Dining with a child in Las Vegas

[jchoi]

We'll be in LV for two nights only, one night in Summerlin and the other at the Venetian. We have a toddler (2 1/2 years old) who defies the term "terrible twos." Coming from Seattle, an extremely child-friendly dining city, I'm used to feeling comfortable taking my son to any restaurant of choice (and also comfortable wearing jeans and hiking boots to most of them). He is truly not what people fear when they see a small child enter the restaurant: he's not loud, he doesn't cry or tantrum, he doesn't run around the restaurant or throw food, etc. I think that he is unique in that manner--we've never had to curtail our dining out as we had once feared we'd need to.

Anyway, I'm wondering what the general vibe in the LV dining community is toward children in eating establishments and whether anyone has recommendations of places where we'd be welcomed.

I refuse to eat at the following or their analogs: Uncle Willy's, Olive Garden, IHOP, TGIFriday's, etc.

Thanks!

[Foodie-Girl]

[We have a toddler (2 1/2 years old) who defies the term "terrible twos." Coming from Seattle, an extremely child-friendly dining city, I'm used to feeling comfortable taking my son to any restaurant of choice (and also comfortable wearing jeans and hiking boots to most of them).

***I don't have small children but would think Emeril's might be a good choice.

Edited November 21, 2004 by Foodie-Girl (log)

[akwiatek]

I would suggest the Verandah in the Four Seasons. The food is fabulous and I have always found the Four Seasons restaurants to be very child friendy and take our children to a Four Seasons whenever it is a choice on a trip. Good Luck.

I would also suggest calling ahead. They are very good at seating you in an area where you are away from other guests who might be annoyed buy you child.

Edited November 22, 2004 by akwiatek (log)

[tanabutler]

Border Grill in the Mandalay Bay has enough ambient noise that your child shouldn't be a problem. It's comfortable and nice, and the food's great. Highly recommended.

[jchoi]

Thanks for all of the responses. Unfortunately I didn't get the recommendations until after we returned. We didn't end up eating on the Strip at all.

The first night we went to Carmel's Steakhouse or Carmel Room in the Rampart Casino at the J.W. Marriott. It was a last-minute decision, a practical one since we were staying at the hotel, but we were glad to have gone. They served the best pre-dinner bread I have tasted in a long time: flavorful flatbreads, an olive bread (which was good, but not noteworthy) and an amazing sweet bread called white chocolate bread, all from some place called Universal Bakery. My husband picked the winning app/entree combo: the sauteed scallops on top of wild mushrooms and a prime rib with wild rice on the side. My lump crabcake was above average (real crab lumps, not heavy on stuffing or seasonings), and but for being over salted and peppered the veal medallions with foie gras and wild mushrooms had flavors that mingled well. Very satisfying meal. I would go back just for the White Chocolate Bread!

The next night we went to Lotus of Siam. It was truly the best Thai food I have tasted--actually it was unlike any Thai food I have tasted--and I can see why so many patrons visit and revisit that restaurant during a trip to Las Vegas. The highlight of the meal was a fried soft shell prawn dish with garlic pepper sauce. The prawns were meaty and fresh, but even more delicious were the shells themselves, which had been removed from the shrimp and twisted so that the shell and the meat remained connected at the tail. After deep frying, the shells become so crispy, and with the golden garlic sauce, they were delectable. I will have a hard time enjoying Thai the way I did before.

[rm_blizzard]

I am going to be visiting Las Vegas for three days with my family over Christmas and would like to see if there's some up to date info about child friendly dining (we have a nine year old).

We are going to do at least one buffet and would like to try the Bellagio. However, their website has an under 18 policy that appears to only permit children to restaurants where you have a reservation. Am I correct in assuming then that under 18s are not allowed at the Bellagio buffet? If this is so, what would be a good alternative these days?

Other child friendly recommendations would be appreciated. We're definitely going to try Lotus of Siam.

Edited December 12, 2005 by rm_blizzard (log)

[rjwong]

rm,

I'm rather surprised about that "under 18" policy for the Bellagio Buffet. I was in Las Vegas for Christmas last year and there were plenty of children running around there. The way their buffet works is you stand in line, first come first served, unless you're all staying at the Bellagio or you get comped. And on Christmas Day, unless you get there when they first open, be prepared for a two-hour plus wait (You read correctly).

You may want to send a PM to nightscotsman directly. He works at the Bellagio. Do not miss the JP Maury Patisserie. You can order a savory crepe, a pastry & a drink for about $20.

I'm glad you're going to Lotus of Siam. It's really good and relaxing, away from the Strip. Another nice restaurant away from the Strip (about seven miles away from the Sahara Hotel) is Rosemary's Restaurant.

There are a number of discussion threads about Las Vegas Dining. I'm certain others will chime in soon for recent updates.

I hope your family has a Merry Christmas & a Happy Boxing Day!

Edited to add: There's the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay. The burgers are very good there. They also have a $60 burger topped with foie gras.

Edited December 13, 2005 by rjwong (log)

[Tepee]

Just went to the Bellagio's buffet 10 days ago. Didn't have a reservation; waited in line. My kids are 4, 7 and 11. The servers were very nice to them and us, good-naturedly picking up dropped napkins and making sure that they had their fill of juice and milk. Food was great. Wished their dessert came in smaller servings because I would have loved to sample a wider range. It was too too difficult to make a choice.

Edited December 13, 2005 by Tepee (log)

[nightscotsman]

There is an "under 18" policy at Bellagio, but they aren't super strict about it. Kids are fine as long as they are accompanied by and an adult and aren't lingering in the casino area. Don't worry about it and enjoy the Buffet .

Be aware, however, that lines can get very, very long at all buffets on Holidays. I've heard of people waiting over 3 hours on Thanksgiving. Plus they generally raise the prices as well. You might plan ahead and have a "plan B" in mind in case it looks like a really long wait.

[sand]

My sister and brother in law found the Venetian family friendly, compared with hotels such as Caesars Palace or the Bellagio. They brought their two year old. She liked the human statue when he winked at her, the accordion player that played Mary Had A Little Lamb, and the actress that hands out chocolate. The Grand Lux Cafe was very child friendly--high chair availability, kids menus, loud environment, etc. Yes, it's a Cheesecake Factory, but it's a good option, especially for large groups with disparate tastes.

Edited December 19, 2005 by sand (log)

[Barbara Moss]

I think Grand Luxe is a great idea but there are many places that would be fine for the under five set. Even SeaBlue which is a Michael Mina was very nice when we brought a 12 year old . The food is straightforward and the manager made a point of coming over to talk to us.The is a Mexican resturant across the way from SeaBlue which would also be fine. The coffee shop in the Bellagio is another good choice.

[rm_blizzard]

Thanks to all who provided advice. Here’s a brief report on our recent visit to Vegas over Christmas. Christmas dinner was at Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at the MGM. Glad we has made reservations thorough Open Table, as it was a zoo generally. Started off with a beetroot and feta salad, followed by braised beef short ribs and caramelized shallots with fettuccine. SO had the veal ravioli with sage, crimini mushrooms and porcini oil. Although no kids menu per se, our son was offered a few selections and chose his regular - chicken strips and fries. Everyone was very happy with their meals. The highlight of the evening as definitely dessert – a triple chocolate tower – chocolate mousse top layer, white chocolate (mousse again? can’t quite remember) and a dark chocolate praline bottom.

Boxing Day was massive overindulgence at the Spice Market buffet lunch. Waits weren’t quite the 3 hours we had been advised to expect, but the hour and a half or so line-up was well worth it. The New York strip loin roast was butter knife tender. Smoked salmon, Alaska king crab legs, tandoori chicken, dolmades were more than sampled. Desserts looked great but were only average tasting. Very child friendly, except for boredom during the wait.

Final night went to Lotus of Siam. My expectations were probably way too high based on the rave reviews and my anticipation of the “best Thai food in America”. It was definitely very good, but still a bit of a letdown. Excellent stuffed chicken wings to start pleased our son and pretty much filled him up. The Issan sausage, roasted duck curry and pad thai were all very good. After dinner we went back to the Strip to take in some of the free shows. Stopped in at the Bellagio café for dessert. Not much selection left by nine pm, but the tiramisu in a white and milk chocolate cup we had was pure decadence.