Restaurants in Las Vegas

What are the best restaurants in Las Vegas, say the top 5, in your opinion, regardless of food type? There are so many lists that attempt to convey this information that they tend to be meaningless; I'd rather trust the reccos of other WLDRers.

[Robin Garr]

I always jump on this question with the very non-traditional Lotus of Siam, which is off the strip, located in a shopping center, and is widely considered one of the best Thai restaurants in the US. With a memorable wine list.

Lotus of Siam
953 East Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 735-3033
www.saipinchutima.com

Open weekdays for lunch and dinner, Saturdays and Sundays for dinner.

I was there last Nov and heading back again in Oct. Really loved Alex, probably one of my five best meals ever and plan to go there again next trip. It is expensive. Will probably eat at LoS for the other nights which is great (and inexpensive) and the wine list is even better. I loved Picasso's when I ate there 7-8 years ago but worry about some comments I read on more general boards but am even more concerned that it does not get listed on geek boards like it had in the past. Afraid it may have fallen down somewhat.

I have been disappointed at both Nob Hill and Bartalotta's. Both were on holiday's so willing to accept that it may not have been the best they could do. I was also underwhelmed at Bouchon but it could have been a matter of I expected something more.

There is a mexican place in the MGM that we liked but its been years.

If you want brunch, that place in Paris is very good. I think it is as good if not better than the Bellagio one.

I had good sushi at a place called Tsunami at the Venetian. No idea if it is still there.

Commander's Palace in the desert passage use to have a great lunch special. Also not sure if it is still there.

We were in Vegas recently and our two favorite meals were in our hotel (Bellagio). One was at Osteria del Circo (Italian, obviously). Everything we tasted was wonderful--plus the view of the dancing fountains was an incredible back-drop. The other was at Todd English's Olives. Here, we enjoyed the best carpaccio we'd ever eaten.

Robin beat me to it..Lotus of Siam. Don't let it's location in a strip mall fool you.

Thanks Robin, Brian, Carrie and Shaji. December is still a ways off but I am starting to look forward to good food already.
JP