Poll : 06 September - 20 September 2011

Analysis

Our usual thanks to all 2,500 of you who took the time to take part in this poll. While it was more of a fact-finding mission than a marketing opportunity for us, we feel compelled to take the opportunity to plug the upcoming 2012 edition of our Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide, which sounds like just what many of you need. While many of Essential 50 restaurants are of the high-end variety, there are even more neighborhood eateries and ethnic hole-in-the-walls included in this year's book, which should provide food for thought for all of you who are looking for good and interesting dining opportunities without paying Strip prices. We've expanded the "Additional Recommendations" in the back of the book to include more choices for last year's lists (Best Sushi, Best Pizza, Best Desserts, Chinatown, and so on), while we've added a big new section on Steakhouses, plus the best of Downtown Dining, Food Trucks, Sunday Brunch, and Special Diet. It's a must-have pocket companion for anyone planning on dining in Vegas in the next twelve months -- look out for a special pre-publication discount offer that we'll be running starting next week, too.

Okay, that's the sales pitch. Now, here's some of your feedback:

• "Whenever I go to Vegas, my dining experience always includes two stops: 1) a place that has that only-in-Vegas deal (e.g., steak dinner at Ellis Island), and 2) a high-end restaurant (preferably one I haven't visited before).
  
  
• "I'm always wanting to find 'hidden gems' or places locals go to. Last time out we tried an Italian place off the beaten path called Nora's Cuisine. It's in a strip mall about 3 miles off the Strip. We went for lunch one afternoon and had one of the best meals we've ever had in Las Vegas." [Ed: We love Nora's and have been eating there for years. They have a great cocktail program, too.]
  
  
• "I only eat at the local places if I can help it. For me it's Chinatown, Sahara, Twain, etc. Sometimes a meal at an off-strip casino like Gold Coast or Main Street Station. Believe it or not, I liken the Strip nowadays almost to a 'food desert.' Sure, there's plenty to eat, but who can afford it? High-end prices for average grub and $8 beers? I could afford it, but the value isn't there. I can get a meal on Spring Mountain Rd. three times as good for 1/3 the price."
  
  
• "I enjoy the variety at the above-average buffets in Vegas, such as Wynn, Mirage, and Bellagio. It also allows me to determine my portion size and eat responsibly without all the garbage you get at cheap buffets."
  
  
• "Totally depends on why I'm there or who I'm with. Just got back and outside of my meeting meals, I hit M buffet (stayed there) and In-N-Out burger twice (easy drive-thru and we don't have 'em at home)! Next visit will be all locals places - Rosemary's, TC's Rib Crib, Firefly and Mary's Hash House - because those are staples when I'm there with my husband. When we're with 'newbies', seems we always have to eat at one of the buffets just for the 'experience'. if we're with beer drinkers, then we hit at least one of the brew pubs downtown -- more for drink than food! I'd love to use coupons and occasionally get to - but eating out has become a 'destination' when we're in town -- just like where we stay and where we'll play. Trip to trip it's never the same food-wise." [Ed: Alas, Rosemary's is no more and Firefly closed at the Plaza, but still has locations on Paradise and Sahara.]
  
  
• "Quality of food is always a factor. Free doesn’t work if it’s inedible. The best situation is being able to find coupons or specials and/or get comps for the places we prefer. For example, I use Open Table for reservations and Trevi is giving 1,000 points. The MRB definitely has an influence on our choices too. Also, the reviews in the LVA have prompted us to try places that we might not have otherwise." [Ed: Mission accomplished, then. Cool!]
  
  
• "A couple of years ago I would have picked the first option ("The main attraction of Vegas...") because we ate mostly on the Strip, but times have changed. When we go to Vegas we're what you consider very low rollers and on a pretty tight budget, so getting the best meal and the best price is very important to us. While we used to eat on the Strip, either in one of the buffets or cafes, we now eat at the locals hotels and casinos, were we get a discount using our players card at their buffet or eat in the cafe where the prices haven't risen quite as much as they did on the Strip. We have been very pleased with the quality of food and even more pleased with our savings!"
  
  
• "Would be really nice to see a 'Vegan Vegas' or 'Vegetarian Vegas' restaurant section for those of us who have had more than enough prime rib over the years and are now enjoying a lighter, healthier diet." [Ed: Huh?! We've been listing veggie- and vegan-friendly restaurants for years! Just click the green "veggie/vegan" button in our Restaurant section -- we have a feeling you might be in for a pleasant surprise.]
  
  
• "My husband and I are a combination of several answers. We try to maximize our use of coupons (particularly the ones in the LVA Book – they are always great). The buffets have an overwhelming amount of food, but they do allow us to try a little bit of a number of different dishes. We try to have one or two fine dining dinners each trip. Good service combined with good food generally keeps us visiting the same restaurants."