Reasonable Restaurants in Las Vegas?

[Fern Modena]

Scoop,
And you've lived in Las Vegas how long?

Loved your comments, skipping over your earlier mobility user coments...I guess its too difficult to justify such blatent remarks...

 

[ScoopKona]

Scoop,
And you've lived in Las Vegas how long?

Loved your comments, skipping over your earlier mobility user coments...I guess its too difficult to justify such blatent remarks...

The longest two years of my life.... sigh. I've never been coy about the fact that I do not like Las Vegas. My worst days in Key West were 100% better than my best days here.

I don't have a problem with people in mobility scooters. They're a great invention that give people who would otherwise be house-bound freedom. I also don't have a problem with oxygen tanks or double-knit polyester.

But the old lady at Fitzgerald's, pulling endlessly on a slot handle and a Marlboro Light, in her scooter, huffing oxygen, wearing pastel double-knit polyester is not going to get a good table at Bouchon. The maître d'hôtel is going to sit her "out of sight/out of mind" away from the other diners. Probably near the bathroom. It's just the way of things.

 

[Karen G]

But the old lady at Fitzgerald's, pulling endlessly on a slot handle and a Marlboro Light, in her scooter, huffing oxygen, wearing pastel double-knit polyester is not going to get a good table at Bouchon. The maître d'hôtel is going to sit her "out of sight/out of mind" away from the other diners. Probably near the bathroom. It's just the way of things.

I seriously doubt that that "old lady" will be going anywhere near Bouchon. One nice thing about Las Vegas is that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

 

[LODISCOLEE]

Hash House A Go Go

If you have a car and can get to the outskirts of the City - out on Sahara Ave -west of the strip. We ate there about 4 yrs ago and when back this yr when we were in LV on the 4th of July - we rented a car and went there for breakfast - BEST Apple pancake EVER !!! You get a big bunch of food for the $$$ I feel. We plan a trip to the Hash House every time we go to Vegas - give it a shot. You might have to wait for a table - always seems packed ( good thing I think )

 

[jamstew]

I think you should dress however makes you feel the most comfortable. Why try to please pretentious people who might give you better service because they think you're wealthy and might give them a bigger tip. Great customer service should be afforded to every customer--treat everyone as you would want to be treated, no matter what they look like or what disability they might have or how young or old they are.

A person's value and character is not dependent upon their outward appearance.

I couldn't agree more! I used to know quite a few people who were extremely wealthy (and was married into one of those families a long time ago), but you'd never know it by how they dress--except for big events and holidays, when it definitely shows. I think being from the south makes a difference--we're generally much more casual. I'm going be comfortable. I have a little Michael Kors white linen float dress with 3/4 sleeves that I can wear with nice sandals, which is about as dressy as I'm willing to go. In my case, comfort never involves heels. Also, as a woman who travels solo 99% of the time, I never travel with good jewelry. I think it invites trouble. So, I'm not going to stress over my travel wardrobe other than to wonder if it will be cold enough in the theaters that I need to take a jacket.

 

[Karen G]

Some of those pesky senior citizens were spotted in Bouchon.

I had googled Bouchon to see where it is since I haven't tried it yet, and I was amused to find a review of the place with this statement:

"4 of us showed up for dinner - with a reservation - decked out and feeling a little out of place amongst the senior citizens with the Hawaiian shirts and the shorts. We were dressed for the place - they were certainly *not*."

Here's the page with the reviews, and the one I quoted is the sixth one down.

Scoop, I'm a little curious as to why you still live here since you loathe Las Vegas so much. What is keeping you here?

Also, re: the post above about Hash House A Go Go, I second that recommendation, too. Great food & lots of it.

 

[ricoba]

"4 of us showed up for dinner - with a reservation - decked out and feeling a little out of place amongst the senior citizens with the Hawaiian shirts and the shorts. We were dressed for the place - they were certainly *not*."

Here's the page with the reviews, and the one I quoted is the sixth one down.

Karen, do you YELP?

I am a Yelper & after TUG, it's the site I post on the most frequently with reviews.

 

[ScoopKona]

"4 of us showed up for dinner - with a reservation - decked out and feeling a little out of place amongst the senior citizens with the Hawaiian shirts and the shorts. We were dressed for the place - they were certainly *not*."

Scoop, I'm a little curious as to why you still live here since you loathe Las Vegas so much. What is keeping you here?

My mother in law is very ill, and is going through surgery after surgery. It made a lot more sense for us to move to the desert than to move mom to the tropics where she would get infection after infection.

EDIT -- As for the seniors in Hawaiian shirts, I completely agree with the reviewer. I think our society has become too damned casual. Naturally, I'm not for forcing women to wear uncomfortable shoes and I myself NEVER wear a tie. (I wear a mandarin collar and a necklace instead.) But would it really hurt people to put on a pair of slacks, socks, a decent pair of shoes, and a nice shirt when going out to a Michelin-rated restaurant?

I have seen tourists in TUBE TOPS and FLIP FLOPS dining at pricey Vegas restaurants. It's like a bad accident on the freeway. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself.

 

[Karen G]

Karen, do you YELP?

I am a Yelper & after TUG, it's the site I post on the most frequently with reviews.

I just stumbled upon it through a google search. This is the first time I've heard about it.

 

[Karen G]

My mother in law is very ill, and is going through surgery after surgery. It made a lot more sense for us to move to the desert than to move mom to the tropics where she would get infection after infection.

EDIT -- As for the seniors in Hawaiian shirts, I completely agree with the reviewer. I think our society has become too damned casual. Naturally, I'm not for forcing women to wear uncomfortable shoes and I myself NEVER wear a tie. (I wear a mandarin collar and a necklace instead.) But would it really hurt people to put on a pair of slacks, socks, a decent pair of shoes, and a nice shirt when going out to a Michelin-rated restaurant?

I have seen tourists in TUBE TOPS and FLIP FLOPS dining at pricey Vegas restaurants. It's like a bad accident on the freeway. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself.

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. That's very nice of you to move here to help her out.

I kind of have a different viewpoint of the "tacky tourist" than you do. I would imagine that anyone running a restaurant or a hotel here is very happy to have paying customers no matter how they may be dressed. Money coming in from poorly dressed people or finely dressed people is still money. Tourism is the biggest industry here and the more tourists who come and spend money the better it is for everyone who lives and works here.

I think that the maitre d', waiter, bellboy, deskclerk, or manager who makes EVERYONE feel welcome and appreciated, no matter how they may be dressed, is not only a nice person, but also an astute business person.

 

[dougp26364]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! We do plan to rent a car for the week, but since we have heard horror stories of navigating the traffic of the strip, we probably will want to walk to most places to eat.

Here are a few more questions hopefully someone can answer:

1. Would you recommend having a reservation for dinner, and what would be the peak dinner time?

2. Or are there so many places to choose from that waiting is not an issue?

3. Is there a nice place to have a simple breakfast nearby the Marriott?

4. How is the buffet at the Mirage? A friend just returned and said they have a weekend only buffet that was very good.

5. Are the restaurants all non-smoking or will we have to request the non-smoking area? (NJ state law...all restaurants non-smoking, even the AC casino's now too.)

Thanks!

1. Most of the time I haven't found reservations to be all the necessary, even at the higher end restaurants, unless you're going at the heavy demand times between 7-9 and on the weekend. Having said that I always feel that it's better to have a reseration than not but, if you're just out and about, it's not always as bad as some would make it seem. Without reservations expect to wait at least 30 minutes to be seated at mid to higher end restaurants. At least that's been our rule of thumb when deciding on a place to eat without a reservation.

2. There are TONS of choices of places to eat in Vegas and on the strip from McDonalds to $250/plate meals. It just depends on what you're in the mood for at the time.

3. Inside Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Mall, just a few steps from Marriott's Grand Chateau, there are several nice places for a simple breakfast that won't break the bank. One has changed names and I just can't recall the name off the top of my head right now. Inexpensive, simple and not bad but, not great either. LaSalsa (not sure of it's name either but has a large yard margarita sign) serves an inexpensive breakfast that was surprisingly decent and inexpensive. There's about half a dozen other restaurnants in Planet Hollywoods Miracle Mile Mall that serve a decent breakfast, reasonable prices and short lines (no lines most of the time) with inexpensive prices.

4. Hated the Mirage buffet but, we're not buffet eaters to begin with and it's been maybe 5 years since we've been there. That's an eternity in Vegas time. Food is very subjective and what I hate others will rave about.

 

[jamstew]

I have seen tourists in TUBE TOPS and FLIP FLOPS dining at pricey Vegas restaurants. It's like a bad accident on the freeway. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself.

IMO, tube tops & flip flops are appropriate for the beach or lake, and possibly an amusement park (although I generally find tube tops to be in questionable taste at best). That said, I have a lot less aversion to dressing up (not a dress necessarily, but a dressy pants outfit) when it's below 90 degrees! I also don't mind dressing up if I'm just going out to dinner or a show, or dinner & a show, but I don't want to be dressed up when I'm hanging out in the casinos or walking up and down the Strip.

 

[stevedmatt]

Bring the dress anyway (basic black, preferably), because Las Vegas still has a dress code, even if it isn't advertised. You will have a better time here if you're well dressed -- at the buffet, at the restaurants, in the casino, everywhere.

EDIT -- Basically, you cannot overdress for this town. If you both go everywhere "black tie" with Cartier watches and diamond cufflinks, the service and quality will blow you away. If you're in a mobility scooter with an oxygen tank, wearing double-knit polyester, not so much.

I disagree. For the money I would spend for all the accoutrement you mentioned above, I can pre-tip enough many times over and get better treatment than those who are decked out with diamonds and Cartier. And my money will be going to hard working individuals instead of corporate fat cats and diamond merchants.

I do understand that being dressed properly is polite. My general attire in Vegas is khaki shorts and a button up shirt, as I usually visit during the warmer months. Out to a nice dinner, I wear khaki pants and a nicer button up shirt. And I almost always sit next to 20-somethings in jeans(sometimes ripped) and a button up shirt that pay with the same paper as I do, and receive the same service as I do. Want a great table, slip the hostess a 20.

 

[ScoopKona]

I kind of have a different viewpoint of the "tacky tourist" than you do. I would imagine that anyone running a restaurant or a hotel here is very happy to have paying customers no matter how they may be dressed. Money coming in from poorly dressed people or finely dressed people is still money.

Not really. Not unless the tacky tourists are buying several bottles of wine, which I doubt.

Fine dining restaurants run on RAZOR THIN margins on food. They often employ one staff member for each diner, and have to turn the restaurant over at least twice to make a profit.

If a server breaks a plate, it often takes five entrées to pay for the broken plate.

The only money the restaurant really makes is at the beverage side. (Even Mickey-D's makes more money on Coke than Big Macs). I have a feeling the "tacky tourists" aren't buying $200 bottles of wine. And they're scaring off the kind of diners who DO buy $200 bottles of wine. So I disagree that "money is money."

 

[jamstew]

Are there any good coffee shops in the casinos near Summer Bay?

 

[Cindala]

In general, dress like you want to. I've seen men in shorts at very high end restaurants at night. Women, no, at least not locals. Women tend to wear capris or sun dresses.Fern

Yikes! Capri's in 100 degree heat? Nice Bermuda shorts and dressy sandals won't do?

 

[jamstew]

Well, I'm done packing--3 pair of bermudas, 2 pair of capris, 1 pair of long pants & 1 linen dress plus assorted tops, including a couple with long sleeves in case I need them for the shows--Love, Le Reve & Fab Four Live :whoopie:

 

[UWSurfer]

Are there any good coffee shops in the casinos near Summer Bay?

We ate at the coffee shop ("World famous"...yeah right) at Bills Gambling Hall (adjacent Flamingo) in April. Breakfast stuff was typical coffeeshop fair, prices average and service was ok.

Had the breakfast buffett at the Flamingo and it was not as good. My wife is fond of the buffett at the LV Hilton, but it's not anywhere near SB.

 

[Fern Modena]

I'm sure you will see some shorts, but generally only on men at night. You may see a few women, but not many. Its not the length of the item which makes it hot, btw, it is the material. If you have any natural fiber bring that.

Fern

Yikes! Capri's in 100 degree heat? Nice Bermuda shorts and dressy sandals won't do?

 

[Fern Modena]

Harrah's has a good one. Probably lines, though. For dinner you can get huge salads or a blackened prime rib sandwich (my fave) for $10-12.

I've never had breakfast at EllisIsland but imagine its good, cause Village Pub, their owner, does a good breakfast. With a car, go to Blueberry Hill out Trop to the East.

Are there any good coffee shops in the casinos near Summer Bay?

 

[Cindala]

I'm sure you will see some shorts, but generally only on men at night. You may see a few women, but not many. Its not the length of the item which makes it hot, btw, it is the material. If you have any natural fiber bring that.

Fern

Good to know. I have time, but I'll keep my eyes open for some nice sun/casual dresses that are on sale now by us.

 

[jamstew]

Too late for me about shorts vs. sundresses since I'm leaving for the airport in about three hours. I guess if I'm ridiculously under-dressed in bermuda shorts and a nice top, I'll hotfoot it over to the Fashion Show Mall and see what I can find.

 

[Fern Modena]

If you are going downtown anyway, go to either the 777 Pub or the buffet in Main Street Station. Both are good and reasonable.

Fremont Street Experience has some great free street performances this suummer, and some rock and roll shows on the cqanopy. You can get more infi at http://lasvegasexperience.com

Fern

 

[Karen G]

I may be too late since I'm leaving Friday.

Jamstew is probably already at the airport or on her way to LV. She will be pleasantly surprised at our temperature today and tomorrow. I think I heard on the radio that we are setting a record today for the lowest high temperature (around 90, I think) for this date. Supposed to be in the low 90's tomorrow and then slowly creep back up to the low 100's. It's very nice outside right now.

 

[Cindala]

Too late for me about shorts vs. sundresses since I'm leaving for the airport in about three hours. I guess if I'm ridiculously under-dressed in bermuda shorts and a nice top, I'll hotfoot it over to the Fashion Show Mall and see what I can find.

Please do report when you get back what you observed as the 'dress code.'