I'm going to be making my first solo trip to Vegas November 2-4. Any suggestions on good solo dining options? Bar at a nice restaurant is more my scene than other options... A few places I have in mind are Bartolotta, Rao's, Old Homestead... Thanks in advance!
Go to L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand. It's 75% bar seating and I see plenty of solo diners eating there.
Rio Two spots at the Rio. They have a really nice bar inside their Itialian spot and for a more casual setting at their american causal food spit the American grill. We are there at the same time and enjoy these spots.
I think all of the places in the Venetian have bar seating. Last weekend, B&B Restaurante had plenty open while the dining room was full. The Public House on the other hand seemed busy in bar area during main eating times I passed. This could be because many are there for the decent beer selection. The easy accommodation of solo diners is one of the reason I like the town so much. Wish I could eat more but I'm always so damn full from drinking beer.
I have dined at MANY places and usually sit at the bar ( from diner bar types to mid upper houses). I ENJOY that setting.. Easy to chat with folks and if they have a game or three on TV i can amuse myself. One thing I have learned to get the FREEBIE mags ,or the LVRJ so IF you wanna sit solo at a table ya have something to read. FINALLY, if ya feel uncomfortable ( or MADE to feel that way by the staff) just LEAVE. There are a ZILLION places that would welcome your business. FWIW I have NEVER felt that way.. whether at the bar or at a table at mid upper end restaurant ( Emerils and numerous others that I dined at.) That said I WOULD make the tip worthwhile for sitting at a 2 top if at a table.
Would you make a reservation for L'Atelier going solo? Pictures of the counter seats seem very conducive for a solo meal, as noted. Thanks!
I actually don't know their policy on reservations. But you might as well make a reservation and just note that you would like counter seating. I do see the place get pretty busy with a full counter, so I wouldn't leave it to chance that you'd get a seat. I have heard great things about their Menu Decouverte de Saison tasting menu if you want to try a bunch of items. Alternatively, you can order a bunch of things off the Dégustation menu (they're smaller tasting portions). I like to involve the server and just say "I'd like to spend around $X for dinner. Bring me your favorites and course it out for me!" and hand the menu back without having looked at it. The waiter and the chef will consult and bring you out what ends up being a custom tasting menu of the dishes they're most proud of and the ones they'd eat themselves. This has occasionally yielded extra tastings of things I didn't end up ordering just because they were eager to have me try it. I have a feeling fine dining wait staff are so used to being as invisible as possible that they really enjoy having input on your meal.
Sweet. I was looking at that seasonal tasting menu. That with wine pairings and I may die and go to heaven. Thanks for the tip!
You will find MANY other solo eaters at the bar of various restaurants. Lots of business travellers, solo trippers, and just solo diners where the wife/husband or other friends are doing something else. I was nervous but after doing it now it is 100% no big deal, just sit at the bar.
L'Atelier is one of my favorites for solo dining. I've always sat at the counter. Can also recommend Sage, Julian Serrano and American Fish at Aria, Jaleo at Cosmo, and SW at Wynn. Have also done Scarpetta at the bar but it's much more subdued and I was the only one sitting at the bar.