MY Luxury 21 B-Day Las Vegas Trip! Help!

[cgervais45]

Ok so I will be going to Las Vegas, alone, for my 21rst birthday trip and I think I got it down packed but would like some input/suggestions. I want to start studying wine and fine dining but want to have a BLAST while I'm down there. Will be down there Sept.1-5th at the MGM and it just so happens to be RESTAURANT WEEK!!!! But anyways here is what I got so far!

MONDAY: Dinner at Alex (Wynn)

TUESDAY: Lunch at Emeralds (MGM), Dinner at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM) $50.08 Restaurant Week Menu!!, and Possibly eithier KA or Crazy Horse Show (Recommendation?)

WEDNESDAY (BELLAGIO DAY): Lunch at Olives, Dinner at Picasso, Going to see the "O" Show!!! Want to stop by Jean-Phillipe for a snack!

THURSDAY: Lunch at Mesa Grill and Dinner at Guy Savoys Bubble Bar!

Ok so I still don't know if I got to much French meals and I need to experience different cuisines or to stick with what I got. I like great food, wine, and COCKTAILS. I will be dining alone and don't want to feel uncomfortable. Also any recommendations or add-ons (shows, strip clubs, casions,bars) to make my 21rst trip a memory of a life time.

[itryalot]

How do/did you find out about the middle of the week dinner prices. Any recs to how I can find out about them for that one and other restos?

[cgervais45]

Las Vegas, like many major cities, have restaurant week once a year. Las Vegas 2008 Restaurant week is Sept. 1-7th. Here is the link:
http://www.threesquare.org/promotion.asp

Even big restaurants as L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon are on the list. GREAT way to experience these restaurant cheaper. I'm half tempting to pay the $150.00 plane ticket change fee just to stay longer so I can experience them all!! Even if the others are not on the list, most restaurants will have a special prix-fixed menu to compete with the ones that are (Secret.....Shhhhhhh don't tell)

[cgervais45]

OK so I think I made my mind up:

MONDAY: Dinner at L'Atelier De Joel Robuchon and Crazy Horse Shows afterwards!
TUESDAY: Breakfast at Bouchon, Lunch at Emeralds, Dinner at Craftsteak (Possible sub. Nobhill)
WEDNESDAY (Bellagio Day): Lunch at eithier Olives or Jean Phillippe, Dinner at Picasso, "O" Show afterwards!
THURSDAY: Lunch at Mesa Grill, Dinner and drinks at Guy Savoy Bubble Bar!

Alright so I chose Picasso over Alex for my non-bar fine dining restaurant for the simple fact that its a one of a kind restaurant vrs. Alex which is kinda like eating at the Ritz Carlton which I can eat at anytime. Also Picasso looks a little cheaper and I want my wallet to be mostly emptied out at L'Atelier De Joel Robuchon and Guy Savoys Bubble Bar. Also its at the same hotel my show is at. Now I chose Craftsteak because I do believe they serve the full menu at the bar and is complete opposite cuisine than my others. Still Nobhill looks tempting (Lobster Pot Pie.....MMMMMM sounds good and different. ANY suggestions that might make my 21rst B-Day one to remember? Keep in mind I will be traveling alone. Thanks and can't wait to hear yalls suggestions and input on my trip.

[Negaduck]

I did a L'Atelier / Crazy Horse combo deal MGM had a while back and it was a pretty good deal. Not sure if they still have it, but the restaurant week deal is good too.
You could try throwing in some seafood from either Michael Mina, Restaurant Charlie or rmseafood.
And even though you're looking for variety, I don't think anyone here would turn down consecutive nights of Alex/Picasso, Guy Savoy and L'Atelier.

[cgervais45]

Yeah I'm defently sticking to Picasso, just because its more easier with it being in the same resort as the "O" I will be seeing, Guy Savoy and L'Atelier. The only one I'm having trouble with is Craftsteak. Any recommendations to feel that spot or stick with it? I want a nice relaxing place with unique food and AWSOME Drinks! How was Crazy Horse by the way? Worth seeing?

[Negaduck]

I haven't really tried a steakhouse in Vegas but it seems like you can't go wrong with Cut or Craftsteak. You might as well take advantage of the summer deal at Craftsteak if you're already at MGM (I'll assume you meant Emeril's). I can't speak for cocktails at most places but Bouchon has a nice cocktail menu if you just treat your breakfast as a brunch. Stick to the restaurants for cocktails because you'll be paying through the nose if you go to a club.

As for Crazy Horse, I enjoyed it myself but I don't have much to compare it to since it's the only show of that kind I've been to. It's a pretty small space and small stage, which I liked since you have a good chance of a good view.

[cgervais45]

Now I'm leaning for Tuesday Bouchon for breakfast and Daniel Boulud for Dinner. I may also do Bouchon for Dinner as well as its not very often you can dine at a Thomas Keller restaurant instead of Boulud. Also does anyone know if it would be comfortable to dine at these alone?

[emmaAmethyst]

Bouchon is very comfortable for solo dining, either at table or at the bar. I've only done the bar area at Boulud, & that was lovely solo.

[cgervais45]

Yeah defently want Bouchon for breakfast and after looking at both Boulud and Bouchons dinner menus, Bouchons looks more appealing and interesting but I'm sure I can go wrong with eithier. Can't wait to post my review of them. Will be very detailed.

[zippyh]

One thing since you're dining solo is that the Craftsteak promo is family style for a minimum of 2 people.

Crazy Horse was an enjoyable enough show but given a choice between it and Ka, I'd pick Ka. I thought Ka was a lot better than O which I almost fell asleep at.

[foggy_town]

You have some great restaurants lined up. The only advice I can add is to pace yourself. I know I won't be able to enjoy 3 big meals a day on consecutive days. You are much younger than I am, so YMMV. Keep in mind that it's 100 degree in Vegas, not the kind of weather one builds up healthy appetite.

[Negaduck]

FWIW, there were a few solo diners in the main dining room at Guy Savoy when I was there this weekend. Try the guinea hen sous vide in pig bladder.

[cgervais45]

Thanks for the input Negaduck. The only thing I'm concerned about my trip is I don't have a variety. I defently want to do L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Guy Savoys Bubble Bar only because I heard the Bubble Bar can be a bargain if played right. With those two being both Bar/French enviroments I don't know if I want Alex or Picasso. I'm still thinkin about Craftsteak and Michael Mina. Its also restaurant week which big name restaurants like
Bradley Ogden, Charlie Palmers, Daniel Boulud, Nobhill, and Stripsteak are all doing the $50.08 3 course dinner meals throughout the week I will be there and I don't know if I should take advantange of the deal or stick with my plans. Any advice out there?

[aztami]

If you are concerned about a little more variety, What about Lotus of Siam? From everything I have read on this board, it is one you shouldn't miss!

[cgervais45]

I have heard good things about LOS but its not my kind of food but may try it next trip to Las Vegas!

[climberdoc]

Wow! That's quite a bday you have planned.

I didn't develop an appreciation for places like Alex, Picasso and Guy Savoy until I was in my mid-30s. Kudos!

KA was quite entertaining. One of the better Cirque shows IMHO.

Your itinerary is pretty admirable. You are hitting some of the best Vegas has to offer. Many people would hit just one of the places and call it good for a bday, but hey this is your 21st. You might do a search on solo dining in Vegas. There have been a couple threads which address it directly. JR and Bubble Bar are ideal venues for solo diners. Alex and Picasso may not be as comfortable.

For completeness sake you may think about a good breakfast/brunch. Some of my favorites are Bouchon, Verrandah and Tableau all of which are comfy for solo diners. For any other 21 year old I would recommend the Sterling Brunch at Bally's. With your high-end choices though, I suspect that buffets are beneath you (as they should be).

Can't help you with the strip clubs. I'm sure there is a Chowhound equivalent for strip clubs that one could find with a simple google search though.

I can't wait to read your trip report!

[cgervais45]

Yeah I live by the phrase, work hard and play even harder, and I've been working 2 jobs the past couple months so I want to have a trip to remember. Yeah JR and Bubble Bar are my "For Sure" spots to hit as well as going to Bouchon for breakfast. Alex and Picasso are was I was worried about feeling uncomfortable at but I chose them because those two are the very few restaurants that actually have there "Celebrity Chef" working in. Thanks for the input climberdoc.