klam_chowder

I know the definition of "moderate" varies from one traveller to the next; I'm thinking something between Olive Garden and Circo/Red Square.

Okay, that may be a big spread but DH said he'd prefer not to do all the fancy places we did last time. We're looking for good value for a sit down dinner and we're fine for any type of lunch. Any greasy spoon breakfast ideas also welcomed.

DH & I are open to all types of foods. Probably not interested in buffets. We've been to LV a couple of times before but haven't been since 2001 so aren't familiar with all the new places (or what's been closed!). We'll be travelling in April.

We won't have a car so are only interested in places on the Strip.

Thx for any insights - enjoy-la!

NeoPatrick

I think the "open air" Italian in the huge mall of Caesar's Palace is quite good and certainly very moderate -- Bertorelli's (?) -- at least I know it starts with a B.

In the Desert Passage Shops at Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood), we found Cheeseburger in Paradise for breakfast. The one day we actually ordered cheeseburgers for breakfast and LOVED them. Hey how different is that from sausage and pancakes?

And we went to Bouchon for lunch one day in the Venetian thinking it was going to be VERY expensive, and actually found it quite moderate -- but outstanding.

tekwriter

Try the Peppermill, on the north end of the Strip near the Riviera. Definitely a lot bang for the buck - huge portions of delicious American food, especially the breakfasts. The bar, The Fireside Lounge, is classic funky 70s Vegas - well worth the trip to see just that!

placeu2

My favorite lunch or lite/early dinner place is the brew pub in the Monte Carlo.

We also had s fantastic meal at Bally's steak house on the last visit. About $100 for 2 b4 alcohol.

The ESPNzone at NYNY is a reasonable sports bar atmosphere with good sandwich / finger food options.

klam_chowder

Thx a mint for your suggestions. All I never considered - Fodors is great! I've copied them to my trip notes.

Bouchon! Lunch there would be fab. Vodka is my potent potable of choice so we'll prolly still hit Red Square for dinner one nite.

Enjoy-la!

Leburta

Bouchon also has a good breakfast.

JRP

Patrick...it's Bertolini's. Nice location indeed.

Also, you might consider Nine Fine Irishmen in NY, NY. It's great for casual dining in a pub atmosphere. Stick around for a beer or two after lunch.

Red Square is a great stop on your way out for the night- not necessarily a destination. Certainly not for lunch. Drop a shot or two of vodka and some caviar then slide a few steps down to Rum Jungle for the evening/morning.

lifelist

Agree with the recommendation for Bouchon. At the Fashion Show Mall, I hear good things about Cafe Baba Reba - it's a tapas place.

Restaurant.com usually has a few strip restaurants listed. With the frequent coupons they publish, you should be able to get a good deal. I've gotten dining certificates from them for Giorgio Cafe in the Mandalay Place mall, which is a nice Italian place.

To tell the truth, I find the buffets to be a good value for breakfast. It's breakfast - so how do you screw up bacon and eggs? At the minimum, you can always get fresh fruit and pastries. Most weekday breakfasts are around $15 a person, and you can frequently find coupons. Otherwise, I'd try one of the many fine pastry shops in the various casinos for a quick breakfast - Jean-Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio; Payard Pâtisserie at Caesars; and of course, Bouchon's bakery at the Venetian.

joesorce

At Caesar's you have Bertolinis, already mentioned, but also Cheesecake Factory and Stage Deli (great breakfast). Wolfgang Puck's Chinois is upscale but very affordable if you go during lunch hours, I think you can split a pizza and a salad at Spago for lunch and do just as well as at "olive garden" for sure!
California Pizza Kitchen in Mirage is nice, great salads, and I would also recommend Il Fornaio in NYNY hotel...as well as the slightly more upscale Canaletto in the Venetian hotel (same owners as Il Fornaio...their menus are online).
Grand Luxe Cafe at Venetian is the more upscale version of Cheesecake Factory.
The coffee shops in Paris Hotel and Bellagio are quite good.

trippinkpj

I like the Brew Pub at Monte Carlo and Il Fornaio also. The 24 hour cafe at Paris is a nice option too.

persimmondeb

It was quite a while ago, but we greatly enjoyed both the Brew Pub at the Monte Carlo and Paris' 24-hour restaurant. Not to mention any number of buffets. We also had a rather interesting (and not bad) meal at the "gourmet room" at Jackie Gaughan's Plaza, overlooking Fremont Street. We were quite clear we were paying for the view, not the food, but the food was fairly decent, and our bill came to 27 dollars and change. This was in 2000, and I don't know if they still run that restaurant, but it was a fabulous view of the light show, and we thought that what we were served was worth eating.

klam_chowder

Wow, what wonderful suggestions - thx a mint everyone!

Enjoy-la!

cocontom

We thought Il Fornaio was almost as good as B&B at the Venetian- their bread was definitely better.

Also, I love Battista's Hole in the Wall- it's very simple homemade Italian-American food, and so kitschy. And it's nice to go to a family owned restaurant in Vegas. It's basically behind the Flamingo.

tinabina

Klam,
We stay at the Venetian 4 or 5 times a year. We always eat at least once at the Grand Lux Cafe, located in the Venetian. It is owned by the Cheesecake Factory. The menu is huge, the service is good and the portions are huge! We always split the Rock Shrimp appetizer and the Chicken...can't remember the name, the bartender at the Octagon bar told us about the chicken ...I'll try and think of the name.It is 2 pounded chicken breast with a "marsala" type sauce, melty cheese, veggies and served on heavenly garlic mashed potatoes. Anyhow, you can eat(the above with the shrimp appetizer) for 2 and have soft drinks easily for under $25 with tax and tip! The portions are really for 2, maybe 3 people. They are open 24 hours! have fun!! Say "HI" to Jackson at the Octagon bar. Ask him to make something special, if you drink.
Tina

amelie

Bookmarking, thanks!

wheellw

I'm a resident of Vegas and thought I might be able to offer some advice (I get so much good advice for the places I want to go,I thought I might return the favor). Anyway, I have a friend who works at the Monte Carlo, and I'm thinking, she told me that the Brew Pub is either gone or on it's way out. Other advice? Well, between Olive Garden and Red Square, hmmmm. One of my favorite restaurants on the strip is "Mon Ami Gabi" at Paris. I think that might fall into that category. Wolfgang Puck's Lupo at Mandalay is wonderful. You can get a $12 pizza, all the way up to an $85 special. I also love the Burger Bar in Mandalay Place. It's a $12 burger, but it's a great one. Cafa Ba Ba Reba at the Fashion Show is great. There is also an outdoor burger place right there, I think it's called "Strip Burger" that's supposed to be good. I can't think of a breakfast place off hand. We tend to "plow over" anything over 5 years old. So, no greasy spoons on the strip. But all the casinos have coffee shops and Starbucks. Have fun! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

lifelist

Closest to a greasy spoon on the strip would be the Denny's at the Casino Royale.

klam_chowder

Thx a mint for the extra replies!

tinabina - I loved your comments and will def check out that place!

I didn't want to appear to be self-serving by saying thx again as it would top the thread. Now that that wheellw added great content and moved the thread up, I don't feel bad doing it...LOL!

lifelist, thx for that. I'll pass on Denny's. We like patronizing mom & pop places for breakfast so I just thought I'd ask as I don't recall ever seeing something like that (on strip only). wheellw explained that one!

Thx again all - enjoy-la!

mellyd

FYI, Bertolini's at Caesars closed.

klam_chowder

mellyd, thx a mint for the update - saves me backtracking in a stupor!

Enjoy-la!