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For those of you who have dined solo in las vegas...

Discussion in 'Restaurants & Buffets' started by kitten1980, Feb 4, 2013.

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  1. kitten1980

    kitten1980 Newbie

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    Hi all :) I am leaving for my first solo trip to las vegas next thursday and I am trying to decide on places to eat. For those of you who have dined solo in vegas do you prefer buffets or full service resturants? A little about my trip ... I will be arriving thursday night and leaving sunday afternoon. This is my first solo vegas trip but I have been here before with my hubby and once with my sister. This trip is mainly about relaxation and fun and getting to do whatever I want woohoo :) Friday I am planning breakfast at mon ami gabi I have heard great things about this place then dinner at Fu at hard rock since I am going to a concert there that night. What I am having trouble with is deciding on what to do saturday. I am either planning on doing the buffet pass thing and going to the paris buffet for breakfast then Ceasers for dinner and Ceasers for brunch Sunday if I can time it right. The other option would be having a fabulous meal at a great resturant Saturday though not sure where that would be yet. I do like the variety of buffets but really don't want to waste my precious vegas time standing in lines for them.

    So my question is buffet or full-service which did you prefer as a solo-diner?

    Thanks!!
     
  2. Ezzy711

    Ezzy711 VIP Whale

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    The majority of my trips are solo. It really depends on what you enjoy. I like to get up early, play for a while and then do a nice big breakfast. I rarely eat lunch. I will go up to the room for while around 2 or 3 and have a snack or fruit. I prefer to eat dinner earlier to avoid the crowds. I like breakfast buffets but not a big dinner buffet person. I like to eat casual dinners most of the time such as a deli. I put one night aside for a nice dress up dinner. I try to avoid Saturday night in a nice place if I can as they are always crazy busy.

    People watching is always fun when you are solo. However, I always have the newspaper to read during breakfast so I don't look like I'm staring at anyone and use my smartphone at dinner to read if there is nothing to look at. I find most wait staff to be very attentive to solo diners.

    The only problem I think you will have is once you've done your first solo trip you find you don't want to go with other people again. That's what happened to me.
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Most of my Vegas visits are business related, so many of my meals are solo... hope you have a good meal at FU at it just opened a few months ago, it's the only restaurant I've not partaken in at the Hard Rock, but have heard positive comments. I'm a guy in my early 50's and travel a fair amount so I rarely feel awkward dining solo, but if you're a fan of buffets, that would be my suggestion. IMHO... there just more to keep you occupied, walking around and selecting... and the Las Vegas buffets are unique to a certain extent and not something you'll like find back there in beautiful Carolina.

    By the way... a little tip... I assume you're going to see The Who on Friday... instead of entering the Hard Rock from the main entrance (behind the famous neon guitar on the Hard Rock Cafe), consider entering through the entrance on Harmon St. (west-side (towards the strip) of the property) across from the Rumor Hotel. It's the HRH Tower and it has it's own valet guys there who are no where near as busy as the main entrance, which can be a zoo on concert nights. FU is just inside the doors of that entrance. Have a blast!
     
  4. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I'm not a big buffet person so at most I hit up 1 a trip. Maybe 2 if I'm not solo. The 1 is generally a lunch where I take a while and read a paper or a book.

    20-40% depending on the trip are at quick places.

    The rest are at full services places. 95% of the time I'm just going to sit at the bar in these places. I tend to get quicker service and rarely have to wait for a table.
     
  5. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    I am fine with either.

    The good thing about buffets if you are a solo diner is you can get in and out and there isn't a lot of awkward waiting around that would normally be filled with conversation. Then again, that's also the bad thing, as it means you tend to eat a lot, and eat it quick.

    Eating at restaurants is fine, too, but when possible I like to eat at the bar. You can chat with the bartenders a bit, making it more social, and also often giving you a better perspective sometimes on what is good on the menu (assuming you don't pick a super busy time).
     
  6. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    No preference.
    .
    But I won't stand in a 30+ minute wait line for
    ANY place.
    My Vegas time is too precious.
     
  7. win4me

    win4me VIP Whale

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    Just a tip on Bacchanal Buffet (at Caesar's)- Both times I have been, there were very long lines to get in unless you are Diamond/7Stars or want to pay extra for the "cuts" line (I think it was $10 when I was there, but may be more now). If you are getting the buffet pass, you also pay extra for this buffet.
     
  8. OKC Gal

    OKC Gal Low-Roller

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    As a regular solo traveler, I would suggest going somewhere else besides the Paris buffet. My last trip, in December, the wait in line, although it didn't look THAT long, was at least 35-40 minutes, it barely moved. Then, when I finally got a table, the waiter did not appear for probably 15 minutes. I've been a few times, and the line has always been long, and probably will be on a Saturday.

    Enjoy! I love it solo!
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  9. wigwam_salesman

    wigwam_salesman VIP Whale

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    If solo I would always pay the extra to cut the line, it's just a waste of time standing on your own otherwise.
     
  10. Nick Carroway

    Nick Carroway Tourist

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    Many restaurants, coffee shops and buffets have counter seating. You'll frequently get seated faster. Random conversation with your fellow counter diners and servers can make it a fun, sociable meal. Enjoy your trip!

    ... Smartone, thank you for the tip about the alternate entrance to the Hard Rock. Tips like these are exactly why these message boards are so valuable.
     
  11. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    I try not to go to too many buffets. I always go at an off hour usually early and I ask to sit at a table. I'll sit at the bar to eat only if the chairs have backs on them. I don't like when I feel like I'm sliding off the stool when I'm eating.
     
  12. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I feel no need to do buffets on solo trips but if I do go it's for breakfast or lunch. My main thing when solo dining is to not get caught in crowds. So I dine at buffets when they aren't busy and I do other meals more at off peak times. It would be weird being alone when a restaurant is jam packed to me.
     
  13. mesavormoruin

    mesavormoruin Tourist

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    The only times I hit buffets is at breakfast - it's the one meal where I really love to have a lot of variety. I rarely eat lunch when I'm in Vegas and will eat an early dinner to avoid the crowds.

    At first when I went solo, I avoided getting a table, but have learned to really enjoy having one to myself. The bar always seems like I have to make sure I'm not in anyone else's "space" and it didn't make for a very leisurely dinner. Now, I spread myself out, take my time, and make sure I really enjoy my meal.

    Since I have a Nook tablet, I always take that along when I know I'll be sitting down to eat. I was taught not to read at the table, but I bend the rules in Vegas. And the free Wi-Fi in most of the areas is an added bonus.

    I agree with whomever said once you go to Vegas solo you'll never want to travel with others again. I absolutely LOVE going on my own now and discourage anyone who starts making noises about tagging along.:evillaugh
     
  14. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    When I am in Vegas alone, I prefer to eat at bars, rather than a table anywhere. It feels less awkward to me.

    You will often encounter an interesting bartender or someone at the bar sitting next to you.

    I feel less alone this way. :)

    Enjoy!
     
  15. kitten1980

    kitten1980 Newbie

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    Great tips!!

    Thanks for all the great information!! I think I will probably do the buffet pass it is too good a deal to pass up and I won't have to try to figure out which resturant to go to since there are so many great options. I also really want to try the new Ceasers buffet it sounds awesome. I know that it is an extra charge each time and I might pay the extra fee to go in the fast line but it would still cost less than 3 sit down meals elsewhere. Any more tips on the buffets? I really want to try to avoid waiting in line as much as possible. I will prob do breakfast around 8. I have high hopes of sleeping in but I usually wake up at 6:30 east coast time so I am afraid I might be awake way to early in the morning. Then plan on going to dinner around 6:30 to give plenty of time since I am going to see Ka that night at 9:30. That will give me time to walk off a bit of dinner lol.
    Generally I prefer to sit at a table and relax with a book while I eat. I've never been much of a eat at the bar type of person.
    Thanks again for the information. One more week!!
     
  16. BreakEven

    BreakEven High-Roller

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    One thing to keep in mind about the buffet is that there won't be anyone watching your table while you are gone. Be careful when leaving food/drinks unattended. So you might want to avoid tables that are far away from the food stations.

    And I don't know about that plan to walk dinner off. I see it as having more time to sample a bunch of yummy desserts! :licklips:

    Enjoy your trip!
     
  17. mesavormoruin

    mesavormoruin Tourist

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    This is one of the main reasons I don't do buffets. I would worry that they would turn over my table, thinking I had finished.

    That and having to carry my purse back and forth to the buffet and back to the table. :Þ
     
  18. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    When I am solo in Las Vegas, it's usually 'cuz I'm extending a business trip for a day or two just to relax and unwind.

    I don't enjoy a real high-end place solo. A nice meal is something to be shared! :) I think the most fancy place I've ever dined solo in LV was Trevi over at Caesars.

    I'll usually do a place like Blueberry Hill or one of the remaining casino coffee shops for breakfast. The cafe at Bellagio is excellent for breakfast or lunch. You can sit at the counter if it's busy, but they will seat a solo diner at a table on request.

    I'll sometimes do a mid-scale buffet for dinner. Something like Flamingo or Harrah's, if the line is not too nasty. In my not so humble opinions, there are very few buffets worth waiting on line for! I'll sometimes do the deli at Mirage, or even the food court over at FSM if I happen to be out shopping or browsing. Sometimes I'll do a junk-foody place like Sbarro or Nathan's at Bally's, but I guess both of them are in a state of flux now. (I normally avoid chains, but I'm old enough to recall the original Sbarro and Nathan's before they were chains!)

    I tend to avoid the "party" places like Toby Keith and Margaritaville and such. I enjoy those better when I'm with somebody. One exception, I'll sometime get a drink and stand out on the rail by Margaritaville and people-watch for a while. :)

    I'll occasionally eat at a bar, but I'm a bit uneasy sitting at a bar solo, unless I'm waiting for someone and I'm early. I'm sure others know my feeling. :)

    I will occasionally drop in and out of some of the casino lounges when they have a good band. Places like Bally's and Paris.

    Oh well ... :)
     
  19. vegasqc

    vegasqc VIP Whale

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    I Always go solo and for me its either buffet or fast food i dont wanna wait 30 minutes for my plate alone at a table

    I usually do the 24 hour buffet pass 3 times in 7 days
     
  20. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    One of my favorite places on the strip is getting a drink and standing out there watching people on that rail, or eating up on the 2nd or 3rd level. Ive got soooo many stories I wouldnt know where to begin when standing out there watching and talking with the odd characters of Vegas!
     
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