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Emeril's
The Crescent City's most televised chef, Emeril Lagasse, cranks it up a notch at his New Orleans fish house, with barbecued oysters and lobster cheesecake. The wine list is an award-winner, and the banana cream pie drizzled with caramel is sumptin' else.
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Envy
Envy's name is no lie. A dramatic mod entrance leads inside to where powerbrokers recline against high-backed chairs amid a boldly splashed color palette of paints and hanging lanterns. Both the steak and seafood get high marks, along with inventive side dishes like truffle reggiano fries. Smart wine list. Reservations recommended.
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Fin
Elegant yet edgy, this expansive modern dining room wrapped in silk screens and whimsical blue-crystal bubble mobiles spans the spectrum from classic to creative Chinese cuisine, with every dish a tangy winner. After you hit the jackpot, order the braised whole abalone.
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Firefly
Firefly is always packed. Folks are venturing off-Strip not just for the late-night patio scene; it's also for the food. Spain shakes hands with Asia, as chorizo clams jostle alongside shrimp potstickers in a mustard-sesame glaze. A backlit bar dispenses sangria and lychee-infused vodka. On some lucky nights, hot Latin turntablists spin.
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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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Fleur De Lys
Overseen by French chef Hubert Keller of San Francisco's famous Fleur de Lys, a soaring space outfitted with European linens and flower-patterned china enhances thoughtful, seasonal tasting menus. Expect flawless service and expert cuisine like filet mignon with braised oxtail tortellini or Hawaiian swordfish with fennel rouille (imaginative vegetarian options offered, too). Reservations recommended.
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Florida Café
The hub of Naked City's Cuban community is advertised on bus stops all over town, but don't let that dissuade you. Island artworks hang on the walls and a Cuban chef reigns over the kitchen, cooking up shredded steak, hearty fried pork and seasoned chicken with yellow rice. Café con leche, flan and batidos (tropical shakes) are superb.
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Garduño's
While the menu of combos tradicionales plays more to the frat-boy palate, there are a few truly authentic tastes to be found, such as the pork posole. Tables on the upstairs terrace are best, or just belly up to the Blue Agave oyster and chili bar for shooters and a lip-smacking coconut margarita instead.
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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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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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Il Fornaio
Feast on wood-fired pizzas, seasonal salads and pastas, or make a meal of the antipasti platter, with scallops wrapped in pancetta, baked eggplant, truffled cheeses and more.
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In-N-Out Burger
At California's famous In-N-Out Burger, where the patties are never frozen and the fries are hand-diced every day, there's a secret menu. Ask for your burger 'animal style' (with mustard, an onion-grilled bun and extra-special sauce).
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Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
Modern art enlivens the walls of this invention by Mexican-born chef Richard Sandoval, serving a fusion of south-of-the-border tastes. Be forewarned: plates are apportioned for giants. Calling on Isla's tequila goddess to help decipher the bounteous menu of agave elixirs is a must.
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Japonais
Not another pan-Asian fusion restaurant, you're thinking, right? But with a sexy Jeffrey Beers design and rock-solid Japanese chefs behind the sushi bar, don't worry - you're in good hands. Savor playful dishes like 'The Rock' (NY strip steak sizzling on a hot rock) or 'Tokyo Drums' (teriyaki chicken drumsticks with roasted scallion dipping sauce).
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Joël Robuchon
The acclaimed 'Chef of the Century' leads the pack in the French invasion of Las Vegas. Adjacent to the high-rollers' gaming area, the Mansion, Robuchon's plush dining rooms done up in leather and velvet feel like 1930s Paris. Complex seasonal tasting menus. Reservations essential but difficult. At next-door L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon ($$$$), bar seats front an exhibition kitchen.
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Le Cirque
An outpost of the legendary NYC restaurant pairs artful haute cuisine with world-class wines in a joyous, intimate lakeside setting with a silk-tented ceiling. Foie gras terrine, roasted truffle-skin chicken and roasted duck with Tasmanian honey are among the signature dishes. Jacket and tie preferred. Reservations essential.
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Le Village Buffet
Fresh fruit and cheeses, cracked crab legs and a wide range of breads and pastries make this arguably the best-value buffet on the Strip. France's various regions are represented at distinct cooking stations. Breakfasts are magnifique , especially the Sunday champagne brunch. Expect to queue.
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Lillie's Noodle House
The imperially rich tapestries, gold-flecked tables and red-and-black tones overwhelm the serviceable Cantonese, Szechuan and pan-Asian cooking, as this dining space is among the most gorgeous in Glitter Gulch. Fusion desserts like ginger crème brulée are ambrosial.
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Lotus Of Siam
At the most authentic Thai kitchen this side of Chiang Mai, a super-fresh menu includes both Isaan and Northern Thai specialties like savory larb salads with sticky rice. Ignore the strip-mall location while you concentrate on fresh flavors bursting out of your bowl. Award-winning German and American wine list.
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Lutèce
Impeccable modern renditions of classic gourmet French fare (like pan-roasted squab with shallot marmalade) are dramatically presented in a sophisticated, austere setting. The wine cellar is top-notch and the superb seafood dishes are as sought-after as canalside seats with Strip views. Reservations essential.
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Luv-It Frozen Custard
A mecca for locals since 1973, Luv-It has handmade custard concoctions that are way creamier than ice cream. Flavors change daily, so you'll be tempted to go back. Try a 'Luv Stick' custard bar, thick milkshake or sundae piled higher than Everest.
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Mahalo Express
The truest tastes of the islands are found at this cafeteria. Your fellow diners are likely to be homesick Hawaiian families or bleary-eyed gamblers who know there's nothing like a mixed plate of two-scoop rice, macaroni salad and succulent meat to stave off a hangover. Walk over to the Cal casino hotel afterward for Lappert's Hawaii-style ice cream.
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Mermaids
Hook a strand of Mardi Gras beads at the door, then weave your way past the rabid slot jockeys to the back counter for outrageous deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos snowed under by powdered sugar. So sinfully tasty.
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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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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.
