(ARA) - Glitz, glamour and gambling - all things that typically come to mind when talking about Las Vegas. When it comes to food, though, for many people, casino buffets are the limit. But as Las Vegas has grown more luxurious and diverse over the past decade, the restaurant scene has blossomed. With world-renowned chefs opening restaurants left and right in Las Vegas hotels, it's time for foodies to consider a pilgrimage. There are enough spots to keep you eating for days, and there are few cities in which it is so easy to check off so many names on your lifetime, must-go-to restaurant list. And those who are concerned that Vegas outposts from the world's best-known chefs might be trading only on a name can put the cynicism aside - the food here is the real deal. Here are some of the most outstanding restaurants and the Las Vegas hotels where you'll find them. Bouchon, in The Venetian
Come here for the simplicity, heartiness and artistry of the French bistro, through the eye of Thomas Keller - he of The French Laundry (widely considered to be one of the best restaurants in the world). It's often said that the simplest dishes are the most difficult to do really well. Considering that, when you taste the roast chicken and French fries here, you'll see what supposedly low-brow food can become, in the hands of masters. Anthony Bourdain was famously frustrated that the fries here were better than the ones he'd worked for years to perfect. Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand
It's got three Michelin stars. That in itself could be the advertisement for the Las Vegas restaurant by living legend Joel Robuchon. Menus go from $89 per person up into the stratosphere, but this is the meal of a lifetime. Also in the hotel is Atelier Joel Robuchon, which has an open view of the kitchen and a slightly more casual feel (and prices), with the same stellar food. Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesar's Palace
One of the most celebrated chefs in his native France, Guy Savoy has only one restaurant in the United States and it has earned effusive praise from critics across the country. It earned two Michelin stars in 2009 and it offers a variety of tasting menus as well as a "bubbles and bites" bar, where you can get a variety of champagnes and delightful small plates that give you a taste of the restaurant for a great value. Picasso at Bellagio
There are Picassos on the wall of this restaurant. Real ones. If that's not a demand that the food be top-of-the-line, nothing is. And because nothing is done half-heartedly at Bellagio, the food, crafted by chef Julian Serrano, lives up to the challenge. The menu is a Spanish-French inspiration hybrid, echoing the countries where Picasso lived, though it changes on a daily basis to reflect the freshest ingredients of the season. Also of interest are restaurants like Wing Lei (Wynn), Bar Charlie (Palazzo), Brasserie Daniel Boulud (Wynn), Michael Mina (Bellagio) and many more. To avoid being disappointed, be sure to make reservations well in advance of your trip. And as you're planning, be sure to search out the best rates for Las Vegas cheap flights on sites like Travelocity.com. The better the price of your ticket, the more you'll have to indulge in some of the best cuisine in the world. Courtesy of ARAcontent |
