I may end up in Las Vegas later this summer. Where do you like to eat in Vegas? I was interested in dining at a resteraunt in the Paris or Bellagio or The Venetian as opposed to a typical steakhouse. If there is anything incredibly good, let me know, especially if it is in one of those places I mentioned.

Jean-Philippe Patisserie in the Bellagio is one of the best I've been to in the US. Jean-Philippe Maury is an MOF and, despite the incredibly high volume his staff must produce, the quality is impeccible.

Off the strip, highly recommend Lotus of Siam.

Bradley Ogden in Caesar's Palace is definitely worth a visit. I dined there the year they opened and received a Best New James Beard Award.

In general, dining in Vegas, even fine dining is less formal and more quickly paced than you'll find elsewhere.

Last time we were in Vegas we dined at Olives in the Bellagio one night. We really enjoyed it - very good food and a more casual atmosphere. If the weather is decent I'd recommend sitting outside in the evening so you are overlooking the fountain show.

Some folks may think this is a little too rough but we always try to go to Battistas one night - just a fun inexpensive spot (admittedly with a poor wine list) but lots of old world Dean Martin-like Italian food fun.

Have a great trip!

Picasso at the Bellagio is excellent. Also a second of what I am sure will be many votes for Lotus of Siam.

Another vore for Olives. Very good food, service and a nice wine list. Not overpriced for Vegas either.

THe Eifel Tour resteraunt is very good and has great views of the water show at the Bellagio. The tables along the windows are only for 2 although the booths are tierd so you can still see pretty well. I havent been in a while but the wine list was pretty extensive.

Good Luck

not a place to eat, but when you get there, I suggest a trip to the wine cellar, located below the Rio. You enter from the Rio's shopping area, down a flight of stairs---it's easy to miss the entrance. But down there it is quiet and there are some great wine tasting opportunities.

quote:

Originally posted by Een:
Jean-Philippe Patisserie in the Bellagio is one of the best I've been to in the US. Jean-Philippe Maury is an MOF and, despite the incredibly high volume his staff must produce, the quality is impeccible.

Off the strip, highly recommend Lotus of Siam.

Bradley Ogden in Caesar's Palace is definitely worth a visit. I dined there the year they opened and received a Best New James Beard Award.

In general, dining in Vegas, even fine dining is less formal and more quickly paced than you'll find elsewhere.

Ditto to Een, and would add Picasso's also. The art makes the visit worth every $$$.

Een, welcome back! Had a great visit to your home turf while you were off to support the great bike race.

Some excellent advice so far. Harvey Steiman is our lead Las Vegas critic and he has many favorites there. Recent recommendations include Restaurant Guy Savoy, which just opened in the new Augustus Tower at Caesars Palace, and Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare in the Wynn resort.

Picasso at the Bellagio remains my favorite restaurant in town. It is just consistently excellent. Highly recommended.

Hey wine+art! I'm glad you had a good visit.

We really enjoyed Colorado and had a completely amazing meal at Frasca Food and Wine. We could have eaten there every night but unfortunately they went away for two weeks vacation after our first night.

Thanks for the advice. I was invited for a Friday-Sunday trip for a friend's birthday. Unfortunately they are not big food and wine people. I can only handle so much Vegas so I think I will show Friday, spend some time with the group, grab an early dinner Saturday at one of the recommended spots and hit the road, avoiding massive amounts of traffic.

another vote for picasso, but it might be overkill for people that aren't into food & wine

Aureole: Awesome glass encased wine cellar in the middle of the restaurant that Catwomen-like people fetch the wines...they also have electronic tablet wine lists...pretty cool

Alize at the top of the Palms is excellent. They have a great wine list, though prices are very expensive.

Go to the Lotus of Siam and drink some good German Rieslings, spo.

My wife and I are going down in early October for our 25th wedding anniversary. Haven't been to Vegas since 1999. Paris was still under construction while we were there.
I'm not sure I want to risk taking any wine due to the current airline situation, and my luck at the tables is iffy. Any suggestions about where to wine and dine that won't break the bank all at once?

mneeley

if you're looking for a good meal on the Strip that won't break the bank let me suggest "Battista's Hole in the Wall", literally, behind the Flamingo. a friend of a good friend of mine own's it - my buddy who knows the owner is also Italian and it's the only Italian food besides grandma's he'll eat. now im warning you this isn't a fancy Strip restaurant (hence the name, and that is the real name) and the winelist is barely servicable... but if you can score some wine and feel like some home-cooked Italian food, look no further than Battista's...

there's a few posts in the forum about wine shops in Vegas. not much options right on the Strip but around town there's a few spots... post if you're having trouble finding them in searches and i'll see if i can't pull a link or two

kumazam,
Thanks! I've always believed that the best food comes from those "hole in the wall" places, and I actively seek them out where ever I go. I love good Italian, and I'll try to stop by Battista's.
And I hope I didn't give the wrong impression. I'm not a miser, I just like getting value for the money whether I spend $50 or $500, and from what I've seen on the Travel Channel of these uber-trendy hotspots that have popped up in the last couple years, I'm not sure that's the case anymore.
We're getting a spa suite at the Luxor, and I haven't decided where yet on the anniversary dinner, but we still have to eat and drink during the rest of the trip.
Been to Aureole, Andre's, Michael's, Wolfgang Puck; haven't tried Picasso.
Is Lotus of Siam that place out in some stripmall that got written up in Gourmet Magazine a few years back?
I'm happiest in those retro, Rat Pack type, cocktail lounges like the Charcoal Room at the old Hacienda--if anyone remembers that place. Hamilton's at the NY,NY was nice, but that's long gone, too.

you wont be disappointed w/ Battista's!

have you been to Drai's or Michael's in the Barbary Coast? they are both a little pricey w/ foscused wine lists, but to stress your point all about food... and def. have a retro feel. havent been there but have heard overwhelmingly good things about Picasso. some of the restaurants in Wynn are supposed to be excellent. right where you are Charlie Palmer steak in the 4 Seasons is one of my fav's, also Border Grill in Mandalay has excellent margi's, be sure and get one of the Shaker margi's! also another cheap eat, for a quick lunch or what not, there's a little snack bar to the left in the Sportsbook @ Mandalay Bay, good burger's, chicken sandwich's & fries for less than $10

i'll be there in 2 weeks, have fun!

I would suggest the following:

SW Steakhouse at the Wynn - great food and wine along with an absolutely spectacular view

Valintinos in The Venetian - one of the best wine lists in Vegas

But for the BEST wine list in Vegas along with a stunning culinary experience I would run to Aureole. Take a seat at the bar, choose from God only knows how many wines by the glass and enjoy the atmosphere. Then sit down and really enjoy yourself.

While the wine angels and electronic tablets were cool, the food at Aureole did not blow me away. Didn't think it hit the QPR mark.

I was on my biz account so...

For a good steakhouse, try Delmonico at the Venetian. I recommend the bone in ribeye.

mneeley:

Batista's is a good choice. It'll be easy on your wallet, and the food is really good.

Another place for affordable Italian is the Bootlegger, located about 3 mi. south of the Luxor, on Las Vegas Blvd. Very old-timey Las Vegas feel; good red sauce Italian. Wine list is serviceable, can always go down the road just a bit and pick up a bottle at Lee's Liquor (@ Agate St.) or Las Vegas Wine Co (@ Silverado Ranch).

Lotus of Siam is indeed the place in the stripmall. 953 E. Sahara. Go for lunch if you can, as the wait is way out the door at dinner. Besides, it's not the best neighborhood to be in at night.