LVI's Profile
Trendy Birthday Dinner...that's foodie, too!
Go to Jaleo. Very good to great food, scene is very good and very lively.
Where to watch Mayweather/Cotto fight while eating/drinking well?
So we are a group of between 8-10 guys who will be in town next weekend. It seems that MGM has already blacked out all non-MGM properties from showing the fight. When I contact an MGM property, all they are saying is you can watch it in the convention center @ $85 a pop. Preferably I would love to park myself down in a nice restaurant and watch it. I know that is probably a pipe dream. But does anybody know where else (other than the convention center!) to watch this fight, drink good beer and eat good food while watching Cotto pull off a huge upset (well, that's a pipe dream too, but remember Buster Douglas!). TKIA for your help!
Any place for good soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao) in Las Vegas?
I love soup dumplings and was wondering if there are any places that are worth visiting to satisfy the urge while in Vegas? Thanks in advance for your help!
Lunch in/near Bellagio Hotel
I have always had a good lunch at Olives. I know there are detractors but I have found over the years that they turn out quality food. It is solid, not mind blowing. I would not hesitate a second to return.
Best High End Restaurants for Business Dinner
Depends on what you are looking for. But "expense" account dinners...Le Cirque is right up at the top. I would include Joel Robuchon (NOT l'Atelier) but it may be a bit too starchy and rigid for a business dinner (I am thinking like I was conducting a business dinner in LV and while Robuchon is one of, if not THE best restaurants on the strip you will not have much "fun" in there.). Sage may fit the bill too, although it may be just the opposite of Robuchon in that it is a tad too loud. Not overly but it can be quite a bit louder than Le Cirque. I also love Picasso as there is not a more beautiful restaurant. While some lament that the food is "stale" after all these years, for those that have not been, it is outstanding.
Sage - still great?
I'll let you know in a couple weeks. FWIW, my previous visits have all been very good. I LOVE to eat at the bar and drink the Chimay on tap. LOVE LOVE that. The one thing I will admit about Sage is that with each and every dish that I have ever had I literally ask myself "what is this dish missing" or "what does the dish have that it doesn't need?" But they are always very good to excellent. Odd yes.
Three Nights. I hate gambling so I want to eat!
Why a brunch? There is no question that the brunch (I am assuming the Buffet Brunch?) is better than most of the others but it is still a far cry from what I would consider Chow-worthy in quality. The Tower Suites Cafe (formerly Tableau) is FAR superior and at the end of the day the price will almost be identical. Skip all brunches and go to Tower Suites Cafe or the Verandah in the Four Seasons. Not to mention how much more tranquil they are.
+1 for Raku, Sage, Lotus. Jaleo is very good and the paella is outstanding and the place is a scene. Not sure it is a must, but it is very good.
Finally, since you are staying at the Wynn (regardless of where you are staying I think it is a MUST), head outside, take a right on the strip, directly past Encore you will arrive at El Gordo Taco. This place rocks to the core.
Las Vegas 4 Nights.
The homemade tofu soup. Sound odd (fried tofu in a broth) but OMG delicious. They have a tasting but found it to be very expensive and not everything was that great. Menu is extensive so give it a look before you go. It's about a 3 min ride from Wynn up spring Mtn. Road. It is a piece of cake (can't walk, too far). The restaurant is great about having cabs pick you up.
Las Vegas 4 Nights.
Wynn and Four Seasons have the best breakfasts IMHO. The Huevos Rancheros at the Verandah (Four Seasons) is a must! The wild boar sausage scramble and the duck (can't remember what the duck dish is called) at The Tower Suites Cafe are also excellent. Both have outdoor dining and both provide for a wonderful atmosphere and food.
Personally I would skip Scarpetta and go to Sage instead.
Lotus Of Siam as you mentioned is a must. The Seabass Drunken Noodles is one of my all time favorites and I have never been steered wrong by closing my menu and having them cook for me (wine too!).
Raku up Spring Mountain Road (right at the foot of the Wynn) is also a must.
Need your Vegas Foodie advice for April Convention
Got to CUT. Avoid Carnevino. Do not discount Bouchon. Others rave about their breakfast (personally think it is over rated for breakfast) but I think it is dinner that is its absolute strength.
Need your Vegas Foodie advice for April Convention
Raku. Skip the tasting (while good think you can taylor to your own tastes, cheaper) and order ala carte. Don't miss the "special home made tofu soup". Holy good God I dream about that dish!
Highly suggest going to Lotus of Siam. Unbeatable Thai food and for the budget conscious.
Steaks...nothing cheap although the Steer most reasonable but not of the quality as the tier 1 steak house. The other option would be the Circus Circus Steak House, which is very good but has gotten increasingly expensive, no longer a bargain. Another option for steak would be to go to a place like Bouchon for Steak Frites (still pretty expensive) or a notch below and go to Mon Ami Gabi (LOVE the hanger steak and garlic clams).
Sushi...skip. Nothing "reasonable" and all highly over-rated (best bet IMHO is Sen of Japan off strip but thats a pretty expensive cab and all said and done you're talking $100+pp).
Wholeheartedly agree w/A5, PF Changs is pfffft.
Joe's is very good and very consistant, but you'll have a hard time coming in under budget.
Tower Suite Cafe vs. Tableau breakfast?
Have to agree w/some of the other posts. I think it is fair to say if you are staying at the respective hotel there is really no NEED to go to another hotel to eat breakfast (Wynn-Tableau, Venetian-Bouchon, Mandarin-Mozen, Four Seasons-Verandah). However to say to a Chow-ish type of person that Tableau is not destination-worthy may be a bit silly. Food aside, the ambiance at Tableau is much nicer. Bouchon, with its tile floor, is fine but no where near inviting. Not sure Bouchon ever pushes the envelope when it comes to food. I've never seen things Wild Boar sausage scramble on their menu. There is plenty of reason to try Tableau but as I said above not need, unless you are a glutton like me!
Finishing touches needed
The Verandah at the Four Seasons. Best coffee (no better way to start your day), expertly prepared selections (Huevos Rancheros should be in the "Breakfast Hall of Fame"), setting is as nice as ANY in Vegas. Pricey, yes, but rather pay for quality and consistancy than fight the crowds. My #1 place for breakfast (and I'll be there tomorrow morn, can't wait!).
Bartolotta or B&B? Spanish/Tapas?
There really is no comparison between B&B and Bartolotta. Also note that I am very jaded towards B&B in that I am from the NYC metro area so I continually compare it to its big brother Babbo (Think big brother who is captain of the hockey team and his freshman brother, who people give more credit to because of his name but can't really capture the imagination of others because his skills are nowhere near his brothers). Not to mention that the numerous times I have gone there I continue to be disappointed. The one thing that B&B has going for it is that it is much cheaper than Bartolotta. But if you can stomach the cost go to Bartolotta. Here is an article in La Cucina magazine (http://lacucinaitalianamagazine.com/article/neptunes_reach) that everybody should read.
Many people criticize Bartolotta for all the wrong reasons. If you are looking for highly sauced, spiced dishes then you will undoubtedly find fault in their preparations. If you bemoan the high price of their food you are oblivious of the quality and origin of the ingredients, all of which is nothing less than spectacular. I agree that it is very hard to swallow the price of a single langoustine when it is $30and other places charge $30 for a huge entree containing langoustines. But I would HIGHLY doubt that any place in Las Vegas, let alone most of the US (most not all) gets theirs as freash and from the same waters. Again, read the article above and you decide.
Where to splurg for a dinner on the Strip
I'm a big fan of Bartolotta, although it may push your $200 budget. Beautiful food, beautiful restaurant, beautiful service.
Sunday Brunch at Verandah Four Seasons LV
Compared to other buffets, it is tiny but I find the quality superior. That being said, it's a buffet and quality is ALWAYS compromised. It also does not have the type of specialty items like you mentioned. I would do as A5 suggests and order off the menu. One tip, if you do go and order the eggs benedict have them make it on traditional english muffin. In the past they have tried, unsuccessfully IMO, to tweak it by serving atop a polenta disc. Get the Huevos Rancheros!
48 hours and you eat...?
Well I suppose that can be correct, and far be it from me to counter. But, as I contend in other posts of mine, visitors and locals (or frequent visitors) are different. Vegas is generally not about price conservation for us infrequent visitors. Vegas is more associated with gluttony. By ALL MEANS, one can go to Lotus and spend much less than $50. But one can also spend considerably more, considerably easier too! And as Dave points out there is a big difference in price in a dish. One of my favorites, the Drunken Noodle with Sea Bass is almost 3x as expensive as prepared with chicken. If I am at home on a Tuesday night I will order chicken 95/100 times. If I am in Vegas, it's all about the silky Sea Bass. At home, I'll wash it down with a nice cold glass of water. In Vegas, gimme the good old Dr. Loosen Spatlese. True, there is no right answer. And while Dave is the angel on your shoulder professing moderation and economy, I am the devil with the pitch fork reminding you you are in Las Vegas.
48 hours and you eat...?
A stretch. $200 if you are drinking 2-3 beers a piece. But spend the extra dough and go for the delightful German/Austrian parings. Sinful!
And will be doing myself next Friday so I will be sure to report back.
Dave, how about your 3-5 favorite entrees? We will be 5, 4 of which have the appetite of a cow!
48 hours and you eat...?
The Verandah really doesn't offer anything revolutionary or new. But they consistently provide the BEST quality and, as I have waxed poetic about numerous times, the Huevos Rancheros are comfort beyond all comfort.
48 hours and you eat...?
Tacos El Gordo (next to Encore)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sage
Raku
Lotus of Siam
The Verandah at Four Seasons (for breakfast, get the Huevos Rancheros)
That should be a good start.
The Barrymore....or something like it.
I forgot to post my review of the Barrymore from my trip in Oct. I'm sure alot can change in a few months but in a nutshell the place is fine. Will I return, probably not. Was the food bad? Not by any means. But as a tourist, and I have made this comment many times over, I have a limited amount of time when I come to Vegas and The Barrymore, while good, is not so exciting that it entices me to return. Steak? I can get that anywhere and The Barrymore steak was good. I read a review above describing one of the dishes sublime. Not really sure of our group of five that anything approached sublime. But again, don't get me wrong, everything was fine. Service was incredible friendly, professional it wasn't. I hope it survives because it is a cool little place but it really does not inspire a return trip, IMHO.
4 Nights - e, L'Atelier, Aburiya Raku ... ?
Sorry for the delay in answering. For some reason didn't see your reply. Yes it is open for lunch and I think 24hrs. Can't wait to go again!
4 Nights - e, L'Atelier, Aburiya Raku ... ?
Sage a must and skip the "tasting" at Raku. Long and too many dishes you say "it was good but I would'nt have it again". Not to mention expensive (did the "grand" one and if I remember correctly it was $150. True some unusual (and good) items, just not worth it.
TACOS EL GORDO a MUST!!!!!!
The Barrymore....or something like it.
Headed there either Fri night or Sat night. Will be happy to let you know.
Recommendations please!
doc, being from NYC area the Blue Ribbon name held appeal to me. I have read not so glowing reviews. You like?
Recommendations please!
If $ is no object go to Bar Masa, if it is go to Sen of Japan. Breakfast do not miss The Verandah in the Four Seasons while I think Tableau in Wynn is a close 2nd. Many like Bouchon, which I do too, but think it is solidly behind Verandah and Tableau.
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Bouchon
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Sen of Japan
8480 W Desert Inn Rd F1, Las Vegas, NV
The hot spot
Our group at at e back in March. We stayed at the Mandarin. Spent alot of time in the Wynn sports book. Reason I say that all is that we found that Jaleo was, without question, the most "happening" place and that the Cosmo had a much more lively beat than ANY of the other casinos we were in. I can't speak to the quality of the food (other than the Paella that we were given, which was sublime) but it certainly had a good vibe.
We are returning next Friday for our yearly guys trip and will be happy to report back. Tentative plans are Bartolotta Friday night, Sage Saturday, either Lotus or this new joint The Barrymore Sunday and Monday is open.
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Jaleo
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
