Las Vegas Restaurant Tips by imlikeabird

Grotto Ristorante: Great food at the Golden Nugget

We had our reception at the Grotto Ristorante at the Golden Nugget after our renewal of vows in July 2007. I had been to Fremont Street once in 1997 but this was our first meal there. It was delicious and our waiter was a sweetheart, we just fell in love with the guy. There were 7 of us, and we sampled each other's food.

Favorite Dish: Adam's cannelloni was wonderful, I can't even begin to describe it. We dropped a bit of money but ordered appetizers and several bottles of wine, so it can be done much cheaper.

Address: In the Golden Nugget

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Le Village Buffet at Paris: Breakfast Buffet Le Village Buffet Review

I think we lucked out and got a pretty short line. The food was good with plenty to choose from. We were seated quickly.

Favorite Dish: The crepes were very good. I liked most of the food. Like all buffets in Vegas, there were a few foods that looked much better than they were. But most of it was good, and the waitress kept the coffee coming.

Address: Inside Paris Las Vegas

Comparison: about average

Directions: Follow the signs inside the casino

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Buffet

Website: http://www.paris-lv.com

MGM Grand Buffet: Good selection and desserts MGM Grand Buffet Review

We tried this buffet for breakfast but got there around the time they started serving lunch, so we got to try a bit of each. The only downer was a really long line, even when you got inside the buffet the individual stations had lines. I remember being so hungry I was beyond cranky, which may have made the lines seem longer than what they really are.

But the food was good, and the selection was really great. In particular, their dessert selection was better than any other buffet I've been to in Vegas.

Favorite Dish: I fell in love on this trip... with a dessert from the MGM Grand Buffet. I tried about a half dozen desserts, but one was an orange custard with dark chocolate topping. At least that's what I think it was. I have never had anything quite like it. It was so good I went back and had a second one, no matter how tight my pants got.

Address: MGM Grand Hotel

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Buffet

Freed's Bakery: Freed's Bakery

Freed's is not a restaurant but a bakery. We ordered our wedding cake for our renewal of vows and Freed's delivered it to the restaurant, so I haven't actually been inside the bakery. I first learned of Freed's on the Travel Channel and wanted it for our reception.

Granted it was expensive, a cake that serves 10-12 was $160 (including $40 for deliver) but if I had to trade in the rest of my dining budget & my ticket home to buy this cake I would have done it. It was just that good. The cake was delivered right on time.

Favorite Dish: We had red velvet cake with Bavarian creme filling.

Address: 4780 South Eastern Ave Las Vegas NV 89119

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: info@freedsbakery.com

Phone: (702) 456-7762

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Bakery

Website: http://www.freedsbakery.com/

Japonais: LOVED IT!!!!

Oh this place is heaven. It's decor is lovely, and not what you'd expect from a restaurant in the middle of the Mirage Casino. It's very upscale and when I read the menu I wanted to try one of everything.

Favorite Dish: My husband ordered the Kobe beef and he loved it. Really all of the sushi was excellent. Our table ordered two desserts: the Kobacha cheesecake was wonderful but I could have lived without the Green Tea Panna Cotta. My first drink was the Floating Orchid and I thought it was good, but my second drink, the Le Rouge, was even better.

Expect to drop a load of money if you eat here.

Address: Mirage Hotel and Casino 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd Las

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In the Mirage near the front entrance

Phone: (702)792.7979

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Website: http://www.japonaislasvegas.com/index2.html

Sherwood Forest Cafe: Quaint place for coffee & breakfast

Okay, I know that the Sherwood Forest Cafe is not a glamorous joint, but something about it is so appealing. It has a bit of old Vegas feel without the sense of commercialism that seems to be overtaking Vegas. The waitstaff has always been extremely friendly, and it's a great place to go for coffee and cake, or a fatty breakfast, or to grab a quick sandwich. It's still very economical, too. I love sitting in a chair at the counter, sip coffee, and give my legs a rest. The keno runners come here, and it seems to be a popular place for keno players.

Favorite Dish: Eggs Benedict

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Diner

Flamingo Buffet: Breakfast Buffet at the Flamingo Flamingo Buffet Review

We ate breakfast here and it was good for the money. There was a lot of variety and we were seated quickly. It is by no means the best buffet on the strip but, given the price, we were very pleased. I have not eaten lunch or dinner here so I can't speak to the quality of that.

The view from the buffet is really nice; you're seated by the Flamingo wildlife habitat so we could watch the pond, fountains, and flamingos running around.

The Flamingo is what I would describe as typical Vegas buffet fare, excellent variety, nothing tasted badly, but it isn't the Bellagio or the Spice Market, or Bally's Sterling, if that's what you're in the market for.

Favorite Dish: I always judge a Vegas breakfast buffet by the quality of their smoked salmon and eggs benedict. I would give both a B+. Adam usually eats a traditional American breakfast and seemed to like what they offered.

Great fruit variety & quality, which I liked.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Flamingo Resort & Casino

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Buffet

The Peppermill Restaurant and Lounge: Breakfast around the clock

The Peppermill is right down the strip from the Riviera and is favored by the locals - although I think it's fast becoming a tourist place. It's open 24 hours and serves breakfast around the clock. It serves other food as well, but I love me some greasy food in the middle of the night after a few rounds of drinks. Plus the cocktail waitresses wear formals.

The servings are huge! I couldn't eat a fraction of it but I gave it my best.

Favorite Dish: I think I had a little of everything on my plate. It was all good.

Address: 2985 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: On the strip

Phone: (702) 735-4177

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Breakfast

Website: http://www.usmenuguide.com/peppermill.html

Kady's Coffee Shop: A bit of nostalgia at the Riveria

This place is an old fashion diner overlooking the pool at the Riviera. There is no exotic food here, but it's got the old Vegas charm and appeal. You'll see pie and cake sitting under glass covers to choose from, and some of the waitstaff has worked here since the good ole days.

Favorite Dish: I loved their lemon-merinque pie.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Riviera Resort & Casino

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Diner

The Buffet at Treasure Island: Another buffet review...

The buffet at Treasure Island - or TI, as they now like to be called - was slightly above average. It was priced okay and there was a great variety and short lines. We went early, which is advisable if you want to have a short line. I'm embarrassed to admit, but I actually got lost in this room. The dining room goes on forever and a day, and there are mirrors everywhere, and many lines and stations you stand in. I didn't remember where we were sitting and all the tables looked the same. I finally found my table when my husband got back from the buffet and sat down at a table. Needless to say, he was very amused.

Favorite Dish: Everything was just your average buffet. It's no where close to the Bellagio. Good desserts and pastries.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Treasure Island

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Buffet

Website: http://www.treasureisland.com/pages/dining_buffet.asp