[QUOTE=Alex E;47008361]Just a point, but Cut is the only place in LV (in fact pretty much the world) where I've refused to pay for a meal. More precisely I paid for the appetizers, wine and left a tip large enough to cover what would have been the total cost of the meal. ...

I'd guess every restaurant in the world screws up at some time. I'd suggest it's more likely that you were the unlucky guy than that all the other reviewers are idiots.

I defiantly believe you - I wouldn't set foot in Carnevino again if they gave me a totally comped meal after two trips there that were so bad it was actually funny, and as you noted there are lots of other choices. I just realize that if I went in there again and had another horse**** meal I'd feel like a total idiot. So I don't go. But I also realize that other people might disagree.

MM MD

My wife and I go to Vegas typically twice a year and while we haven't had these nightmare experiences, we've definitely had some not-amazing meals at places that get lots of love ITT and there's just too many places to try to go back and roll the dice again.

Feel compelled to add a defence for CUT. First time I went a few years ago I was kinda drunk but my hazy memory tells me it was fantastic. Had the American Wagyu filet and while the memory is certainly unclear, I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So I went back this year to see if I was mistaken or not, and I genuinely expected to be. Overall, it was absolutely excellent, only criticisms would be that 1) food took quite a long time to come out, probably 45 minutes after ordering to get the steak, and 2) that the carrots were undercooked. But eff the carrots, the steak was wonderful.

I had the American Wagyu filet again which, despite not getting much love ITT, I thought was superb. The extra 2oz made it slightly too big, but it was a perfect rare side of medium-rare, phenomenally delicious well-seasoned crust (something so few steakhouses do well in the UK imo), and where ordinary filet flavour can just trail off after a couple of chews, this was so rich and deep and lingered beautifully, more than long enough to apply a coating of delicious Malbec to my mouth to play with the steak flavour. I really, really enjoyed it. I also wanted to lick the bowl of the Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and the breadcart is a known delight.

The service was impeccable - I remember it being good first time round, and it was just as good again. Really passionate but attentive and engaging without any snobbery at all when we dared to question the wine ritual of seasoning our glasses etc. I can't remember his name but was a very cool guy and a lot of fun and with a sense of humour about the whole thing which was appreciated by the people I was with who aren't massive top-end restaurant types.

So all in all, fantastic and I'd snap return when next in Vegas.

Picasso is underpriced. Trust us on this.

I wanna say RM Seafood had a half lobster on the menu that was still market price. I remember it being in the 35 range I think?

But yeah. For a full lobster at those prices I'd probably try Outback.

Dug thru some old photos. This was the lobster at RM:



It was... lobster. Nothing really special. However... you CAN get this there:



Best. Snack. Ever.

I don't think WSpoon is that good.

re: Nobu menu, they have specials every day guys. And a tasting menu. It does change - don't be alarmed.

Nobu wagyu - very good, overpriced.

OMG yes. I've had 2 absolutely killer meals there. I think 2 of us with drinks was like...under $350? $330 incl tax and tips iirc.

6 oz was $270 would go tonite in a heartbeat if I was anywhere near LV.

6 oz Kobe is very, very filling. I've seen big, hungry guys there couldn't eat 9oz it i so damn rich. [there was a group next to us, ordered 9/12s and some of them barely eat half of the 12.]

Add a king crab leg [or 2] and you're in heaven. Good mojitos.

Naj,

Let's meet up in Vegas and do one of those challenges where if I eat the whole thing I get it for free. I'll demolish 16oz of that Kobe nbd.

Been there a twice, last time for Xmas. Maybe that was the mistake.

Incredibly forgettable. Like, trying to please all and everybody who possibly would show up and ending up serving almost bland food.

Service was close to mediocre both times. Personally I'm done with Picasso, no matter the price.

This is a list of top 200 restaurants in America. Here are the Vegas places that made the list:

http://www.opinionatedaboutdining.com/2015/us.html

5: é by José Andrés
62: Guy Savoy
93: Carnevino
102: Cut (but they listed the L.A. one, not the Vegas site)
104: Lotus of Siam
110: Joel Robuchon
127: Aburiya Raku
147: Twist by Pierre Gagnaire

It's a popularity contest.

I love both Kuruma and Yasuda, but c'mon that list is ludicrous.

If i win the vodka challenge, you pay for everything. Stoli vs Ketel.


I've had superior service both times at Picasso. Almost flawless. Both times midweek, not particularly busy, but busy overall.

There's an idea for you. Stand up a Big Texan Steak Ranch in Vegas.

Somewhere on the Strip there's an underperforming steakhouse that would do.

I've never even heard of Aburiya Raku (which doesnt mean anything I'll grant). Anyone been? Cliffs?

é by José Andrés looks good, is there a review here? E is rather hard to search for!

Off Strip on Spring Mountain road. Absolutely fantastic grilled meat and house made miso and tofu. Worth the trip.

fwiw everyone just calls it raku which might sound more familiar.

Hey guys, any thoughts on Twist ? I'd love to try Gagnaire's food but the menu seems pretty simple and "american" compared to his restaurant in Paris (which I haven't been to).

How does it compare to other fine dinning restaurants in Vegas ? FWIW I've been to JR, l'atelier, picasso and guy savoie and below is what I thought of each of them.

JR : I would not go back for the tasting menu, it was a very good meal, but not close to my top 5 meals ever and that doesn't even include the absurd price, just straight enjoyment. I could go back to try some of my favorites a la carte. ("l'oeuf" was awesome although the most simple dish of the whole meal, with only 3 ingredients). The wine pairing while also overpriced was pretty ****ing awesome, with "big names" french wines that I always wanted to taste.

L'atelier : good to very good meal, good value ! I'd go back for sure, the atmosphere is great too, not as uptight as JR/Picasso/Guy Savoie.

Picasso : didn't get the hype, maybe I'm a spoiled European or something but to me it was simply good french food, did not have any discovery of savors or really memorable dish. One thing that I did enjoy a lot was the wine pairing, it was both very original and very well suited to the food. I would not go back.

Guy Savoie : had a great meal there, and I can remember more dishes from there than from JR even if I went 1 year earlier, could definitely go back.

Little bit of topic but Kabuto blows any of those out of the water for me, I'll try to go at least once a week during WSOP, and yes, it ruined sushi at other places back home for me too !

Edit : while I'm at it I guess I'll also ask about Chada, thai food is my favorite, I LOVED lotus of siam (and their JJ Prum Riesling is the first wine and only wine I ever enjoyed with thai food) and went to Thailand this January to try (and failed) to eat every dish possible , should I go there or stick to lotus ?

Chada is better than lotus. Get the stuff I ordered on my blog. http://jimmyeatsvegas.com/chada

Ramsey's at Paris is good. On point with everything from the bus boy to your meal. Two us ate an appetizer, dinner, shared a desert and had a couple drinks. $200 out the door with tip.

Thanks Gobbo, I'll do !

If you didn't really care for Picasso or JR then I don't know how you'll feel about Twist. I liked it quite a bit- probably on par with L'Atelier- but I'm not a spoiled European.

And +1 on Chada being better than Lotus.

gobbo: surprised there isn't greater fanfare for japanese cuisine by omae rather than kabuto.

el diablo: you left out akikos and maruya on your proposed bay area monsters of sushi tour for gobbo.

kaytor: twist is ok, but nothing brilliant or challenging in terms of french cuisine. excellent night time view though, if you get window seating. however, i'm pretty jaded about fine dining generally in vegas, as the experience never holds a candle to SF or NYC in terms of creative cuisine or impeccable service.