Question of the Day - 24 March 2006

Just as we were pondering what to run as our next Reader Poll, someone did our job for us and sent in this question. Following the great response to the "must-see" survey, this seemed like a fitting successor, so please send in your favorites via the QoD submission page.

No special rules or restrictions apply: It can be any dish or side, as cheap or high-end as you like, just something that you’d recommend to a visitor because it’s consistently exceptional, or unique to Las Vegas, or super value, or a special-occasion splurge, or reminds you of your mom’s cooking, or is as good as you ate on a trip to New York/France/China/wherever, or even is just something simple that you look forward to when you visit because you like the venue and enjoy the service.

To inspire you, here are some suggestions from the LVA staff:

• The Ellis Island $4.95 complete steak dinner was the choice of both Deke (Senior Editor) and Laurie (Production Coordinator). "You’d think I’d be sick of the steak after having to come up with something different to say about it every month for the past 64 months in a row, but I’m not. I eat it all the time and still think it’s the greatest meal deal in Las Vegas, Nevada, the U.S., the world, the solar system, and possibly the Milky Way. The 150 steamed clams in garlic sauce I was served in Panama City recently -- for $3.50 -- is a close second." (Deke) "It’s a Top 10 favorite, as well as mine!" (Laurie)

• "Since two people have already gone for the Ellis Island steak, I have to pick the 99¢ shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate. What the heck -- it’s only been around for 47 years." (Anthony – Publisher)

• "I really like Garduno's (the one at the Palms is good, but the one at Fiesta Rancho is better). I like the basic stuff -- Nachos Tradicionales ($7.75) and the Carne Tacos Tradicionales ($9.95) -- but my husband’s a little more adventurous and tries new things all the time; last time he had the Mexican Chicken Stir Fry ($11.95) and said he'd order it again." (Sasha – Editor)

• Dale (Web Developer) picks Diamond China, 3909 W. Sahara. "Their wonton soup is killer. And the fresh whole shrimp (I am not sure what it’s called) is absolutely wonderful."

• "Hot and sour soup at Diamond China: I’ve been conducting an international survey for some years now and this one’s still in a league of its own. But seeing as Dale pipped me to the post in picking Diamond, I’m going to cheat and also choose the Nam Kao Tod appetizer ($7.95) at Lotus of Siam: minced sour sausage mixed with green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, crispy rice, and lime juice. Unique and delicious!" (Jessica – Web-Content Manager).

• "My pick's the Pacific Rim Fondue for Two ($62.00) at the Melting Pot, 8704 W. Charleston. I just took my daughter there for her birthday treat and we loved it." (Audrey – Receptionist)

• "At the Silverton's Sundance Grill, they serve a country-fried steak that's a really good-sized chicken steak with corn on the cob, gravy, and mashed potato. It’s just wonderful and the price is reasonable ($8.95). But then again, maybe I haven't got around that much!" (Andrew - IT Dept.)

• "Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens: The last time I went I had the beef medallions with mushrooms. My date had the king crab legs and raved about them. Prices range from $20 to $40 per person, without wine." (Becki - Office Manager)

• "I'll go for the lamb chops at Hugo's Cellar. The room is completely old-school cool and kitschy, the service is excellent, they have their own sommelier, and they prepare their chops better than any other restaurant in town that I've tried." (Bethany - Marketing Director)

• "For value-for-money, I'd recommend Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens at 1775 E. Tropicana (next to the Liberace Museum). Last time I went there I had the Eggplant Parmigiana ($10.99), which comes with a mountain of spaghetti, side salad, and as much French bread as you can eat." (Gail)