Las Vegas Restaurants

  1. Aureole

    Chef Charlie Palmer's inspired seasonal American dishes like oven-roasted pheasant with sweet-potato gnocchi soar to new heights. The chef's tasting menus are pure art and it's worth ordering wine just to watch catsuit-clad 'wine angels' ascend the four-story tower. Extensive wine list, formal dress. Reservations essential but difficult.

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  2. Bally's Sterling Brunch

    Indulge at the best - and most expensive - Sunday champagne brunch in town. Ice sculptures and lavish flower arrangements abound at Bally's Sterling Brunch, as do food stations featuring roast duckling, broiled lobster, caviar on ice - you get the idea.

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  3. Binion's Coffee Shop

    This vintage 24-hour coffee shop is the real deal. Stuff yourself silly with the oversized portions, then choke on the roughed-up coffee, which lets you know you've really arrived downtown. The waitresses are as friendly as your mom; ask 'em about the specials, day or night.

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  4. Bradley Ogden

    With gourmet farm-fresh fare, this San Francisco Bay area chef's eponymous restaurant delivers nouveau takes on American classics, like blue-cheese soufflés and steamed Alaskan halibut with basil vinaigrette. Torch lights and waterfalls demarcate a soothing space away from the casino buzz. Reservations strongly recommended.

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  5. Canter's Deli

    What did Canter's bring over the state line from its landmark LA delicatessen? You guessed it: the infamously gruff service. Wave goodbye to all considerations of politeness then steal one of the seats at the stainless-steel counter or a mod booth for authentic deli fare that's as good as it gets.

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  6. Charlie Palmer Steak

    Artisan-aged beef is grilled to perfection at this classy, Spanish-influenced hideaway. Starring on a regional American menu are Kansas City rib eye and Hudson Valley foie gras. Impressive wine list; business casual dress. Reservations essential.

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  7. Fix

    A perfect pre-clubbing launch pad, or just for eyeing celebs and the casino floor, this trendy, high-flying kitchen makes gourmet comfort-food goodies like roasted tomato soup with a grilled aged cheddar-cheese sandwich, Kobe beef sliders with spicy fries and choco-java 'shake & cake.' Reservations recommended.

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  8. Hash House A Go Go

    Fill up before going to Red Rock Canyon on this SoCal import's famed 'twisted farm food,' which has to be seen to be believed. The pancakes are as big as tractor tires and the huge egg scrambles and hashes could knock over a cow. Meatloaf, pot pies, chicken-'n'-biscuits and wild boar sloppy joes are what's for dinner.

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  9. House of Blues

    This homey roadhouse (burgers, salads, BBQ) is a good pit stop before a show and a pre-show dinner receipt may whisk you past the show door line. The swampy bayou atmosphere and down home southern cuisine is enhanced by eccentric outsider folk art. Skip church: the uplifting Sunday Gospel Brunch includes unlimited champagne.

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  10. Mesa Grill

    While the star New York chef doesn't cook on the premises, his bold signature menu of Southwestern fusion fare lives up to the hype, whether it's a sweet potato tamale with crushed pecan butter, blue corn pancakes or spice-rubbed pork tenderloin.

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  12. Metro Pizza

    If you don't make it all the way out here to taste Vegas' best thin-crust pie, you can still devour a cheesy slice at Metro's outpost inside 24-hour Ellis Island Casino & Brewery (733-8901; 4178 Koval Lane) east of the Strip.

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  13. Rosemary's

    Words fail to describe the epicurean ecstasy you'll encounter here. Yes, it's in a strip mall, and it's a long drive from the Strip. But once you bite into such divine offerings as Texas BBQ shrimp with Maytag blue-cheese slaw or grilled pork chops with creole mustard sauce, you'll forget about all that. Wine and beer pairings make each course sublime. Reservations recommended.

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  14. San Francisco Shrimp Bar & Deli

    The best 99¢ shrimp cocktail in town (it's tiny - supersize it for around US$3 ) is the draw inside downtown's historic San Francisco-themed hotel. For the low-rollers' surf-and-turf special, veer across the street to Binion's snack bar (open to midnight on weekends) for an old-fashioned butcher-shop burger.

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  15. Table 34

    If you're killing time before a flight or starving upon arrival, detour here just south of McCarran Airport. In-the-know locals have long been fans of the chef's seasonal New American cuisine, evincing haute comfort food and Italianesque accents. Top-notch wine bar.

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  16. Tableau

    Feel like a VIP inside Wynn's ivory tower and experience the French-influenced stylings of chef Mark LoRusso, a meteorically rising Vegas star. The biggest payoff is at breakfast, featuring everything from peach ricotta pancakes to poached eggs with duck hash and citrus hollandaise sauce.

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