LATEST LAS VEGAS

My GF and I go to Fremont Street once in a while. It's freakin' awesome. Some of the places there look like they did in the 60's in an authentic and cool way. Downtown is also going through a revival. Las Vegas the way it used to be -- sort of.

 

We went to Bazaar in Hollywood. It was EXCELLENT. I'm dying to try the Vegas restaurant.

If anyone goes, please report back.


Mark

 

I agree. The Fremont Street Experience is great. I am so glad to see the city is investing in off-Strip locales. Getting there from the Strip is easy via The Deuce. As you said, it's got an Old Vegas vibe. My wife contends the machines are less tight than Strip props. I particularly like the California. It's like being in Hawaii! Aloha Specialties on the second floor has the best loco moco I've had on the mainland. I even nagged the wife that I wanted to try an old school $10 prime rib dinner! It was good, certainly not great, but at $10, you can't complain! And, I felt I was channeling a junket my uncle took there in the 60s. I'd def encourage anyone to give Fremont a whirl if they have not done so..T

 

Keith...Funny you should say that, since Mary & I both agreed it tasted like high class borscht! I'm a big fan of cold soups, since it is hot for a lot of the year in Texas, but relative to the white truffle risotto, almost anything would have paled in comparison. Overall, I think the appetizer selection was the weakest part of the prix fixe. I'd recommend anyone reading this thread & going to Le Cirque to just cough up the extra $ for the white truffle appy. You can easily make up the diff by spending less time at the tables, or in my case, more restraint at the Ferrari store at the Wynn...T

 

Thread refresh. Many thank you's to all contributors for the suggestions and reviews. Although I am far from a fine dining enthusiast or/and being a "foodie" (nothing wrong with that!) I have enjoyed this thread. L V -always- changes.

Heading west soon, to Cosmopolitan. Accompanying Wifey who is ramrodding a seminar at the Cosmo from a Mon-Weds. I know I will find and try the "hidden pizza" place (post # 36 above as I recall) in the Cosmo. And Peppermill is a time-honored favorite. I'll look up that taco place (THX Ryalex) just north of the P'Mill and south of the old Riviera, too.

Figure I'll solo into Fremont Street Experience (downtown) on Monday evening, check out "The D" just because it is supposed to have a "Motor City" flavor. Enjoy the laser shows, people-watch the diverse crowd and enjoy "old town." We like the Golden Nugget just fine, so I always want to stop in there to see what is new.

Any new suggestions for casual eats, places for video poker play best-odds, and strip/downtown cold draft and/or bottled brew specials?

 

Neal...If you're going downtown, have the $10 prime rib dinner at the California. Can't get more Old Vegas than that.

I also recommend the Pinball Hall of Fame.

If you're staying at Cosmo, Holstein's is fun, ad is Chandelier Bar.

Safe travels...T

 

I know its old but I really enjoy Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris.. Great food, service, and nice ambiance. No reservations for outside seating so its a hit or miss on getting an outside table.

 

If someone in your party is in with the Caesars/Harrahs Total Rewards system, you can ask that person to have their casino concierge/host call MAG & ask nicely (Paris is part of the Harrahs family). Or, reserve on-line with Open Table and pick a dining time that is after the typical dinner rush hour. Both of these ploys have worked for me in the past to secure an outside seat with a good view of the Bellagio fountains. I suspect that weekdays and smaller parties make it easier to nab an outside seat, but have no real proof…T

 

Thanks Tom, good to know.

 

Appreciate your responses, gentlemen. So much dining, so many activities, and always so little time... why is that?

Ah yes, O'Sheas..... the old, putrid barn of dingy. How I liked it! The midget dressed in green, blowing his kazoo or whistle, pouring shots of unspectacular-looking liquid into any open beak. O'Shea's milk. Until the following A.M.

Have two pinball machines. Afraid to go there to the Pin HOF. Seriously. The Mob Museum I would not have thought of visiting..... Thanks for that! Keith I've never heard of the "neon" museum. You amaze me.

TomC I'll see if I can drag Wifey down to the California on the Weds late PM we red-eye back east. She is a prime rib lover and will require feeding prior to passing through McCarran's labrynth.

Last visited L V in May, 2011. Swore I would *never* endure the W to E "lose your entire wherewithall for days" red-eye back, but here I go and it's gonna hurt so good.

THX once more all,

-neal

 

I'll be making a visit this Saturday morning for the UFC Silva fight at the MGM. Can anybody recommend any good restaurants in near proximity? I will be visiting with my brother so steaks seem very appropriate. I have not enjoyed V in most of the ways expressed here and would like to start doing so.
Although The Wynn is almost on the other end of the strip, a visit to the Ferrari museum/store will definitely be checked off the list!

 

Neal... You are living the life! Nothing beats a Vegas junket IMO, and that comes from a man who doesn't gamble.

Keith is F-chat's "Mr Vegas"! If he says to do it, do it!

I can also vouch for the Neon Museum. I went about 2 years ago. I think they've fixed it up since then.

If you've not been since 2011, I think you'll like what they've done with the area on the east side of The Strip from what used to be Barbary Coast to Harrah's. Have a great time, safe travels, and report back!...T

 

Hi Mitchell...Tom Colicchio steak is in MGM, Gallagher's @ N.Y. N.Y. across the street. Never been, but both highly rated on Yelp . And, friends have been to Colicchio & loved it. Both do reservations via Open Table.

Duece bus is great way to get up & down Strip if you don't want to hoof it. F store and museum always worth a visit. Was there about a month ago & the Wynn-Penske place had a LaF on display. Plus had some Tod's driving mocs more than half off. If they have your size, that's a deal!

There's also a good car museum buried way at back of what used to be the old Imperial Palace. Now the Quad, I think. Website says Linq. In only saw one Fezza, but some nice cars. And, if you go to their website, you can print up a free pass.

http://www.autocollections.com

Happy & safe travels, and don't forget, what happens in Vegas, needs to be reported in F-chat!

T

 

I usually go to Vegas for a week twice a year and have been to many places to eat:

-Silverado Steakhouse at the south Point is the best Porterhouse I ever had

-Il Mulino at Caesar's was great but it was way too much food. Could have done without the main course lol. Loved the ambiance and I reccommend it.

-Michael Mina at Bellagio was ok, atmosphere was ok, food was ok.

-Sensi at Bellagio is one of my favorites, really good. Love everything about it. Their soup appetizers are sublime

-Alize at the Palms was fantastic. We had a great waiter there and the dover sole was unforgettable

-L'atelier Joel Robuchon was fantastic, sure a one-bite mini burger with 7 fries cost 35$ and the entire meal was 350$/person just for food but you have to try it at least once.

-Mario Batali's Carnevino was dissapointing, would not go back. undercooked pork chop (I think it even made me sick the next day) never again.

-Bobby Flay at Caesar's is great, especially for lunch.

-Wolfgang Puck's Spago was just ok, not memorable.

-In n Out remains by far the best Burger I've ever had.

-I always enjoy a meal at Tao at the Venetian. Been there many times.

-Mon ami Gabi is more of an excuse to sit outside for lunch and enjoy the Bellagio fountain. In my opinion, you don't go there for the culinary payoff. Food is just ok.

-Olives at Bellagio was amazing, loved it there but last time I went was 2009-2010 so I'm not sure it's still up to par.

I will be there next week and will try to get to all 3 Gordon Ramsay places (I love that guy, enjoy his shows and ate at the London in West Hollywood. The risotto is not something you forget Wow!)

Would also love to try Lotus of Siam (Do I need a reservation even if it's just for lunch? What's the best way to contact them?)

I would love to try Giada and the Peppermill.

I've seen all the Cirque du Soleil shows except for Michael Jackson, has anyone seen it? Is it worth it?

Finally I've never been to the Wynn Ferrari museum, is it true that Ferrari owners get in free?

 

Thanks Keith!

 

I've tried most of the top places there. . Depends really on what you like. Here are some of the ones I would recommend.

CraftSteak(MGM) and Carnevino(Venetian) are both excellent for Steak.
Italian B&B(Palazzo/Venetian) and Scarpetto (Cosmo)
French - L'atelier (MGM) I felt better than Robuchons formal one, Guy Savoy
Seafood - Bartolotta (Wynn) hands down.
Various Others - Milos (Greek/Cosmo) is excellent.

 

Bartolotta is fantastic. Great ambiance, great food. I ate dinner outside quite comfortably in one of the booths around the pool -- in the middle of summer when the temp was over 100 degrees. How they do it, I don't know.

As to the Peppermill, you'll find me there every Saturday morning when I'm in town eating at the counter. But, I go early to avoid the rush. This place is packed for breakfast every weekend. If you like big gaudy food, this is the place. The fruit salad looks so big you might think two people should carry it. The pancakes are like the size of a pizza. Friendly waitresses who have been there forever and know all the locals.

Now.. the secret treat there. Strawberry shortcake sundae. I dare you to eat it all. Cost is about 8 bucks.

 

I'll take a crack at it next week!

 

Giada's reviews seemed not good in the beginning but looking at them now on various review sites, they range in between 3.5-4 stars so I'll take my chances and let you all know how it went.

As for the Roof beach bar, I've never been but it sure does look amazing in pictures I've seen. I am wondering why do you find it "annoying"?