Dining in Vegas
 

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cool, thanks Patrick!

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.

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

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!

Thank you, Patrick!

Patrick,

I really appreciate your input. I just love great food in a warm and relaxed atmosphere; can't deal with the pretense. I will probably make a reservation at Border Grill and either Craft Steak or Ortanique. Isn't the Harrison wonderful? You've probably been to Red Cat, by the same owners, yes? Mermaid (their other place) is still on my list. Thanks again!

Have you tried Aqua at the Bellagio? I'd recommend that, as well as Bouchon at the Venetian (don't expect the French Laundry, but pretty close.) Also, I've heard good things about Crustacean, anyone been to the one in Vegas? We ate at Aureole a couple of years ago and found it to be overrated, and also, it was CLOSED DOWN for 24 hours by the Clark County health department during our stay (yes, right after we ate there....gulp!) I don't think they've been shut down again, but I believe you can go to the Clark Co website still and see the most recent inspsections. Finally, I know it sounds weird, considering you're into more serious foodie places, but the Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian has some really good salads for lunch or late night dining. I know its owned by the Cheesecake Factory, but most of the food is pretty good there. Have a good time and let us all know your reviews when you are back!

Aqua was good. We overheard a few people saying they liked it better than Picasso.

We also had a really lovely meal at Bradley Ogden, but I think it had a lot to do with the company I was with, and our really great service. We ate and drank and ate and drank, and at the end of our meal, we were invited back for a tour of the kitchen (we were one of the last patrons of the evening). We didn't get to meet the chef, because I think he was away in NY accepting an award at the time. (link below)

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/desti...tm?POE=TRVISVA

Both aren't cheap. I don't remember exactly, but dinner for 2 (for starters, mains, wine, dessert and gratuity) was upper 200 or so at Aqua and it was high 300s at Bradley Ogden.

Don't know if you are still checking this post, but I found this article on "the real deal" for Vegas restaurants.

BTW, I guess Bradley Ogden is in the kitchen full time in vegas, unlike some of the celebrity chefs. I didn't know that until I read the article. Both articles I posted are by the same person.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/desti...tm?POE=TRVISVA

Just FYI--I tried dining solo at Olives, Canaletto, and Bouchon. Olives and Bouchon were good for solo dining at the bar. Canaletto was not. Food at Olives was everything you all said it would be! I also loved my meal at Bouchon.

Also, Aqua is now Michael Mina.

Michael Mina was the original chef at Aqua. They have renamed the restaurant for him as Aqua in San Fran has been turned over to Chef Laurent Manrique. Mina has also opened Michael Mina in San fran.

Mina is also executive chef of Nobhill, which is really excellent. The service is great, too, so if one were to call and say one will be dining alone, I'm sure they'd take care of it.

Not sure if this reply is too late for you or not.

We tend to like some of the trendier places whose food stands up to the hype around them.

Have found both Red Square in Mandalay Bay and Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock to fit the bill.

Good luck -