karenvk

Going to Vegas next week and looking for some nice restaurants. Don't need to be spending $100+ per person at chains like Smith & Wollensky but would like something nicer than the hotel buffets. What's interesting in the $25-50 per person range?

Darvy_Kuntz

Amen, karenvk! I'm so tired of all of those chains.

I really like Moongate, a beautiful chinese restaurant at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

I've also heard great things about Onda, the italian joint at Mirage.

Lilly Langtry's at the Golden Nugget is also fun.

Those are some options that are near many tourist attractions. I'm sure others have some off strip options that might be fantastic. (TANSY? What's the name of that Thai restaurant you like so much?)

-Darvy, the travel gal

rjw_lgb_ca

I have fond memories of a lovely Xmas Eve dinner at Shanghai Lily's in Mandalay Bay. A lovely room, with a pretty great wine list and tasty food. This was a couple of years ago, but if you want to drop some bucks on killer Chinese cuisine, this is the place. Darvy (hi there!), have you ever dined there?

Loki

Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, but it's a chain. Many of the good reasonable restaurants in Vegas are chains or celebrity chef outposts, not sure why you'd disqualify them. Many people love Palm and Cheesecake Factory at Caesars, both are chains though. Grand Luxe Cafe at Venetian is very reasonable, and, I think, NOT a chain. Red Square, a Russian place at Mandalay would be very interesting and I think your safe at $50pp. I've only had drinks there and it's very cool (figuratively and literally), dinner menu looked good but I didn't eat anything.

Caltraveler

How about the Top of the World at Stratosphere. It's a revolving restaurant with great views of Las Vegas. Although I have never been there it is rated quite well on lasvegas.citysearch.com
We plan to go there next month for dinner.

http://www.stratospherehotel.com/fla...rld/index.html

karenvk

Thanks Darvy, rjw and Loki for your input. No, Loki, I wouldn't discount all chains (for example, Nobu which I could only find in NY might be worth a shot) as would some regional chains, but why would I want to hit a PF Changs or Cheesecake Factory which I could get at home?
During the weekdays in Vegas, do you think I need reservations at some of these neat places or could I just wing it? I've heard a few good things about Grand Cafe Luxe...might have to try it! THanks again.

rjw_lgb_ca

Not to be nitpicky (OK, I *am* being nitpicky), but Nobu is actually a more "upscale" version of Matsuhisa in Los Angeles (Nobu Matsuhisa's original eatery in the US) and Nobu in Malibu. Actually, there's one in South Beach as well.... And Matsuhisa has restos in London and Paris too.

Maybe it IS a chain!!

rjw_lgb_ca

Duhhh on me-- I misread. I see-- you can only get to the NY Nobu. My bad. Sorry!

Ryan

The Smith & Wolley's in Vegas was awful, so good call on that one! The Grand Luxe Cafe is simply the Cheesecake Factory with a nicer name.

I had a really great steak at Gallagher's in NYNY. We've had good Italian at Canaletto in the Venetian Canal Shops.

Although perhaps a bit out of your price range, Circo at Bellagio is usually good.

Tansy

Here I am, my ears were burning!

There is a fantastic Thai restaurant in Vegas called "Lotus of Siam." Amazing food. BUT it's not a very upscale restaurant in terms of decor -- it's clean, simple, inexpensive, AMAZING food. They specialize in Northern Thai cuisine.
My last dinner there was $52 for two appetizers, two entrees, four beers, one dessert, one cup of coffee. Yeah!

Darvy_Kuntz

Tansy, where is it located, for $#*@! sakes?

Tansy

Darvy, you ol' battleax, keep your panties on.

It's located in a random strip mall, about a 5-10 minute cab ride from the strip. Don't remember the exact address but you could find it online -- and our cabbie knew exactly where it was without getting an address. I think the locals like it!

It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!

TConrad

Sheeeesh!
Reading Darvy & Tansy is like watching a person with multiple personalities having a conversation with herself!

karenvk

Ryan, thanks for your info. I had been hearing a lot about Canaletto so might have to look into that. Circi sounds interesting too. And rjw...I think I might have confused you and others. What I meant about Nobu was that I knew the original was located in NY but living in the DC area now, I'm not near any of his restaurants and wouldn't mind something like that. Cheesecake etc however, seem to be everywhere! Do most of these upscale places need reservations on weeknights or should we be able to walk in?

Scarlett

Oh I second any recommendation to Circo!
Every time we are in Las Vegas we eat there! Never had a bad night.
We always make reservations for all restaurants before we go to Vegas. Especially if you have your heart set on one, they seem to always be crowded and busy.
Have fun!

Loki

Other than the really upscale places like Picasso and such, I found that weeknight reservations in summer were unnecessary, but I'd make them if you really want to go somewhere in particular. Funny, I live outside NYC and NEVER heard of Cheesecake Factory until going to Vegas. I thought it was a bit more uncommon but apparently scattered throughout the south. I believe Circo is part of the Le Cirque chain so if you've been to the NYC branches you might want to look for something more different. There's a new Bradley Ogden place in Caesars which is supposed to be good but I'm not sure if it's stretching your price range.

karenvk

Loki, thanks for all the really good info. I will definitely check out Circo. Nothing is really out of my price range; I just know that I don't want to spent upwards of $100 per person each of the 4 nights we're there so I was looking for mid-range recommendations as well. Funny, I grew up outside NYC and commuted into the city right out of college; never hit LeCirque as it wasn't in my budget at that time! So Circo definitely peaks my interest!

tom42

Steakhouse - Nero's at Caesar's Palace is excellent as is Delmonico's at the Venetian and Fiore at the Rio. But my current favorite is 3950 at Mandalay Bay. Each one has excellent food and each are quite different in ambience. All of them will more than likely be more than $50 per person, especially if you get a bottle of wine. However, you certainly will be able to keep the tab under $100 per person.

Italian - I used to recommend Terrazza at Caesar's after having several very good meals there but my last visit there was so bad - both food and service- that I have taken it off my list. Antonio's at the Rio is now my favorite. Al Dente at Bally's is also pretty good.

Asian/Chinese - Empress Court at Caesar's, Royal Court at Venetian, and Shanghai Lilly's at Mandalay Bay are all very good.

rufus

I'd have to 2nd Ryan's opinion about Grand Luxe Cafe. Never eaten there, but it actually just looks like a huge diner to me. One of my favorite places, and also in the Venetian next to Delmonicos, is Star Canyon. Southwestern cuisine at its best - the ribeye steak with frizzled onions is mouthwatering. AND, unlike most of the other suggestions, I'm pretty sure you could fall inside the $50 per head range. They also offer a delicious and very reasonable off the menu Sunday Brunch. A great alternative to the monstrous crowded buffets. Another favorite, but a bit more pricey is Olives in the Bellagio. A Boston original that offers a variety of creative dishes. Have fun. Lots of good eatin' in Vegas. One other recommendation also in the Venetian. If it's late afternoon and you're tired from being on your feet all day, and could go for a lite snack and a chilled margarita or two, try Taquirea. Not sure about the name but it's something close to that. It's located just off the food court and adjacent to the faux-sky walk with all the paddle boats below. An open air cantina that has great margaritas. We had an awesome queso appetizer that came with real poblano peppers and your choice of chorizo or chicken mixed in - served with flour tortillas. Yum.

karenvk

Tom and Rufus, thanks for your info. Sounds like the Venetian and Bellagio have more than their fair share of great eateries in several price ranges. With the margaritas, you're speaking my language Rufus...yumm. The idea of that steak at the Star Canyon has me going already! Can't wait. thanks.