6 Las Vegas Food Safaris
Vegas has truly got it all. The city is one-stop shopping for global culture: the top Broadway shows, the funniest comedians, the glitterati of musical performers, replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals and the Statue of Liberty. The running hit list includes a bowlful of the most acclaimed chefs in the world, making Vegas ripe for a food safari.
If the city's culinary offerings are any reflection of the world's or at least America's taste buds, then we eat a lot of steak and Italian. That seems pretty accurate, actually. The reigning kings of Vegas kitchens are Michael Mina, with at least five restaurants, and Wolfgang Puck, with about six sit-down spots, not including his various casual "dining concepts." If you were a huge fan of the chef, you could actually eat only Wolfgang Puck's food during a weekend stay and not enter the same restaurant twice. Not that we're recommending you do that.
So many incredible choices at your fingertips may be overwhelming, so we've done the homework and designed itineraries around a few culinary fantasies. These days, there's no reason to eat, play and stay under one roof in Vegas (as much as the casino-hotels would like that). The Strip is more walkable and packed with more sights than ever before — but check the temperature outside, you might want an air-conditioned coach instead.
Best for Italian: The Venetian
Best for American Favorites: Caesar's Palace
Best for Star Power: Mandalay Bay
Best for Creative Contemporary: Encore Wynn Las Vegas
Surf & Turf Itinerary
Bellagio: Michael Mina
Bellagio: Prime Steakhouse
Mandalay Bay: RM Seafood
Palazzo: CUT
Venetian: Delmonico Steakhouse
Venetian: Aquaknox
French Masters Itinerary
Caesar's: Restaurant Guy Savoy
Mandalay Bay: Mix
Mandarin Oriental: Twist by Pierre Gaganaire (pictured above)
MGM Grand: Joël Robuchon
Palms: Alize
Weekend in Asia Itinerary
Aria: BarMasa/Shaboo
Bellagio: Jasmine (pictured right)
MGM Grand: Pearl
Palazzo: Zine Noodles Dim Sum
Encore: Wazuzu
Wynn: Wing Lei
Celebrity Chef Groupie Itinerary
Caesar's Palace: Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay)
Mandalay Bay: Lupo (Wolfgang Puck)
Palazzo: Carnevino (Mario Batali)
Palazzo: Table 10 (Emeril Lagasse)
Bouchon (Thomas Keller)
Bellagio: Olives (Todd English)
Jetsetter (Best of NYC and LA) Itinerary
Bellagio: Le Cirque (NYC)
Caesar's Palace: Mesa Grill (NYC)
Caesar's Palace: Rao's (NYC)
Crystals at City Center: Beso Steakhouse (LA)
Caesar's Palace: Spago (LA)
Bravo's Top Chef Fan Itinerary
MGM Grand: Craftsteak (Tom Colicchio)
Mandalay Bay: Burger Bar (Hubert Keller)
Mandalay Bay: RM Seafood (Rick Moonen)
Mandalay Bay: Border Grill (Susan Feninger) (pictured above)