Las Vegas Restaurant Tips by TravelChick67

Restaurant Name: The Buffet at Bellagio

*******UPDATED ******

October 1, 2006

*****THE BUFFET AT BELLAGIO HAS NOW GONE DOWN HILL******

Our visit last year was not up to par but we let it slide, not everyone can be spot on 24/7. But, just yesterday we had the WORST experience ever. Everything was cold and shrivled up. To say it was shocking is an understatement. The beef wellington was 2/3 stuffing and 1/3 meat and the meat didn't seem right. It was stringing. I'm not even sure it was tenderloin.

And the prime rib? SHAMEFUL!!! Every single one was well done. I'm not kidding, grey prime rib at every turn. It was truly terrible. The pesto pasta with rock shrimp (which I usually love) was stone cold. The pizza was off. The orange chicken, hard as a rock. Couldn't chew it and had to spit it out.

The ONLY thing on the hot line that was just fine (out of what I tried) was the spiced rack of lamb. Perfectly done. Delish. The only problem is, if like my hubby you don't like Chinese five spice seasoning, then you won't like it because that's what they use for a rub.

The sauted mushrooms were shrivled up, the corn on the cob looked dull and dehydrated and they had a yam/sweet potato puree with darkened edges as if it hadn't been touched (or refreshed) in 2-3 hours.

It was an absolute shame. And no Kobe beef which they usually serve at the gourmet dinner.

And, normally waiting for them to put out a fresh tray will get you a pretty warm entree but time, nada. The new replacement trays were room temperature just like the ones that had been sitting on the line.

Favorite Dish: About the only things that seemed safe were the following...

Chilled shrimp and crab - hard to do this wrong unless you over cook them, but they weren't overdone.

Salads - the salads were as fresh and inviting as ever.

Cheese

Sushi - this was still fine. As long as they keep it cold and use decent stuff (which they seemed to be doing) can't go wrong here.

So, if you had to end up here, I would stick to the cheese, salads and sushi.

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Theme: Buffet
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Inside the Bellagio
Directions: Follow the signs!

Restaurant Name: Mon Ami Gabi

We like sitting in the greenhouse area but after this last visit, we will not be back soon.

The quality of food and service has gone downhill. See below.

*****UPDATED****
Sept., 28, 2006

Favorite Dish: We used to get the hanger steak with classique sauce (herb butter) and the scalloped potatoes but just recently (09-28-06) we were there and found the menu changed around a bit, the meat not as tender and the potatoes done wrong.

Very sad. If you see the pic to the left, that was taken about 2 years ago or so. That's when it was perfect.

I can no longer recommend this as a "must try" but I will admit that our dinner was not terrible. For $20, it's really not a bad value. Our problem is, we knew it for several years the old way and so now, we're disappointed.

I asked the waitress and she said they just changed everything in the spring. They took the scalloped taters off the menu (although they still do them some nights with the special so we were able to get some. Only problem, they weren't that great) and they took the sole off the menu and the service seemed very rushed and hectic. More like you were eating at a Coco's and they were understaffed that night. No attention to a nice dining experience and details.

And while true, these are not gourmet dining prices, they are not hot dog stand prices either.

It's a shame to see this happen. Perhaps it's a fluke? One can only hope but I doubt I'll be back there soon.

And go for dinner, they have a few more items on the menu compared to lunch and you can only get the scalloped potatoes at dinnertime.

Other items that are good are the dover sole, quiche with salad, cheeseburger (on a very nice freshly baked roll), and the escargot.

Their ham and cheese sandwich isn't as good as Pinot Brasserie (at the Venetian) and neither are their fries.

The bread they serve at the table is usually very fresh and comes hot in a little white bag. However, we have had them deliver a stale loaf a couple of times so if that happens to you, be sure to send it back and tell them you want a fresh one. This is VERY good bread and it would be a shame to eat a day old baguette.

The escargot is $9.95 and the "hanger steak" is $19.95.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 702-944-GABI
Directions: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89109

Restaurant Name: Cafe Gelato at Bellagio

If you like gelato/ice cream, you're in for a treat. This place makes the best stuff I've tried outside of Italy and we always make sure to stop here at least 2-3 times on every trip to Vegas.

Favorite Dish: I haven't tried every flavor (yet!) but, these I can personally recommend...

Chocolate (to die for, dense, rich, intense and not too sweet, more of a dark chocolate)
Straicitella (basically chocolate chip)
Amarena (dark cherry and not too sweet)
Mango (so refreshing!)
Coconut (ditto)
Melon

Cost is $5 for a single and $6 for a double. So, if you're on a budget for 2 people, get the double and share. You don't quite get double the ice cream but you get plenty and you'll end up spending $6 instead of $10 and still be able to try it.

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: At the Bellagio towards the back of the property near the Pool.

Restaurant Name: Pinot Brasserie

Nice ambience and dependably good food.

Favorite Dish: We've been here a few times and the steak with hotel butter is always good as are the fries and the grilled ham and cheese sandwich. I had a chicken and brie sandwich once which was OK but not as good as the other items I mentioned.

A little pricey but not outrageous. The steak with frites at lunch is around $18 and the grilled ham and cheese with frites is about $14. Not a bad value for the quality of food.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: At the Venetian Hotel and Casino
Website: http://www.venetian.com/dining/dining.cfm?ID=5

Restaurant Name: The Grill at Valentino

The chairs are pretty comfy and the interior is fine. Not a bad place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Vegas but not my favorite spot either.

We had a mixed experience here and for a lunch dish at $17.95, it was a little pricey.

Favorite Dish: The bread was so-so, had better, had worse.

My husbands dish (chicken ravioli in tomato cream sauce) was not good. I've had as good or better out of a supermarket and my own pasta at home is MUCH better.

My dish however, was excellent. Hence my "good and bad" title for this review.

I had the gnocchi in tomato meat sauce and was SO pleased! I didn't even want to order it because every time I have (at other restaurants) the gnocci are doughy and taste like flour paste. Not these! They are terrific. Made fresh daily and have the texture of a nice, thick egg noodle like you'd find in homemade chicken soup after it's absorbed tons of liquid from the surrounding broth.

Very nice. I can't recommend the restaurant as a whole but I can this dish!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: At the Venetian Hotel and Casino
Website: http://www.venetian.com/dining/dining.cfm?ID=8

Restaurant Name: Grand Lux Cafe

If you ever find yourself unsure of where to eat, this is a safe bet.

The fact that they are owned by the Cheesecake Factory means you'll have a large selection of dishes to choose from that will generally taste somewhere between good to great and you'll be full when you leave.

Yes, it's a bit more expensive than the food court or coffee shop but it is WELL worth it.

You can sit inside or out on the "patio" and watch all the tourists walk by.

Favorite Dish: The Crispy Caramel Chicken (see pic to left) is EXCELLENT. This is what a "sweet/sour" or "orange" type chicken is SUPPOSED to be.

Very light breading, large chunks of white meat chicken, well balanced, sweet and flavorful sauce and a nice combination of textures. I love this dish.

My husband had the meatloaf and was also pleased.

Like its parent, The Cheesecake Factory, I can't say I LOVE every dish I ever order but I have NEVER gotten a bad dish. Something I didn't care for perhaps, but never outright terrible and most things are quite good.

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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Venetian 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Website: http://www.venetian.com/dining/dining.cfm?ID=9

Restaurant Name: Cafe Bellagio

This was a major disappointment. You would think for $17.95 you could get REALLY, REALLY good fish and chips. NOT. The breading was a bit doughy and thick, not crispy enough, and the fries were so stale I had to send them back. The second batch was much better but still not up to par.

I've had MUCH better fries at the deli counter in the Flamingo and the food court at Venetian. There is no excuse for bad fries when you are charging $18 for the meal.

My husband's meatloaf was much better but he says for the price, he'd rather have it at Cheesecake Factory.

Favorite Dish: Now, I will say, we went there at 1am but, if this place is a 24 hour coffee shop then shouldn't everything be at least "good" no matter what time you go?

I say yes, it should, and this was not.

I did see a few omelettes that looked very nice but if you're not going for breakfast, I would skip it.

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Theme: Diner
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: At the Bellagio