Viva Las Lunches, everyone! Fresh off my honeymoon, I’m back with tasty tales of must-try restaurants located in the heart of Sin City. From buffets to high society dishes, I’ll fill you in on where you should fill up in sunny Nevada.
The Bellagio Buffet
Price: Pricey
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 4 out of 5
Food Overall: 5 out of 5
I’m not one to ever wait in line for a meal. In my opinion, there are way too many great eateries in my town to have to stand around for an hour in one location. I’m definitely not one to wait around on my honeymoon for service either. That being said, I waited for 45 minutes to dine at the Bellagio Buffet in Las Vegas.
Why you ask? Because my wife and I heard it was that good. Besides, if other folks, surrounded by the glitz and glamour of the casino lights were willing to step away from the tables to belly up to the food trough, then it must be worth it.
And let me tell you: It TOTALLY was. Not only is this the best buffet I’ve ever had (although I seldom eat at buffets), it’s some of the best food I’ve had period. And even though they carry your typical buffet fare, some of the dishes may surprise you.
For example: King crab legs piled to the sky (served cold, or they will steam them if you ask), carved-to-order prime rib (with your choice of rare to medium), mashed potatoes, etc. This is the ‘usual’ eats found at most respectable buffets. And the usual was unusually excellent.
But the great thing about this one is that they serve food that you won’t find normally at your local mom-and-pop-serve-yourselves. For instance: Rosemary carved lamb, anyone? Juicy, succulent slices of the meat served medium rare and melt in your mouth. Or how about a yummy wild mushroom ravioli with truffle essence?
I’m not sure how familiar you are with truffle-anything, but I can assure you of two things: (1) it’s very expensive (about $20.00 for a 2 oz. bottle of oil) and (2) it takes the flavor of your food to another level not seen by many. That being said, this pasta dish was rife with truffle flavor, but not overpowered, so you tasted the rest of the ingredients as well.
But that’s not all: Braised brussel sprouts, halved and sautéed with bacon; shaved beef and cilantro atop a toasted mini-flatbread with a cucumber sauce; brick oven pizza made with a garlic cream sauce, bacon, ham and red onions; short ribs simmering in a port wine sauce with baby bella mushrooms...I’m full just taking about it.
And then there’s the dessert table. White chocolate Nutella stuffed in mini-ice cream cones. Caramel tiramisu. Little tartlets filled with cheesecake, lemon meringue and various fruit concoctions. Ice cream from the tap. Cakes, pies and puddings.
It’s enough to make your head (or roulette wheel) spin. As far as buffets go, it was pricier than most ($30.00/pp) but well worth the cost of admission. The place was clean and the wait staff friendly. I actually watched a man eat himself to sleep. Seriously. Any why wouldn’t he?
After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.
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