Many Las Vegas buffets, especially the upscale gourmet buffets on the Strip, serve Saturday and Sunday brunches. These are almost always good value, and many serve unlimited sparkling wine or champagne, though they don't take reservations and you have to get your own food.
One of the most popular weekend buffet brunches is the one at Le Village Buffet at Paris (which puts out an excellent breakfast weekdays as well). The French-inspired food includes smoked salmon, made-to-order crêpes, eggs Benedict, French pastries and cheeses, and, of course, French toast, plus unlimited Saint Hilare Champagne. The price is $24.95; hours are Sat. and Sun. 11 am-3:30 pm. Go early.
Another is the great Spice Market at the Aladdin, a perennial Top Ten buffet in the Las Vegas Advisor. It serves Domaine Ste. Michelle and is $21.99 on Sat. and Sun from 8:30 am-2:30 pm.
The Wynn Las Vegas buffet brunch is also a favorite. With champagne, it's $31.95; without it’s $25.95 (a good deal), served 8 am-3:30 pm.
As far as non-buffet-room brunches go, the perennial favorites are the Steakhouse Brunch at Circus Circus, the Jazz Brunch at Commander's Palace, and the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.
But the best brunch buffet -- and the most expensive -- is the Sterling Brunch at Bally's. It's served 9:30 am-2:30 pm (Sunday only) in Bally's Steakhouse and you can make reservations. The Champagne is Perrier-Jouet (i.e., the real stuff). The prime eats include lobster, sushi, beef tenderloin, caviar, smoked salmon, escargots, rack of lamb, plus made-to-order omelets and other fancy breakfast fare. For $65 per person, it ought to be great. And it is.
The Circus Circus brunch features omelet, pancake, and carving stations, plus fresh shrimp, oysters, crab claws, and an assortment of deli-style fish. Included in the price is your choice of entrée (usually beef, lamb, or specialty egg dishes) prepared in the kitchen and delivered tableside. The champagne is Domain St. Michelle and your glass gets filled often. Reserve ahead for one of three seatings (9:30 am, 11:30 am, or 1:30 pm). The price is $28.95.
Commander's Palace is in the Desert Passage Mall at the Aladdin. It's a three-course sit-down meal featuring mostly Cajun specialties, such as gumbo, turtle soup, bourbon mashed sweet potatoes, jumbo lump crab cakes, poached eggs over pickled-pork potato hash cake, and pecan-crusted catfish. Desserts are equally impressive, including the signature Creole bread-pudding souffle. Strolling musicians provide a Dixieland feel. You get one drink on the house, then it's pay as you go. The price is $36; the brunch is served Sat. and Sun from 10:30 am-2 pm.
The Gospel Brunch at Mandalay Bay is raucous and anything but relaxing, thanks to the gospel group, but if you're in the mood for some soul food and a show, this is the place. Dig into fried chicken, catfish, shrimp remoulade salad, jambalaya, cheddar grits, and turnip greens, along with omelets to order and smoked salmon. Open from 10 am-2:45 pm; $39 per person.
