Eating Las Vegas co-author Al Mancini responds:
This town has a ton of great happy hour and reverse happy hour menus, many of which have been documented at length in the monthly LVA newsletter, but your focus on lunch specials is an interesting twist.
It sounds like the deal you’re referring to is the $20.12 three-course lunch special at Estiatorio Milos in the Cosmopolitan. While it's an affordable way to try this excellent restaurant, I agree that the menu has been rather stagnant, while they’ve also shrunk portion sizes and added a bunch of supplemental charges. So, here are some suggestions for other great deals at higher end restaurants.
While it’s a little out of your desired price range, the best deal around for my money is the three-course lunch at Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro in Caesars Palace. Since François Payard is one of the world’s most celebrated pastry chefs, this place is primarily known for its take-out dessert counter, but there’s also a tiny, beautiful dining room, where they offer perfectly prepared French food. For lunch, there's a prix-fixe deal, with a choice of appetizer and entrée for $24.
Another celebrity chef with lunch deals on the table is Kerry Simon. At Simon Kitchen in Palms Place, he has three different multi-course options, priced between $18 and $21. Or, at KGB (Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers) in Harrah’s, you can get his burger of the month, shake of the month, and fries, for $18.
Over at Palazzo, look into Zine Noodles and Dim Sum. The pan-Asian restaurant doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s pretty darn good, and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. you can get your choice of soup, pick from a choice of entrées, and mochi ice cream to round it off for just $15. Okay, three of the seven main courses come with a $3 up charge, but that still keeps you under your limit!
Finally, if you’re willing to venture off-Strip, you can’t beat Marché Bacchus, for my money. Located on a man-made lake in Desert Shores, this wine shop/bistro has long been a locals favorite; now, since Alex Stratta (formerly of the Michelin two-star Alex in Wynn) came on as a consultant, they’ve really upped their game. Executive Chef David Middleton (formerly of Scott Conant’s Scarpetta in Cosmopolitan), and Sous Chef John Courtney (ex- Rick Moonen’s rm seafood) are putting out fine French food as good as you’ll find in the big casinos. On weekdays, you can enjoy two courses (appetizer + entrée, or entrée + dessert), plus a glass of house wine (trust me, it’ll be good stuff) for $19.95.
