[Don_S]

I have been to CES and T.H.E. Show numerous times but I always stayed in a residential area far off the strip. This time I will be staying on the strip and looking for dining (dinner) places walking distance from the Venetian and the Flamingo. I am especially curious about dining at the Flamingo.

I would like to keep the cost down and I surely don't need conehead (read that massive) quantities of food but I won't say no to a buffet if it is good and reasonably priced. After a long day at the show I want to just eat and crash and not make a major event out of dinner.

As I was typing this I realized this thread would be more fun if members could post recommendations for me as well as for others who may enjoy a little more "refined" dining and beverages and atmosphere.

So please post recommendations for me as well as those on a bigger budget who aren't worried their pretty clothes won't fit after several nights of dining out.  Please indicate apx costs and locations.

Thanks,  Don

[enjoythemusic]

Cheap eats is my game

Ok, in the Venetian you have the food square buried at the lowest floor FAR BACK past the faux canal. They have Nathans and other 'fast food' type places there. They also have a small eatie place with various 'stores' o the main gambling floor and it includes a Krispy Kreme place.

In Ceasers you have the Jewish deli/resturant 1/2-way in on the shopping plaza on the right side as you walk towards the Cheesecake factory (it is far before the C Factory). Frankly, Ceasars has no good resturants and i hate the 'Branded Chef' place there.

As for refined, in the NY NY you have Gallagers (aged meat) ans an Italian place just beside the gambling floor, past that in the FAUX NYC setion is a Jewish styled deli, Fish/Chips place... and Nathans is upstairs.

If you like Kobe steak/meat then the MGM i believe is the place for that.

Smith and Lewinskis is on the strip (make reservations!).

IMHO avoid the fancy chef place on floor ?15? of the Venetian called Bouchon. That Travel Channel TV guy Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations said it was a great place to eat. Came away totally UNimpressed.


Hope this helps.

[Don_S]

Steven,  Thanks for the info.  I was afraid I was going to have to subsist on exhibit room snacks and whatever I could forage off of room service trays left in the hallway. Of course I was going to find out what floors had the expensive suites.  They have the best pickings and I do have some class. 

Never heard of Nathans. I have been in the Venetian every year since the audio portion of CES moved there but I somehow don't understand where the food square is.  My familiarity with the V extends from the registration area to the elevators for the towers and 25% of the time I get lost crossing the casino. Where is the food court from there?  Is there more than one casino in the V?

While I certainly enjoy a good meal, I will be at CES alone and after many work-travel meals alone I find the dining process depressing. Waiting in line for some fancy place is boring.  Waiting for food is boring. I don't drink so having a pre-dinner libation is no consolation.

I was thinking that the "Burger Joint" and "Tropical Breeze Cafe" (both in the Flamingo) might be worth exploring especially if the weather is bad and I don't want to leave the Flamingo.

[satfrat]

Steven,  Thanks for the info.  I was afraid I was going to have to subsist on exhibit room snacks and whatever I could forage off of room service trays left in the hallway. Of course I was going to find out what floors had the expensive suites.  They have the best pickings and I do have some class. 

Never heard of Nathans. I have been in the Venetian every year since the audio portion of CES moved there but I somehow don't understand where the food square is.  My familiarity with the V extends from the registration area to the elevators for the towers and 25% of the time I get lost crossing the casino. Where is the food court from there?  Is there more than one casino in the V?

While I certainly enjoy a good meal, I will be at CES alone and after many work-travel meals alone I find the dining process depressing. Waiting in line for some fancy place is boring.  Waiting for food is boring. I don't drink so having a pre-dinner libation is no consolation.

I was thinking that the "Burger Joint" and "Tropical Breeze Cafe" (both in the Flamingo) might be worth exploring especially if the weather is bad and I don't want to leave the Flamingo.

Never heard of Nathan's? How about Nathan's International July 4th Hog dog Eating Contest @ Coney Island that's covered by ESPN? Joey Chestnut Retains Title by Eating 68 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 Minutes! Nathan 's Hot Dogs are a NY instituation franchise, I usually make an Interstate pitstop and snag a couple dogs whenever I'm traveling NY msyelf.   
 
But the truth be told, I like the NJ Thumann's Hot Dog better. Topround (Mike) is a Thumann's distributer.   
 
Cheers,
Robin

[ted_b]

Smith and Lewinskis is on the strip (make reservations!).

   Smith & Wollensky's (sorry Monica) is about a block down from the Flamingo (same side of street), across the street from the Monte Carlo.
The food court at the Venetian is right next to the beginning of the Canal Shops area.  You'll see signs pointing to it from the lobby, etc.  Hope to see you guys there. 

[enjoythemusic]

Smith & Lewinski [Wollensky's (sorry Monica)] ... OOPS, my bad, that is my nickname for it     

Steven,  Thanks for the info.  I was afraid I was going to have to subsist on exhibit room snacks and whatever I could forage off of room service trays left in the hallway.

Been ther, done that (seriously). Also LIVED off of the free finger food (pretzels, M&M's at Joseph Audio room) etc for a few years.

Never heard of Nathans.

Dude, ok, we GOTTA link up for lunch one day and i'll treat you to Nathans.

I have been in the Venetian every year since the audio portion of CES moved there but I somehow don't understand where the food square is.

Ok, from my memory at the front entrance you go DOWNSTAIRS then go straight, veer right and stay veering right, pas the husksters trying to push their darn game show rubbish and eventually to the food court (Nathans is #32... Krispy Kreme is #29) BUT YOU MUST HAVE Krispy Kremes while HOT and gooey. You want to eat about 4 donuts in about 6 minutes and then 2 more immediately within the next 6 minutes. Once the blood hits your sugar stream just ride it out man. The colors the colors...

See map at www.venetian.com/Pages.aspx?id=580

If you smoke cigars then many know to meet me during the show. Would say more yet... and already must delve out between $300 to $400 worth during CES... and brought some REALLY special once with me for 2010

[Don_S]

Ted,  I hope to meet you as well.

Steven,  Thanks for the map.  That helped me figure it out. The food court is to the right of the restrooms that are across from the Grand Luxe Cafe and mandatory last stop (restrooms, not the Cafe) before hitting the tower elevators. Pass on the cigars but you are on for a Nathan's.  It will be my first. 

Steven, I am enjoying your pre-show report.  Thanks.

[PhilNYC]

If you like Kobe steak/meat then the MGM i believe is the place for that.

The Kobe sampler at Craftsteak in the MGM Grand is perhaps the single most memorable beef experience I have had in my life.   

[enjoythemusic]

Steven,  Thanks for the map.  That helped me figure it out....

Always glad to help. Find me during the show, i'll PM you my cell#...

Steven, I am enjoying your pre-show report.  Thanks.

My pleasure. Just added more today to it.

The Kobe sampler at Craftsteak in the MGM Grand is perhaps the single most memorable beef experience I have had in my life.   

Yup, MGM is for Kobe lovers and worth the trip to that corner of the strip. Then a nice cup of ristretto with a Robusto cigar and enjoy the total bliss

[JackD201]

For breakfast try the Wynn Coffee Shop's Lobster Benedict at least once but remind them not to overcook the maine lobster morsels.

Where's the Beef?

For the High Rollers

SW at the Wynn go for the Ribeye but be sure to start out with the cold seafood sampler I suggest the truffle creamed corn siding
Michael Mina's Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay go for the aged tenderloin with a cholesterol shock of roasted marrow on the side and the fries cooked in liquid gold aka duckfat. If you're really looking for a coronary start with the mini-burger looking fois gras treats. They also have to my eye the most gorgeous waitresses. If you're going with your significant other keep your sunglasses on

For some traditional Prime Rib

Lawry's is still all that it used to be. Sidings and the spun salad are a bit old school but the prime rib still melts like buttah.

On a budget

Head up for china town and look up Harbor City for good Chinese food with authentic cantonese flair. From the strip turn left up towards the mountain at fashion mall and keep your eyes peeled on the left. On the right there's also a pretty darned authentic creole crawfish restaurant. Bring some antacid.

There's a Nathan's at the Fashion Mall foodcourt (top floor)

I just got back from Hong Kong and I can say that Noodles at the Bellagio will give even Ye Shanghai at the Marco Polo or Victoria Seafood a run for their money despite a severely more limited selection.

Sorely missed will be the Spanish Haute Cuisine of the Picasso at the Bellagio. That was fantastic and the wine pairings were to die for. The Cava Creme poached Oyster and caviar appetizer will live in my memory til the day I die. Price was for occasions particularly anniversaries that end in 0 or are denoted by very precious stones.

[enjoythemusic]

Jack,

  Thanks for the tips, and i agree using duck fat for cooking with certain dishes is.... YUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

[OzarkTom]

Grab the free shuttle bus from Harrah's to the Rio for the best seafood buffet you will ever eat. Pass up the Carnival buffet, it is just OK. The buffet is opposite of the Carnival buffet, opens only from 4-9 PM and costs about $35 per person. Pricey but fantastic eating.

For a fun band to listen too, see if WonderBoogie is playing at Harrah's Carnival Court if it is not toom cold.