Las Vegas boasts one slot machine per eight residents, and from the look of things, the city is trying to set another landmark venue-to-person ratio in the restaurant department. As of 2008, there are 3,814 restaurants and 505 bars located within a 15-mile radius of Sin City, so if you dream of trying all of them, you'd better start now.
History
Las Vegas was literally and figuratively carved out of the desert--a tiny way station of a town with spectacularly loose governance and no water. Not willing to let little things like laws and water stop their dream of creating the ultimate pleasure destination, city founders built the foundation for an entertainment-focused Mecca that attracts millions of visitors annually. Once home to all-you-can-eat buffets as the city's main feeding system, Vegas has, over the past few years, become one of the largest epicurean Nirvanas in the western world. Buffets are still open 24/7, but they're no longer the only show in town. Nowadays, Zagat- and Michelin-rated fine dining is so prevalent across the city, you might forget there are slot machines noisily building their reserves just a few feet away.
Recognition
The National Restaurant Association named Las Vegas the nation's fastest growing city for restaurants in 2006. The city even earned a Michelin Guide for Las Vegas in 2008. This legendary international restaurant and hotel rating service has only picked four cities in the U.S. as worthy of being spotlighted--Las Vegas joined New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The guide picked the Nevada city for its vast collection of eclectic menus, world-class ambiance and the excellence of residence chefs.
Top Picks
Among the most often-named top spots are Rosemary's Restaurant, Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, Alize, Alex, Fleur de Lys, Japonais, Nobu, Bradley Ogden and Prime Steak House. Rosemary's offers American-inspired French cuisine with a big helping of New Orleans-inspired menu offerings. Alize, located atop the Palms, is a celebrity Mecca offering a wine list with few rivals. Holding Las Vegas Life Magazine's title Best Steakhouse in Las Vegas is Prime, where the cuts are perfect and the service is even better. These restaurants and others have begun amassing four-star and four-diamond ratings from everyone from AAA to Conde Nast Magazine.
More Picks
Drop by Caesar's Palace and you'll find an unlikely theme restaurant that has nothing to do with chariot races and Roman baths. Chef Bradley Ogden has recreated his namesake restaurant featuring farm-fresh American classic foods that rival dishes found at his award-winning San Francisco restaurant. In case you go into sushi withdrawal during your visit, slide over to the Hard Rock for a quick fix at Nobu. Nobu's cuisine has a bit of Peruvian influence, but it is still considered the best sushi venue in the city. For buffet fans, the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood, MGM Grand Buffet, Cravings Buffet at the Mirage and Le Village Buffet at Paris are all well received.
Best Chefs
Famed chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Charlie Trotter, Daniel Boulud, Julian Serrano, Sirio Maccioni, Andre Rochat and Michael and Wendy Jordan have put their personal stamps of approval on the city by opening their own restaurants on and off the Strip. Puck has actually opened three. Maccioni perched his restaurant astride an eight-acre lake within the confines of the Bellagio and Daniel Boulud holds court at the Wynn with his self-named eatery offering an eclectic New French menu.
Tags: Bradley Ogden, Daniel Boulud
