Las Vegas - great gourmet restaurant?

[sammy]

As many times as we've been to Las Vegas I can't say I've really eaten at any great places. We tried the Mario Batali restaurant in the Venetian but were not impressed. And an Italian restaurant that had a 2nd floor in maybe the Venetian(?) that was lovely but the food was not all that impressive. Other than those, I suppose food just has not been a priority!

This time we decided to take one night to try a great restaurant, preferably gourmet. I prefer not to spend more than $100 or so per person although wine and cocktails are not part of that figure, of course. (The $350 place I read about is OUT! No food is that good .)

If you have any reliable suggestions I would most appreciate it. We are staying at the Mirage and would like to walk there but can taxi if we have to. We like seafood, French, gourmet asian (Morimotos gourmet in Philadelphia was spectacular).

 

[classiclincoln]

Wolfgang Puck has a few restaurants in Vegas. One in Caesars and one in the Venetian. Went to the gourmet Italian restaurant in the Bellagio and it was good. Also, for what it's worth, the Venetian has a Grand Luxe, not five star gourmet, but owned and operated by the Cheesecake Factory.

I'm sure that most of the "big chefs" have places there; do a Google search to get locations.

Stu

 

[Fern Modena]

It actually is pretty difficult for me to find something that qualifies for what you want, believe it or not. Why? Well first, I'm not a tourist, so I don't spend a lot of time on The Strip. Second, I feel that many of the alleged "top" restaurants (the ones tourists talk about) are way overpriced. That said, here are two choices I would recommend, having been to both:

Eiffel Tower Restaurant (top of Paris Hotel)--Very good food, wonderful views of Bellagio fountains as well. They have ala carte and prix fixe menus. I was with someone who had the prix fixe and it was quite a meal. This will probably just about hit your $100. per person. It is definitely walkable from The Strip.

You want something really special? How about Hugo's Cellar? Trust me on this one. It is in the cellar of the Four Queens Casino downtown. It is an old time restaurant, with booths and tables. As you enter each lady is presented with a long stemmed rose. At the table it is placed in a bud vase until you leave, at which time the ladies reclaim them. Service is old style, with as many as three servers (or more). The menu is wide ranging. I had veal marsala, and it was some of the best I'd ever had. They do salads to order at tableside, as well as duck and the flaming desserts. Dinner includes the salad, a sorbet to clear the palate, potatoes and veggies with the entree, and a dessert course of chocolate dipped fruits. Downfall? Its not walkable from The Strip. But if you go for a dinner around 7:30 or 8:00 PM, you could see the Fremont Street Experience afterwards. And with a taxi included it would still be less than many of the Strip restaurants you might consider.

Fern

 

[sammy]

I see what you mean, Fern. I guess that's why after all these trips I have really only tried 2 (more I'm sure just they were so average I don't even remember them) of the so-acclaimed excellent upscale restaurants. Seems to me LV is more about the chef's name than really impressive excellent food.

Your advise has served me well in the past. So your downtown idea is a good option. My husband loves to go there once or twice for the tables so that will work out well. Do you consider it semi-romantic? In thinking about this a bit more and looking at various of the more expensive restaurant photos, I think one of my criteria is that I don't want to be sitting right on top of the next table. I'll be doing that all day and night in the casinos !

What are the best options in Mirage, Venetian, Ceasars, Pallazzo for the night we have show tickets in the Mirage? Speaking of which, I have never quite figured out the best way to do 7:00 show and a dinner. Afterwards I'm just not in the mood for a big meal and therefore reluctant to spend $250, but beforehand I'm just not ready! I think best option is a good appetizer/drink/dessert place that is still sit down and elegant. Any of those close to Mirage?

 

[travelguy]

You want something really special? How about Hugo's Cellar? Trust me on this one. It is in the cellar of the Four Queens Casino downtown. It is an old time restaurant, with booths and tables. As you enter each lady is presented with a long stemmed rose. At the table it is placed in a bud vase until you leave, at which time the ladies reclaim them. Service is old style, with as many as three servers (or more). The menu is wide ranging. I had veal marsala, and it was some of the best I'd ever had. They do salads to order at tableside, as well as duck and the flaming desserts. Dinner includes the salad, a sorbet to clear the palate, potatoes and veggies with the entree, and a dessert course of chocolate dipped fruits. Downfall? Its not walkable from The Strip. But if you go for a dinner around 7:30 or 8:00 PM, you could see the Fremont Street Experience afterwards. And with a taxi included it would still be less than many of the Strip restaurants you might consider.

Fern

Agreed with Hugo's Cellar. It's been there for decades and is a throw-back to old style Vegas (in a good way). You'll think you're in the wrong place as you walk through the casino to get to the restaurant but the restaurant itself is truly special and the food is very good. IMHO, worth venturing off the strip to go to Hugos.

 

[beach_bumz]

Another recommendation for Hugo's Cellar. Old school Vegas and very romantic.

 

[pedro47]

May I suggest you look into something at the New City Center at the New Aria Resort & Casino? There are some great places to dine at this resort.

The Four Queens Resort and The Freemont Street Experience are must things to see in Vegas.

 

[sammy]

Is Hugo's a non-smoking restaurant?
Any suggestions for special requests regarding seating or other?

 

[Fern Modena]

All restaurants in Las Vegas are non smoking these days. The only places you find smoking is in taverns, and there it is enclosed on the bar side only, not on the food side at all.

If it is a special occasion, tell them when you call. Also if you want a booth let them know. Since it is a cellar, there are no views, of course.

Fern

 

[abbekit]

City Center hotels look like they have good gourmet- type restaurants. We loved Scarpetta in Miami Beach. Didn't try it last week when we were in Las Vegas but the menu looked much the same. The Cosmopolitan Hotel is stunning to look at.

 

[Kagehitokiri2]

michelin stars >
3 - joel robuchon
2 - picasso, guy savoy

pierre gagnaire opened twist after the last michelin guide

only a few over $100pp >
- $113 - picasso
- $150 - e bar @ jaleo (20 courses, 8 seats, 2 seatings) http://www.kevineats.com/2011/01/e-by-jose-andres-las-vegas-nv.html
- shaboo @ bar masa
- krug room @ guy savoy (cost = krug champagne)

 

[markbernstein]

I checked Zagat. Here are the restaurants that scored a 28 (30 is perfect) for the quality of their food:

Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand, French)
Steak House (Circus Circus)
Raku (off-Strip, west side)
Sen of Japan (off-Strip, west side)
Guy Savoy (Caesar's Palace, French)
Picasso (Bellagio, French)
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand, more casual and less expensive adjunct to Joel Robuchon)

 

[sammy]

great input thanks. Picasso looks interesting and close enough to walk.