Someone wrote: > > > > Anyone have experiences with restaurants close to the Strip in Vegas?? Also, > if someone knows of hotel buffets either to stay away from or not to miss, I > would appreciate it. > > Thanks > Alexis Since I have not gone to any of the three new casino/hotels that has opened in the last three months (The MGM Grand, The Treasure Island, and The Luxor, I can't say much about them. However, I was told by a friend that has just visited Luxor a month ago and he said the buffet was of the quality of Circus Circus (who also owns both Luxor and Excalibur), which is say it's pretty bad. As far as buffet goes I think it is the case of "you get what you paid for." I have had exceptional buffets (both brunch, lunch and dinner) at both the Mirage and Caesar's Palace. It's a tad expensive (around $7 for lunch and $10 for dinner), but the food is the real thing. One time I even had banana foster made fresh for me at the Caesar's Palace, and their cheesecake is always top notch. I also have had real paella at the Mirage, and the egg custard-like bread pudding is something that I'm willing to drive four hours just to have a taste of it. I have not had better buffets from other casinos on the strip (Las Vegas Hilton is OK, but the Flamingo is not; The Riviera is OK, but I would pass on the Imperial Palace or the Hacienda. I have not tried any other ones, just because I'll go to either the Mirage or the Caesar's Palace.) As far as other restaurants goes, there is a very good prime rib restaurant in the Excalibur Hotel, 2nd floor. I have forgot the name of the place, but the ribs are carved in front of you in a heated mobil pushcart and the portions are huge. Another sure fire place is the Ruth Chris' Steak House. It is a nationalwide chain, but they only serve USDA Prime aged steaks, and the atmosphere is just incredible. For a more upscale affair, there is Wolfgang Puck's Spagos inside Caesar's Palace. Unlike the namesake in LA, the service is friendly and professional (not snobby), and the lines are short (relatively speaking.) I would really recommended. The food is great. I even saw Wolfgang there one time actually cooking away in the open kitchen. ============================================================================== James Shih ([email removed]) University of California, Riverside .....and of course the university does not necessarily share these views......
Nevada