, Smith & Wollensky's, Binion's ... Currently, I like Prime. I haven't tried the new Michael Mina Stripsteak restaurant. Our own Chris Cognac suggested that I try Bradley Ogden at Caesar's. They serve Kobe beef. Yes, genuine Kobe beef from the Kobe prefect. If you eat at Stripsteak, go to L'Atelier for your 2nd place. Do/does you/your group want to eat at two Michael Mina restaurants on this trip?? Elrushbo, if, for some reason, your group decides to revolt, let us know if you need some help.

pansophia, FYI the owners of New York, New York Casino also own MGM Grand, Mirage, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay ... The casinos are all connect. Slightly off-topic, if you want an old-time Vegas show, check out downtown Las Vegas where Fremont Street Experience & Binion's are located. Old Vegas is definitely different from the Strip.

[Elrushbo]

percyn, thanks for chiming in!

Elrushbo, if you can get everyone in on this, L'Atelier has the most innovative & creative dishes around in Las Vegas. And that's not a snub against Guy Savoy or Alain Ducasse (Mix). In terms of food, I have to give my nod to Robuchon.

As for Craftsteak, I have not eaten at that place. In fact, I'll have to catch-up on my steak "research" in Vegas: Craftsteak, Delmonico's, Smith & Wollensky's, Binion's ... Currently, I like Prime. I haven't tried the new Michael Mina Stripsteak restaurant. Our own Chris Cognac suggested that I try Bradley Ogden at Caesar's. They serve Kobe beef. Yes, genuine Kobe beef from the Kobe prefect. If you eat at Stripsteak, go to L'Atelier for your 2nd place. Do/does you/your group want to eat at two Michael Mina restaurants on this trip?? Elrushbo, if, for some reason, your group decides to revolt, let us know if you need some help.

pansophia, FYI the owners of New York, New York Casino also own MGM Grand, Mirage, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay ... The casinos are all connect. Slightly off-topic, if you want an old-time Vegas show, check out downtown Las Vegas where Fremont Street Experience & Binion's are located. Old Vegas is definitely different from the Strip.

←

A coworker of mine gets to go to Vegas 3 times a year with his wife who is on business and has unlimited charging to the room. When he stayed at Caesars, I told him to try Bradley Ogden, and he got Kobe filet mignon and said it was the best steak he'd ever had, and he's been to many of the best Vegas restaurants.

RJ-I appreciate the tips. I will do my best-should they be revolting, I'll let you know:) They pretty much let me make a list of places and we pick from it. My wife's sister really wants to stay at MGM, so Le Atelier might not be too hard to get them to go for as we'll probably want to go to one good place at MGM anyway. How's the ala carte menu? We went to Prime last trip, and loved it. Their steak was flawless-medium rare with a nice char crust and the best sauces.