Greetings all...I hope you can help with my dilemna. We (me, mom, aunt, and 16 yr old cousin) would like to do dinner one night at a really nice restaurant. My mom tells me she heard Prime, Aureole, and Spago are a few she thinks she would like, but I have to be honest, I don't think I we could afford that. I mean, just how much is say the chicken or a steak at Prime?
So can anyone suggest a really nice restaurant, not a chain, not a buffet, upscale atmosphere, and slighly more affordable? I think we need in the $15-$30 price range - is that reasonable? Thanks very much!

Geez, sorry about my bad spelling and grammar...wish we could edit posts. You guys are going to send me to McDonalds!

There is a cool rrestaurant in the Mirage called Samba it's a billed as a Brazillian steak house. I have had several meals there and they are very good with unique taste. The price range is 20-40.

If you like Italian food, the Cafe Andreotti at the Harrahs is very good, and is also in the $15-30 range.

http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/l...detail_01.html

No, no, no, don't go to Samba! Not worth the money, I had very mediocre service and mediocre food there. You can do much better.

Moongate (in Mirage) is a lovely chinese/sechzuan restaurant, not too expensive.

Though technically they're "coffee shops", the Cafe Bellagio and the Cafe Lago (Caesar's Palace) are upscale and good.

'Sharing' is popular in Vegas, and at Spago you might get out of there for $90 if you share 2 salads, an appetizer a pizza and an entree, and two desserts. That's in the Caesar's Forum and so is Bertolini's- a decent Italian place. In the Venetian, there's the Grand Luxe Cafe where portions are large and sharing is a must. Lots of people like Mon Ami Gabi at Paris though it's technically a chain.


Many of these places have a menu posted outside, so you won't be surprised. Spend some time checking them out, then VOTE! You might just enjoy a FEW meals at these "moderate" places that serve really good food rather than one big splurge at a classier joint.

I'll second the recommendations for the Cafe Andreotti and the Cafe Bellagio. Both are very good. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would go with Cafe Andreotti.

I have to disagree with Cafe Andreotti. I ate there once several yeras ago and did not like the food at all. I gave it another chance this spring and again, not good at all.

I think you could do Spago in the price range you need - at least the Cafe. Trattoria Del Lupo at the Venetian would also be possible. That is, assuming you don't order wine.

I hate to bust your bubble, but the restaurants you mentioned are more like 50 or 60 a person. You might feel very uncomfortable staring at a menu and making it fit your budget by sharing salads & entrees. There are restaurants who offer what you are looking for, but without the big name chefs. There's a nice Italian restaurant on the strip, I think it's called "Battista's Hole in the Wall" that's fairly reasonable. Or do a buffet in one of the better hotels. Have fun with your family & don't sweat it!

Aureole and Spago are chains. Some of the best choices in your range are going to be chains, also. How 'bout Cheesecake Factory at Caesars? I mean, Emeril's is a chain and Delmonico is one of the most highly regarded in Vegas (not in that price range though). Along with the other cafes, I'd suggest Grand Luxe at Venetian. Off-strip, Lotus of Siam is suppossed to be one of the best Thai restaurants in the country but I haven't been there myself.

I'll second the recommendation for Battista's Hole In The Wall. My family makes a visit there every time we're in town. The entrees are all within your price range and the atmosphere is very "old Vegas" with celebrity photos, etc. It is right behind the Barbary Coast on Winnick.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming. Also, I think I can clarify a bit, when I said $15 - $30, I meant for the entree...not the total per person. I would not include drinks, appetizers, dessert, etc. in that range. I just heard a steak at Prime is $38, and that's just the steak, sides are all extra, salad is extra, water is extra (they bring you bottled I guess??).
So when you add all that - it's way over my budget.

Oh, and by chain, I just meant I don't want the Olive Garden or things like that. Places in the casinos, Spago and Emeril's, I really don't consider them a chain even though I guess they technically are. I ate at Emeril's NOLA in New Orleans and that was great and perfectly in my price range if that helps any????

There was a very nice, reasonably priced Italian restauarant located in the FOrum shops area (ceasar's), near the piazza navona looking fountain. I can't remember the name, but you can't miss it. It has 'outdoor' seating next to the fountain. We found the food prices very high (for the quality) in the hotel lobby restaurants.

OH, ok, Angie,

and now we know you're pulling OUR chains!

Loki, wait a minute. Aureole a chain? Um, my definition of chain would have more than 2 links. Charlie Palmer opened this one and the original in NYC. And because we're talking about restos in Mandalay, may I suggest a place that will fit the bill? Bleu Blanc Rouge
An innovative concept combining a Cafe, French Patisserie, Glacier, Creperie, Brasserie, Raw Bar and Wine Bar. Featuring all day brunch, light snacks, the freshest seafood and over 40 wines by the glass. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We recently ate at Shanghai Lilly in Mandalay.
Classic Cantonese and Szechwan specialties served in a romantic and elegant setting. Not that expensive if you don't have too many drinks and eat family style, sharing entrees with the table, and I thought the food was great.

One final thought, Al Dente in Bally's has the best pasta and italian food for the prices (reasonable) on the Strip. Great homemade pastas. Very nice setting too.