Looking for a good dinner spot for 4 women (age 30's). We want a fun, not stuffy, location, near the strip, for good food (any), drinks, and people-watching. We're seeking something out of the norm, not a chain restaurant or restaurant entirley about fine food/presentation. Thanks!

Visit the old Vegas classic, The Peppermill, up on north strip across from the Stardust. You can just feel the ghost of Frank Sinatra at the bar.

Margaritaville, you can sit on the patio/balcony and eat and people watch. Also, maybe I Love This Bar And Grill. Both places are on the Strip and are fun and lively!!

I would go to the Peppermill for breakfast or lunch...or drinks...not dinner. The lounge is fun, but the restaurant itself is just a coffee shop.

You might give Hofbrauhas a try - German Food (altho they have other stuff on the menu), lots of music, lots of people, lots of fun. It's at Paradise & Harmon across from Hard Rock Hotel. It's very casual with dancing in the aisles, band going all the time, etc. It's really fun with a group.

I live in Vegas. Margaritaville sits on the second floor overlooking the strip. It's a burger joint with a view. PF Changs (aladin) and Mon Ami Gabe (Paris) are street level with outdoor dining across from the Bellagio waters. If you like Sushi and are oaky to part with average 75.00 per person the place to go is Nobu inside the Hard Rock. The most beautiful and famous people go there.

My top choice would be tapas at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba located in the Fashion Show Mall (directly across the street from WYNN)? Between 4-7PM M-F they run a happy hour with $3 tapas (limited menu) and 1/2 price Sangria. URL for menu and other information:
http://www.cafebabareeba.com/

A (very) different experience may be had at Lucky Cheng's. $35 price includes an Asian dinner and drag queen show? URL for menu and other information:

http://www.luckychengsrestaurant.com...egas_show.html


For people watching including a great view of the Bellagio fountains head to Mon Ami Gabi located in the Paris Hotel. URL for menu and information:
http://www.monamigabilasvegas.com/

I would also agree the Hofbraus House would be a lot of fun. Afterwards or beforehand visit the Hard Rock and/or Rainbow Bar & Grill:
http://www.vegas.com/nightlife/bars/rainbowbar.html

Mix at THEHotel in Mandalay Bay and the Voodoo Lounge at Rio have great views and drinks.

As a member of the traveling foursome, THANKS! These are great suggestions. The more lively, trendy places appeal the most. We are not too worried about the price since I'm sure we'll have doubled our money by dinnertime.

Here is a link to a review of Lucky Cheng's that is hot off the press:

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2006/04/27/taste3.html

Cafe Babareeba fit the bill. Perfect! Thanks!

My Daughter and I enjoyed our "girls" meal out at Mon Ami Gabi a couple years ago. Great setting, good food.

The Rio was about the liveliest place I've ever seen. There are a few excellent restaurants there (can't remember name).

My bff said her current favorite is Social House at the Aladdin. She has great taste in food and loves a fun scene, so I'm planning to go on my next visit. Please report back on where you went!

Oops, Social house is actually at Treasure Island. Mon Ami Gabi is a great brunch choice, and if its a pretty day there is a nice patio.

Definitely Tao at the Venetian. Social House is also fun, but we liked Tao more. The food was better, atmosphere was way better, great people watching. If you click on my name, you can pull up my Vegas trip report from 4/5-4/8. I was there for a girls weekend w/ 5 other ladies (mid 20s).

beckytx~don't know if you will get a report back from OP, this thread is over a year old, it is from April of 06.

vegasnative, good catch! Its still a good thread to get some ideas for my trip this fall.

lizziea06, did you think Tao in Vegas was comparable to the one in NY? I went with co-workers to the NY one which might explain my blah experience, but overall I wasn't a huge fan. I am willing to give the Vegas one a shot though, plus my husband really wants to go there.

I went to it for the same reason people go to the one in NYC - mostly for the atmosphere. The food is perfectly fine, but it was more about the experience. I would compare it to places like Buddakan, Buddha Bar, EN Japanese Brasserie, or any other of the mega Asian restaurants in the city.