We leave for LV in a couple days...what are your recent reviews ('03) of places in the Delmonico bracket, e.g.? I saw the January post.
I'd like to 'get what I pay for' (if it's Renoir, what makes it a 10 to you?), and I'd prefer dressy casual through casual.
Looking for a great filet; super Italian; exciting buffet (forget it, my husband won't wait in the Bellagio line)! Familiar with Olives, that's for lunch. Will try Red Square and Paris buffet. What else? On the Strip is great, but if it knocks your socks off, I'll drive. Looking for answers by 6/11p.m. Thanks!

Uh, make that recent reviews... fumblefingers....

Go to Huggos at the 4 Queens downtown. It is a cool place. Intimate yet not pretentious. You will need advance reservations.

After dinner you can see the Laser light Show on Fremont Sreet, cool.....

Have a good time

You've made an excellent choice with the Red Square, but keep it quiet, ay? Piero's is my recommendation for Italian (a local LV landmark visited by everybody whose anybody just off the Hilton convention center). Andres french restaurant & has a few locations. Although the ambiance isn't as good the Gourmet room Isis in the Luxor is amazing. Nobu at the Hard Rock. You can't go wrong at the Belaggio or the Mandalay Bay (except maybe Lupo). Have fun!

Also The Palm for steak.

Ya-definately NOT Lupo at Mandalay Bay...but check out Caesars website ...in particular 808. (its a restaurant). We went in January for my mom's 50th and it was great!

I've heard good things about 808 too, though haven't been there.

We ate at Valentino's and we were very disappointed so don't go there. Lutece was OK but not worth the bucks although we got tables outside and the weather was perfect. Our "10" for two years in a row was Nobu's (Japanese -- let them do the dinner for you). Our group of 5 people are all very diverse eaters but we all rated it a "10" and arranged our schedules around getting a reservation there. It's an exciting a different kind of Japanese food. You'll love the ingenuity and taste. Be sure to order a Bento Box (chocolate souffle) for dessert. It's simply the best!

My husband & I recently ate at Delmonico's and loved it! The service was incredible and the food was great. If you go, make sure to try the BBQ shrimp apt., My husband who usually is not a big shrimp eater said, "I never knew shrimp could taste this good"!

For a more casual, but great atmosphere good Italian meal try Canolletta's (sp) in the Venetian, located along the Canal.

Pricey and hyped...but we LOVED Spago! The beef tartare appetizer was incredible as was my seafood bouillebasie with saffron risotto and hubby's seared ahi. YUM YUM! I was grinning from ear to ear throughout the entire dinner...

have fun!

We had a really nice Italian meal at Canaletto in the Venetian Canal Shops. Sitting under the faux skyline adds to the ambiance. Touristy, but hey its Vegas.

We also enjoy Circo for the food and the ambiance. For a really high end meal, I found Le Cirque to be significantly better than Picasso for both food and service. However, ties are required so it might not pass your criteria.

For very casual Asian, we really enjoy Noodles at Bellagio. Their Pepper Beef with Asparagus is outstanding.

Just posting a small correction to tinatoadster's post. The restaurant she's referring to is called "Hugo's Cellar" not "Huggos". It is a good restaurant with a nice intimate atmosphere and features continental cuisine.

Strive

I have eaten at many of the "in" restaurants in LV. My choice would be Aqua hands down! Amazing food (lobster pot pie!) and amazing service. Worth the bucks!

Is it true that all the really hot places in LA, SF, NO and NYC have spent mega bucks to open trendy spots in LV? Did the good food they made their reps survive at the duplcates? I noted one poster gave a thumbs down to Valentino from LA. Is Olives the spinoff of Olive Garden?

Olives is a Todd English Restaurant, not the Olive Garden!

Todd English is very well know in the boston area.

Might want to check the Southwest board at chowhound.com . There's a wide variety of opinions about chow in Las Vegas....

In terms of the original vs Vegas replica, I've found a bit of both. Circo and Le Cirque are equal to the NYC originals, the latter is more enjoyable than the original as it is a bit less pretentious and without the same pecking order for seats.

Smith and Wollensky's in Vegas was really bad. Undercooked prime rib, lousy service. The NY original is usually top notch and one of my favorites.

Commanders Palace at Aladdin is equal to the NOLA location, in terms of food, but lacking the same ambiance (with good reason. No cemetary across the street!)

I found Gallaghers in NYNY to be far superior to the original, which really surprised me. I like the W. 52nd original, but the steak I had last week wasn't even half as good as the one I had a few months ago in Vegas.

Prime at Bellagio, while not having a NYC sibling, does equal the quality of the other Jean-Georges Vong.... restaurants.

Wow! A jackpot of LV restaurant reviews!
Thanks, everyone - it was a treat to find this after the insane 1 a.m. packing fiasco (don't tell me you've never done this...)!
I'm printing it out, and will report back to you early July after our southwest trip. Ryan, great reviews...thanks for tie tip; he'll probably strangle me with it when he feels the LV heat. I've heard nothing but raves about Piero's, cnmiranda (and don't worry, who else wants Russian food and blue cheese martinis?) Will check out all when I arrive. Le Cirque and Aqua sound very interesting. Thanks for thr Lutece input, Jeannette. Report to follow!

Down with Circo (Bellagio) Up with Delmonico's (Venetian).

Wanda, we found the Bellagio buffet to be worth the wait. The buffet is best on Friday night where you have a greater selection of entrees and desserts. The Beef Wellington was wonderful and imagine feasting on all the chocolate-covered strawberries you can eat! The whole meal was so good, we went back again on Sunday. But, alas, no Beef Wellington or chocolate-covered strawberries.

Benihana's at the Hilton is entertaining and delicious too.