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Zagat Las Vegas surveys food scene

(AP)
Updated: 2007-01-23 15:38

Food in Las Vegas is no longer synonymous with cheap buffets by the slot machine. Celebrity chefs, restaurants with skyhigh prices and award-winning cuisine have been part of the city's food scene for a couple of years now.

If you're one of the many travelers who frequents Sin City, check out the Zagat Survey's "2007 Las Vegas Restaurants & Nightlife," which not only offers recommendations for places to eat, but also for places to drink, dance, and people-watch. There's even a category for dives.

The 10 most popular places listed in the Zagat Vegas survey were Picasso (Bellagio), Aureole (Mandalay Bay), Delmonico Steak (Venetian Hotel), Bellagio Buffet, Prime Steak (Bellagio), Commander's Palace (Desert Passage at Aladdin), Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas), Emeril's (MGM Grand), Le Cirque (Bellagio), and Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars Palace).

Top-rated listings for best food included Rosemary's, Lotus of Siam, Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel), Picasso, Michael Mina (Bellagio), Andre's (Monte Carlo), and Prime Steak.

Among the "special feature" categories, Medici Cafe (Ritz-Carlton) and Jean Philippe (Bellagio) were rated as having the best breakfast; Steak House at Circus, Sterling Brunch (Bally's) and Medici Cafe were rated as having the best brunch; and Sterling Brunch also got highest marks for best hotel buffet, followed by Verandah (Four Season) and Bellagio Buffet.

Roy's, Bouchon (Venetian) and Burger Bar (Mandalay Place) won the highest ratings in the child-friendly category.

The category of "dives" in the Zagat guide includes Barbary Coast, Champagnes Cafe, Cooler Lounge, Dino's Lounge, Divebar, Double Down, Emergency Room, New York Cafe, Palomino Club and Sand Dollar Blues. A "drink specialists" category includes recommendations for tequila at Crazy Armadillo and Playboy Club, while gay/lesbian listings include Gipsy, Krave and Zingers. There's even a section for places where you can have quiet conversations, including Addison's Lounge, Artisan Lounge, Mermaid Lounge, Napoleon's Lounge, Nefertiti's Lounge, Petrossian Bar and Sidebar.