Ellis Island free drinks are a real winner, and when I was last there they didn't seem to care what drinks they gave you - so I had two hours of free champagne playing 25c video poker at the bar. It may have helped that I gave the bar staff a deal on tips. I said I'd put $20 into the machine, and play it through whilst drinking. Whatever I had in the machine at the end of the period would be their tip. At the end of the 2 hours it was $27. They seemed happy. I was VERY happy (ok, drunk). Went on to play some blackjack and made $200 within 1/4 hr - possible proof that karma works, or something like that. Anyway, an enjoyable time and location. Nowhere near as flash as the strip, and be a bit careful if on your own there at night (I got a taxi out), but certainly a fun and friendly place inside.
MRB books are always great, and more than justify the cost of membership. Re buffets, yes, agreed that Imperial Palace is pretty foul (on the whole)... as is the Terribles buffet (lives up to its name)... still, when you're only paying a few dollars you can't expect to be getting Mirage quality. :-)
