kathyvegas's Profile
Las Vegas Buffets?
As a Las Vegas native, we hit all the buffets. The buffet at the M Resort is currently our favorite..mind boggling selection, very high quality, great price and it's CLEAN. Gosh, I almost hate to even mention that clean thing, but honestly, have seen some scary things at a few of the resorts buffets recently. Sure, they've all had staff cuts, but still......
Las Vegas cheap, fun eats for college students?
I second Ellis Island! Lots of other specials under $10, as well...they serve awesome breakfasts, too. They're open 24/7.
Mandalay Bay-Picks to use resort credit
You have a few excellent choices but I'm partial to Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys...check the menu board in front of the restaurant for the tasting menu and other specials (like their 2 for 1). $200 goes far these days at most Vegas fine dining establishments. Many have unpublished specials that include tasting menus, 2 for 1, etc.. and Fleu de Lys is no exception. Just have to walk around and check out the menu boards when you get here.
Vegas—coolest food shops?
Just visited the newest Asian market to open in town. It's in the Korea Town Plaza on the corner of Spring Mountian & Rainbow. Called "Greenland Supermarket, it's a 30,000 sq. ft. supermarket catering to the Korean and Japanese community. The produce and seafood departments are very impressive, very fresh and great prices. They make their own kimchee and will have to make another drive to pick up some more, it was one of the best kimchees we've had. The selections in all the other aisles is also amazing--all things Korean and Japanese.
I believe last week was the grand opening and some areas were still under construction-we can not wait for the Korean restaurant just inside the front entrance to open. It looks impressive, even at this stage. Definitely worth checking out!
Tasting menus in Las Vegas
We've never been disappointed by Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay and the atmosphere is very comfortable indeed...menu info here http://www.usmenuguide.com/fleurdelysmenu.htm
Las Vegas Strip, shout out on buffets, let's hear them!
DOH....you're so right, shamu! ;-)
Help -- Business dinner (expense account) in Vegas....bad track record
We've never been disappointed by Hubert Kellers's Fluer de Lys at Mandalay. Haved also had 2 outstanding experiences at Gallagher's Steakhouse at NYNY and numerous great meals at Nine Fine Irishmen, also at NYNY.
Las Vegas, Swish, Togoshi Ramen
We enjoyed Swish quite a bit, the Kobe shabu-shabu was very nice and a great deal of fun. We'd would definitely return. We used the coupon in our Entertainment book, and I think they may have coupons on-line (but not sure about that).
Las Vegas Strip, shout out on buffets, let's hear them!
I've eaten at most of them at one time or another, and the buffet at The M Resort is my current favorite. The food is a as good as buffet food can be,there's always a very large international and seafood selection. The desserts are all very nice and the house made gelatos have been quite good...and a bonus, it's all very clean.
passing through vegas
There's a nice selection of Asian grocery shopping in Chinatown on Spring Mountain at Arville. The major grocery store there, Ranch 99 is an Asian supermarket with an interesting take out cafe with some fairly exotic fare. A bakery adjacent to the market in the attached mini mall has a Chinese bakery with terrific char siu steamed buns and other Chinese pastries. If Mexican is more to your taste, Mariana's on W. Sahara is another full service supermarket and also has a nice Mexican bakery and an interesting authentic take out cafe. For a few others (British, Filipino, etc.) here's a link for you http://lasvegasfoodadventures.wordpress.com/category/las-vegas-food-shopping/
If your tastes are a little more conventional, there are several Whole Foods and Trader Joes in the Las Vegas Valley that may be close to where you'll be staying, Google them for the locations.
Finding Sichuan Peppercorns in Las Vegas
I'm with you on that, Honeychan. The European Christmas foods they get in at the International Marketplace are just so much fun. I bought some German spice cookies last year that I wish I had saved the label so I could find them again this year. But it seems no matter what I go there for I always walk out spending $50. And sometimes that's 5 or 6 bags of "stuff" from all over the world for $50. The Asian ramen noodle selection there is amazing fun to browse through (yes I know it's a load of MSG, but it's a bit of a fun guilty pleasure).
Christmas in Vegas
I'm sure you'll get many recommendations from others here, but most of the restaurants on the strip will have special holiday menus. Fix at the Bellagio as well as Olives would most certainly please your picky eaters. And don't count the Bellagio buffet out, either as one of your options. The Bellagio at Christmas is just lovely. You won't be disapponted!
Las Vegas - Buffets (Burgers, Pizza, Mexican Food, Pasta)
Just about all the buffets in the strip properties have different "stations" that feature various world cuisines. The Carnival Buffet at the Rio is a good expample as well as the buffets at the M Resort and Mandalay Bay. We're particularly fond of the buffet at the M Resort. All have everything you mentioned plus more.
Vegas for the Adventorous
I agree with QAW and the Chinatown recommendations....you'll find plenty of adventure at both.
Finding Sichuan Peppercorns in Las Vegas
I bet they had them at the 3 places in Chinatown you stopped in, just in one of the aisles you wouldn't expect to find them. But the International Marketplace at 5000 S. Decatur (at Tropicana) has them for sure, I picked some up there a couple of months ago. Good price, too. Info here http://lasvegasfoodadventures.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/international-marketplace/
Favorite moderately priced restaurants on the Vegas Strip?
One of my standard recommedations is Nine Fine Irishmen at New York New York. Great menu (love the lamb there and the Irish fare as well), fun crowd, especially in the evenings and weekends when they have live music with no cover. They have outdoor seating for some great people watching. I've been to 2 bachelorette parties there (I live in Vegas) and we've had a blast both times. We always take our out-of-town guests there as well and it's perfect when a high-end dinner isn't what we're in the mood for. You can def have a great dinner for under $50 a person. You certainly could walk from the Flamingo down to NYNY or walk one way to take in the sights and take a cab back for about $15-$20...here's the web site with menu http://www.ninefineirishmen.com/index2.asp
Las Vegas Bakery for Custom Birthday Cake
You sure you looked at all of the cakes on the Freed's website? The Vegas themed cakes are very well done. I've seen a few of them. They've even been featured on the TV Food Network...I'm sure they can change any of the Vegas wedding cakes into Vegas birthday cakes--just take the bride & groom off the top..lol...here's a link http://www.freedsbakery.com/themed_cakes
Las Vegas restaurant for a group of 10?
Nine Fine Irishmen at NYNY is a lot of fun and the food is excellent. I've hosted several events with 10 or more there and it's always been a hit-the lamb is wonderful. Menu here http://www.ninefineirishmen.com/food.asp
Can also recommend Gallagher's Steakhouse also at NYNY.it's the Las Vegas "branch" of the New York City steakhouse of the same name. The steaks were very fine when we dined there recently.
fall vegas deals?
It's classic Mary Sue Milliken/Susan Feniger fare which on a good night is excellent Mexican with-a-twist. We had a fantastic dinner one time and a miserable lunch experience on another but would def. try it one more time to rule out the fluke lunch. Menu here http://www.bordergrill.com/bg_lv/bg_lvmen.htm
fall vegas deals?
Just received this in my email from Border Grill at Mandalay...http://bordergrill.com/bg_lv/bg_lvvip/off/bg_lvvipcoup1009.gif
Vegas Dining Recommendation
Dining solo is Vegas is commonplace for many reasons so don't let that factor in on your dining choice....I can highly recommend Thomas Keller's Bouchon (at the Venetian)for both lunch and dinner. The French bistro theme lends itself well to solo dining and I've not had a bad meal there.
Wed. Farmer's Market on Rampart...remember, its in Las Vegas so don't get your hopes up too much!
You aren't kidding about the tomatoes here in Vegas. We say the same thing and keep wondering why good tomatoes are so rare here, being so close to California. I've been to the Rampart market and the one down on Town Center and while I'm glad to see attempts at Farmer's Markets, the tomatoes and a few other things I bought were exactly the same hothouse produce we can get at Albertson's. I'll keep supporting the vendors at these little markets in hopes it will encourage bigger and better efforts in the future....but I'd kill for one really, genuinely good tomato right now and would pay premium money for it.
fall vegas deals?
Not advertised but on the menu board in front of Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay this week and everytime we've been there over the past year are various 2 for 1 early bird tasting menus which we enjoy every time. Two of us have dined there with these specials for under $125 with tip and bottle of wine. The creamy truffled onion soup with duck confit was simply divine a few weeks ago. They also offer a prix fixe menu..don't recall the price except that it was very reasonable. Again, not advertised but posted on the menu board outside the entrance to the restaurant.
These unadvertised (but posted on the menu board) early bird/prix fixe specials seem to be common with quite a few of the high end restaurants in the Strip these days. Perhaps other posters will have spotted similar specials............
Tri-Tip Steak, Las Vegas
There are a few BBQ places around with notable tri tip, the most recent one we've tried is Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ in the District next to Green Valley Ranch. The grilled artichokes and fried okra were pretty good as well..here's the menu http://www.lucillesbbq.com/LucillesMenu.pdf
In Vegas for a layover. Have two hours. Ideas for a dive/watering hole serving good food.
The Crown & Anchor at 1350 E. Tropicana is a 5 minute cab ride from the airport and you won't get caught up in the traffic that crosses the Strip. It's an English style pub/locals place with very good fish & chips (and other Britsh food) and a nice selection of UK beer on tap. Not exactly an old Vegas classic per se, but it's been there a long time and it's reliably good...here's the scoop including menu http://www.crownandanchorlv.com/
Long shot question in Vegas
Haven't seen the rooms at the M but the casino is very nice. When people ask me what my favorite buffet in town is, the buffet at the M is one of my top 3. The only downside to the resort is while it's on Las Vegas Blvd, it's quite a way down on the Strip from the major casinos so unless you have a car you'll definitely need a cab to get there. One of their pools is a salt water pool that I hear is very nice.
Las Vegas Breakfast recommendations?
Not sure what route you'll be taking but the Boulder Station Casino on Boulder Highway might work for you..they have a pretty good breakfast buffet that's under $10 and also a cafe that makes some darn good blueberry pancakes also under $10. I think the breakfast buffet was actually $6.50 last time we were there earlier this year.
Burger Bar vs BLT Burger
I've eaten at BB several times very recently and each time the food was terrific. Had the Angus burger twice, and Kobe once. The burgers were cooked exactly as ordered and the sides (sweet potato fries, onion rings, fried zucchini) were very fine. The service was the problem 2 out of the 3 times. Very slow and almost bordering on rude. And we dined there when the restaurant was less than half full so they weren't slammed. We truely like the burgers enough to keep returning hoping the service issue has been addressed.
Wine bars in Las Vegas? Suggestions
LOL...Sit tight! My mission was on the schedule last night but was sidetracked against my will to an unspeakably horrible Italian place.....tomorrow is another day! Things have been changing so quickly in some spots on the Strip who knows..maybe next week it'll be a tequila bar.
Indian Food in Vegas (possible buffets?)
Bollywood Grill on W. Sahara has a lunch buffet. Haven't tried it yet so can't vouch for it though. Some info here http://lasvegasfoodadventures.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/bollywood-grill/
