Vegas Dining Makes a Bid to Provide Quality as Well as Quantity

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Many small desserts close together

There is a go-to food some convention cities specialize in. Chicago, for example, is the home of deep-dish pizza.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas has been associated most with the variety of food it lays out, often at buffets. But some industry professionals think that's changing.

"These days, Vegas is less about the buffet and more about the dining experience," said Phil Huff, CEO of vendor Platinum Data Solutions, citing the example of casino magnate Steve Wynn's restaurants, such as SW Steakhouse, which emphasizes on quality more than quantity.

"Vegas has changed from an all-you-can-eat buffet environment to a more refined 'foodie' culture," according to Lisa Binkley, a senior vice president at Platinum Data.

But the area is still known more for its variety than a particular food. Collectively, restaurants in the region offer everything from a wide range of international dishes to a classic steak dinner.

And a random poll of industry professionals and well-traveled friends regarding their top picks for drinking and dining suggests that when it comes to food both quality and quantity are available today.

Some of these top picks are located in the conference hotel, Mandalay Bay.

There are two "must try" restaurants, according to Paul Abbamonto, chief operations officer at LRES, a real estate services vendor.

Fleur, which offers "small plates from around the world" is his favorite. But he also recommends Aureole, a steak and seafood restaurant.

For after-dinner drinks in the conference hotel, Abbamonto suggests the Red Square Restaurant and Lounge, which has a frozen ice bar and private vodka vault.

Those seeking a good buffet should try Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan, where the portions are just right and the dessert selection includes a variety of gelato, according to Vicky Nguyen, strategic events manager at Santa Ana, Calif.-based forensic loan auditors First American Mortgage Solutions.

But the best buffet is Bacchanal at Caesars Palace, according to Nguyen. She recommends the Stone Crab.

Particularly good seafood also can be found at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino's Oyster Bar, but it typically has a two-hour wait, Nguyen said. She recommends their Cajun-style seafood, pan roasts and the New England clam chowder.

French bistro Mon Ami Gabi is Nguyen's pick for drinks. "They have an awesome Blood Mary bar," she said.

The M Resort Spa Casino Hotel at the South end of Las Vegas Blvd. in Henderson, Nev., is local resident and retired former National Mortgage News art director Eclid Villarosa's pick for best buffet. The quality and variety of food and drinks it offers draws droves of diners, according to local reviews.

Other informal recommendations for best buffet based on variety and quality include the Bellagio. "Hands down," one well-traveled friend told me. I have to agree I was impressed with it the one time I was there, better than the few other Vegas buffets I've been to.

But my top pick for Vegas dining, based in part on nostalgia for the original downtown area, is the Cellar at the Four Queens Casino. I remember the food being remarkably better than all the buffets I'd been to when I was there several years ago, and recent TripAdvisor reviews are still strong. Another restaurant in Vegas a friend recommends is the Hash House A Go Go, which serves "twisted farm food." He singles out the sage fried chicken as particularly good.

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