Tell me where to eat in Vegas

[Maple Leafs]

After almost a decade, I'm finally heading back to Vegas for a few days next week. My understanding is that I should expect the Strip to have changed extensively since my last trip, so I'm hoping anyone who's been recently can help me plan a few meals.

We're planning to try to get out for at least one or two fancy dinners so any recommendations there would be great. But we're also looking for anything else on the scale. Out of the way places, greasy spoons, spots that turn out to be a lot better than they look, etc.

Any help would be appreciated. We're staying at the Palazzo but expect to be moving around for at least a few of the days.

[PurdueBrad]

We just came back from spending a week there in July. In regards to fancy meals (we splurged a lot in regards to food), here are the places I can recommend:

Le Cirque in Bellagio was perhaps the best meal I've ever had (at the very least, definitely a top 5)

CraftSteak in MGM Grand was excellent for steak and braised short ribs

Scarpetta in Aria has an awesome Italian tasting menu

Japonais in the Mirage was really cool for small plates and not super expensive

Those were the definite standouts from our trip. I hope this helps, enjoy!

[TLK]

On the opposite end of the spectrum.... The Ellis Island BBQ is cheap and amazing. Full rack of ribs, a bunch of sides and a beer for $12. It's the only place we return to every year.

[molson]

On the opposite end of the spectrum.... The Ellis Island BBQ is cheap and amazing. Full rack of ribs, a bunch of sides and a beer for $12. It's the only place we return to every year.

Love that place. They also have a $2.99 steak and egg special after 2AM or something that you have to ask for.

Edit: Also, the Hash House A Go Go is great if you just need a huge post-drinking meal.

[Coffee Warlord]

If you're a sushi person, the sushi place in MGM Grand (Shibuya I think) is fantastic.

[cartman]

At the Venetian, I've always had a great meal at Canaletto. First ate there a few years back with Lathum and his wife.

For a great steak, the Circus Circus Steakhouse is underrated in my book. At the other end of the strip, I had a great steak dinner at StripSteak at Mandalay Bay.

Circo at the Bellagio is also a great place I've eaten, and definitely in the 'pricey splurge' category.

If you like Thai food, you can venture a few blocks off of the north end of the Strip and try Lotus of Siam. Some of the best Thai food I've ever eaten, and very reasonably priced.

But to be honest, I don't think I've ever had a sub-par meal on the strip, outside of the buffet at the Imperial Palace, now the Quad. Places that don't have good food don't last too long with all of the great options out there. I'm heading back for a week in November, and can't wait.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If you're a sushi person, the sushi place in MGM Grand (Shibuya I think) is fantastic.

+1

Fantastic stuff.

[miked]

Lunch buffet at the Bellagio was awesome.

[Flasch186]

Re: Ellis Island, one of my good friends, Mike Gallatte, runs the whole show there so tell him I sent you. He is great peeps and the place is awesome. Good Food, good gaming, great location. Easy to get to.

[cmgdodgers]

Just went last month - Gordon Ramsey's Steakhouse (Paris) and Mesa Grill (Cesar's) were both excellent dinners. Mon Ami Gabi (Paris) is a favorite of ours for lunch and breakfast - Great food with outstanding service and outdoor seating is great for people watching.

[Maple Leafs]

Thanks everyone, keep 'em coming.

[Izulde]

I'll co-sign on the Bellagio buffet if buffets are your kind of thing.

Haven't really eaten at any of the real pricey restaurants on the Strip, so can't comment much on them and will defer to the recs of others.

Going off-strip, Las Vegas is a town that has a ton of good Thai restaurants, and Lotus of Siam, which cartman mentions, is hands-down the best in the city.

Another off-strip option I love - Casa di Amore on Tropicana Avenue.

Vegas is a terrible place for pizza. Probably the worst of any city I've lived in. That said, the one place everyone raves about is Secret Pizza at Cosmopolitan.

Oh, and my favorite place to drink in the entire city is the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. It's like you're literally sitting inside of a chandelier, and it's both quiet and relaxing.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I really enjoyed Sushi Samba a couple years ago - then again, I also didn't pay (30th birthday), so I can't claim value or anything.

[Chief Rum]

After almost a decade, I'm finally heading back to Vegas for a few days next week. My understanding is that I should expect the Strip to have changed extensively since my last trip, so I'm hoping anyone who's been recently can help me plan a few meals.

We're planning to try to get out for at least one or two fancy dinners so any recommendations there would be great. But we're also looking for anything else on the scale. Out of the way places, greasy spoons, spots that turn out to be a lot better than they look, etc.

Any help would be appreciated. We're staying at the Palazzo but expect to be moving around for at least a few of the days.

When you going to be there, Sean? I'll be stopping off in Vegas briefly before and after a Grand Canyon trip next week. Barely worth mention how short I'll be there Tuesday, but we'll be there the whole night that Saturday (Sept. 14, the night of the Mayweather fight).

[Maple Leafs]

We'll be there from Monday to Friday.

Didn't know there was a Mayweather fight. Hopefully I'll run into him.

[Chief Rum]

We'll be there from Monday to Friday.

Didn't know there was a Mayweather fight. Hopefully I'll run into him.

Shoot, you'll miss me then, since I won't have time to stick around town on Tuesday.

As for Mayweather, even if there wasn't a fight, you would have a chance to meet him, since he lives there. ;)

[QuikSand]

Okay, let's try to gain some perspective.

Everyone who has been to Vegas has, at his own level, a similar experience. it's hot, it's exotic, it's exciting, and it's completely priming you for a good time. You're at a hotel, you go out and get something to eat, and you get your triple cheeseburger or your eggroll surprise or your marinated mishmash and you come away saying, "hey that place was great!" And then you mention to your friend, either in person or someplace like here, that he ought to go out of his way to go to that place and get that thing. it's what we all go through.

Now, reality check.

Vegas is just a fucking awesome place. No, not everything is awesome. But a lot is. The place is just unbelievably dense with restaurants that rate out somewhere between very good and off-the-charts. So, the bottom line is -- where to eat in Vegas? Someplace that you can get to easily, that sounds like it fits your tastes, and that rates out fairly well on Yelp! or the equivalent. That is, honestly, the right answer.

If you sent me a text and said "I'm with three guys and some mysterious hot chicks and we're at Bellagio so where should we go eat right now?" then I can help you. If you said "I have a car and time to kill, and want something Mediterranean" then I can help you there, too. And if you said "I want the best Cheeseburger in town, no matter what it takes" then I'm your man also. All of those are answerable questions.*

"Tell me where to eat in Vegas" is too hard. There are at least 5 excellent buffets and easily 100 excellent restaurants in town, all along the pricing scale. With a little effort, you almost can't miss.





* - Picasso or Cirque (whichever seems to drop the panties faster); Hedary's rather than Paymon's; Bradley Ogden at Caesar's

[QuikSand]

From the Palazzo, I think the simplest smart move is to walk over to Wynn, which is generally a high class place for gaming and eye candy purposes, and has pretty uniformly excellent restaurants. Their buffet might be the best in town, and I have yet to have a disappointing meal at any of their restaurants. Can't pick one total standout (maybe La Cave?) but if you want to place yourself in a great location, that would be accessible and high-probability play.

Wynn restaurants Las Vegas, NV (http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Wynn+Restaurants&find_loc=Las+Vegas%2C+NV)

[cartman]

Okay, let's try to gain some perspective.

Everyone who has been to Vegas has, at his own level, a similar experience. it's hot, it's exotic, it's exciting, and it's completely priming you for a good time. You're at a hotel, you go out and get something to eat, and you get your triple cheeseburger or your eggroll surprise or your marinated mishmash and you come away saying, "hey that place was great!" And then you mention to your friend, either in person or someplace like here, that he ought to go out of his way to go to that place and get that thing. it's what we all go through.

Now, reality check.

Vegas is just a fucking awesome place. No, not everything is awesome. But a lot is. The place is just unbelievably dense with restaurants that rate out somewhere between very good and off-the-charts. So, the bottom line is -- where to eat in Vegas? Someplace that you can get to easily, that sounds like it fits your tastes, and that rates out fairly well on Yelp! or the equivalent. That is, honestly, the right answer.

If you sent me a text and said "I'm with three guys and some mysterious hot chicks and we're at Bellagio so where should we go eat right now?" then I can help you. If you said "I have a car and time to kill, and want something Mediterranean" then I can help you there, too. And if you said "I want the best Cheeseburger in town, no matter what it takes" then I'm your man also. All of those are answerable questions.*

"Tell me where to eat in Vegas" is too hard. There are at least 5 excellent buffets and easily 100 excellent restaurants in town, all along the pricing scale. With a little effort, you almost can't miss.





* - Picasso or Cirque (whichever seems to drop the panties faster); Hedary's rather than Paymon's; Bradley Ogden at Caesar's

Once again, QS put things into perspective much better than my attempts at doing so. :D

But to be honest, I don't think I've ever had a sub-par meal on the strip, outside of the buffet at the Imperial Palace, now the Quad. Places that don't have good food don't last too long with all of the great options out there.

[QuikSand]

Once again, QS put things into perspective much better than my attempts at doing so. :D

I think you did fine, but why say it in ten words when two hundred will do? And some foul-mouth stuff mixed in FTW. (Wynn?)

[Chief Rum]

I think you did fine, but why say it in ten words when two hundred will do?

A mantra I live by.

[Chief Rum]

Ironically.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have only been to Vegas once. The only place I remember was the Spearmint Rhino. It was nice.

Despite the fact that I didn't eat there, based on everything I've read above the food is bound to be at least decent.

[TroyF]

From the Palazzo, I think the simplest smart move is to walk over to Wynn, which is generally a high class place for gaming and eye candy purposes, and has pretty uniformly excellent restaurants. Their buffet might be the best in town, and I have yet to have a disappointing meal at any of their restaurants. Can't pick one total standout (maybe La Cave?) but if you want to place yourself in a great location, that would be accessible and high-probability play.

Wynn restaurants Las Vegas, NV (http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Wynn+Restaurants&find_loc=Las+Vegas%2C+NV)

QS,

A long time ago, you recommended a spot at Caesar's Palace that had a triple prime burger. That is still probably the best damned burger I have ever ate in my life and it's a must stop for me everytime I go to Vegas. I don't remember the name of the place though, I just know the location. Do you remember the name?

[TroyF]

nevermind, you gave it right in your post. I just missed the * the first time.


Holy hell, that is a good cheeseburger

[Chief Rum]

I have only been to Vegas once. The only place I remember was the Spearmint Rhino. It was nice.

Heh... too pricey. :D

[QuikSand]

Holy hell, that is a good cheeseburger

Far and away.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Bradley Ogden at Caesar's

nevermind, you gave it right in your post. I just missed the * the first time.


Holy hell, that is a good cheeseburger

Despite the fact that I have no plans at all to return to Vegas at this time, the talk of this cheese burger intrigued me enough to check it out and... Looks like this place closed on August 5th. That's very disappointing.

[cartman]

Another great burger place is at the Burger Bar, which is located in the Mandalay Bay shopping area between MB and the Luxor.

Burger Bar - Mandalay Bay - Best Burgers in Las Vegas (http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/burger-bar/)

[QuikSand]

Another great burger place is at the Burger Bar, which is located in the Mandalay Bay shopping area between MB and the Luxor.

Burger Bar - Mandalay Bay - Best Burgers in Las Vegas (http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/burger-bar/)

Monstrously overpriced and overrated, and most certainly not worthy of a trip into that place. IMO, of course.

[bigdawg2003]

I've been to Bally's Steakhouse several times and always enjoyed my food. Expensive certainly, and I haven't been to enough other steakhouses to say it's the best, but FWIW.

Hash House @ the former Imperial Palace is also very good. Enormous portions.

BLT Burger at the Mirage is also very good.

[Glengoyne]

Mrs Glen here since he won't chime in...

Hash House is great... If you have the time. I think we waited over an hour to be seated, and it was a good hour more before we saw food. I think there is another location off the strip, and might be worth the time to find a cab there and back.

For pizza, there was a great place in Wynn/Encore. I have no idea the name, or what side exactly it was, I just remember it being toward the bottom of a horseshoe shaped promenade. It was NY style which is hard to come by in central Cali.

[finketr]

Monstrously overpriced and overrated, and most certainly not worthy of a trip into that place. IMO, of course.

I didn't particularly care for that place either...

[Maple Leafs]

"Tell me where to eat in Vegas" is too hard.
Tell me where to eat in Vegas if I'm a hungry lion who gets sleepy after every meal and is a completely logical actor surrounded by other similar lions.

Less hard?

[QuikSand]

Tell me where to eat in Vegas if I'm a hungry lion who gets sleepy after every meal and is a completely logical actor surrounded by other similar lions.

Less hard?

I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE EH

[wbonnell]

If you're staying at the Palazzo, not sure why you wouldn't consider Carne Vino. I've been to 4 or 5 top notch steak houses in Vegas. This is still my favorite. Truffles on my prime New York and "pork back fat" for my bread!

[INDalltheway]

Getting married in Vegas in October. We will be staying at the Wynn. We are trying to decide on a place to eat post wedding. We are thinking a steakhouse most likely. The dinner will be attended by our immediate family only (10 total). Should we be looking outside of Botero or SW Steakhouse since it is in our hotel? Oh, and anyone can throw ideas on the chapel. We have pretty much decided the Little White Wedding Chapel, but that's not set in stone.

[BYU 14]

Battista's Hole in the wall just off the strip off of Flamingo Rd is a nice little Italian place, really cool vibe and bottomless House Wine :)

[EagleFan]

Congrats on the pending wedding.

[cartman]

My cousin and his wife got married a few years back out at Red Rock Canyon just outside of Vegas. That was a pretty cool venue.

[Umbrella]

Also, if you go to those stands where they have cheap tickets for the shows, they also have discounts on a lot of restaurants. These aren't the high end places, but there are some good places to eat, and you can get up to 50% off your meal.

[Umbrella]

Getting married in Vegas in October. We will be staying at the Wynn. We are trying to decide on a place to eat post wedding. We are thinking a steakhouse most likely. The dinner will be attended by our immediate family only (10 total). Should we be looking outside of Botero or SW Steakhouse since it is in our hotel? Oh, and anyone can throw ideas on the chapel. We have pretty much decided the Little White Wedding Chapel, but that's not set in stone.

My wife and I got married at Mon Bel Ami. We wanted something small and simple. It was affordable, and we were very pleased with the service. If you have a large party though, I don't know if this place would work.

ETA: Just remember, the chapels make their money on the photos. Be aware of that, and hopefully you can avoid the sticker shock of the photo packages.

[PurdueBrad]

We got married at one of the Caesar's Palace chapels and they did a terrific job. Our harpist/violinist played at the Grammy's with Dave Matthews one year which was pretty cool and the minister was terrific. Camera person did an outstanding job as well.

[INDalltheway]

Thank you all so much. The Mon Bel Ami looks like something that would work for us. We have only 10 guests so we are looking for something simple and smaller.