actravelgirl

I'm a bit of a NYC food snob (just trying to be honest) and was looking for some recommendations as to really good resturants in Vegas. We love Gramercy Tavern, Veritas, Babbo, The Harrsion (just to give you a sense of our taste) We'll be staying at Mandalay Bay; are there any places there that one would recommend? I know that Aureole is there, but that may be a bit too fancy. Thanks in advance for your input.

Patrick

You've named four really great restaurants that are pricey, but worth it and not outrageously expensive (and I love The Harrison which no one ever mentions). To be honest many of the restaurants usually named in Las Vegas may also be that good -- but will be in the "outrageous" category -- more in comparison to Jean Georges, Nobu, or Le Cirque 2000. Border Grill is at Mandalay and is really excellent. We discovered a great place at Paris called Ortanique that I think you'd love. You know that there is a Craft Steak in MGM, along with some other nice ones.
I think Olives at Bellagio is a nice match to the ones you've mentioned, if it has reopened when you get there.
To be honest and I know this is hard for New Yorkers to believe, the mid to upper end food and restaurant choices and quality in Las Vegas may now surpass New York.

swalter518

We really enjoyed Onda in the Mirage and found it as good or better than most higher end Italian restaurants we've eaten at in NYC and here in Chicago.

MelissaHI

What is the dress code like for Olives and Ortanique? Would a solo diner feel awkward?

tom42

If you are looking for an alternative to Aureole at the Mandalay Bay, I highly recommend 3950. Excellent food, good service, modern but somewhat intimate setting.

katyhotr

Three years ago we ate at Aerole. The atmosphere was excellent but the food was not as impressive. It was very good but not for the price. The Top of The World at the Stratosphere was very good as I remember. Maybe I thought the food wouldn't be as good since they have the best views in the city but I remember being impressed with the food. We will be going out the end ofd the month and made reservations there. We also made reservations at Olives, Prime at Bellagio and Pinot Brassiere from recommendations on the site. We also enjoy our food and can be a bit snobbish about it so I know what you mean!!

evanphyl

You might want to try Commander's Palace at the Aladin Hotel. It is a close cousin to the Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Good food, elegant style dining and great service. Expect to pay around $80 to $100 for two depending on your drinking habits.

Patrick

We all have our opinions, but Commander's Palace turned me off just looking at it and the menu. It was just too touristy/pretentious in my book. I think I know why actravelgirl likes the places she mentions. There is nothing overly pretentious about them. Commander's Palace is just plain trying to hard in my opinion. It pretends to be a very special and grand dining spot, not the sort of place where foodies would enjoy going every week or so for just a really good dinner. Actually I think that's true of many of the Vegas restaurants, and there's nothing wrong with that. Many of them cater to people who normally don't splurge on big meals and really like "putting on the Ritz" for their evening out in Vegas.

Patrick

Hmm. I really should preview. I realize that my post came out sounding wrong and perhaps even insulting to anyone who liked Commander's Palace. That wasn't my intent. Maybe what I should say is that Commander's Palace IS a grand dining experience. It is for people who want the evening to be a special event, not just a plain relaxed evening of really good food.

Loki

We all have our opinions but alluding that Vegas restaurants rival New York is like saying The Venetian Hotel is much better than Venice because it's cleaner. Most of the good Vegas restaurants are copies of restaurants in New York or Californina. What do they really have that's original on the high end? Rosemary's? Can you consider Alex Strata to be "Vegas"? Whereas Picasso, Cirque, Craft, Aureole, Pinot, Nobu, Bradley Ogden, Nob Hill, and others are just chains from New York or California. Don't get me wrwong, great dining, but they just took great dining from other places (many from New York) and built replicas in Vegas.

Patrick

I guess I don't get your point, Loki. I don't think saying that the restaurants "rival" New York's is saying that they are better. Nor do I think the fact that they are copies makes them less good than the original, so yes, if the copy is just as good then the copy "rivals" the original. In fact many of those copies in Vegas were actually "over the top" copies, spending more on interiors and doing things up bigger at least in atmosphere than the originals. Just because a place isn't an original doesn't mean it isn't fantastic.

trivbeck

The Palm Restaurant at Cesar's is very good. I've also had a very good meal at the Voodoo Lounge Restaurant (not the nightclub) on top floor of the Rio Suites.

bugswife1

Foodie weighing in here....Bouchon in the Venetian is the latest on the hot list. Thomas Keller of French Laundry in Napa and PerSe in NY. Only dress code is 'no shorts'. I will be there on the 19th & will report back.
Also, will echo Patrick's suggestion of Ortanique. They have restaurants in Florida and DC. I tried their food at a James Beard Chef's & Champagne Tasting event. Loved it, and can't wait to eat there on the 18th. Will report back. Also, going to Valentino at Venetian (a chef is a friend) and CraftSteak. Also, no shorts in Craftsteak.

Vast

And then there's always Emerils in the MGM; they've redone the interior and the menu was excellent - not as heavy handed as Emeril's usually is. Service was impeccable too.

MelissaHI

Any thoughts on solo dining in these places? I'm going to be by myself a couple of days in Vegas but I don't want to deprive myself of great food.

Patrick

Putting those last two posts together, Melissa, let me recommend Emeril's. We stumbled around the many choices at MGM one night without reservations, and finally decided that the menu at Emeril's was just what we wanted (plus the aroma wafting out really drew us in). The hostess suggested eating at the bar -- the far end seems to be primarily for eating rather than drinking. We took her up on the idea and had the most wonderful and friendly service. There were several singles there and you wouldn't feel the least bit out of place. In fact, I think I preferred it to getting a table. And to be honest, I suggest you just go where you want. Anything happens in Vegas and for all anybody knows you are just yet another food critic checking out things. I wouldn't be at all self conscious eating alone in Vegas.

MelissaHI

Cool, thanks Patrick!

stormygirl

If Circo wasn't mentioned I think that falls into the category of good but not over the top. Also I think you can eat at the bar at Olives but even if you can't you would feel very comfortable there I think.

SusanP

Patrick, Could you give an idea of prices at Ortanique? Do you need a reservation? Thanks.

Patrick

We made a reservation, but it was amazingly quiet on that midweek night we went.

We spent $150 including tax and tip. I had two courses. Partner had three courses. He had one glass of good wine. I had a cocktail and a glass of very good wine. Seemed a bargain to me!