My meal plan for 4 nights with a buddy

Here is what we have set for my trip 5/11-5/15.

Saturday we arrive at 2:30pm

Saturday afternoon: snack at Wynn somewhere
Saturday night: Andrea's @ Wynn
Sunday Brunch: Border Grill @ Mandalay Bay
Sunday night: Joe's Stone Crab @ Caesar's Palace
Monday morning: Wynn buffet
Monday night: Grand Lux @ Venetian
Tuesday morning: Bacchanal buffet @ Caesar's Palace
Tuesday night: Craftsteak @ MGM Grand

How does that sound? What changes would you make? Have your own list?

 

I would suggest La Cave for the “snack” you have planned when you arrive. It’s very casual and quite good. Plus it’s small plates which are perfect for a snack, IMO. Good beer and (I’m told) wine lists too.

I stopped in here for a late lunch/snack last time I was there. I think we split 5-6 plates between the three of us and it was the perfect amount. It took care of our travelling-all-day hunger without killing our appetite for dinner that night.

 

Someone who's been can correct me, but it's my understanding that while Bacchanal is definitely good for breakfast, it's the dinner selection that really shines.

Also, I went to Border Grill for brunch a couple weeks ago and found it to be only so-so; the only "brunch" is the all-you-can-eat small plates, not all of which sounded that good to me (and which I wasn't hungry enough to justify the $40 cost of), and there are no a la carte options. I wound up just ordering from the regular menu, which didn't really include any "brunch" food, and while the spicy shrimp tacos I ate were definitely delicious, they weren't entirely what I wanted at 10am.

 

We ate on the patio of the place at Wynn that borders and has steps down to the pool. It was really good, I loved the atmosphere and we were able to sneak down to the pool and walk around it after we ate.

 

if the above poster is accurate about border grill brunch being 40 bucks, then the wicked spoon buffet/brunch at cosmo would blow it away in terms of quality, and closer to your base of operation, and a little less without the unlimited champagne and mimosas, a little more with.

 

I just double-checked, and it's $35, with an option for unlimited mimosas for $8. I don't think it's a bad deal (and considering it's order-as-you-go small plates from a restaurant like Border Grill, I'm not sure that Cosmo's buffet would "blow it away in terms of quality"), but it's just important to know what you're getting. My issue was mostly that I don't eat beef and don't really like sweet breakfast foods, which knocked out about half of the menu for me... plus the fact that I was hungover and really just wanted a damn breakfast burrito.

Here's a link to the menu: http://www.bordergrill.com/PDF/bglv_border_brunch.pdf.

 

If i was you, I would take out border grill and grand luxe. They're unremarkable and probably nothing you can't get wherever you're from. so many awesome restaurants in Vegas, no need to waste the resources on something ordinary.

And Cosmo would most definitely blow away Border grill in quality.

 

Perhaps substitute in one or more of the following:
Bouchon @ Venetian
Public house @ Venetian
Holsteins, comme ca, jaleo @ Cosmo
Cosmo buffet
Julian Serrano @ aria

Substitute out:
Grand lux--not bad, but really just a cheesecake factory
Joes stone crab--chain restaurant available in other cities
Border grill brunch -- really like it for a regular meal, think there are better brunch/buffet choices

 

Grand Lux -- Agree that it's similar to Cheesecake Factory (owned by them), but everything is always good.

Joe's -- Still stone crab season I believe. I'm not that big a fan of crabs, but have really enjoyed both meals I have had here.

Other Ideas -- Maybe venture out of the hotel/casino megaplexes and do something with a bit more of a local flavor. How about the Peppermill, a short walk from Wynn, for either breakfast (huge ass breakfasts) or maybe even dinner. You can mingle with the cougars at the bar before or after.....

 

I'd only include Andrea's if vibe dining where they list the musical chef before the actual chef is your kind of thing.

 

Thank you!

I've been to Bacchanal buffet.

Also to everyone else, I may sub out Andrea's....Border Grill I chose because it is free for me and a guest. Also - all the buffets I listed are ones I have been to for breakfast/lunch/dinner. I've also been to cosmo on many occasions. What would you guys sub for Andrea's that is at the Wynn/Encore or Venetian/Palazzo? Anyone prefer Tao restaurant? I've eaten at SW Steakhouse, while it was good, I probably won't be going back. Other steakhouses I have dined at in Vegas are much better. Also - I chose Grand Lux because I love that place, and Vegas is the only opportunity I get to eat it. Same for Joe's.....I live in rural West Texas so chains like these don't exist for about a 6 hour drive.

 

Quick note: Definitely correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you may be thinking of Joe's Crab Shack. That's a chain restaurant with over 100 restaurants across the country. Joe's Stone Crab is a very, very old Miami Beach restaurant that has an outpost in Chicago as well as the one in Vegas, and is unaffiliated with Joe's Crab Shack.

 

Has to be what the poster was thinking of. There are only two Joe's Stone Crabs in the country, and if that defines it as a chain, then you have to throw almost every restaurant in Vegas out.

 

And the two Joe's Stone Crabs couldn't be more different if they tried. There's really only two common elements: Stone Crabs and the famous Key Lime Pie (best I've had). The one in Miami is a true seafood shack, the one in Vegas is an upscale steakhouse style restaurant.

 

Have you eaten at the Vegas location? Thoughts?

 

Joe's at Caesars is excellent. I admit I was leery about it, but it's really, really good. I've been there three times since December. The crab is outstanding, the fish and oysters are very good, the sides are delicious and the dessert is sinful. I haven't had the steak, but I assume it is done well too.

 

Fantastic. Also - I've considered replacing Andrea's with SUSHISAMBA at Venetian experiences?