SF level food...in Vegas. Does is exist? Help?

Question

Hi gang! Need to select a dinner venue for co workers in a couple weeks. We will be in Vegas...and this is the challenge. Whenever I go there and try to find good food, the restaurants all have big name backing- but alas, what shows up on the plates at chow time tastes pedestrian and uninspiring for the money. Been to Batali's, Morimoto Vegas- good food, not great- and certainly overpriced as all hell. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant in Vegas for a party of six to ten peeps where the atmosphere and most importantly food absolutely delivers, thx!

Answer

Best meal I ever had in Vegas is WAY off the strip. No question about it: http://www.saipinchutima.com/

Other would be, but again off strip: http://www.raku-grill.com/

I find that you have to go with a big name, like Robuchon.

Answer

Yardbird
Raku

Answer

As another poster recommended, Lotus of Siam caters to larger parties extremely well. The other positive is that when you go with a larger party it allows you to order many different dishes thusly allowing you to sample the wide variety of Thai flavors. I recently had a large party (20) and it was hugely successful. The only down side to a dinner at LoS is the off strip location and minimalist atmosphere. 

Personally I think Spago in Caesars would be a great fit for your group. It consistently puts out very good to excellent food while not aggressively priced. Bardot in Aria would also be an excellent fit. Those are just a couple suggestions, I'm sure you will get many more.

Answer

I'm confused...where is Morimoto Vegas? And which Batali? Have you ever actually been to Vegas?

Save for a few premium experiences like Saison, Benu, and Crenn the food in Vegas is generally on par to The Bay area in most but vegetation, upscale Italian, and perhaps Dim Sum while our Chefs are exceedingly passionate, even when backed by 'celebrity' branding.

Lotus of Siam has already been mentioned, as has Yardbird, both of which outdo their respective genres in San Francisco. I'd also put spots like Le Cirque on par with what La Folie is doing...and perhaps better. No where else in the US can you experience cuisine executed in the training of Robuchon, Savoy, or Gagnaire and all of their Chefs do a great job.

Answer

SF and Vegas have different strengths. SF has fantastic mid-range restaurants. Vegas has amazing fine dining places. 

I usually don't travel from the strip while we're in Vegas so I don't really bother with the mid-range restaurants. Joel Robuchon at the Mansion and Atelier are both great. Guy Savoy is an all time favorite. Fine dining will cost an arm and a leg, but quite worth it.

Answer

Thai - Lotus or Chada would be good for groups. Raku or Yonaka could be options if your group loves seafood. I also like the idea of Yardbird, that place is made for group dinners. Rose Rabbit Lie is another place that comes to mind. If you are looking for French, I think Twist is a great choice.

Answer

What can I recommend for the palate of someone from San Francisco, a palate that is almost as discriminating as a New Yorker's? Gosh I'm stumped!

Answer

I'm chiming in late, but -- then again -- I often do.

First of all, I should point out that a) I lived in the city for 10+ years before I moved over to Berkeley 14 years ago; and b) my wife and I go out to dinner a lot! Be that as it may, take everything said here -- including my own observations -- with whatever grains of salt you think are appropriate.

As I'm sure you know, historically, Vegas was the Land o'Buffet for decades, but finally realized good food was essential, and the era of great restaurants was born.

We come to Las Vegas at least 2x a year -- mostly for work, sometimes to see family. My "go to" places in Las Vegas are familiar, though not without some controversy. 

Depending upon budget and timing, try buying out é for one seating. It only seats 8, the food is GREAT, and the "fun quotient" rises exponentially the larger your party (up to eight; if you're ten, you're SOL).

Jaleo is also both delicious and fun, as is Bazaar Meat -- both can handle parties of 10 with ease.

Raku is excellent, but small -- not sure 10 would be comfortable, but it's absolutely worth going to. Lotus of Siam (LoS) is often called the best Thai restaurant in North America, and here too, a party of 10 can be handled easily, with enough advanced notice/reservation. I'm often here with parties of 10-12.

Depending upon budget . . .

You will not -- CANNOT! -- go wrong at (in random order) Joël Robuchon, Le Cirque, Twist, Guy Savoy . . . and someone already mentioned Charlie Palmer and the "cut of the week." Haven't been to Yardbird yet, but have heard great things.

I've enjoyed Echo & Rig, and Marche Bacchus, but these are far off the Strip, so you may wish to pass if it takes multiple cabs to get there.

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SF level food...in Vegas. Does is exist? Help?

Discussion Summary

Raku

Raku

Little Caesars Pizza

Little Caesars Pizza

Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

Marché Bacchus

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