at UNLV Kick: 9 PM Friday Oct 4

[bnoro]

I was going to hold off on this a bit, but here's the beginning of my dining guide. I figured I'd do it by hotel, starting closest to the the stadium.

Mandalay Bay/Delano
(So disappointed Retro closed, this was the perfect fine dining restaurant for families. It was the Voltaggio brothers doing their take on classic 80s family dinners, but was so good.)

Della's Kitchen - only open for breakfast in the walkway to Delano. Southern breakfast food. They took the crabcake benedict off the menu, which is very disappointing. But their food is pretty legit and strong recommend.

Citizens - skip, it's garbage unless you're in a bind.

Libertine Social - My friend enjoyed his burger. It's slightly elevated bar food, but seemed good quality.

Border Grill - casual Mexican (kind of hidden by the convention center). When I stay at Delano I always stop here first for lunch. It doesn't blow you away, but guac and margaritas is happy food and it's a great way to start a happy trip.

Rivea (and Skyfall) (located on the roof of Delano) - I think it's Alain Ducasse. Mediterranean fine dining. It's very good, but a little out of date. I like a lobster risotto but that's kind of an early 2010's dish that was out of style 10 years ago. BUT the views are incredible. If you're inclined, get a drink at Skyfall, it's a great bar and again, the views are truly special. I'd skip Rivea.

House of Blues - shockingly good bar food.

StripSteak (Michael Mina) - I think it's the most underrated steakhouse with possibly the best sides of all the Vegas steakhouses I've been to. I'm always pleasantly surprised how good it is and wonder why it isn't in my regular rotation.

MGM Grand
Atelier de Joel Robuchon - this and (Joel Robuchon) are among the ultra high end restaurants on the strip and while I loved the meal, I wouldn't need to go back.

Park MGM
Bavettes - THIS IS THE BEST STEAKHOUSE ON THE STRIP, It's a Chicago steakhouse with a 20's speakeasy feel. So rich leather, very dark. Get the salmon Caesar. It's worth it.

Eataly - food hall with lots of solid choices.

Nomad - I've never dined at this location, but went to the original (now closed) NYC location several times. They're famous for the whole chicken. Definitely recommend it.

Aria
Julian Serrano - Spanish tapas. I love the gazpacho and tomato bread.

Javier's - I've never been, but everyone loves it. It's always packed.

Cathedral - I've been to the NYC location. It's fine. Beautiful dining room.

Catch - only been to the NYC location earlier this spring for the first time. I was shocked how much I loved it. I thought it was a lame clubstaurant, but the food was legit.

Carbone - I've never been able to get a reservation in NYC. I have a friend in VIP relations at Park and he could only get me a 5pm dinner. So even in Vegas it's difficult. The veal parm is the best veal parm I've ever had. If you like red sauce Italian, I'm not sure you beat this. It was exponentially better than my Italian grandma's cooking used to be.

Bardot - I've dined here several times. Love a good brasserie. They completely mangled my steak the last time I was there, so it's off my list, but I enjoy it otherwise. Love their escargot.

Cosmo
Chelsea and Boulevard pools - I love the shrimp tacos. I get them pretty much every day for lunch when I stay there.

Scarpetta - very good modern Italian. Much different vibe and style than Carbone.

Momofuku (David Chang)- only went to the NYC location which is now closed, so would recommend if you ever wanted to eat there and didn't get the chance.

Eggsl*t - great breakfast sandwiches. The line is always insane though.

STK - skip it. It's stupid. But if you want a trendy very loud steakhouse, the food is at least good.

China Poblano (Jose Andres) - this is casual. Good for families. It's Chinese and Mexican. Not fusion. It somehow works.

Jaleo (Jose Andres) - similar to Jullian Serrano and not as good. Still tasty.

Beauty & Essex - one of my favorite restaurants on the Strip. I make it there once a year. I absolutely LOVE the bone marrow. It's tapas/shared plates style with an eclectic menu. The beef Wellington is also really awesome. Strong recommend. It's Tao Group, so it's very loud in there.

E by Jose Andres - this is probably approaching $1000/pp at this point. The food is pre-paid, though drinks are added on later. It's a chef's counter in a secret room in Jaleo. It's whimsical food with a changing menu. I have friends who've been there 3 times, I've done it once, they say the menu changes. It's 22 courses of mostly 1-2 bites. It's fun and interactive with the chefs. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. I think they seat 24 people a night, so reservations aren't easy. It's very unique and out there for the Strip. And Jose Andres is a literal saint.

Blue Ribbon - fancy diner food and alcoholic shakes.

Secret Pizza - real NY style pizza. The cheese and sauce are right. The crust/dough isn't quite on point, but still really good. It's kind of hidden, a lot of hotels love having hidden restaurants and bars.

I'll stop there for now and hit Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian, Cromwell, Circa, Caesars, Resorts World and Fontainebleau another day.

The hard recommends are Beauty & Essex, Carbone and Bavette's among this group.

China Poblano is pretty excellent and if you're a group of 2-3 you can get in pretty quickly. Not super expensive either. I usually go there every time I'm in town.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

China Poblano is pretty excellent and if you're a group of 2-3 you can get in pretty quickly. Not super expensive either. I usually go there every time I'm in town.

I love the orange chicken quesadilla.

 

[NKR1978]

China Poblano is pretty excellent and if you're a group of 2-3 you can get in pretty quickly. Not super expensive either. I usually go there every time I'm in town.

Definitely one you can walk into and wont break your wallet.

 

[AlaskaSUfan]

One to add for Mandalay - the last time I was there, I had a great meal at KUMI, a Japanese restaurant. Really good steak and seafood. Sushi rolls were great and there are a lot of small plate/shareable options.

Great restaurant. Saki choices are outstanding as well.

 

[AlaskaSUfan]

Right by Virgin (the old Hard Rock). There's a great German beer garden right by there as well.

Hof Brauhaus LV.
Oye, oye, oye.

 

[NKR1978]

Hof Brauhaus LV.
Oye, oye, oye.

And realistically they have the cheapest dominatrix you can find in Vegas. Don't ask how I know.

 

[OburgOrange]

And realistically they have the cheapest dominatrix you can find in Vegas. Don't ask how I know.

How do you know?

 

[NKR1978]

How do you know?

What happens there stays there, but the beer garden waitresses are in full German beer garden costume and if you order a certain round of shots she will aggressively paddle one of the people in the group...several times.

It actually looked like it hurt.

 

[OburgOrange]

What happens there stays there, but the beer garden waitresses are in full German beer garden costume and if you order a certain round of shots she will aggressively paddle one of the people in the group...several times.

It actually looked like it hurt.

Tell the truth. You enjoyed the paddle

 

[NKR1978]

Tell the truth. You enjoyed the paddle

That's literally what she said.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

That's literally what she said.

She hot?

 

[AlaskaSUfan]

And realistically they have the cheapest dominatrix you can find in Vegas. Don't ask how I know.

Spank you fiercely….

 

[NKR1978]

Spank you fiercely….

Give Us A Shot

I feel like a couple reading this may partake.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Give Us A Shot

I feel like a couple reading this may partake.

I doubt anyone from this pious group would be interested in such shenanigans.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Give Us A Shot

I feel like a couple reading this may partake.

#spankfest

That's gold.

 

[AlaskaSUfan]

What happens there stays there, but the beer garden waitresses are in full German beer garden costume and if you order a certain round of shots she will aggressively paddle one of the people in the group...several times.

It actually looked like it hurt.

It’s no joke. We attended a wedding reception there. German band and all. Quite entertaining.

 

[NKR1978]

It’s no joke. We attended a wedding reception there. German band and all. Quite entertaining.

That sounds like quite the wedding. I love sort of unique venues. That would be so fun and probably much more affordable than a standard event space.

 

[CA Monk]

Can we stay on topic please?
Ummm, what exactly is the topic?

 

[kirbivore]

Can we stay on topic please?
Ummm, what exactly is the topic?

 

[SUFaninNJ]

It’s no joke. We attended a wedding reception there. German band and all. Quite entertaining.

I’ve attended a couple of weddings in Vegas. One was a small second wedding at some little chapel where Bon Jovi got married. An Elvis impersonator officiated. Complete with lines like, “Do you promise to be her hunka hunka burnin’ love?”
The other was a bigger wedding with the reception at Mandalay Bay. I sat next to Trey Parker from South Park/Book of Mormon fame. Both weddings/receptions were memorable to say the least!

 

[NKR1978]

Continuing up the Strip

Bellagio
I've never actually stayed at Bellagio, but I've always revered it. I remembered an article when it opened as the most expensive hotel in history and it just seemed so beyond me. I'm very happy I got to eat at Picasso and saw the original Picasso's that adorned the walls. I think it has the two best restaurants on the Strip in their category.

Michael Mina - I got the tasting menu there years ago and really enjoyed it. It's a little out of the way in the hotel and not in the main area along the lake where most of the other restaurants are, so you kind of miss something not getting the fountain views. But, the food was great. The tasting portions were ridiculous though. It was like getting 6 entrees. Some might appreciate that though since its a good bang for your buck.

Mayfair Supper Club - this was surprisingly great. It was never on my radar and friends had a reservation they invited to dinner with them. It's very loud because there's live singing and just a lot of fun. I have heard Delilah's at Wynn is better for this same scene, but that's a much harder reservation.

Spago - Ate at the old Caesars location 20 years ago and at the original in Beverly Hills in 2020. I have a friend who recently ate here and loved it, but I feel like you can do better.

Le Cirque - This is best restaurant I've been to in Las Vegas. I went for the first time in 2015 and then again in 2022. Honestly it got better. They have this classic famous dish from the original NYC location with fish, potato and onions and it's incredible. That dish was modernized and it had the same flavors but just felt more exciting. The dining room is really beautiful. There's something about eating a meal in a beautiful room that always gets me how lucky I am to be able to have these experiences. It is a little stuffy. Definitely dress up a bit if you go. It's also one of the more romantic restaurants I've been to. I'll skip it on this trip, but next summer I want to go back.

PRIME - I bolded it because it's my favorite restaurant. Not just in Las Vegas, but the world. I wouldn't say its the best steak in Vegas (that goes to Bavette's at Park), but everything about it just feels special. The dining room is beautiful, but if you can, see if the patio is available. It's often reserved and I've only sat out there once, but it hooked me in. It's not on the menu, but they will make you a horseradish sauce if you ask.

Petrossian - This is more a bar than a restaurant, though they have small bites and focus on caviar. It's located at the lobby. They often have a live piano player. They have an off menu cocktail called the Bellagio cocktail that was developed by the casino's first food and beverage director in 1998. It's passion fruit based and not too sweet. I typically start with a dirty Belvedere martini and then get their old fashioned that they make with a Japanese whiskey and it's so smooth. This is among my favorite bars in the world and I've gotten to chat with and remember the bartending crew over the years. They do a great job.

Since 2019 every trip I've taken to Las Vegas has ended with drinks at Petrossian and dinner at Prime of Le Cirque. And in June I finished up with a couple more cocktails at the Bank. It's a new "speakeasy" that focuses on rare and old liquors.

Caesar's
Nobu - I've had a drink at this location and had an incredible meal at Nobu at Caesar's Atlantic City last year. I thought Nobu was hot 20 years ago so it never really appealed to me, but it's so good. The spicy tuna crispy rice is one of my favorite dishes. My friends and I ordered 3 rounds of them. The menu is daunting but your server will point out the highlights, just listen to them.

Guy Savoy - Excellent meal. Great service. The dining reminds me of an office park. It's very bright. This is very classic French fine dining. I was so tired I tapped out before dessert. Le Cirque is better and cheaper ($500-600pp vs $750). As much as I enjoyed it, I don't feel I'll need to go back again.

Cromwell
Back in 2004 I got kicked out by a drill instructor looking pit for saying duck at a blackjack table back when it was Barbary Coast. There were "ladies at the table."

Giada - I haven't been here since 2016, but it's a lot of Italian crowd pleasers with a stunning view of the Strip. Cromwell is a 21+ hotel but I believe children are allowed in if you have a reservation at Giada.

Venetian/Palazzo
Yardbird - Southern cuisine with a focus on fried chicken. Their signature cocktails are on the sweet side. Very fun and can't go wrong with families.

Chica - I've been here twice but almost forget it exists. It's Mexican but think it may be more broadly Latin American. It's excellent. Last time in 2022 or 21 they had this amazing lamb dish.

Cut - It's one of their steakhouses. I've been to the Singapore location at Marina Bay Sands and it was very good. I have a friend who thinks it's best steak he's ever had though, so opinions vary.

estiatorio Milos - Greek fine dining where they have the fish all displayed. It recently moved from Cosmo to Venetian. I'd been to Cosmo and it was good, but I've never felt the need or desire to go back.

Bouchon - Classic French brasserie by Thomas Keller. I honestly need to go back because it's so good.

Canaletto - It's garbage, skip it. Had this couple from Oklahoma complaining about the al dente pasta because apparently they prefer eating mushy pasta. And the server called it al "dante," like the Inferno and said that's how they insist on serving the pasta but he agrees with them. Troglodytes. Aside from that, the food isn't good, and I've been here twice.

Villa Azur - Kind of like Mayfair in that they have the singers. I had a great lobster fra diavlo that I accidentally left at the blackjack table at Mandalay that I sat at until 6AM. Ironically I won enough to buy these Louis Vuitton loafers I saw in the window at Venetian walking to this restaurant. Win win.

Resorts World
Brezza - The waiter asked how I wanted my porkchop prepared. I'd never been asked that before or since.

Ray Garcia - I wanted to really like this. It was fine.

Resorts World and its developers just missed the mark completely. They have this bar that should be a destination. Alle 66: 66th floor with these sweeping views and they have video poker. The really upscale hotels don't put VP machines in their signature fancy bars.

Wynn
I'm a little unique in that I don't love Wynn. I've stayed at Encore once and Wynn once. Beautiful property, but their food program is lacking. I am in the minority because a couple of these restaurants that I find meh are amongst the most popular in Vegas and get glowing reviews.

Wing Lei - Upscale Chinese that won a Michelin Star when Michelin was still reviewing Vegas. It was fine. I have better authentic Chinese food that I order from regularly with bolder flavor and more interesting dishes. But again, people love it.

Sinatra - the dining room is beautiful and the service is great. Again, at one point it was the highest rated restaurant on TripAdvisor. I thought everything I ate was bland.

SW Steakhouse - I actually like SW. They have this amazing peanut butter old fashioned. The steaks are great. The view of the Lake of Dreams is cool. I'd absolutely go back and would strongly recommend it.

Fontainebleau
The newest resort in Las Vegas. It's beautiful inside but felt dead. My visit was in March and with pool season and Liv getting going they might be doing better. I've heard good things about there restaurants and hope to check out more.

Mother Wolf - Roman food. The hotel was empty but this place was packed and really good. I just had linguini with clams but it was the best of that I've ever had.

Circa
Downtown's luxury casino. Also 21+ but they'll let children in if you have a dinner reservation.

Barry's Downtown Prime - the steak was a little tough, but otherwise everything was great and I absolutely would go back. It's a classic steakhouse with everything that entails and despite the slightly tough steak, I really enjoyed it.

One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is that everyone who goes regularly and loves it seems to have their own traditions and places that are theirs. For me it's a very happy place. Casinos in general are a happy place filled with childhood memories (my parents were big gamblers in the 80s) and I've always loved the lights and sounds. I've come to love Nevada because it's what Texas and Florida claim to be, except Nevada, and Vegas specifically, is the kind of place where you can have a drag show at a gun range and no one will bat an eye, because it really is a live and let live city. I think that's pretty awesome and that respect for others to let them live their lives with little judgment is why I go back as much as I do.

 

[texascpa]

Staying at the Vdara. Hotel only, but attached to Aria via tunnel

 

[NKR1978]

Staying at the Vdara. Hotel only, but attached to Aria via tunnel

And now it's attached to Bellagio and Cosmo as well. And I've heard its a great place to stay.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Continuing up the Strip

Bellagio
I've never actually stayed at Bellagio, but I've always revered it. I remembered an article when it opened as the most expensive hotel in history and it just seemed so beyond me. I'm very happy I got to eat at Picasso and saw the original Picasso's that adorned the walls. I think it has the two best restaurants on the Strip in their category.

Michael Mina - I got the tasting menu there years ago and really enjoyed it. It's a little out of the way in the hotel and not in the main area along the lake where most of the other restaurants are, so you kind of miss something not getting the fountain views. But, the food was great. The tasting portions were ridiculous though. It was like getting 6 entrees. Some might appreciate that though since its a good bang for your buck.

Mayfair Supper Club - this was surprisingly great. It was never on my radar and friends had a reservation they invited to dinner with them. It's very loud because there's live singing and just a lot of fun. I have heard Delilah's at Wynn is better for this same scene, but that's a much harder reservation.

Spago - Ate at the old Caesars location 20 years ago and at the original in Beverly Hills in 2020. I have a friend who recently ate here and loved it, but I feel like you can do better.

Le Cirque - This is best restaurant I've been to in Las Vegas. I went for the first time in 2015 and then again in 2022. Honestly it got better. They have this classic famous dish from the original NYC location with fish, potato and onions and it's incredible. That dish was modernized and it had the same flavors but just felt more exciting. The dining room is really beautiful. There's something about eating a meal in a beautiful room that always gets me how lucky I am to be able to have these experiences. It is a little stuffy. Definitely dress up a bit if you go. It's also one of the more romantic restaurants I've been to. I'll skip it on this trip, but next summer I want to go back.

PRIME - I bolded it because it's my favorite restaurant. Not just in Las Vegas, but the world. I wouldn't say its the best steak in Vegas (that goes to Bavette's at Park), but everything about it just feels special. The dining room is beautiful, but if you can, see if the patio is available. It's often reserved and I've only sat out there once, but it hooked me in. It's not on the menu, but they will make you a horseradish sauce if you ask.

Petrossian - This is more a bar than a restaurant, though they have small bites and focus on caviar. It's located at the lobby. They often have a live piano player. They have an off menu cocktail called the Bellagio cocktail that was developed by the casino's first food and beverage director in 1998. It's passion fruit based and not too sweet. I typically start with a dirty Belvedere martini and then get their old fashioned that they make with a Japanese whiskey and it's so smooth. This is among my favorite bars in the world and I've gotten to chat with and remember the bartending crew over the years. They do a great job.

Since 2019 every trip I've taken to Las Vegas has ended with drinks at Petrossian and dinner at Prime of Le Cirque. And in June I finished up with a couple more cocktails at the Bank. It's a new "speakeasy" that focuses on rare and old liquors.

Caesar's
Nobu - I've had a drink at this location and had an incredible meal at Nobu at Caesar's Atlantic City last year. I thought Nobu was hot 20 years ago so it never really appealed to me, but it's so good. The spicy tuna crispy rice is one of my favorite dishes. My friends and I ordered 3 rounds of them. The menu is daunting but your server will point out the highlights, just listen to them.

Guy Savoy - Excellent meal. Great service. The dining reminds me of an office park. It's very bright. This is very classic French fine dining. I was so tired I tapped out before dessert. Le Cirque is better and cheaper ($500-600pp vs $750). As much as I enjoyed it, I don't feel I'll need to go back again.

Cromwell
Back in 2004 I got kicked out by a drill instructor looking pit for saying duck at a blackjack table back when it was Barbary Coast. There were "ladies at the table."

Giada - I haven't been here since 2016, but it's a lot of Italian crowd pleasers with a stunning view of the Strip. Cromwell is a 21+ hotel but I believe children are allowed in if you have a reservation at Giada.

Venetian/Palazzo
Yardbird - Southern cuisine with a focus on fried chicken. Their signature cocktails are on the sweet side. Very fun and can't go wrong with families.

Chica - I've been here twice but almost forget it exists. It's Mexican but think it may be more broadly Latin American. It's excellent. Last time in 2022 or 21 they had this amazing lamb dish.

Cut - It's one of their steakhouses. I've been to the Singapore location at Marina Bay Sands and it was very good. I have a friend who thinks it's best steak he's ever had though, so opinions vary.

estiatorio Milos - Greek fine dining where they have the fish all displayed. It recently moved from Cosmo to Venetian. I'd been to Cosmo and it was good, but I've never felt the need or desire to go back.

Bouchon - Classic French brasserie by Thomas Keller. I honestly need to go back because it's so good.

Canaletto - It's garbage, skip it. Had this couple from Oklahoma complaining about the al dente pasta because apparently they prefer eating mushy pasta. And the server called it al "dante," like the Inferno and said that's how they insist on serving the pasta but he agrees with them. Troglodytes. Aside from that, the food isn't good, and I've been here twice.

Villa Azur - Kind of like Mayfair in that they have the singers. I had a great lobster fra diavlo that I accidentally left at the blackjack table at Mandalay that I sat at until 6AM. Ironically I won enough to buy these Louis Vuitton loafers I saw in the window at Venetian walking to this restaurant. Win win.

Resorts World
Brezza - The waiter asked how I wanted my porkchop prepared. I'd never been asked that before or since.

Ray Garcia - I wanted to really like this. It was fine.

Resorts World and its developers just missed the mark completely. They have this bar that should be a destination. Alle 66: 66th floor with these sweeping views and they have video poker. The really upscale hotels don't put VP machines in their signature fancy bars.

Wynn
I'm a little unique in that I don't love Wynn. I've stayed at Encore once and Wynn once. Beautiful property, but their food program is lacking. I am in the minority because a couple of these restaurants that I find meh are amongst the most popular in Vegas and get glowing reviews.

Wing Lei - Upscale Chinese that won a Michelin Star when Michelin was still reviewing Vegas. It was fine. I have better authentic Chinese food that I order from regularly with bolder flavor and more interesting dishes. But again, people love it.

Sinatra - the dining room is beautiful and the service is great. Again, at one point it was the highest rated restaurant on TripAdvisor. I thought everything I ate was bland.

SW Steakhouse - I actually like SW. They have this amazing peanut butter old fashioned. The steaks are great. The view of the Lake of Dreams is cool. I'd absolutely go back and would strongly recommend it.

Fontainebleau
The newest resort in Las Vegas. It's beautiful inside but felt dead. My visit was in March and with pool season and Liv getting going they might be doing better. I've heard good things about there restaurants and hope to check out more.

Mother Wolf - Roman food. The hotel was empty but this place was packed and really good. I just had linguini with clams but it was the best of that I've ever had.

Circa
Downtown's luxury casino. Also 21+ but they'll let children in if you have a dinner reservation.

Barry's Downtown Prime - the steak was a little tough, but otherwise everything was great and I absolutely would go back. It's a classic steakhouse with everything that entails and despite the slightly tough steak, I really enjoyed it.

One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is that everyone who goes regularly and loves it seems to have their own traditions and places that are theirs. For me it's a very happy place. Casinos in general are a happy place filled with childhood memories (my parents were big gamblers in the 80s) and I've always loved the lights and sounds. I've come to love Nevada because it's what Texas and Florida claim to be, except Nevada, and Vegas specifically, is the kind of place where you can have a drag show at a gun range and no one will bat an eye, because it really is a live and let live city. I think that's pretty awesome and that respect for others to let them live their lives with little judgment is why I go back as much as I do.

Your recommendations sound amazing. You’ve obviously been to Vegas numerous times. If it’s not asking too much, would you mind doing a short post on some more budget friendlier restaurants if you can? These places sound amazing, but they also sound like they’d cost more than my flight out.

 

[storange]

Your recommendations sound amazing. You’ve obviously been to Vegas numerous times. If it’s not asking too much, would you mind doing a short post on some more budget friendlier restaurants if you can? These places sound amazing, but they also sound like they’d cost more than my flight out.

Agree , excellent run down , now we need somebody to do one for those on a budget. ( like me ) I have never stepped foot in Vegas.