Our ongoing buffet crawl took us to the Gold Coast last night. After applying a Pocketbook of Values coupon, it came out to $11.80 for two people, which definitely counts as a bargain play, provided you manage your expectations somewhat. For instance, anticipate fewer items per category ... but also a few categories you might not expect, like "Mongolian."

The food offerings aren't identified, unless you count some places where things like "Spicy Carrots" have been scrawled haphazardly onto the glass -- and the scrawling doesn't always match the food that's beneath it. I'm forever trying to lose a few pounds, so I hewed mostly to the fish and seafood offerings, and you can't go wrong there.

So many iterations of chicken were on offer, across the board, that it was pretty surprising to arrive at the carving station and -- in lieu of turkey or ham -- find, yes, more chicken. The alternative was (very salty) corned beef, which makes me wonder if economic stringencies aren't taking a toll here. My better half loved the ribs, although I respectfully dissent.

With so much good Mexican food in town, I'm not sure why you'd go to a casino buffet for it. What Gold Coast had in that department lacked "curb appeal," particularly the industrial-strength guacamole. Only the mashed-potatoes, which had that school-cafeteria appearance, looked comparably off-putting.

Anyway, you'll want to pace yourself, because the Gold Coast buffet's greatest strength is its dessert counter. The sheer variety was impressive and I can vouch for the espresso cake.

As Boyd Gaming buffets go, Suncoast is still the leader of the pack, IMO, but Gold Coast's -- while obviously not in the class of either of The Rio's buffets -- is a better deal that the distinctly underwhelming one across the street at the Palms. Besides, you'll work off some of the calories making the long trek from the parking garage and back again.

Isle of Capri Casinos inched up a bit today, on news of a large buy-in. So somebody out there likes the stock.

Nice Try Dept. The lead story in today's Biloxi Sun Herald [registration req'd] concerns the Mississippi Gaming Commission's unanimous rejection of the proposed South Beach Casino. The would-be casino owners' land didn't reach clear down to the water's edge and, in a smooth move, they argued it didn't matter: The seawall consituted the "water's edge," whether any waves dampened it or not.

Give 'em credit for ingenuity. The commissioners weren't biting, though, pointing out that such an interpretation would run a cart and horses through the law that brought casinos onshore in the first place. Besides, if there's anything that would unravel the fragile detente under which Mississippi casinos exist, it would be this kind of creative circumvention of the law, and the sudden growth spurt that might ensue. (And it sure sounds like Biloxi could use the economic stimulus, judging by the comments of Mayor A.J. Holloway, who says he's seeing investors losing interest in the area.)

Mind you, it's a silly law. In fact, the whole 'boats in moats' concept that prevails through the Midwest and Bible Belt is profoundly ridiculous. It's just a way for the bluenoses to accept {shudder!} that icky gambling money while keeping the industry at arms' length and holding their noses simultaneously. This preposterous, hypocritical fantasy allows state legislatures to pretend that casinos aren't in the state, they're "on the water" -- but subject to taxation all the same, natch.

But if you're going to challenge that ridiculous regime, make a frontal assault (as is being done in Missouri with the loss limits). Don't go trying to tiptoe in through the back door,  because it's just going to set off a backlash.