Question of the Day - 24 October 2006

Okay, the results are in and first-off, we'd like to extend our thanks to everyone who took the time to write in with their thoughts on this topic, which is evidently one that arouses some passionate and divergent feelings. Based on the responses we received, we can confirm that "gourmet" definitely won out over "bargain" in the buffet stakes: Wynn, appropriately, was the surprise winner, with 13% of the votes, closely followed by the Rio (11%, although that was split between the Carnival World and Seafood buffets), Paris, Mirage, and Main Street Station (9% each). The Orleans, Gold Coast, and Fremont were the most popular picks at the lower end of the price range, but Wynn got three times as many votes as any of those.

Here are some of your specific comments:

Wynn

• "The Wynn buffet is truly exceptional. I realize it's expensive, but in this case you really do get what you pay for. The stations abound and they are constantly refilling the eye-appealing and smaller portioned serving trays and platters (no troughs of food here). And the room that you're eating in is lovely. Did I mention made-to-order Bananas Foster? I'm getting hungry!"

• "On our last trip to Las Vegas, my wife and I tried the Wynn for gambling and atmosphere, and the buffet to see what they had to offer. This was by far the most exquisite buffet I have ever tried in Las Vegas. In fact, I can't think of a better one anywhere, in all of our travels. I can't speak of the price, since were comped both of the times we ate there, but the food selection and quality were the best."

• "Favorite buffet: Wynn. The reason: the quality of the food, the fantastic selection, and the atmosphere."

• "They have the best rack of lamb and the world's greatest coffee ice cream. They put out relatively small amounts of freshly-prepared foods and the desserts are amazing."

  Honorable Mention

• "We vote for Bally's Sterling Sunday brunch. It's an incredible value at $60. They pour unlimited amounts of Perrier-Jouët, which would cost at least that much for one bottle at a regular restaurant. But on top of that is the food: caviar, Maine lobster, and many very well prepared dishes such as blackberry-marinaded rack of lamb, macadamia-crusted halibut, and on and on."

• "Red Rock now has the best buffet, primarily because of the prime rib and the fact that they have been running promos all summer. The gelato is also primo."

• "My favorite buffet: Bellagio, if I want to try unusual foods and different cuisine. Outstanding! Wynn, if I want dishes I've heard of made better than mom made (almost!) And Mirage, if I want good food and to save a few bucks."

• "If I can only go to one buffet when I'm in Vegas, it's always the Carnival World at the Rio, especially at lunch, when the price is lower."

• "I choose the Flamingo for breakfast. I didn't like their dinner selection but the breakfast buffet wins for me. At $11.95 it's a few dollars cheaper than most and if you eat early, around 7ish, get a window seat and watch the pelicans and fish being fed."

• "One of the best buffets we ate at last time we were in town was at Caesars. While the choices of food were not as spectacular as some of the better-known buffets, the food was excellent. And the atmosphere was also very good (quiet, but a nice piano player during our meal).

• "We think one of the best buffets is Green Valley Ranch. It's always good, plentiful, and quiet."

• "Main Street Station has all the selections you need, at a reasonable price!"

• "Paris' breakfast buffet is absolutely the best."

• "Last year I would most definitely have chosen Aladdin's Spice Market, but not this year! Don't even consider: Everything was cold and way overpriced. So I decided to try Mirage's Cravings and WOW! It was awesome. Sunday brunch was maybe $22.00/person and very much worth it. Such a variety. I had zero complaints and much to compliment.