Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

[Cook456]

Exactly how far away from Caesar's is Lotus of Siam...and approx how much should the cab ride run?

[tommy]

LOS is off the strip and not more than 15 dollars or so for a cab ride. i went during the day from Mandalay, and i don't recall the cab ride being all that much at all. however, a cab from circus circus to in-and-out to mandalay ran over 20 bucks. that was an expensive snack, but worth every penny.

[nightscotsman]

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

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The Rio completely remodeled their buffet this year, and when it reopened they ran a special half-off deal for locals. Couldn't pass up $7 for the lunch buffet, so I went several times. I would have to say that it's only slightly above average food quality. The selection is huge, but nothing really to get excited about (can you say non-dairy whipped topping in the tiramisu?). The Bellagio buffet and the newly remodeled Mirage buffet are far superior and in a completely different class in my opinion. The Aladdin buffet is also very good (it actually tops a lot of the local "bests" lists), though the desserts are inedible.

[Cook456]

The Rio completely remodeled their buffet this year, and when it reopened they ran a special half-off deal for locals. Couldn't pass up $7 for the lunch buffet, so I went several times. I would have to say that it's only slightly above average food quality. The selection is huge, but nothing really to get excited about (can you say non-dairy whipped topping in the tiramisu?). The Bellagio buffet and the newly remodeled Mirage buffet are far superior and in a completely different class in my opinion. The Aladdin buffet is also very good (it actually tops a lot of the local "bests" lists), though the desserts are inedible.

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I hate that non dairy crap!!!

I trust your judgement on the desserts...I saw pictures of the Bellagio's Raspberry Tarts. I was salivating!!!

[Cook456]

Had an enjoyable stay at the Alladin over the Columbus day weekend.

Each morning we ate at the Notre Cafe in the Paris Hotel..Cafe Americano and a pastry. Yum.

We decided to skip lunches...to save room for our dinners:

Thursday Bellagio Buffet. Great Buffet. Great Desserts, Nightscotsman. Will you part with the recipe for the chocolate roll?

Friday _ Had made reservations at Bradley Ogden, but I honestly couldn't find anything on the menu that I was really in the mood for...so rather than spend a fortune on a dinner I was less than enthused over, we opted for Mesa Grill, and were very happy. ...Cactus Pear Margaritas, cormeal breaded Oysters topped with Caviar, and the Signature dish of chile rubbed Pork Tenderlion. Our waiter was great and made it a memorable meal. We had just enough time to get over to the Celine Dion Show...which was Great!

Saturday Lotus of Siam- My friend was not adventurous at all, and was not happy that it was a little more upscale looking.... We did order the Sour Sausage for our appetizer and the crispy Shrimp. Both were excellent, in my book. She wanted the Pad Thai, and said she's had better. The wine our waiter selected was perfect, and he also brought over a sampling of a dessert wine , which went nicely with the wonderful sticky rice with mango.

Sunday evening we stayed at our hotel and dined at Crustacean. Another great restaurant! We shared an appetizer of Summer Rolls, and both chose the Vietnamese White Clams with Vermecelli and Thai Basil. I've never seen clams that white!!! Accompanying it were several Bruscetta to dip in the sumptuous broth. For dessert we ordered the coconut flan, and this is must if you dine there. It was more like a creme Brulee topped with crispy coconut shreds. WOW! They also had a nice selection of wines by the glass, and we ended the meal with a nice glass of tawny port.

I would say we ate well... ...as for gambling...that's another story. :-)

[nightscotsman]

We decided to skip lunches...to save room for our dinners:

Thursday  Bellagio Buffet.  Great Buffet. Great Desserts, Nightscotsman.  Will you part with the recipe for the chocolate roll?

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I'm really glad you had a good time and enjoyed the Buffet . Unfortunately, I don't feel right about giving out my employer's recipes or I would be happy to post it. Perhaps you could try sending a letter to Bellagio and asking for the recipe (although I'm sure you would have to scale it down from the HUGE batches they make )?

[Cook456]

I'm really glad you had a good time and enjoyed the Buffet . Unfortunately, I don't feel right about giving out my employer's recipes or I would be happy to post it. Perhaps you could try sending a letter to Bellagio and asking for the recipe (although I'm sure you would have to scale it down from the HUGE batches they make )?

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I appreciate the thought. I'll do that.. as for the problem of scaling it down...Just give it to my brother, the chef, who has done it many times.

[fred4670]

Hi, hope someone can help me out. My extended family (10 of us) will be in Las Vegas for the Christmas Holiday. We usually go out to the fine dining establishments with a small group (4 people), but since we have a large group this time, I need some assistance.

Are there any fine establishments that are open for lunch? We have dined at Aqua, Andre's, Picasso, Aureole, Nobu, and they only open during dinner. The biggest reason I like to hit lunches is it is more affordable with such a large group than dinner. We plan to hit the buffets during dinner (Le Village Buffet, Bellagio Buffet, Alladin Buffet).

I called around and so far I can only find places like Postrio, Spago, Commander's Palace, Emerils' Fish House, and Mesa Grill that is open during lunch. Are there any others that you can recommend?

Thanks!

[nightscotsman]

Olives (excellent) and Circo (lunch Wednesday-Sunday - I've heard mixed reviews) are both open for lunch at Bellagio. You also might check out Burger Bar in the Mandalay Place mall between Mandalay Bay and Luxor.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY! The holiday season is very busy here and restaurants fill up, especially if you want a table for 10.

Oh, and a word about buffets: I personally thought the Paris buffet was terrible while Aladdin's was quite good, but bad desserts. I highly recommend the new buffet at the Mirage (called 'Cravings').

P.S.: I just read that Bouchon at The Venetian is now open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

[Tess]

Is Rosemary's still open for lunch?

[nightscotsman]

Is Rosemary's still open for lunch?

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According to Las Vegas Citysearch: yes.

[fred4670]

Olives (excellent) and Circo (lunch Wednesday-Sunday - I've heard mixed reviews) are both open for lunch at Bellagio. You also might check out Burger Bar in the Mandalay Place mall between Mandalay Bay and Luxor.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY! The holiday season is very busy here and restaurants fill up, especially if you want a table for 10.

Oh, and a word about buffets: I personally thought the Paris buffet was terrible while Aladdin's was quite good, but bad desserts. I highly recommend the new buffet at the Mirage (called 'Cravings').

P.S.: I just read that Bouchon at The Venetian is now open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

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Thanks for the tip! I just made reservations to Postrio, Emerils, and Commanders Palace. I am looking forward trying the Mirage Buffet - Cravings. We are going to try Olives too.

Question, for kids under 18, can they goto to Bellagio to eat at Olives or Bellagio buffet with us or is it strictly off limits for kids? We are staying at Paris.

Thanks.

[Tess]

According to Las Vegas Citysearch: yes.

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Thanks, Neil! I love the idea that if you like Rosemary's you might also like Buca di Beppo.

I haven't tried the Bellagio buffet, but now I will.

[sand]

On weekdays, the Palm in Caesars Forum Shops offers a few lunch specials in the $20s.

[nightscotsman]

Question, for kids under 18, can they goto to Bellagio to eat at Olives or Bellagio buffet with us or is it strictly off limits for kids?  We are staying at Paris.

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You shouldn't have any problem as long as the kids stay with the adults and they're just passing through, not hanging out in the casino. Be sure to stop by the Bellagio conservatory to see the new fall display.

[gmi3804]

Which are the best restaurants at Bellagio? I have two lunches and three dinners. I've been to Picasso (loved it!) and Aqua (which is now Michael Mina - is it THAT different now?), and wouldn't mind going back to either. Are certain better for lunch? I'm staying at Bellagio on a full comp, so money's no object.

Thanks!

[nightscotsman]

Michael Mina is just the new name for Aqua - no other differences. I don't think either Michael Mina or Picasso (or most of the other high end places) are open for lunch. Olives (exellent), Circo and Cafe Bellagio are all open for lunch, and Petrossian does a really nice afternoon tea from 2:00 to 5:00 pm (reservation required).

Don't overlook Jasmine (Chinese) and Shintaro (Japanese) for dinner. Both are creative and tend to get good reviews, though of course Picasso in generally considered one of, if not the best restaurant in town.

[gmi3804]

Thanks for the receommendations, Neil.

How's Prime? I don't usually equate steakhouses with "fine dining," but does something other than the decor push it into fine dining territory? I peeked into the dining room on my way to Picasso last time, and it's certainly BLUE!

[little ms foodie]

Michael Mina is just the new name for Aqua - no other differences.

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So Michael Mina has the same menu as when it was Aqua? Is the interior also the same. I have to say that the lobster pot pie I had there a few years back was DELISH!!!

I love Olives and Circo for lunch. Neither are particulary dressey but the food is great!

I have heard wonderful things about Le Cirque, was going to dine there last April but decided to give my husband a break and not make him pack a jacket (required).

[nightscotsman]

Thanks for the receommendations, Neil.

How's Prime?  I don't usually equate steakhouses with "fine dining," but does something other than the decor push it into fine dining territory?  I peeked into the dining room on my way to Picasso last time, and it's certainly BLUE! 

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I haven't eaten at Prime myself, though I've heard it's very good. If you would like a good steak without the dress code you might check out Fix, the newest place at Bellagio. The chef used to be at N9NE in the Palms, the food is very good with cool modern presentation, great cocktails, and it's quite casual.

So Michael Mina has the same menu as when it was Aqua? Is the interior also the same. I have to say that the lobster pot pie I had there a few years back was DELISH!!!

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I believe the menu is mostly the same, though of course most restaurants make changes seasonally. I would bet signature dishes like the lobster pot pie are still on the menu. And yes, the interior of Michael Mina is the same - though Olives has been completely remodeled and has a bit more formal feel now.

[Foodie-Girl]

I have heard wonderful things about Le Cirque, was going to dine there last April but decided to give my husband a break and not make him pack a jacket (required).

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[gmi3804]

***It's the only place I know of in Las Vegas that requires a jacket.....so we've only eaten there in the winter when my husband can stand walking around in a sports coat....

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Do you get a sense that the restaurant employees treat you differently if you're not "dressed up" enough? I usually like to err on the side of dressy when in doubt, because I believe customers really are typecast when they walk in to a high-end place. If this happens to us, the icyness usually melts once we put our wine order in - we tend to order costly wines.

I was shocked when we dined at Aureole shortly after it opened and some guys came in wearing kahkis and short sleeved knit Polo shirts - that was a bit TOO casual, I thought. I'm afraid that, unfortunately, Las Vegas restaurants tolerate dress like this, but it can't be easy for those professionals to see customers not respect a place enough to at least make an effort to dress up, even a bit.

Would your husband wear a jacket to Picasso? When I went there, I wore jacket and tie - and didn't feel overdressed at all.

What is the proper "code" in Las Vegas?

[Foodie-Girl]

Do you get a sense that the restaurant employees treat you differently if you're not "dressed up" enough?

*** Like you I tend to err on the side of being over rather than under-dressed so I haven't been in that situation.

I'm a pretty serious diner and dress accordingly.

Would your husband wear a jacket to Picasso? When I went there, I wore jacket and tie - and didn't feel overdressed at all.

***If he had to bring a jacket for Le Cirque he'd probably wear it to all the dinners. If not he'd wear a really nice dress shirt and slacks...good belt, watch..etc. and be fine.

We ate at Picasso in August and I did notice that most of the men were wearing jackets/ties so he felt a little underdressed but not a big deal.

What is the proper "code" in Las Vegas?

***I think it depends on the restaurant. We dined at Emeril's Aquaknox, Bradley Ogden, The Palm a few weeks ago and my husband wore dark shirts/slacks everywhere...

I think Le Cirque is a very classy and subdued restaurant and calls for a dressier appearance.

He wouldn't wear a "loud" short sleeve shirt to any of those places but I don't think a jacket was absolutely necessary.

[gmi3804]

Thanks for the insights! It's always interesting to see different cities' dress code etiquette. L.A. has me totally confounded: I always feel self-conscious wherever I go there, since I'm not partial to ripped jeans and dirty $300 t-shirts!

[LEdlund]

Another question about the dress code: I'm heading down there this weekend and have my evening "attire" figured out. But what about during the day? Just walking around the casino's, sightseeing that kind of thing. Are jeans OK?