Once a vast wasteland of buffets, Las Vegas has come of age in the past decade, adding to its list of celebrities some of the top names in the culinary world. Visitors now have their choice of fine culinary experiences, both on and off the strip.

Famous for his Californian style, food and original restaurants, Wolfgang Puck has graced the city with five ventures, a visit to any of which is a treat. One of his establishments, Chinois, provides the better of two worlds; your choice of more relaxed patio dining or, if you have a jacket and tie, join a few famous guests in the private rooms.

The influences of the new epicurean alternatives have breathed new life into older gourmet rooms, as well. Palace Court, located in Caesars Palace, recently acquired a new chef as well as a new French cuisine and ooh la la--a hit reborn!
Topping both the Zagat survey and the Las Vegas Review Journals Readers Poll, Drais Restaurant provides dinners and high teas. Located inside the Barbary Coast Hotel, this enchanting room offers excellent live entertainment three nights a week to enhance the dining experience.

Elegance and beauty are the hallmarks of the Monte Carlo Room, located inside the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. As you relax amidst enchanting oil paintings in a garden setting, your lobster bisque will be cooked tableside.
If you?d like to combine a fine dining experience with a spectacular view, ascend to the top of the Stratosphere Tower for an evening at the Top of the World Restaurant. There isn't a bad seat in the house, since the room slowly rotates one complete turn each hour.
Some restaurants have stood the test of time in Las Vegas, and one of those is the Benihana Village in the Las Vegas Hilton. For 30 years, its been the choice for Japanese food, both for the exhibition style cooking and the amazing effects that transport you to a sleepy lagoon with soft rolling thunder.

Another fine choice for Asian specialties is Mayflower Cuisinier. Chef Ming See Woo has swept several awards into the restaurants fold, including a five-diamond rating from the American Academy of Restaurant Sciences.
While rats may not be a welcome sight in most fine establishments, the fact that a member of a Rat Pack has frequented a restaurant is a good sign in this gamblers paradise. Sinatra was a frequent visitor to Battistas Hole In The Wall, where you'll be served as if you were family.

The Tillerman is well known with locals for its outstanding array of fresh seafood dishes, and fine steaks. Of course, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus has been lauded since its opening as one of the best in the business. You'll forget that you're seated in a casino; the service is so fine you'll almost wonder if you should call a limousine for the ride home.

For a delightful twist on steaks, (as well as pork, turkey and sausage), try an encounter with Yolies Brazilian Steakhouse. This is one restaurant you can't leave hungry. Your server will continuously appear with spears of perfectly marinated and grilled meat entrees, that will be sliced onto your platter until dessert becomes an impossibility.

Visiting the Mohave Desert doesn't preclude enjoying fine seafood. Chef Emeril Lagasse produces award winning lobster, fish and crab delights at Emerils New Orleans Fish House, inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Awards have also been garnered by the Rosewood Grille, six-time winner of the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.
Las Vegas is for lovers. It must be true--its the number one American wedding destination. If you want to pamper your companion, there is but one choice: Hugos Cellar inside the Lady Luck Casino and Hotel. Ladies are presented with a rose upon arrival, and every possible need is anticipated.

Some eating establishments are known for their service, others are regarded for their entrees. The Cheesecake Factory has become famous for its desserts, that are so luxurious you could melt right into them. If you?d prefer a complete dinner prior to throwing your diet out the window, you'll enjoy their other restaurant, the Grand Lux Café, located in the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Same sinful delights, and great, extremely generous portions.

Do you know what you want, but it isn't on the menu anywhere? If you have a party of 8 or more, simply ring Le Pamplemousse and place an order for tonights meal. If you don't happen to be traveling with a large party, drop in anyway; you're sure to be delightfully surprised, since the menu changes daily depending on what the chef decides to prepare.
Of course, Las Vegas is known for themes, and you may want to be entertained while you eat. Steven Spielberg, known in another large town for adventure, constructed Dive to thrill his patrons. Where but Vegas can you dive below the sea while being served a submarine sandwich and fries?

If you get a bit seasick, perhaps you?d prefer dining with a cyborg from the Terminator, or Freddy from Friday the 13th? Drop in at Planet Hollywood, where you'll see authentic movie props and maybe run into a real star or two.
Tough guys aren't only in the movies, they are also rampant in the wrestling ring. Watch a perfected sleeper hold while you munch down on some man-sized portions at the WCW Nitro Grill inside the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.

Wresting isn't your sport? Drop into Race Rock at the Fremont Street Experience. The whole family will enjoy racing through lunch so that you can check out the race cars, engines, photos and jumpsuits from the auto, truck and boat race world.

There are great places to eat outside of the strip and convention areas, too. Bob Taylors Ranch House, for instance, is located in the Northwest portion of the valley. Its been a favorite of locals and celebrities for over 40 years; even Elvis loved the joint.
Bob Capozzolis Family Restaurant is located in the opposite end of the valley, in Henderson. Again, its been frequented by some of the most famous celebrities that Vegas can serve up (Sinatra, Bennett, Goulet), but what can we say: thats Italian!

After dinner, take a leisurely stroll down the strip, and perhaps enjoy a nightcap and a bit of dancing. The Drink is a popular destination, where your vodka tonic may come in a bucket or a baby bottle. If you prefer something a bit more exotic, rumjungle is sure to delight you.
The Venetians offering to the nightclub scene, C2K is the place see and be seen. If you're looking for a top VIP room, walk like an Egyptian over to RA, located in the Luxor.
If you want a really unique bar, however, you have to stop in at Breathe where the bartender is serving up a whole new kind of relaxation.

Geneva J. King





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