I've been reading with great interest the posts about the comfort-level of "average" people staying at Bellagio. I have elsewhere read comments about the Bellagio buffet perhaps being too upscale for the "average" diner, and some described the buffet there as "interesting" and "unique." As an average diner, I am interpreting these euphemisms to mean strange and unpleasant. Can anyone who has eaten here please enlighten me? Thank you.

I have not personally eaten there, but as somebody that tries to stay current with Vegas, i can give you my assessment from reading other people's comments.

As far as buffets goes, it is one of the best. However, the price runs close to $50 for 2 people, and people feel a better (ie- food cooked to order) meal can be had for $50.

In sum, if you're into buffets this is a great one, but many people would rather not spend $50 on food that they have to serve themselves.

Here is a link devoted to the Bellagio Buffet: http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/food/buff...3?buffet_id=49

I've eaten at Bellagio's buffet and have posted about it before.
I can't think of anything 'strange or unpleasant' about it.
In fact, I actually thought the atmosphere was very cafeteria-like...quite underwhelming for the price and the hotel itself (which I think is great).
Food was very good. Again, though, I agree with "thereuare's" comments about quality vs. price. For $55 for two I think you can have a much nicer meal experience at a non-buffet.
I should state upfront, though, that I'm not a buffet fan to begin with. I simply can't (actually, I won't) eat enough food at a buffet to justify the cost. In fact, I find that after the first 1000 calories I'm not even really enjoying the food anymore, I'm simply experimenting with the different selections. And I refuse to eat so much that I'm uncomfortable afterward, so buffets just don't fit my specs. (I want to Bellagio's earlier this year on a comp).
BUT: for those who DO like buffets, Bellagio's is the best standard buffet in LV. I've been to Rio's three times before (again, not on my dime), and Mirage's. Those are reported to be among the best.
Your original question asked about how an 'average diner' would view the buffet. I would say, great selection, pretty good quality, pretty expensive, very casual atmosphere (lots of people in shorts, sandals, etc), self-serve cattle style set-up, pretty much standard buffet.

My family had dinner at the Bellagio buffet a few weeks ago, $24 per person. We were staying at the hotel, so had a much shorter wait than non-guests. I thought it was pretty standard food, certainly not "unpleasant," but nothing special. I was expecting better, given what I had read (and I like buffets!) That was the only buffet we went to, and we had much better meals at the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay casual dining rooms.

Bellagio buffet is great, price isn't and it is't all that fancy a place to dine. I prefer the 24 hour cafe just off the botanical gardens. The prices are very resonable, especially dinner and the place is quite lovely with tables facing the wonderful swimming pools.