Las Vegas Dining and Drinking
Once a vast wasteland of buffets, Las Vegas has come of age in
the past decade, adding to its list of celebrities some of the top names in the
culinary world. Visitors now have their choice of fine culinary experiences,
both on and off the strip.
Famous for his Californian style, food and original restaurants, Wolfgang Puck
has graced the city with five ventures, a visit to any of which is a treat. One
of his establishments, Chinois, provides the better of two worlds; your choice
of more relaxed patio dining or, if you have a jacket and tie, join a few famous
guests in the private rooms.
The influences of the new epicurean alternatives have breathed new life into
older gourmet rooms, as well. Palace Court, located in Caesars Palace, recently
acquired a new chef as well as a new French cuisine and ooh la la--a hit reborn!
Topping both the Zagat survey and the Las Vegas Review Journals Readers Poll,
Drais Restaurant provides dinners and high teas. Located inside the Barbary
Coast Hotel, this enchanting room offers excellent live entertainment three
nights a week to enhance the dining experience.
Elegance and beauty are the hallmarks of the Monte Carlo Room, located inside
the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. As you relax amidst enchanting oil paintings in
a garden setting, your lobster bisque will be cooked tableside.
If you?d like to combine a fine dining experience with a spectacular view,
ascend to the top of the Stratosphere Tower for an evening at the Top of the
World Restaurant. There isn't a bad seat in the house, since the room slowly
rotates one complete turn each hour.
Some restaurants have stood the test of time in Las Vegas, and one of those is
the Benihana Village in the Las Vegas Hilton. For 30 years, its been the choice
for Japanese food, both for the exhibition style cooking and the amazing effects
that transport you to a sleepy lagoon with soft rolling thunder.
Another fine choice for Asian specialties is Mayflower Cuisinier. Chef Ming See
Woo has swept several awards into the restaurants fold, including a five-diamond
rating from the American Academy of Restaurant Sciences.
While rats may not be a welcome sight in most fine establishments, the fact that
a member of a Rat Pack has frequented a restaurant is a good sign in this
gamblers paradise. Sinatra was a frequent visitor to Battistas Hole In The Wall,
where you'll be served as if you were family.
The Tillerman is well known with locals for its outstanding array of fresh
seafood dishes, and fine steaks. Of course, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus has
been lauded since its opening as one of the best in the business. You'll forget
that you're seated in a casino; the service is so fine you'll almost wonder if
you should call a limousine for the ride home.
For a delightful twist on steaks, (as well as pork, turkey and sausage), try an
encounter with Yolies Brazilian Steakhouse. This is one restaurant you can't
leave hungry. Your server will continuously appear with spears of perfectly
marinated and grilled meat entrees, that will be sliced onto your platter until
dessert becomes an impossibility.
Visiting the Mohave Desert doesn't preclude enjoying fine seafood. Chef Emeril
Lagasse produces award winning lobster, fish and crab delights at Emerils New
Orleans Fish House, inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Awards have also been
garnered by the Rosewood Grille, six-time winner of the Award of Excellence from
Wine Spectator Magazine.
Las Vegas is for lovers. It must be true--its the number one American wedding
destination. If you want to pamper your companion, there is but one choice:
Hugos Cellar inside the Lady Luck Casino and Hotel. Ladies are presented with a
rose upon arrival, and every possible need is anticipated.
Some eating establishments are known for their service, others are regarded for
their entrees. The Cheesecake Factory has become famous for its desserts, that
are so luxurious you could melt right into them. If you?d prefer a complete
dinner prior to throwing your diet out the window, you'll enjoy their other
restaurant, the Grand Lux Café, located in the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Same
sinful delights, and great, extremely generous portions.
Do you know what you want, but it isn't on the menu anywhere? If you have a
party of 8 or more, simply ring Le Pamplemousse and place an order for tonights
meal. If you don't happen to be traveling with a large party, drop in anyway;
you're sure to be delightfully surprised, since the menu changes daily depending
on what the chef decides to prepare.
Of course, Las Vegas is known for themes, and you may want to be entertained
while you eat. Steven Spielberg, known in another large town for adventure,
constructed Dive to thrill his patrons. Where but Vegas can you dive below the
sea while being served a submarine sandwich and fries?
If you get a bit seasick, perhaps you?d prefer dining with a cyborg from the
Terminator, or Freddy from Friday the 13th? Drop in at Planet Hollywood, where
you'll see authentic movie props and maybe run into a real star or two.
Tough guys aren't only in the movies, they are also rampant in the wrestling
ring. Watch a perfected sleeper hold while you munch down on some man-sized
portions at the WCW Nitro Grill inside the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
Wresting isn't your sport? Drop into Race Rock at the Fremont Street Experience.
The whole family will enjoy racing through lunch so that you can check out the
race cars, engines, photos and jumpsuits from the auto, truck and boat race
world.
There are great places to eat outside of the strip and convention areas, too.
Bob Taylors Ranch House, for instance, is located in the Northwest portion of
the valley. Its been a favorite of locals and celebrities for over 40 years;
even Elvis loved the joint.
Bob Capozzolis Family Restaurant is located in the opposite end of the valley,
in Henderson. Again, its been frequented by some of the most famous celebrities
that Vegas can serve up (Sinatra, Bennett, Goulet), but what can we say: thats
Italian!
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll down the strip, and perhaps enjoy a
nightcap and a bit of dancing. The Drink is a popular destination, where your
vodka tonic may come in a bucket or a baby bottle. If you prefer something a bit
more exotic, rumjungle is sure to delight you.
The Venetians offering to the nightclub scene, C2K is the place see and be seen.
If you're looking for a top VIP room, walk like an Egyptian over to RA, located
in the Luxor.
If you want a really unique bar, however, you have to stop in at Breathe where
the bartender is serving up a whole new kind of relaxation.
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