Recommendations for Vegas/Restaurants & Daytrips
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 10:20 AM
#1
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Recommendations for Vegas/Restaurants & Daytrips
We're going to Vegas from Europe for a wedding at the Bellagio in a couple of weeks. It will be our first time in Vegas and we have 5 nights. Realise this might be difficult as there is just so much to see and do, but we would like a restaurant recommendation or two.
We are not looking for fine dining (although Aureole has been suggested and we might go there & if there is somewhere special that we should not miss we will go there) would prefer something American with a fun atmosphere, if the food is not the best it does not matter. We love Sushi, Mexican and anything American and love food and wine generally.
As for daytrips, we would like to visit Grand Canyon but may save that for another trip to give it the time and attention it would require. But Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Red Rock may be worth a daytrip?
We've been to the US many many times, but Vegas is a first for us.
Thank you for any recommendations.
We are not looking for fine dining (although Aureole has been suggested and we might go there & if there is somewhere special that we should not miss we will go there) would prefer something American with a fun atmosphere, if the food is not the best it does not matter. We love Sushi, Mexican and anything American and love food and wine generally.
As for daytrips, we would like to visit Grand Canyon but may save that for another trip to give it the time and attention it would require. But Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Red Rock may be worth a daytrip?
We've been to the US many many times, but Vegas is a first for us.
Thank you for any recommendations.
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 11:07 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2010
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My favorite buffet is the Golden Nugget (upstairs)pay before 3PM.
After 3PM you pay about $8 more for the same buffet.
Make sure you get up to Fremont Street experience later for the overhead light show.
Be sure to get out and see Hoover Dam/Lake Meade and Valley of Fire State Park for a day trip east and northeast of LV.
Your day trip to the west of LV will take you out Charleston for about 15-20 miles to The Red Rock Canyon area.
There is so much good food in Las Vegas you can read reviews of restaurants all day.
After 3PM you pay about $8 more for the same buffet.
Make sure you get up to Fremont Street experience later for the overhead light show.
Be sure to get out and see Hoover Dam/Lake Meade and Valley of Fire State Park for a day trip east and northeast of LV.
Your day trip to the west of LV will take you out Charleston for about 15-20 miles to The Red Rock Canyon area.
There is so much good food in Las Vegas you can read reviews of restaurants all day.
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 11:19 AM
#3
Joined: Jun 2004
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Something American? Well since much of LV is themed, that might be difficult. 
Three meals were standouts for us...Circo and Micheal Mina (Bellagio) and Mesa Grill (Caesears). Atmospheres were all enjoyable and the food, excellent.
Add Zion NP for a really full day trip - a highlight of our recent LV trip.
Three meals were standouts for us...Circo and Micheal Mina (Bellagio) and Mesa Grill (Caesears). Atmospheres were all enjoyable and the food, excellent.
Add Zion NP for a really full day trip - a highlight of our recent LV trip.
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 11:24 AM
#4
Joined: May 2003
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We spent 1/2 day driving and hiking in Red Rock Canyon--loved it.
Drove down to Hoover Dam (great tour) and the Clark County Heritage Museum (definitely worth it).
The Valley of Fire was also recommended, but we ran out of time.
Drove down to Hoover Dam (great tour) and the Clark County Heritage Museum (definitely worth it).
The Valley of Fire was also recommended, but we ran out of time.
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 11:36 AM
#5
Joined: Dec 2006
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There are tons of fine dining restaurants now in Vegas. Sometimes the chef, whose name is listed, actually cooks there, but not usually.
Here is an irreverant look at Vegas hotels and restaurant.
http://www.cheapovegas.com/ Dig through this site for some reviews.
A couple of places that I've been to and enjoy. Note: they are casual in nature.
http://www.bootleggerlasvegas.com/
http://www.gordonbiersch.com/locations/las-vegas-nv I make it a point to stop here on every visit to Las Vegas. Dan Gordon's beers are excellent. No tourists stop here.
Here is an irreverant look at Vegas hotels and restaurant.
http://www.cheapovegas.com/ Dig through this site for some reviews.
A couple of places that I've been to and enjoy. Note: they are casual in nature.
http://www.bootleggerlasvegas.com/
http://www.gordonbiersch.com/locations/las-vegas-nv I make it a point to stop here on every visit to Las Vegas. Dan Gordon's beers are excellent. No tourists stop here.
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 01:14 PM
#6
Joined: Nov 2011
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Check the discount tix places and see what they have to offer for restaurants, etc. See: http://www.tix4tonight.com/ and there is another one. Just pick up the local tourist mags to also find coupons, deals, etc.
Also - in the New York, New York resort - they have a number of casual places to get a snack - as they do at MGM or the Deli at Wynn - and also other places, such as the Fremont Experience downtown.
And I while it's more French themed - I love going to Mon Ami Gambi - at Paris - and you can watch the spectacular Ballagio fountains across the street. http://www.monamigabi.com/
Also - in the New York, New York resort - they have a number of casual places to get a snack - as they do at MGM or the Deli at Wynn - and also other places, such as the Fremont Experience downtown.
And I while it's more French themed - I love going to Mon Ami Gambi - at Paris - and you can watch the spectacular Ballagio fountains across the street. http://www.monamigabi.com/
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 01:16 PM
#7
Joined: Nov 2011
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Here is another webpage with some under $25 recommendations, and also check out the Yelps of this world. http://govegas.about.com/od/cehapeat...forunder25.htm
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Apr 22nd, 2012 | 04:49 PM
#8
Joined: Jun 2006
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For restaurants, here's a nice list by a frequent Vegas traveler who has reviews of over 90 restaurants ... http://home.comcast.net/~lasvegasvac...rantGuide.html ... now I rarely try a place without checking to see 'what Larry thinks' as I've come to realize that his taste is pretty similar to mine.
The type of restaurants you describe ("not looking for fine dining .. would prefer something American with a fun atmosphere ... We love Sushi, Mexican and anything American" can literally be found at almost every big resort, including the Bellagio where you are staying, or nearby Caesar's Palace or the Venetian/Palazzo or the Wynn/Encore complexes, or further away at the MGM ... read Larry's write-ups.
Some specific recs ... Maybe Emeril's in the MGM for "American" or Mon Ami Gabi with a table overlooking the strip for people-watching (the 3rd most popular activity in Vegas) ... or at least a dozen others ... I'd also highly recommend Bouchon for maybe the best breakfast in Vegas (across the street and up a bit from Bellagio at the Venetian).
The type of restaurants you describe ("not looking for fine dining .. would prefer something American with a fun atmosphere ... We love Sushi, Mexican and anything American" can literally be found at almost every big resort, including the Bellagio where you are staying, or nearby Caesar's Palace or the Venetian/Palazzo or the Wynn/Encore complexes, or further away at the MGM ... read Larry's write-ups.
Some specific recs ... Maybe Emeril's in the MGM for "American" or Mon Ami Gabi with a table overlooking the strip for people-watching (the 3rd most popular activity in Vegas) ... or at least a dozen others ... I'd also highly recommend Bouchon for maybe the best breakfast in Vegas (across the street and up a bit from Bellagio at the Venetian).
Apr 22nd, 2012 | 06:11 PM
#10
Joined: Oct 2003
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At the Fashion Square Mall you could get a taste of commercial America and also a great Mexican lunch at a fun spot called El Segundo Sol. Closer to Bellagio, the Miracle Mile Mall in the Planet Hollywood has a great American sandwich shop called Earl of Sandwich...and a little Tex-Mex chain called La Salsa where you can get a tasty burrito.
Don't worry too much about WHERE to eat because in Vegas you usually find yourself hungry at some inopportune time or place and it becomes a chore to make it back to your reserved restaurant or planned dinner. But there are several dining choices within a few meters of anyplace you might land on the Vegas strip, and menus are often displayed outside.
You could do Valley of Fire and then circle down around to Hoover Dam/ Tillman Bridge all in one day. You could also drive up to Mt. Charleston and then see Red Rock Canyon on another day, or do Red Rock Canyon and Spring Mountain Ranch Park. This week, temps in Vegas hit 93 so pay attention to the weather reports daily (Phone dial 1 800 555 TELL and then press 932 for weather, and press the postal code ...89109 for Vegas). If temps in the 90's are predicted, I would try to do all trips in the early morning and hope to finish up by noon or 1pm before the heat gets intense.
Don't worry too much about WHERE to eat because in Vegas you usually find yourself hungry at some inopportune time or place and it becomes a chore to make it back to your reserved restaurant or planned dinner. But there are several dining choices within a few meters of anyplace you might land on the Vegas strip, and menus are often displayed outside.
You could do Valley of Fire and then circle down around to Hoover Dam/ Tillman Bridge all in one day. You could also drive up to Mt. Charleston and then see Red Rock Canyon on another day, or do Red Rock Canyon and Spring Mountain Ranch Park. This week, temps in Vegas hit 93 so pay attention to the weather reports daily (Phone dial 1 800 555 TELL and then press 932 for weather, and press the postal code ...89109 for Vegas). If temps in the 90's are predicted, I would try to do all trips in the early morning and hope to finish up by noon or 1pm before the heat gets intense.
Apr 23rd, 2012 | 08:17 AM
#12
Joined: May 2008
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We were in Vegas a few weeks ago. Not my cup of tea, but hopefully you will have a good time there.
The Cosmpolitan is next door to the Bellagio and has a very good brunch buffet for $22/person including a glass of mimosa or Bloody Mary. This is the hugest buffet I have ever seen, with everything from breakfast items, to carving station for meats, to a pastry section, to sushi, to a gelato bar. Be hungry when you go! And expect a line.
The Cosmpolitan is next door to the Bellagio and has a very good brunch buffet for $22/person including a glass of mimosa or Bloody Mary. This is the hugest buffet I have ever seen, with everything from breakfast items, to carving station for meats, to a pastry section, to sushi, to a gelato bar. Be hungry when you go! And expect a line.
Apr 23rd, 2012 | 09:35 AM
#13
Joined: Mar 2004
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I liked Burger Bar at Mandalay Place - it's a Hubert Keller restaurant and you can "build" your own burger with a wide range of toppings. www.burger-bar.com
We didn't try the milkshakes but we thought the sweet potato fries were really good.
We didn't try the milkshakes but we thought the sweet potato fries were really good.
Apr 23rd, 2012 | 11:55 AM
#14
Joined: Mar 2005
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For casual American dining, I would suggest one of the number of burger restaurants around the strip. As mentioned above, Burger Bar is good, as are, Holsteins at the Cosmopolitan, Stripburger at the Fashion Show Mall, and BLT Burger at the Mirage. For fast food burgers, Fatburger and In 'n' Out are pretty good.
More upscale, I would suggest Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill, at Caesar's Palace. This restaurant is fairly casual, especially for lunch - and gives you Tex Mex/Southwest cuisine.
If you do want upscale, then Emeril Lagasse has a couple of restaurants on the strip - New Orleans Fish House at the MGM and Delmonico's at the Venetian. In fact, most any of the steakhouses on the strip would qualify as "American".
Hoover Dam and Red Rock are certainly worth a half day each. I would recommend the Neon Museum tour, as well, for a worthwhile excursion.
More upscale, I would suggest Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill, at Caesar's Palace. This restaurant is fairly casual, especially for lunch - and gives you Tex Mex/Southwest cuisine.
If you do want upscale, then Emeril Lagasse has a couple of restaurants on the strip - New Orleans Fish House at the MGM and Delmonico's at the Venetian. In fact, most any of the steakhouses on the strip would qualify as "American".
Hoover Dam and Red Rock are certainly worth a half day each. I would recommend the Neon Museum tour, as well, for a worthwhile excursion.
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