Funny...I've been to Morel's once (the one in LA, not LV) years ago and had the exact same experience (sans discussion with the manager). I haven't been back either.

Sounds like potentially a good deal, but three courses is not a tasting menu imo. I know it is their phraseology and not yours-- just another overused buzz word in fine dining that annoys me. /rant

i was thinking Bartolotta, but it looks like you could easily drop $500 in there w/ wine. I guess it is only a buyin at mid stakes.

Blossom, the Chinese restaurant at aria was fantastic. Everything was done "family style" and was phenomenal. I'm not normally that huge of a fan of lettuce wraps but they definitely stood out, as did the peking duck and kung pao shrimp.

If you liked Blossom and haven't tried Wing Lei at the Wynn, you should check it out ASAP. I really enjoyed the meal I had at Blossom but probably won't go back because Wing Lei is very similar but notably better, IMO.

My wife and I will likely be hitting Bartolotta at the end of the month.

- How big are the pasta courses?
- How is the family-style tasting menu? Worthwhile for two people?

I'm going for a poker trip to Vegas alone.
I love to eat good food but I always feel a bit strange when I go to a fancy restaurant by myself.
How common is this in Vegas, that a guy eats alone at the high end places.
Will I get the worst table and be surrounded by parties and couples?

Strange question maybe but I hope u know what I mean. I don't want to be that creepy guy in the corner that sits alone, eating a 5 course menu.

I think it depends on the place but I have done this several times in Vegas and never had a problem.

After all, Vegas is a city full of ballers out there on their own right?

Just sit at the bar. Aside from Joel Robuchon, I'm pretty sure you can eat at the bar at every restaurant in Vegas.

I go to Vegas alone all the time and eat quite well. Just sit at the bar.

+1. I always grab a poker rag from the poker room for some light reading.

I lived in Vegas for a few years but have taken some trips back since for a culinary tour.
Def do Bouchon....Keller is the man.
AT Craftsteak, make sure you get the Yukon Gold Puree. Best thing besides the steak.
Emeril's Delmonico is beyond belief. I know that he is a "tv chef" but he is also a really good chef. The bone in ribeye was to die for. I have pictures of this steak and frequently whip it out to drool over. Also try the duck ravioli
Batali has 2 restaurants at the V. San Marco and B&B. Both very good.
Micheal Mina at Bellagio. Lobster pot pie. Yum.
Mesa Grill is good. Get the Duck Pancake app.
Joel Robochon's restaurant at MGM is a must. It is over $300pp for a 16 course tasting menu but it is the best meal that you will ever eat in your life. He was not dubbed the chef of the century for nothing.

I had Joel Robuchon 10 months ago and absolutely agree it was the best meal in my life. Look at the reviews of your 'next' favorite restaurant and you always see a couple of "good food but overpriced", or "horrible service" etc. You don't see that for Joel. It's all "Best meal of my life" repeated over and over.

Speaking of which, I'm back to Vegas in a few weeks and I made reservations to go back there.

I think I have no choice but to do the 16 course tasting again, but apparently they have a magnificent cheese cart.

going to sage tonight. recommendations?

During WSOP when there are so many 2+2 people in town, would it be worthwhile to have thread where folks can post something like: Eating at Carnevino tonight @ 8-ish, who's in?

No bad beat stories at the dinner table though.

The Iberico ham. Yum. I also had a butternut squash and pumpkin soup that was the best of that I've ever had. I'll be back there this Saturday.

Also some good suggestions here, the LA Times restaurant critic covered a number of the City Center restaurants today:

http://www.latimes.com/features/food...,7054737.story

I ate there a couple weeks ago with the gf and it was awesome!!!

Get the Sweetbreads and the Foie Gras custard as apps. I would suggest the Spanish Iberico Pork Loin for entree, some of the best pork in the world and cooked perfectly.

I have heard alot of people on here talk about Sage and how great it was and I totally agree but I have not heard anyone talk about the Absinthe cart. We did this at the end of our meal (before desert) and it was really cool. I would absolutely recommend doing the Absinthe, several good choices, really cool presentation and lots of good information!!!

heh, i ended up ordering all of the things you said! i didn't care too much for the sweetbreads. the foie gras was to die for, obv. the pork was good but i think i liked the cannelloni even more than the loin.

Good info here. I've got reservations for Sage next Saturday (in town for March Madness.

Got reservations for Mix for Friday but not going to do it unless I have a big hit on Thursday night. Just been hearing some mixed reviews.

Mix is not very good IMO. I don't think Ducasse has been there since it opened. There are much better meals to be had.

Thanks Jay. That settles it. Just cancelled Mix. Sticking with Sage.

Ducasse has been at Mix since it opened but since the man doesn't really cook anymore, it matters very little.

Never eaten at Sage but Mix isn't that great (not worthy of the Michelin Star it received).

Mix is good for the view and the nightclub that it becomes, but definitely not if you're into dining as myself and many of these posters ares.

Sage looks awesome, I worry I will not have enough spare meals to try when I head to vegas in 3 weeks.

Really? I thought the sweetbreads were amazing! But I guess different tastes, to each his own. But yeah the Foie is absolutely delicious.

Did you, or anybody else for that matter, do the Absinthe cart? I am curious to hear what other people think of this?

went to nob hill at mgm tonight. no apps. i ordered the lobster pot pie, brussells sprouts, and french fries. everything was very good; the sprouts were pretty mild and delicious and the fries were crispy and perfect (and plentiful).

the lobster pot pie was pretty crazy. they plate it for you tableside; i thought it was just going to be a normal pot pie with chopped lobster, but no, they throw the entire lobster tail + claws in there. obviously they segment it so you can extract the meat very easily. the sauce inside there is a truffle sauce which was so yummy i was dipping my fries in it.