You're correct. But so were we! This is way more confusing than Flamingo deciding to play musical chairs with its pool names, renaming the Lagoon Pool the GO Pool, and the former GO Pool the Beach Club, so pay attention.
Back as far as our memories stretch, Caesars had a typical Las Vegas hotel-casino buffet, located by the race and sports book in the spot now inhabited by Mesa Grill, which was called the Platinum Buffet. Then, in 2000, the property debuted a new upscale coffee shop, called Cafe Lago, which boasted a high-end and, to LVA's mind, highly over-priced buffet element. Here's what we wrote in the March, 2001 issue of the newsletter:
"When the Cafe Lago buffet at Caesars Palace came in as the city’s most expensive spread for both breakfast ($13.99) and lunch ($15.99) in a list we published last November, we figured we’d pick one or the other of those meals to test. However, when a comp for dinner (earned from casino play) came our way, we reasoned that the proper inferences could be drawn, and went for the freebie.
"Given the price tag of $19.99, the selection for dinner was extremely limited--mostly Asian entrées and a few sides and salads. Our experience provided no evidence that the lofty prices for breakfast and lunch are justified."
In 2003, Palatium Buffet closed and Cafe Lago morphed into being a full-on buffet, while at some point in time on which we remain hazy, Augustus Cafe debuted as the new 24/7 coffee shop. Then, in 2011, Augustus Cafe closed for a complete makeover, reemerging in October of the same year as Central, the gourmet coffee shop by renowned French chef Michel Richard.
Cafe Lago, meanwhile, closed in early 2012 for a major renovation. For a while, Caesars had no lunch or dinner buffet, although a breakfast spread was served at Rao's for $21.95. Then, after a couple of delays and amid much fanfare, on September 11, 2012 the new $17 million Bacchanal Buffet finally opened, serving breakfast for $19.99, lunch for $24.99, and dinner for $34.99 ($39.99 on Friday & Saturday). The reviews were rave, including our own, and it was considered great value for money as the new "King of Gourmet Buffets."
Much has happened since then, primarily in terms of frequent price hikes, but that's another story we've covered elsewhere. Hope this clears up the whole Cafe Lago mystery.
