Where would you go for a big blowout dinner?

My spouse and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary in Las Vegas soon. One evening we are planning a big, swank, blowout dinner, no budgetary restraints.

Where would you go for something like this, and why?

The only place I would mark off would be Joel Robuchon, we did that place for our 20th and were underwhelmed.

Alex at the Wynn? Guy Savoy at Caesars? Other nominees?

My suggestion is the Golden Steer. This is a long-time restaurant just west of the Strip on Sahara. The decor is very "Old Vegas" with lots of pictures from Vegas in the 50's and 60's. It will also cost a fraction of someplace like Joel Rubuchon -- which may be a bad thing if you want to impress by paying a big check. Otherwise, I can't comment on the ultra-expensive restaurants, because I've never been to any of them.

I looked at Joel's website, wow thats super expensive! For my birthday dinner I went to Auerole (sp?) at the MB. I made two mistakes: 1)sitting in the swan court (I could not see the wine angels!) 2) ordering the pre fixe menu. Usually these kinds of restaurants serve tiny portions but they were generous here, I could not finish my meal I was so stuffed. Also I ordered the Venison and the cook made a mistake because one piece was way over done and the other was bleeding raw. To compensate they took part of the prefix off the check, and gave me extra deserts which I had to take to go because I was already stuffed. I used a restaurant.com gift certificate and two opentable checks to cover the damage. When the restaurant comps something I was told you are supposed to tip on what the amount should have been which was really hard to do late at night in the dark room after finishing a bottle of wine with my spouse and two other glasses they sent over! :) I also did not like being the last group that night in the restaurant, I work in foodservice and I hate it when people come in last minute, but I did arrive around 9:45 and ended up getting the check at 11:30. The maitre'd also gave me his card and said to call him next time I was in town and he would set up something nice for us.

Quote: Wizard

My suggestion is the Golden Steer. This is a long-time restaurant just west of the Strip on Sahara. The decor is very "Old Vegas" with lots of pictures from Vegas in the 50's and 60's. It will also cost a fraction of someplace like Joel Rubuchon -- which may be a bad thing if you want to impress by paying a big check. Otherwise, I can't comment on the ultra-expensive restaurants, because I've never been to any of them.

This is from the Las Vegas Advisor question of the day 6/27/2010. www.lasvegasadvisor.com


Can you give me the name of the steak restaurant that the Rat Pack and famous mobsters used to visit? I understand it had booths to sit in and it is a couple of blocks off the strip?
A:
It's the the Golden Steer, located at 308 W. Sahara Ave. (just west of the Strip.)
Opened in 1958, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Las Vegas and one of the few authentic joints from those old times that still exists. It's been expanded somewhat over the years from its early days as an intimate bar and restaurant, but it's still very close to what it was in its original incarnation. The Golden Steer was the subject of the February 2007 "Local Corner" in the LVA newsletter, where we noted that the food is classic steakhouse fare, but what you really go here for is the history and atmosphere: The service is classic old-school Vegas and several of the big red leather booths do indeed have brass plaques indicating that this was Frank's or Sammy's or whomever else's regular table (and we pretty much believe them).

Joints like the Golden Steer are a dying breed, so we do recommend that you pay a visit while it's still there. Not that we've heard any rumors to the contrary, but things change fast in this town and this is a place you should experience at least once, even if only to get one of the great martinis at the bar.

I offer two choices, and I offer them for no reason other than the view.... although the food and ambiance is pretty good too!


In the Eiffel Tower, 11 floors up and directly across the street, you can get spectacular views of the Bellagio fountains. Good views up & down the strip too.
http://www.eiffeltowerrestaurant.com/
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From the Stratosphere, 107 floors up, you get a panoramic view of the entire city as the restaurant rotates every 80 minutes.
http://www.topoftheworldlv.com/
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After dining, climb one flight to the observation deck and watch the crazy people ride those whacy rides on the roof!

Nobu at Hard Rock Casino is one of the trendiest chains in the world. A mix of sushi with Latin American cuisine. I am surprised that you were not impressed by Joel Rubuchon since he is one of the most famous chefs in the world. The price tag will knock your socks off.

Andre's on the Michelin Guide has closed their old downtown location. They are still open at the Monte Carlo casino.

The Lettuce Entertain You chain of restaurants are all fantastic without breaking the budget.
(1) EL SEGUNDO SOL Mexican restaurant in Fashion Show Mall (least favorite of the 5)
(2) Stripburger restaurant in Fashion Show Mall
(3) Eiffel Tower in Paris
(4) Mon Ami Gabi in Paris
(5) Joe's Stone Crabs in Forum shops

It's a good idea to go to their web site and purchase a discount card if you will eat more than one meal. It is a nationwide group of about 70 restaurants so you can use the card around the country, but they are concentrated in Chicagoland (also Atlanta, Minneapolis, Scottsdale, Washington DC, and Santa Monica CA).

If you want to take a taxi a few miles off the strip, one of the nicer places in Henderson is Todd's Unique . You can probably get away with dinner for about $50 apiece for the food (wine is less than on the strip). The location is an unassuming strip mall, but the inside is quite charming.

Main Attractions Todd's Unique
*Seared Rare Ahi Tuna, wasabi mashed and soy garlic sauce 26
Lake Superior Whitefish , toasted cous cous and tomato tarragon butter 27
Alaskan Halibut Teriyaki , coconut rice and baby bok choy 29
Seared Scallops wild mushroom potatoes and pistachio butter 26
*Braised Short ribs , Jalapeño mashed and caramelized onion sauce 27
*Grilled Skirt steak On Fire” chili cheese fries and black bean sauce 26
Todd’s Meatloaf caramelized onion mashed, mushroom cabernet sauce 25
Filet of Beef , blue cheese cabernet sauce and crisp onions 36
Char Broiled Kobe Flat Iron steak, green peppercorn sauce 29
Breast of Duck , sweet potatoes and pomegranate sauce 25

Quote: pacomartin

Nobu at Hard Rock Casino is one of the trendiest chains in the world. A mix of sushi with Latin American cuisine.

Nobu is fantastic. I have been to the Nobu in Melbourne Australia several times and it would be my favourite restaurant easily. Am going to eat at one of their restaurants in NYC as well as the one at the Hard Rock when I am there in October.

I would give Picasso at the Bellagio a shot, Bouchon at the Venetian, and certainly the Alex at the Wynn. At Picasso, you'll get a great view of the fountains which is easily the #1 attraction in Vegas -- tres romantique!

I've eaten in the Stratosphere and was not impressed, and I think the Eiffel Tower, while sporting a fantastic view of the strip, would not pass the culinary test either.

Dinner at Picasso, then a ride up the Eiffel Tower to cap off the night.

While Mon Ami Gabi's is one of our favorites on the Vegas strip, it is by no means "over the top".

I know the question was for "over the top", but Vegas restaurants can be more expensive than their European or Japanese counterparts. I felt like Nobu was as over the top as I could recommend, then I scattered in some more reasonable places.

The Michelin Guide will generally get the most expensive places in the city. But since Joel Rubochon (3 stars) was not liked by the couple, I would think they should open up to more than just the absolute priciest places.

The scenery at Mon Ami Gabi is extraordinary, but the food is pretty standard for the price you pay... nothing out of the ordinary... okay... the loaf of bread at the start is awesome. It's not an over the top place at all however. It is my favorite though in Vegas, simply because it is not over the top.

Quote: CrappedOut

One evening we are planning a big, swank, blowout dinner, no budgetary restraints.

Firstly, congratulations to you and your spouse, and best wishes for many more celebrations to come!

If budget really is not an issue, I would suggest you contact your casino host, or the hotel concierge and arrange for a custom meal prepared by the chef of your choice. That way you don't have to deal with the limitations of the fixed menu, and everything will be prepared exactly as you want it. They can also arrange for a private dining room, musicians, etc. Whatever you want, without the loud drunks, or the whining teenagers who are bored to death at the tables around you. Enjoy!

I'd also suggest Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens, if you want a cool, old-school steakhouse experience. Went there and really liked it. Not the most expensive place I've eaten, but a great experience. I can't help but think it would be out of place on the Strip...it's just too old-school for the kinds of steak houses the Strip has nowadays.