We posed this one to restaurant critic and Eating Las Vegas co-author Al Mancini, who writes:
You didn’t mention how large your party is, but assuming it isn’t too huge, and based on your desire for a prix-fixe menu, I would look into Payard at Caesars Palace. The room is intimate (about 45 people) and beautiful – one of my co-authors once described it as looking like the inside of a wedding cake. They offer basic versions of classic French cuisine, made in a very tiny kitchen in the center of the room, and they have the option of a three-course dinner, with many choices for each course, for $48 a person.
The only possible issue with Payard is that, while you will all be together in an intimate room, you won't all be seated at the same table: The tables actually circle the cooking station. And because the kitchen is so small, you won't all be served at exactly the same time. That small consideration aside, I think this would be a great choice for a social occasion such as your wedding rehearsal.
The truth is, however, you can call any restaurant and ask about their private dining room. Nearly every place has one or more. Valentino in The Venetian, has some of my favorites and the restaurant will still be open in time to host your party. (It's set to close at Venetian sometime in June, although hopefully will be relocating to a new home in town.) This is one of our Top Ten picks in the 2013 Eating Las Vegas guide, and while it's definitely among the more affordable options on that exclusive list, bank on spending $50-$75 per person here, excluding cocktails.
Most good restaurants will insist that large parties (usually defined as dozen or more guests) order from a special set menu -- whether with three of four choices per course, or one set tasting menu for all -- rather than the regular full version, and will agree a fixed price per head. The reason for this is that bringing food to 15 or 20 guests at a table at the same time poses logistical challenges and has a tendency to disrupt the rest of the kitchen, especially if everyone's ordering something different, with inconsistent preparation and cooking times, etc. It's in the interests of your enjoyment, as well as the convenience of their other guests, if the menu is prearranged and designed to work for a large-party scenario.
Another great and economical option is to pick a place that offers "family-style" dining, i.e., that offer one or two dishes, served in sufficient quantities to feed the whole group, as you would do at home. Italian restaurants tend to be great for this and if this concept appeals to you, I'd recommend talking to Rao’s (again at Caesars Palace), which can accommodate large private parties and always treats them like family. Nora's Italian Cuisine a little west of the Strip on Flamingo is also a good choice and they make great cocktails, too, as does Herbs & Rye on W. Sahara, whose menu includes a "Family-Style" pasta section with a variety of preparations, including linguine and clams that's one of the dishes available with their 50%-off happy hour discount from 5 to 8 p.m., if you opt for an early dinner. (They also have a 60-ounce "steak for five" ribeye, which comes with three sides for $85, should you have any dedicated carnivores in your party.)
One last suggestion is tapas-style restaurants specializing in small plates, which is an especially good option is your guests have lots of different dietary tastes or requirements. Fleur by Hubert Keller in Mandalay Place fits the bill and has a great private dining area, and great food.
