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MGM Restaurant Suggestions to use $75 daily credit?

Discussion in 'Restaurants & Buffets' started by notfromconcentrate, Apr 17, 2019.

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  1. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    So, I've made a four-night booking at Aria for the dates I'll likely want to stay there, to take advantage of the "Stay, Sip, and Dine" offer which offers a $75 daily food/beverage credit (which is actually room rates marked up by $40 per night, making this $35 for free, but it's still $35 for free).

    Part of my reason for choosing this offer, aside from the value, is that it forces me to dine at some of the nicer restaurants that Vegas has to offer. As happy as I may be eating $10 prime rib and other such delicacies that are so uniquely Vegas, I've come to become more curious about what else there is, especially when I "have to" spend $75 or more on each meal for four nights.

    In terms of parameters, I love Italian food, will jump at most tasting menus, can't do anything spicy, and am allergic to potatoes (which is likely inconsequential, but just in case you'll recommend a dish which has potatoes). I'm willing to spend up to about an additional $75 each night (think $150-ish total range), so if it's a more expensive place you're recommending, please do not hesitate. The offer is also restricted to the venues listed here: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/offers/participating-outlets.html

    Right now, my two firm "for sures" are Carbone and Julian Serrano. So I'm open for two of the nights, for which I'll want to get your recommendations. I'll want to have a nice steak at least once, so I'm especially open to steak restaurant suggestions.

    Also, since this posting would appear to contradict my earlier statement that I can't book anything in Vegas until June, I booked this in a date range that's very unlikely to have a conflict from the variable that's holding me up. Even if I have to cancel and won't have the $75 credit, my curiosity on this subject remains.
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  2. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    Could do the whole trip without even leaving Aria.

    Carbone is on my hitlist, and I'm going to endeavour to get there this year.

    Lemongrass has a nice prix-fixe menu, and a really good menu all around.

    Jean Georges is really good, and you should be able to get out of there for < $150 if you swerve the wine & wagyu.
     
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  3. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    This was almost exactly what I was thinking :) I've never spent an entire trip just at one resort. Came close once in Mexico, but took one tour, so that ruined that. I've got some sightseeing I want to do nearby, so I will have to leave the property a few times. But for the most part I'll be spending time in the spa, at the pool, and a bit in the casino... so a "mostly on property" experience for the first time in Vegas will definitely be interesting.

    Great recommendations... my mouth was watering while eyeballing the Lemongrass tasting menu :D
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  4. Rinn

    Rinn Tourist

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    Another vote for Lemongrass
    Everything we have tried there has been fantastic! Just make sure to ask the server about spice levels.... Enjoy!
     
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  5. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    It really is great, and I hardly left there during the 2 days I stayed there last summer, lol.

    Think I've been to Lemongrass 5x in 3 trips, it really is superb.
     
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  6. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Based on the options list and places we enjoy, I’ll throw these out (I don’t eat spicy either) lol :

    Bellagio - Le Cirque, Michael Mina, Prime

    Aria - Carbone, Julian Serrano

    Mirage - Osteria Costa for Italian, Stack
     
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  7. Basil

    Basil VIP Whale

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    You can cover both steak and tasting menu together with the tasting menu at jean George’s. Pics in the sticky above from last year. It’s about $150 without drinks, so a bit over your $150 mark, but the food was excellent and a great bar set up for solo dining.
     
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  8. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Wow, that tasting menu is way impressive. Thanks so much for the photos in that thread! I'd pay $150 for that in a heartbeat. Luckily, I'll be a Sky Suites guest on this trip, so I can "pregame" with some wine from the Sky Suites lounge at their nightly tasting thing... which will probably make no material difference at all, but it will moderately reduce my FOMO (fear of missing out) from not getting that wine pairing and turning it into a $300 meal :)

    Geez... between Carbone, Julian Serrano, Lemongrass, and Jean Georges, it would appear I'm sorted for this trip! Welcoming more suggestions and commentary though.
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
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  9. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    Just one wafer-thin mint, sir?

    :D
     
  10. sinnerman

    sinnerman VIP Whale

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    I will second that all four of your choices are perfect ..., Carbone, Julian Serrano, Lemongrass, and Jean Georges for steak. Assuming you have a four day trip, you really don't need to go to any other places
     
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  11. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    It'll be another trip measured by weeks not days... though my next destinations (Circus Circus or El Cortez, and then probably Laughlin) will be very different scenes compared to Aria :)
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  12. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    I was going to strongly suggest an all-Aria line-up but others have beat me to it!!!! Aria's food line up is very strong.

    In addition to the "top 4" of Carbone, Lemongrass, Julian Serrano, & JG... Bardot Brasserie gets rave reviews. All should easily be able to accommodate your potato allergy.

    I haven't been to Sage and I'm surprised Javier's isn't on the list. Five50 is always good IMO.

    If you go off property and like seafood, I suggest Michael Mina at Bellagio. The lobster pot pie is gooooooood! They have a few different tasting menus.
     
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  13. sinnerman

    sinnerman VIP Whale

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    While you are at circus circus, THE steakhouse in circus circus is actually pretty good
     
  14. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    I've done brunch there before and was very much impressed. Would definitely warrant a repeat visit from me... and it's possible as one of the ones that I'll substitute Carbone for, as that's the most likely to be bumped off my list, in favour of going another time with a friend who I know will like it. Thanks for the encouragement of the all-Aria lineup... though that might also have been broken with your mention of the lobster pot pie.

    From that description, I totally thought it would look like this...

    [​IMG]

    But upon googling and discovering it looked like this, my millennial instincts kicked right in and thought about how sweet this would look on Instagram. Trying to be objective, Michael Mina is now on par with Bardot... with it being a total coincidence that they are both Mina restaurants :) Thanks Spicole!

    [​IMG]

    That's been on my list for some time now. I may not stay at Circus Circus after all, as it turns out. Somehow, the July 26/27/28 weekend is crazy expensive there, to the point that I could actually stay at the Encore for close to the same price. Other options in the works now... but since I'll be close to CC in my three afternoons at the Sapphire, that would definitely be an option for dinner one of the nights.
     
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  15. Pbtrav

    Pbtrav Mid level gambler.....high level drinker!

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    Carbone and Catch are both great at Aria...
     
  16. beuhner

    beuhner Low-Roller

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    Lemongrass is a great choice just be conscious of their spice level. I consider myself a spice guy and enjoy a spicy dish and ordered a 5 out of 10. This was too hot for my liking.
     
  17. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    @westie has a new post on restaurant reviews. Included is Bardot Brasserie. They rate it 5* (world class) and give it the best conclusion I've ever seen given to a restaurant; also, lots of pics.
     
  18. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    Agree! I like really hot food and a 3 out of 10 nearly killed me.

    That was endoedibles 16th visit to Bardot Brasserie! Agree on the pictures and the “conclusion”.
     
  19. HornHighCraps

    HornHighCraps Low-Roller

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    Sage should definitely be considered for your list at Aria.

    If you decide to venture off-property:
    Fiamma at MGM Grand is a solid Italian option.

    The Degustation Menu at Le Cirque (Bellagio) is truly an experience, although perhaps too pricey for what you are looking for.

    And although there are some detractors, I love Craftsteak at MGM Grand. Sit at the bar and ask for JT. He will take care of you. I recommend the Domestic Wagyu Skirt Steak.
     
  20. JoJoR

    JoJoR VIP Whale

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