post #28 - Las Vegas Eats...The Good, The Bad, the Great, and the Ugly

Las Vegas Eats...the Good, the Bad, the Great, and the Ugly

One of the main reasons why I love going to Vegas is for the food. This was my third time visiting, and this trip was no different. We had some awesome, amazing, incredible meals. But a few were not so hot. Want to hear about them? If not, stop reading. But, if so...here it goes.

Day 1 - Tuesday

We arrived around 11:30 am, but after a longggg day of travel (we left at 6:50 our time, meaning that we'd been traveling for about 8 hours) we were starving. We decided to start our Buffet of Buffets pass at lunch. For those who have never done this, for about $50 per person, you can gain unlimited access to several buffets in Las Vegas. 

Lunch - Planet Hollywood Spice Market Buffet

Verdict: Ugly

This was a bad start to our trip. Luckily, it only got better from here. When we arrived around 1:30, we waited in a long, long line, only to see tons of open tables. When we finally got to eat, the food was sub-par. We'd eaten dinner here before and were impressed, but both agreed that we wouldn't be returning. The shrimp was soggy and terrible, and I kept trying new things but literally was not impressed by anything (except the cotton candy, which is pretty hard to screw up). This food all just tasted like buffet food - something that is not characteristic of most vegas buffets.

{tempura shrimp, lo mein, crab stuffed flounder?, pesto pasta, mac & cheese...all average at best}

Dinner - Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's

Verdict: Good to Great

This meal was one of the things I was looking forward to the most about our trip. The Bacchanal Buffet is relatively new and was not open the last time I traveled to NV. Stated by many to be the best buffet in Vegas, I couldn't wait to try it and compare it to the rest - hopefully it would be worth the extra $25 surcharge per person. It was glitzy and glamorous, I can say that much. The entrance is gorgeous (see the picture of the chandeliers in my last post). However, we waited in line for almost two hours to eat. The group of two in front of us had ten people join their party within the last 15 minutes of waiting, which rubbed me the wrong way - especially when the employees were watching it happen and didn't stop it. The food was very, very good. The crab legs were available cold or steamed, and they had a great seafood selection with fresh raw oysters and delicious seafood gazpacho, among other things. Other highlights included the sushi, guacamole (yes, I try it everywhere I go), and lamb. The prime rib was sub-par and had too much fat. Unfortunately, I filled up on food before I could get to my favorite part - the desserts. The desserts were amazing and wonderful. If I go to this buffet again, I will definitely save more room for all of the exotic offerings. Gelato flavors included fig/balsamic, watermelon/mint, sour cherry, and thai tea (plus tons more!). They had cobblers, macarons, and tortes. Anything you could hope for, really. Think Willy Wonka's factory, at your fingertips. Overall, I would go back to Bacchanal again, but only if the wait time was shorter.

{the only picture I got. it was late, and I was too focused on the food}

Day 2 - Wednesday

Breakfast - Paris Le Village Buffet

Verdict: Good

I've eaten here for breakfast every time I've been in Vegas. Try the smoked salmon, omelets, cheeses,  and crepes - you won't be disappointed.

{the monkey crepe - bananas, nutella, hazlenuts, and whipped cream}

Lunch - Harrah's Flavors Buffet

Verdict: Bad

No pictures. We were so full at this point that we just basically had a snack for lunch. Wasn't as bad as Planet Hollywood, but wouldn't eat here again. The best part was the pasta with pesto sauce and the cotton candy (duh - noticing a trend?).

Dinner - Hot Dog on Fremont Street!
Nothing to see here, folks. Just some frowning faces after cheap Blackjack games by me and Jo and some dancing (and me singing every lyric) to a slightly-better-than-average 90's band. Oh, and a magician.

Day 3 - Thursday

Brunch - Tacos El Gordo (off the strip)

Verdict: Great

Our lunch was $20. We got 8 tacos and two drinks. Say WHAT? I did a little research in the morning and found this little joint on the far end of the strip. We still had bus passes, so we decided to try it out. It was a little sketchy. Okay, a lot sketchy. But the food was so good! If you're going to Vegas and want to try something outside of one of the casinos, give this a shot. It is right beside the Wynn in a small shopping center. Bring ya pepper spray.

{taco de cabeza - beef head, taco de tripa - tripe, and taco de suadera - beef shoulder)

{horchata in a fountain drink. have you tried this? it tastes like a cinnamon milkshake, but a drink. yum is right, y'all.}

{the 2 tacos pictured on the left are tacos de adobada - spicy pork. the 3 pictured with guacamole on top are tacos de asada - steak}

Dinner - Mon Ami Gabi

Verdict: Great

This was my favorite meal of the trip. We decided to give it a try upon the recommendation of some friends and some glowing online reviews. I can't wait to go back and eat there again! The views were absolutely gorgeous. The service was top notch. And the food was phenomenal. We shared a lovely bottle of wine and ordered way too much, but ate it all. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

{appetizer - baked goat cheese + tomato sauce + warm herb garlic bread. can still taste the deliciousness}

{appetizer - onion soup au gratin + gruyere cheese}

{my choice -- caramelized sea scallops + pea puree + spring vegetable fricassee + bacon}

{jo's choice - filet mignon merlot + butter + red wine reduction + hand cut frites}

Day 4 - Friday

Snack - Serendipity' 3s Frozen Double Hot Chocolate

Verdict: Great

This is just a treat/dessert review. We didn't have a chance to sit down at Serendipity, since the wait was around 45 minutes and we had a plane to catch sooner than later. But - don't leave Vegas (or NYC!) without one of these treats. I, of course, chose the double chocolate flavor. Jordan's pick was the Moccacino, but we both agreed that the Double Chocolate was better. (Don't worry, I shared a little)

{nom nom nom. worth every penny}

Brunch - Max Brenner's @ Caesar's

Verdict: Great

We had a delicious breakfast here. I wasn't super hungry after above snack, but wished that I could fit more in my tummy. The prices were reasonable and the food was great. Service was also great. The biscuits were to die for, described as "diamond dusted sugar buttermilk biscuit, served with pure melted chocolate lick." I could eat that chocolate ganache with every meal.

{my choice - 'max'ican omelet - black beans + swiss cheese + avocado + onion + fire roasted salsa, served with spiced home fries}

{jo's choice - lazy breakfast - two extra large eggs scrambled + mushrooms + sausage, served with spiced home fries}

Do y'all have any favorite recommendations in Vegas? We can't wait to go back!

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Xo - MBC