Dark and Trendy Asian and other Las Vegas, NV Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: China Grill

The China Grill is a stylish, mostly Chinese but with a twist restaurant located in the Mandalay Bay resort. Be warned that the lights are very low -- which makes for a romantic dining experience, but if your eyesight isn't feline-sharp you may have trouble reading the menu.

Favorite Dish: We were a rather large group and had a number of dishes served family style. I don't even know the names of what we had, but we had some delicious beef, spicy and interesting beans, and very unusual (to me, anyway) fried spinach. Everything was beautifully presented, graciously served and tasted wonderful! And because we weren't ordering or paying, I have no idea how expensive it was. It seemed upscale, but I'm guessing.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Mandalay Bay, between Casino and Conference Center
Directions: It's right around the corner from the Island Bar (I think that's the name) in the casino.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/restaurants/china_grill.jsp
Website: See above -- URL too long

Restaurant Name: Zax

The decor inside Zax is modern, colorful, and fun. It's a tasteful respite from some of the garishness of this old Las Vegas neighborhood. We decided to go here after seeing a couple of ads and realizing there wasn't much else that seemed to suit our style in this part of town. Also, while we were wandering the Golden Nugget casino looking for the restaurant, we heard someone telling a friend about it and he said it was pretty good.

Favorite Dish: I had a plate full of the most amazing steak teriyaki stir-fry! It was flank steak with a teriyaki marinade/sauce and mixed with colorful peppers, onions, and snow peas.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Inside the Golden Nugget, along Fremont St strip
Directions: Once inside the Golden Nugget, Zax is near the hotel desk.
Website: http://www.goldennugget.com/pages/din_zax.asp

Restaurant Name: Canaletto

I'm pretty sure this is the one we ate at . . .
;-) We were hungry, and we needed to get seated right away, so my memory of the name isn't the best. The food was really delicious, though, and you could see into the kitchen -- every once in a while the oven flames would flare and it looked like the place was on fire.

Favorite Dish: I had a seafood pasta with shrimp, mussels, clams, etc. And the calamari appetizer we had was very well done. The batter was crispy and light and the calamari weren't at all tough or rubbery. The fresh-baked bread was tasty, too.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: On the shops level at the Venetian
Website: http://www.venetian.com/dining/dining.cfm?ID=10

Restaurant Name: Krispy Kreme

OK, I know you're saying to yourself (Americans, anyway), "I've had a Krispy Kreme -- big deal!" But at Excalibur, you can watch them make the doughnuts and then eat one right off the assembly line. I don't just mean baked fresh, like when the light is on at your local Krispy Kreme shop. I got lucky and, when I was standing in line, one of the workers just started picking up doughnuts as they emerged from the icing "waterfall" and handing them to people in line. OMIGAWD -- it tasted like warm, sweet air with icing. It just dissolved on my tongue. (Yes, I am drooling like Homer Simpson *right now*!!!)

Favorite Dish: Uhhhhh, doughnuts. (duh . . .) Don't bother with anything but the glazed. Watch it get made (very cool), then eat it. The coffee is good too.

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Theme: Bakery
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Inside Excalibur, near the walkway to Luxor

Restaurant Name: Border Grill

We ate here twice. Once was good, but not special. The second time was better. Inside, it's a little loud but the high ceilings and soaring walls are covered with simple, but interesting (and huge) stick-like figures. There is an outside dining area (adjoining part of Mandalay Bay's huge pool area) that looked pleasant.

FYI: Mandalay Bay is HUGE -- if you come in the main entrance, or from the casino or tram, you will still have quite a walk to get to the Conference Center area of the resort.

Favorite Dish: The second time we ate there, for dinner,I had a very good salad with seasoned chicken and a delicious cilantro/lime dressing.

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Mandalay Bay, at the Conference Center
Directions: http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/restaurants/border_grill.jsp
Website: See above -- URL too long

Restaurant Name: Mon Ami Gabi

What we loved about Mon Ami Gabi when we had lunch there was their opaque-roofed dining room. Between the indoor tables and the outdoor tables, there was a lovely, light-filled but cool section that was perfect on a hot Las Vegas day.

Favorite Dish: I had a butter lettuce salad with gruyere and walnuts -- it was exactly what I needed after an all-morning airplane flight and a walk in the Nevada heat. Each table also gets a yummy, crusty loaf of French bread.

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Theme: French
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 702-944-GABI
Address: At Paris Hotel & Casino
Directions: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89109
Website: http://www.caesars.com/Paris/LasVegas/Dining/FineDining/MonAmiGabi.htm

Restaurant Name: Bertolini's

We didn't know it at the time, but this is actually a chain -- and it's owned by Morton's, the steak people. The food was delicious (and very, very plentiful!), and the service was friendly. The atmosphere was comfortable but classy.

Favorite Dish: I had chicken with lemon and capers; it was a little salty, but really very delicious. As with many US restaurants, the portion was much too large. It left me wishing I had a place to keep leftovers.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 702-735-4663
Address: The Forum Shops at Caesar's
Directions: At one end of the shops, with tables both inside and out in the shopping area.
Website: http://www.mortons.com/berto/index.html

Restaurant Name: Postrio

This is a delicious but pricey option located in the Venetian canal shopping area. The food is remarkable, the wine list is extensive, and the decor is comfortable and beautiful. This is a restaurant from the famous chef Wolfgang Puck, and I think it lives up to his reputation. For a cheaper alternative, have lunch here instead of dinner.

Favorite Dish: I had scallops that were really tasty . . . but the chicken my husband had (and I got to taste) was one of the best I've ever tried. We shared a chocolate dessert that was delicious and exactly the right size to share after a good meal.

The pricing I give below is for *most* entrees -- some (like the beef) top $50, and when you add wine, appetizers, and/or dessert the price per person will rise accordingly.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: In the Venetian, on the Canal Shops level.
Website: http://www.venetian.com/dining/dining.cfm?ID=2

Restaurant Name: Onda

This place was tucked away on a side of the casino that was undergoing an overhaul. After we had dined there, I read in my guidebook that it's popular with locals. I don't know if that's true or not, but it was certainly understated and elegant -- very different from the usual Vegas ambience.

Favorite Dish: I had a delicious pasta dish with meat sauce! It was simple and filling.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 866-339-4566
Address: Inside the Mirage
Directions: Walk in, pass the bar in the middle area near the main entrance, turn right and then turn left (it's beyond the Asian place with the fancy entrance -- Moongate).
Website: http://www.mirage.com/pages/din_onda.asp

Restaurant Name: Aqua

This is a Las Vegas branch of a San Francisco restaurant. We ate here on our wedding anniversary, and I will tell you right now we spent a bundle ($200+). Was it worth it? Absolutely! Aqua is simply elegant and sophisticated, but comfortable as well. The menu is all seafood, and the wine list is extensive. As it should be at a restaurant of this caliber, the service was impeccable.

Favorite Dish: I had Dover sole and my husband had salmon. All of it was beautifully presented (the salmon, with three different sauces, was a work of art) and perfectly cooked. The real to-die-for moment, though, was dessert. We had seen the couple next to us enjoy this (and they had ordered it because the people next to them had enjoyed it) -- a sampler of chocolate desserts. From an incredible warm chocolate banana cake to a Jack Daniels laced, molten-center concoction, it was all delicious enough to make your eyes roll back in your head! If you are looking for a special-occasion meal in Las Vegas, this is it! (We were able to make an 8pm reservation at about 5pm the same day, but keep in mind we were there in early May.)

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 702-693-7223
Address: Inside Bellagio, near the butterfly cage
Directions: From the main lobby, head straight back.
Website: http://www.bellagio.com/pages/din_aqua.asp