XP: Vegas Recommendations

[pinkpeony6210]

DH and I leave for Vegas in two weeks...yay! I've been there once for a bachelorette, but that was years ago, and I'm sure things have changed.

Any recommendations for places to eat (regular restaurants and buffets), and drink (any thirty something bars...we're too old to go clubbing)?

What are some "must see" things to do? Besides shopping and exploring casinos, what else would you recommend seeing?

Also, I think we're going to see Absinthe. Should I buy tickets beforehand on the website? Is it true that I can get tickets cheaper if we buy them there?

TIA!

[mcfelix]

What price range are you looking for restaurants?

The chandelier bar at the Cosmopolitan is gorgeous, so I would definitely get a drink or two there.

Have fun at Absinthe - it is hilarious! I've seen it twice and it puts me in tears from laughing. You should be able to buy tickets there - both times I've gone, we've gotten $20 off same day.

[zitiqueen]

vegas

[pinkpeony6210]

Sept 26, 2013 21:58:12 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

What price range are you looking for restaurants?

The chandelier bar at the Cosmopolitan is gorgeous, so I would definitely get a drink or two there.

Have fun at Absinthe - it is hilarious! I've seen it twice and it puts me in tears from laughing. You should be able to buy tickets there - both times I've gone, we've gotten $20 off same day.

We don't mind spending $200+ at a restaurant, however we've decided to stay away from overly expensive restaurants during this trip. We definitely would like to do a buffet or two, and I've heard really good things about Mon Ami Gabi, so I'd like to go there. Thanks for the suggestion about the chandelier bar! 

[pinkpeony6210]

Sept 26, 2013 22:29:07 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

What sort of things are you into? Are you renting a car?

Red Rock Canyon is, I'd guess, 30 minutes? from the strip. It's cooling off so a hike through there would be nice.

Hoover Dam is half an hour (I think? I haven't been in a long time) outside of town.

Downtown is fun. The city is working really hard to revitalize it and I think it's working. At least a little bit.

The Aria and Bellagio buffets are good. We are also fans of P.U.B. in Crystals, Olives and the FIX in Bellagio, Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay, and Social House at Crystals. I've heard good things about Hofbrauhaus. Nobu just opened at Caesars Palace. We went there for my birthday. It was just okay. The food was good, but it was weird. The service was off or something that night. I'd be willing to try it again though.

As for Absinthe tickets, I have no idea. H took me for my birthday and got the tickets the day before. Either way, go. I was laughing so hard I was crying. It's REALLY raunchy though, so be ready for that.

We aren't renting a car, but I almost wish we would....I'd love to visit Red Rock and the Hoover Dam. Maybe I'll look into a tour? Not sure. Sitting on a tour bus isn't really appealing to me. I think we'll definitely venture downtown, though. Thanks for all the restaurant suggestions !

[mcfelix]

I like Mon Ami Gabi - I remember being completely stuffed from dinner there once! I like Wicked Spoon buffet at the Cosmopolitan. I've been to the Wynn buffet a few times, which is good, but I so think Wicked Spoon is better and the ambiance (for a buffet) is nicer.

For Italian, I really like Mario Batali's restaurant in Venetian/palazzo. I can't remember the name but it's in the St Mark's Square area where there are a few restaurants side by side. Ok I had to look it up - Enoteca San Marco.

Have fun! I love Vegas!

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2013 5:25:51 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

I like Mon Ami Gabi - I remember being completely stuffed from dinner there once! I like Wicked Spoon buffet at the Cosmopolitan. I've been to the Wynn buffet a few times, which is good, but I so think Wicked Spoon is better and the ambiance (for a buffet) is nicer.

For Italian, I really like Mario Batali's restaurant in Venetian/palazzo. I can't remember the name but it's in the St Mark's Square area where there are a few restaurants side by side. Ok I had to look it up - Enoteca San Marco.

Have fun! I love Vegas!

It's now Otto.

[vegas]

You could rent a car for a single day through your casino and check out Hoover Dam. Red Rock is the complete opposite direction but it would be doable to do both if you went to Red Rock in the morning and Hoover Dam in the afternoon. If you do check out Hoover Dam have lunch at Milos Cellar in Boulder City and grab a drink at the Boulder Dam Brewery. If you end up near Red Rock for lunch I highly recommend DW Bistro which is relatively close by(closed on Mondays).

For buffets, I have been to all of the major ones and still like Wynn the best. I also LOVE the Sunday brunch at Simon at Palms Place. All of the servers and some of the guests wear PJs, it's really fun. If you go make sure to try to the corn flake crusted french toast and the junk food platter for dessert. Another really good and really underrated brunch buffet is the Verandah at Four Seasons. Make sure to eat outside if you go. You could hit breakfast, check out Four Seasons, then spend some time at Mandalay Bay while you're at the south end of the strip. Mandalay and Four Seasons are connected. The jazz brunch at Country Club at Wynn is phenomenal but I don't think they have a buffet.

For dinner here's my trick to getting a really good meal for a reasonable price. Check out the pre-theater dining menus. Most casinos have several restaurants that offer price fixed options. I know at Caesars we had a three course meal at Payard for $45 that was to die for. Most restaurants list their price fixed menus on their website so check there. Stack at Mirage used to have a great one, not sure if they still do. The food there is tasty and the menu is super creative. Top of the World is an interesting experience. It's pricey for dinner so we usually try to do a late lunch. The restaurant rotates 360 degrees so you get a full view of the city.

Definitely agree with killercupcake that venturing downtown is worth your time. There are some awesome bars and restaurants. For food we really like Le Thai, Park and Vic and Anthonys. For drinks we love Downtown Cocktail Room, the Griffin, and Commonwealth.

If you know you want to see a particular show, but tickets now. There are places that offer discount tickets but the inventory changes so there's no telling whether they'll have absinthe tickets.


ETA:  Some fun bars on the strip--Chandelier at Cosmo, V bar at Venetian (decent happy hour every day from 5-8), Voodoo Lounge at The Rio, Mix at Mandalay Bay, champagne bar at Paris (name escapes me), Red Square at Manadaly, and Nine Fine Irishmen at NYNY (great live music).

[mrsstreet]

We went downtown after getting some great suggestions from vegas and had a blast. We hit up Downtown Cocktail Room and the Griffin, both of which we enjoyed. (We are in our 30s, too) I would definitely spend an evening downtown.

[sparty04]

We rented a car for a day from our hotel (TI). I think it was $50 (we booked it online the night before). We drove to both the Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon. It was definitely doable if you don't plan on doing any long hikes