Restaurant Week, 08/30/10 - 09/05/10

[OCAnn]

We'll happen to be in town for RW. For those who have been in years past, what are your thoughts? Are there any restaurants that you just *have* to go to? Any that are *really* great deals?

http://www.threesquare.org/events/eve...

Thank you! =)

[OCAnn]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We had reservations for MOzen which we had to cancel, because Mr OCAnn overate at lunch. =(

We did manage to split a midnight snack @ BLT Burger for their RW French burger. OMG...this was the BEST, juiciest and most flavourful hamburger I've had in my life. The RW burger had bleu cheese--and I don't normally care for bleu cheese--but this was soooo good. The cheese wasn't overbearing, but was just perfect for the burger, adding enough salt and flavour. The fries were utterly delicious as well, seasoned with garlic and rosemary. I've never had such perfectly and delicately flavoured fries as these--I wanted another order. Their RW combo included the burger, fries, s'mores (fun!) & drink for $20. We added a shake for another $6 (which we'll pass the next time).

Hopefully, we'll be back for the next RW to try MOzen (or try them on a future visit). Again, thank you all for your help & suggestions! =)

[OCAnn]

Anyone have a top-3?

[QAW]

There may be a reason why there has not been a lot of response in this thread from Las Vegas locals, but as the years go by, many of us treat Restaurant Week differently. Yes, some of these deals are good value, and some of the menus are well thought out. But the notion tends to be the same - a three course tasting menu, with two options each for the appetizer, entree and dessert.

Here is the good - it is an ideal way to try a restaurant you have not been to before, and get a feel for what they do. Here is the bad - because the selections are pre-set, you do not necessarily get the kitchens at their best. If they are serving the same entree over and over again, the execution can become "clean", but not necessarily exceptional. And because they are going to do a lot of covers, some of the options are pretty basic, and not very adventurous. That is not a bad thing, mind you, because the quality will be there, but at so many of these places it would seem like the set menus limit the experience a bit.

So we often suggest making a separate donation to ThreeSquare, and then ordering a la carte. Having said that, the idea of starting with a Grilled Summer Peach Salad, and finishing with Valhrona Chocolate S'mores, at Sage, looked particularly fun (the entree options are Pan Roasted Halibut, or American Wagyu Sirloin). And it could be an interesting time for someone that has not sampled the Caribbean influences at DW Bistro (like the Jerk Baby Back Ribs with grilled pineapple as a starter, and the Braised Oxtail entree). Also worth noting that the Roy's locations are offering many more options than most of the others, and while the MOzen Bistro only has a set four-course offering, the flow of those courses is intriguing.

[OCAnn]

Thank you for your reply Q. I think we (in OC) treat our RW the same way you in LV treat yours; with menus based on not-too-exciting fixe prix menus, but some offering really great deals (like BLT burger).

Thank you for the suggestions! I'll review the menus more closely. =)

[JZee]

We had the RW dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak last night and it was outstanding. Yes, nothing adventurous, but a great value for $50.10. The steaks were cooked perfectly, medium rare. The lobster was fantastic, the drawn butter pretty much unnecessary. The lobster was shelled with the shell on the plate partially filled with a Ritz cracker style stuffing. The vegetable sides were excellent. It was way way too much food.
And.... the wine pairings were BOTTOMLESS!
Our servers Randall and Eddie were terrific, we could not have asked for better service. This was our first time at CPS, we will be going back.
Food: A, Wine: A+, Service: A++.

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Charlie Palmer Steak
3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89119

[VivaLsVgs]

Wow...your review of Charlie Palmer Steak made me want to eat there immediately, unfortunately I don't arrive in Vegas until the 5th and CPS is closed on Sunday and Monday. Any other recommendations? I have eaten at many restaurants in Vegas and for most the $50.10 price doesn't really offer a great meal. I loved how CPS had the wine pairing for an additional $10.10. The reservationist tried to steer me towards Aureole but I'm not crazy about their RW menu. Any tips from fellow diners would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Charlie Palmer Steak
3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89119

[QAW]

If you are staying into the week, note that Charlie Palmer Steak will be back to their "Cut of the Week" deal again starting on Tuesday, which has been a wonderful concept - similar to the RW menus, with an appetizer, entree, two sides and dessert, with unlimited wine built into the price ($48.00). And real portions, not tasting menu samples.

[lvnvflyer]

One local option that has four selections in each category (except perhaps dessert) is Todd's; it's 30.10 for the dinner. I went with a group four of whom did the RW menu and seemed very happy; I had a cherry tomato bruschetta and some stuffed mushrooms and enjoyed those very much.

I agree, MOZEN was another one that caught my eye; unfortunately not in town this week so only got one shot at restaurant week.

[QAW]

MOzen Bistro (odd spelling, but that is the way they do it) deserves more attention than they are getting, but being in the Mandarin, instead of Aria, at City Center has them a bit out of the way. They can be put into that top tier of breakfast options with Bouchon and Verandah, but the location is not very convenient.